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Reaction to lexothyroxin

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isabel36588
isabel36588

hi just joined this site today I've been recently diagnosed under active Dr started me on 25mg of lexothyroxine took it for 9 days but feeling unwell nausea and with palpitations had ecg which was normal now referred to cardiologist for 24 hr ecg as had palpitations before treatment started. Agreed to take a a break from taking lexothyroxine it to see if causing palpitations didn't take it yesterday but took it this morning as worried as feeling really cold with tremors. Waiting for t3  blood test results feel really stressed as worse since starting treatment than before although was tired and had weight gain with some palpitations. Do side affects ease off? Or is it thyroid symtoms as tsh 18 anti bodies 75 and think t4 is 8.

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Tutu123
    Tutu123 isabel36588

    Posted

    Hi, I would say it's u likely the thyroxine is causing you to have palpitations, as 25mg is a very low dose. I get palpitations if the dose of Levo is too high, but would be very surprised on that kind of dose. The starting dose for Levo is usually around 75mg.
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 Tutu123

      Posted

      Hi thanks for your reply Dr started me on lower dose as did have palpitations before treatment so I thought treatment was making it worse but think I was anxious about it all and seems to have eased off past couple of days. smile I do notice in the morning my pulse is faster but better after food. plan is to increase to 50mg in couple of weeks as long as palpitations have eased. Glad to have found this site as its all been a bit of a shock to have diagnosis but think I've had symtoms for a while. Cheers 
  • barbara98940
    barbara98940 isabel36588

    Posted

    TSH = 18 and T4 = 8 is hypothyroid on both US and UK ranges. Do get a printout if your results. Note on the printout what symptoms you were having, and what thyroxine dose you were on, at the rime.
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 barbara98940

      Posted

      Yes Dr gave me results those were my exact results as you've quoted with thyroid antibodies of 75. Originally went to Dr month ago as having palpitations have been stressed for a while with work etc so she took blood test for thyroid. So started me on 25mg of lexothyroxin to increase after 4 weeks to 50mg but because had palpitations after 9 days went back and had more blood tests last week menopause glucose bones and think t3. Not having palpitations now but in morning fast pulse calms down as day goes on feels a roller coaster! 
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 isabel36588

      Posted

      Hmm. That's interesting. Your blood tests results suggest underactive i.e. hypothyroid, yet palpitations are a symptom of overactive i.e. hyperactive thyroid. Presumably that's why your doctor is asking for more tests. It may be that you need your adrenal gland testing. Look up Cushinga disease and Addisons disease to see if the symptoms match yours. If one has an adrenal gland problem it has to be corrected first before going on thyroxine, else one feels worse when taking thyroxine.
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940

      Posted

      Sorry for typo, it's Cushings disease.
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 barbara98940

      Posted

      Thanks Barbara yes I was reading up on it and thought of asking Dr to check on adrenal glands think I will have a list of things to check on. Will check on cushings and addisons. think the blood tests I'm waiting for are menopause, sucrose, bones and T3. Dr doesn't want to increase Levo until palpitations ease off hopefully seeing her this week. Never been to Dr so much as past month.  Thanks for your help really glad to have found this site as was feeling isolated but seems lots of people are looking at their meds hopefully there is light at end of tunnel 😀
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588

      Posted

      ...apologies if I keep repeating myself forget what I've written! 
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 isabel36588

      Posted

      You're welcome. Hope it goes ok at the doctor's. Might be worth writing diwn what you want to discuss so that you can leave it with your doctor if you run out of time. Remember to keep a copy for yourself. All the best.
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara 

      went to Dr today as up from 3.30am with really bad palpitations and didn't feel well enough to go to work but wasn't my usual Dr. My blood pressure was normal my pulse 91 which he said was normal but not normal for me. All my blood tests were normal think it was calcium sugar levels and only menopause was raised.He's booked me in to see my Dr on Thursday and suggested I take  lexothyroxin every other day to see if that makes a difference. Any suggestions on what I need to ask my Dr on Thursday I know to ask To check on vitamin levels. Is it worth asking for a different medication so far my blood tests for thyroid have been for Tsh, thyroid antibodies and t4 

      thanks 

    • isabel36588
      isabel36588

      Posted

      ...I checked symtoms for addisons and cushings I don't have any of those what is the adrenal gland test called?
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 isabel36588

      Posted

      24 hour saliva test is reported to be the best one to check your adrenal glands function. See website stop t thyroid mad... or thyroid uk or tpa uk.

      What did your GP say?

    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 barbara98940

      Posted

      I saw not my regular go  on Monday as worried about palpitations he said my blood pressure was normal and pulse for me was high but for gp within range. He made me an appt to see the Dr that diagnosed me tomorrow he thought I might be sensitive to levothyroxine and suggested taking every day. As I was having palpitations before diagnosis wonder if palpitations are due to prolonged stress which is over now and might be aggravated by thyroxine. Also menopause test shows high but sucrose and bones normal. I wonder now if Palpitations could be combination of menopause stress and starting medication bit of a chemical of hormones going haywire. I will speak to Dr tomorrow about symtoms and info gained here and thyroid UK.

      thanks 

      isabel 

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