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Unacceptable side effects of Levothyroxine

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Guest
Guest

I was described Levothryoxine 2 years ago and my GP has increased it until I am now taking 125mcg.I have never had so many various symptoms in my life - severe weight gain including puffy face and eyes, very itchy dry skin, brittle nails, thinning hair but the major items are the pains in my joints and muscles - especially in my knees and my hands. The doctor said I have carpal tunnel syndrome and also now have high cholesterol,,,,,,, When reading other peoples' experiences it would appear that many people have all of these symptoms so why is it that GP's do not take this illness more seriously. I recently asked if I could have a full blood showing all readings and also if I could be prescribed Armour and was told no. It also scared me to find that several pharmacists in major chemists haad never even heard of Armour. Has anyone felt like they have had enough and just stopped taking Levothyroxine and what was the result?

41 likes, 1182 replies

1182 Replies

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  • Goni
    Goni Guest

    Posted

    I think more blood work needs done so we can help monitor our illnees' and meds, then see where herbs and vitamins fit in to compliment the meds for the problem/illness we have. I wish drs would remind us at every dr visit, excercise, don't forget the heathy foods, a short conversation sharing, recipes, juicing smoothies, whatever fits the situation. ex:this med depletes you of this vitamin.,or herb that helps the illness,etc especially if a med is taken to long. These are side affects  and here are some examples as to how to keep your protocol in check. These ways are known to reverse the illness and to help heal and have a productive life again.
    • carole76433
      carole76433 Goni

      Posted

      Have you thought of natural thyroid?? There are a few on the market but it may be worth going to speak to someone who works with alternative medicine ? I'm sure they could explain to you all about natural thyroid solutions and take it from there?.

      I am just on 50 mg of Levothyroxine but even so I have put weight on and I have never been over weight until being diagnosed with this condition.

      Good luck with your search?  C

    • cathy35794
      cathy35794 Goni

      Posted

      I don't think it is oversight on the part of doctors but profit and job security

    • MtViewCatherine
      MtViewCatherine cathy35794

      Posted

      Yes. Everything is protocol. Docs get into practice and owe the equivalent of a mansion in debt.
  • shalott
    shalott Guest

    Posted

    I have some of the same unpeasant side effects as you: weight gain, thinning hair and  dry eyes.  Have considered just stopping taking the drug but not sure how safe this would be?
    • carole76433
      carole76433 shalott

      Posted

      I would not just stop it before consulting with an alternative  therapist ie perhaps a natural thyroid alternative?. 

      I still take Levothyroxine but I'm only on 50mg but even so my weight has increased especially around the stomach area, but my energy levels have increased thank goodness, but I keep getting really bad hot sweats I pour with sweat then I go back to normal after a few minutes, or if I do something energetic I start sweating like mad ?. I also have been getting more palpitations which I have noticed lately to??

      Anyway I hope you find something which suits you better??  C

    • patricia90788
      patricia90788 carole76433

      Posted

      I was given the generic levo instead of my synthyroid...omg...I was shaky, sweaty, etc.  back on the synthyroid and it all corrected itself
  • mary0524
    mary0524 Guest

    Posted

    Have you ever been tested for pernicious anemia? The symptoms you describe sound like the symptoms of Pernicipus Anemia which is an autoimmune disease where the body can't absorb B12. If you have this, you would require B12 injections for life. Many PA sufferers also have other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease. With PA, you cannot take a B12 vitamin as a cure,you must get injections. Please get tested! It is life threatening and you could end up with irreversible nerve damage. I know this personally as I have both thyroid disease and pernicious anemia.
    • carole76433
      carole76433 mary0524

      Posted

      Thank you Mary for that advice. I will get it checked out.

      Thanks again. Carole x

  • Guest
    Guest Guest

    Posted

    Hello Mary 0524

    I'm getting a little mixed up here. Did you mean myself or someone else on here?

    If you did mean myself, could tell me why you think this and what you may have seen in my note.

    Kind Regards

    Amanda

  • joan60648
    joan60648 Guest

    Posted

    Something else doctor's don't tell you, as in my case, is the CoQ10 is depleted and you should take a supplement. I started taking it and my heart palpatations subsided.
  • lynda15964
    lynda15964 Guest

    Posted

    Hello, yes I stopped taking Levothyroxine for some 3 months and I have never felt better off of it.  The constant tiredness went away and overall was far happier with life in general.  I of course, advised my Doctor who recommended a blood test after this period and, unfortunately for me, my levels changed and I am now taking 50mcg with another blood test after 8 weeks to see if they need to increase the dose [I was originally taking 100mcg daily].  I asked them why I felt better off of Levothyroxine than taking it [some 2 years] and they could not answer my question.  I ge the impession this is a little researched illness but maybe someone can tell me different.
    • Guest
      Guest lynda15964

      Posted

      Hi, It might be a good idea to see a endocronoligist (speacilist in this area) Their the ones who, supposedly have the answers.

      I was boarderline when I first started on the med and in my case the levo made me worse.  Somthing to do with all the fillers in it.

      Good luck 

    • carol11091
      carol11091 lynda15964

      Posted

      Take your medicine on an empty stomach and wait at least half an hour before having breakfast; I personally wait an hour.

      There is sodium in the medicine so try not to eat industrially produced foods which have far too much .

      Keep off sauces for the sae reason and cut out sugar.

      Wholemeal bread, lean meat, chicken breast, tuna fish and loads of vegetables salad and fruit. Don't eat cabbage and members of the cabbage family or corn as they tend to reduce the effect of the medicine, or if you do, eat them in the evening.

      All medicines (including pain killers) should be taken at least four hours AFTER levothyrox.

      I am now on 100mcg a day and had many side effects to begin with; I can't eat corn or cucumber ( terrible indigestion) but after finding out which foods agreed with me and which one's didn't, I can now say I feel great!

       

    • cathy35794
      cathy35794 lynda15964

      Posted

      I am sure you have your answer by now, but it is so new to me I couldn't resist.  You may well have felt better because the medication may well not have been what your body needed. You may well have had a nutritional need like magnesium that need correction, perhaps your T4 wasn't converting to T3 that your body need to have happen to be functional. Thyroid Replacement isn't a cure all for everyone. In my case I thought my doctor had fully troubled shooted my problem. TSH test is woefully inadequate, but recommended by" the forces that be" MNA!

    • MtViewCatherine
      MtViewCatherine cathy35794

      Posted

      No doub that it's advanced thyroid disease for me, as I have a giant cyst and many small nodules on my thyroid. The meds made me sicker. Just tells me that the treatment doesn't work. I should say, the NDTs gave me some initial releif, but I could never quite get the spdosing stabilized. 

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