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Scared to take the medication

Posted , 5 users are following.

Cindy001
Cindy001

I was diagnosed  hypothyroid on Tuesday and prescribed levothyroxine. I have read lots of things about side effects which make me very nervous about taking it. I have anxiety which I take medication for and I’ve read anexiety can be a side effect so I really can’t cope with my anxiety being made worse by taking this. I’m wondering if there may be diet changes people use instead of medication?  

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • dave64969
    dave64969 Cindy001

    Posted

    Most people have no side effects whatsoever. You can find a lot of scaremongering. My advice would be to try the medication. Diet etc may help but it won’t make the problem go away.

    if you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disease where the autoimmune system attacks the thyroid, going gluten free is often recommended, especially if you are a younger person whose thyroid still may have some function.

  • jennifer16462
    jennifer16462 Cindy001

    Posted

    My advice....... stop reading all the stories and forums. 

    Instead of making my own mind up about levo, I follwered everyone else on the forums. And it hindered my recovery.  Keep in mind the people who have bad reactions to levo are only a small percentage of people with thyroid issues. The other percentage are out there living there life. 

    My anxiety was caused by my underactive thyroid and when I found my right dosage, it disappeared. I then stopped reading all the negative things and told myself I needed to give levo a chance. And I’m glad I did. 

    What dosage are you starting with? Do you know how to take it?

    • Cindy001
      Cindy001 jennifer16462

      Posted

      Hi, thank you for your reply and advice. The tablets are 50mg. I think I  Was shocked with the diagnosis and the ease my GP prescribed the medication with no advice. The pharmacist told me what I needed to know ie about how to take them, what time etc and also about getting a prescription payment exemption certificate which I knew nothing about. I do have some symptoms, feeling very tired, feeling cold all the time and my concentration is terrible. After reading on here , on google, and listening to friends and family I have decided to start taking it tomorrow. Thank you once again for your advice and replying.
    • jennifer16462
      jennifer16462 Cindy001

      Posted

      Good, I’m glad. Thyroid conditions are very complex and I don’t think many people receive much advice from their GP when first diagnosed.

      Did they tell you to take it away from food, caffeine, anything containing calcium and well away from any other supplements? Also if taking it in the morning causes some symptoms, a lot of people take at night time with success, including myself. 

  • StelAnd
    StelAnd Cindy001

    Posted

    Hi Cindy

    I know it’s terrible when diagnosed with Hypothyroidism the support which is zero from GPs. I have been diagnosed for 16yrs & was never explained to about what having the condition consists of. Recently I have been having anxiety symptoms which I never really suffered with previously. I am going back to my doctors this week as I had my dosage altered & also paid for a private blood test which shows I do need my medication looking at again. That’s terrible to hear you wasn’t told about an exemption certificate for your medication! I hope things improve for you now you have made a decision to start taking Levothyroxine as everyone is different, so just try it.

    • Cindy001
      Cindy001 StelAnd

      Posted

      Hi, thank you for for taking time to reply. I hope you get your medication sorted and you start to feel better real soon ! All the  best to you. 
  • emiC
    emiC Cindy001

    Posted

    I’ve had anxiety in the past, medication didn’t seem to trigger it. Been in in for 7 months. I did notice that my job stressed me or big time and it warped my TSH levels, but diet & self care are really the cures for that. The stress will throw your conditions off not the meds. At least try for 1-2 months and then make a decision is what i’d do in your shoes. 

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