1. Community
  2. Diabetes and hormone problems
  3. Levothyroxine Sodium

Unacceptable side effects of Levothyroxine

Posted , 191 users are following.

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

Prev
  • beverley2260
    beverley2260 Guest

    Posted

    Hi could someone explain the tsh and the other one's mean as my doctor doesn't explain anything. I'm going through lymphomdema and just got cellulitis and so very painful. And when I ask doctors to explain say later

  • deb94316
    deb94316 Guest

    Posted

    YES, I stopped taking my Levothyroxin the beginning of August 2018 I had been successful in getting off of all my other meds through a Lectin free diet that i had been faithful to since the beginning of APRIL. I felt great. I just wanted to see what would the results would be. The first week in October I had my blood work done and went to see my Dr. My TSH was 100>. The Lab retested just to confirm.

    In retrospect, I was extremely tired and my right knee had ceased being able to climb the stairs with my right knee. I had to one step using my left knee. I attributed that to an injury to the right knee. I was hoarse and had gone back to taking my Modifinal , because was just not able to get recharged. I guess it was so gradual that i just didn't realize how bad it had gotten so bad.

    The DR immediately started me back on my Levothyroxin. By the 10th day my right knee had stopped hurting and I was feeling some what better. It is going to take months to get back to full speed, but I learned a valuable lesson, my thyroid is dead and I TRULY need my medication! I should have known better. At 61, I have been on Levothyroxin since I was 43. I will never stop my Thyroid medication again. I would suggest you find a specialist that will listen to you and meet you at your needs. I mean listen and hear you!

  • Blinkster
    Blinkster Guest

    Posted

    I started taking Levothyroxine in February as part of attempts to sort out fertility issues and prepare for IVF. My levels started at 8.49, after taking 50mg Levothyroxine for 8 weeks levels dropped to 2.74. I was happy with that as I was told that i need to be below 2.5 for IVF. After another 8 weeks levels jumped up to 3.94 and dose was increased to 75mg. I then started experiencing severe pains during periods in my left ovary to the point that I was taking Co-codamol + Ibuprophen every two hours and still felt like i was being operated on! Now I got Tramadol and Naproxen which help with the pain (although i still feel it) but make me groggy and unable to get out of bed. I wonder if anyone has experienced similar issues as my GP says it is unlikely that this is linked to Levothyroxine.

    • MtViewCatherine
      MtViewCatherine Blinkster

      Posted

      Hi Blinkster, if you aren't taking any other meds, the most likely source of the problem is levothyroxin. You know your body. If the problems started following taking levothyroxin, and you observed this, your observation us no doubt correct.

      Please do read through the many posts here, as levothyroxin can have devestating side effects, and use of levothyroxin does not guaranty fertility success.

      The damaging effects of the levothyroxin could be doing more harm than good.

      I have heard many success stories of acupuncture treating infertility. You might find this to be a better option, as it has no negative side effects.

  • nes84624
    nes84624 Guest

    Posted

    I started on T4 and it made me worse. I insisted on trying NDT and that worked, for awhile. Then after a few years, I started feeling extremely hot, gained a bunch of weight, couldn't sleep. I finally stopped taking it and felt much better started to lose the weight but I still had no energy and couldnt sleep. I was off all medication for over 4 months and got blood tested. My T4 was totally normal but my T3 was in the toilet. My doctor determined that any T4 was being converted into RT3 and making me sick and put me on T3 only. Find a functional medicine doctor or any doctor that tracks all T3 and considers them as the most important aspect of your treatment. I will never take part in a T4 dominant treatment plan again in my life and any doctor who doesnt listen to what I want and how I feel is fired. Don't spend your whole life letting doctors dictate your health. You know how you feel, they dont.

    GOOD LUCK !

    • MtViewCatherine
      MtViewCatherine nes84624

      Posted

      Hi Nes, your story is very similar to my experience. I totally agree with you!

      I went through more than ten different meds and they basically helped before they didn't. Some just made things worse. In the end I'm way worse because of all the side effects.

      My conclusion is that none of these thyroid replacement therapies really work. In the end they all lower thyroxine production by our bodies and worsen hypothyroid symptoms.

      I have further concluded that the thyroid problems I experience were caused by toxicity and gut problems which led to malnutrition. The gut problems in particular or most likely caused by chronic pancreatitis due to a blocked pancreatic/ gallbladder diet. Hypothyroid disease could cause the blocked duct, due to low body temperature. So the whole disease can really snowball.

      When you look at the symptoms of mercury toxicity other toxicity, the symptoms of malnutrition particularly magnesium deficiency, the symptoms are very similar to thyroid symptoms.

      I’ve tried a myriad of natural treatments. Hands-down the most effective is the use of essential amino acids. Other alternative treatments including acupuncture, gluten free diet, cleansing, chiropractic and massages are very helpful as well.

      I won't say never. But I can't imagine going back to thyroid medication. I felt like I was a prisoner because the whole treatment regimin was so high maintenance and time consuming.

  • alison44859
    alison44859 Guest

    Posted

    ive just googled thyroxine forum as ive also had enough.

    exactly the same as you, with sweating, cant sleep or tolerate the holidays abroad anymore, amongst other things.

    my hands have been numb when i wake up every morning for 7 months now.

    im asking for an alternative monday or coming off it.

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.