topic Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid in Community Chat

Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Georgiagrama — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:21:52 GMT

My Dr. called this morning to let me know that my thyroid levels are really high. He prescribed Synthroid.

If you are taking this medication, what has been your experience with it.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

NickNack — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:28:47 GMT

@Georgiagrama wrote:
My Dr. called this morning to let me know that my thyroid levels are really high. He prescribed Synthroid.

If you are taking this medication, what has been your experience with it.

@Georgiagrama I take levothyroxine, which is generic Synthroid. I've taken this for about 20 years. My thyroid levels have been normal ever since starting the levothyroxine. It's been a wonderful drug for me. My doctor told me I would always have to take this, or my thyroid levels would get out of control again.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:32:28 GMT

@NickNack wrote:
@Georgiagrama wrote:
My Dr. called this morning to let me know that my thyroid levels are really high. He prescribed Synthroid.

If you are taking this medication, what has been your experience with it.

@Georgiagrama I take levothyroxine, which is generic Synthroid. I've taken this for about 20 years. My thyroid levels have been normal ever since starting the levothyroxine. It's been a wonderful drug for me. My doctor told me I would always have to take this, or my thyroid levels would get out of control again.

Same for me. I seemed to lose a little weight when I first started taking it.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

SahmIam — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:33:48 GMT

I started on it 22 years ago (5 weeks after the birth of my first child). As long as the dosage is correct, no issues. If not enough, I experience massive hair loss, my nails peel (finger and toes), my skin peels as if I have a sunburn, I gain weight extremely quickly (10 pounds a month plus), I'm exhausted and can barely move and eventually will go into pulmonary distress due to my asthma.

If too much, I feel horribly dizzy and dry mouth with ringing in my ears.

When the dose is correct, I forget I have Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Also, my body can not tolerate anything to do with almonds or cruciferous vegetables, else my thyroid levels go off (they are shown to block synthroid from working properly in some people). I have to take my meds at LEAST an hour before eating anything or 2 hours after eating for the same reason.

Last, I ONLY use the brand name. I've tried the generic and my blood tests show my levels are off (I test every 4-6 weeks).

Just my experience. There is a book called Thyroid for Dummies which is excellent.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Georgiagrama — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:35:16 GMT

@NickNack wrote:
@Georgiagrama wrote:
My Dr. called this morning to let me know that my thyroid levels are really high. He prescribed Synthroid.

If you are taking this medication, what has been your experience with it.

@Georgiagrama I take levothyroxine, which is generic Synthroid. I've taken this for about 20 years. My thyroid levels have been normal ever since starting the levothyroxine. It's been a wonderful drug for me. My doctor told me I would always have to take this, or my thyroid levels would get out of control again.

@NickNack You've had no noticable side effects? I have found that with some medications (especialy HBP meds), the cure is worse than the disease.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Lucylu12 — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:38:05 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
@NickNack wrote:
@Georgiagrama wrote:
My Dr. called this morning to let me know that my thyroid levels are really high. He prescribed Synthroid.

If you are taking this medication, what has been your experience with it.

@Georgiagrama I take levothyroxine, which is generic Synthroid. I've taken this for about 20 years. My thyroid levels have been normal ever since starting the levothyroxine. It's been a wonderful drug for me. My doctor told me I would always have to take this, or my thyroid levels would get out of control again.
Same for me. I seemed to lose a little weight when I first started taking it.

Ditto for me. Been taking Synthroid for 15 years. No side effects or anything. Just a pill to take the rest of your life and a doctors visit to make sure levels are good. No biggie.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

KentuckyWoman — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:38:44 GMT

@NickNack wrote:
@Georgiagrama wrote:
My Dr. called this morning to let me know that my thyroid levels are really high. He prescribed Synthroid.

If you are taking this medication, what has been your experience with it.

@Georgiagrama I take levothyroxine, which is generic Synthroid. I've taken this for about 20 years. My thyroid levels have been normal ever since starting the levothyroxine. It's been a wonderful drug for me. My doctor told me I would always have to take this, or my thyroid levels would get out of control again.

Same here. I agree with @NickNack

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Georgiagrama — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:39:02 GMT

@SahmIam wrote:
I started on it 22 years ago (5 weeks after the birth of my first child). As long as the dosage is correct, no issues. If not enough, I experience massive hair loss, my nails peel (finger and toes), my skin peels as if I have a sunburn, I gain weight extremely quickly (10 pounds a month plus), I'm exhausted and can barely move and eventually will go into pulmonary distress due to my asthma.

If too much, I feel horribly dizzy and dry mouth with ringing in my ears.

When the dose is correct, I forget I have Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Also, my body can not tolerate anything to do with almonds or cruciferous vegetables, else my thyroid levels go off (they are shown to block synthroid from working properly in some people). I have to take my meds at LEAST an hour before eating anything or 2 hours after eating for the same reason.

Last, I ONLY use the brand name. I've tried the generic and my blood tests show my levels are off (I test every 4-6 weeks).

Just my experience. There is a book called Thyroid for Dummies which is excellent.

Holy cow! That sounds terrible for you.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Icegoddess — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:39:11 GMT

You probably will get answers (and advice) all over the spectrum on that. When I was first diagnosed there were no groups to discuss these things and I could only find one book to buy. I basically took the approach of taking my meds every day and continue on with my life. That has pretty much worked for me. I have had no side effects and it takes quite awhile to see a difference but I have had no problems with it.

The initial dose the doctor has put you on may not be what you end up with. You will need to go back in 3 or 4 monts to be re-tested after which he may need to tweak the dosage. Once you finally get on the right dose, you will still need to be tested on a regular basis to make sure it's still working for you. For me, that has been once a year, but some do it more often.

More than likely, depending on your insurance, you will get Levothyroxine which is the generic form of Synthroid. Some will tell you it's not the same, but it is the exact same dosage of the medicine. What is different about it is the different fillers used by the different manufacturers which could affect how well your body absorbs the medication. I, personally, can't tell the diffrence when I have been on one or the other, but a lot of people are quiet passionate about one or the other.

The other question is whether your doctor tested all of your thyroid levels or just TSH. Mine tested them all in the beginning, but I have been quite stable since and he only tests TSH for me. However, if your hypothyroid is caused by the auto-immune condition Hashimotos you should have all the levels checked and may need your medication supplemeted with a T3 (Synthroid is only T4) or go on Armour or Naturethroid which is basically dessicated pig's thyroid which has both T3 and T4. I really don't know much past that on that aspect as I am quite happily stable on just the T4.

That's probably more than you really wanted to know. Basically, be patient; symptoms will not disappear overnight. And get your levels checked again in a few months.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

LilacTree — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:39:21 GMT

@Georgiagrama wrote:
My Dr. called this morning to let me know that my thyroid levels are really high. He prescribed Synthroid.

If you are taking this medication, what has been your experience with it.

@Georgiagrama

I’ve been on it for over 30 years, 100 mcg. I have never had a problem with it. Just take it first thing in the morning and don’t eat for an hour. I was diagnosed hypothyroid.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Trinity11 — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:41:56 GMT

I really wish it worked for me but I have never seen much of a difference when I take synthroid. My levels go up and down from 2.5 to 6 on the same 50 mg dosage. It can cause arythmia so my endo is afraid to raise the dosage.

My hair is thicker when I take it but other than that I am not less tired on it and my weight never decreased or increased.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

KentuckyWoman — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:42:41 GMT

@Georgiagrama I am taking 112 MCG and have never had any side effects whatsoever. I am taking he generic Levothroxine.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Georgiagrama — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:44:33 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
@Georgiagrama wrote:
My Dr. called this morning to let me know that my thyroid levels are really high. He prescribed Synthroid.

If you are taking this medication, what has been your experience with it.
@Georgiagrama
I’ve been on it for over 30 years, 100 mcg. I have never had a problem with it. Just take it first thing in the morning and don’t eat for an hour. I was diagnosed hypothyroid.

@LilacTree Same for me. Hypothyroid. Only symptom I've actually noticed was fatigue. I'm hoping that I won't really notice any new symptoms from taking the meds.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Bird mama — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:45:45 GMT

@Georgiagrama I've been on the same dose of brand name synthroid (75 mg) for almost 6 years. I was an excellent patient. I took my medication at the same time every morning and made sure I didn't have a cup of coffe for at least two hours after and I didn't eat for 4 hours after.

The only negative thing I experienced was an increase in belly fat approximately 5 months in. My eating hadn't changed and it was the only place I started to pack on weight. I also noticed that even though the doctor was getting the numbers she hoped for, I didn't feel that much better.

I switched to taking synthroid at night before bed and wow - it was like a miracle. Belly fat gone and I finally felt like my old self.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

bonappetit — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:49:28 GMT

FYI: Synthroid is a very old, old drug. What this means is it's been used by patients for many, many,many years and has been studied.

Take it, it's great. But once you start on Synthroid the name brand, don't switch to the generic later on & vice versa. Stay the course with whatever you start with.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Georgiagrama — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:48:20 GMT

@Trinity11 wrote:
I really wish it worked for me but I have never seen much of a difference when I take synthroid. My levels go up and down from 2.5 to 6 on the same 50 mg dosage. It can cause arythmia so my endo is afraid to raise the dosage.

My hair is thicker when I take it but other than that I am not less tired on it and my weight never decreased or increased.

@Trinity11 Thank you! That more or less what I'm hoping for. My HBP meds causes enough side effects. I don't need any more from a "helpful" drug.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Trinity11 — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:48:31 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
@Georgiagrama I've been on the same dose of brand name synthroid (75 mg) for almost 6 years. I was an excellent patient. I took my medication at the same time every morning and made sure I didn't have a cup of coffe for at least two hours after and I didn't eat for 4 hours after.

The only negative thing I experienced was an increase in belly fat approximately 5 months in. My eating hadn't changed and it was the only place I started to pack on weight. I also noticed that even though the doctor was getting the numbers she hoped for, I didn't feel that much better.

I switched to taking synthroid at night before bed and wow - it was like a miracle. Belly fat gone and I finally felt like my old self.

Thank you for sharing @Bird mama . I think I will try this as Synthroid has done little for me...maybe this will make a difference.

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

SahmIam — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:53:52 GMT

@Georgiagrama It was in the beginning because hypothyroidism has similar effects to post-partum (I had just had a baby) as well as going through menopause. Often a major hormone shift can flip the the thyroid "off"; that's exactly what happens after giving birth as well as going through menopause. Once we figured out it was my thyroid and we got the levels right, easy peezy.

As with any autoimmune condition, you just need to educate yourself and do what needs to be done. Listen to your body; you'll notice if something is out of whack (dry skin is very common among those with hypo). As long you keep your blood tests up to date and take your daily pill, it's all good : )

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Trinity11 — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:54:50 GMT

@Georgiagrama wrote:
@Trinity11 wrote:
I really wish it worked for me but I have never seen much of a difference when I take synthroid. My levels go up and down from 2.5 to 6 on the same 50 mg dosage. It can cause arythmia so my endo is afraid to raise the dosage.

My hair is thicker when I take it but other than that I am not less tired on it and my weight never decreased or increased.
@Trinity11 Thank you! That more or less what I'm hoping for. My HBP meds causes enough side effects. I don't need any more from a "helpful" drug.

@Georgiagrama , I was told as long as your TSH is under 10, then you have sub-clinical hypothyroidism. It was suggested to me, though, when I had my first heart attack that my 9 (at the time) was contributory to it so it is nothing to fool around with. Always listen to your specialist. Anecdotal stories are just that and only your own doctor knows your unique health profile.

Good luck!

Re: Thyroid Medication - Synthroid

Bird mama — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:58:30 GMT

@Trinity11 I have no idea how long I was walking around with Hashimotos. Because I was also post menopausal and not on HRT, I blamed everything menopause, lol.

When I squatted down one day to get a tube of mascara from a bottom rack at the local Kmart and couldn't get up (zero strength in my legs) I thought, hmm, better mention this to the doctor. My doctor is attentive, I just took a break from seeing medical people for a few years or he would have caught it earlier.

I didn't lose hair, I didn't gain weight. I just felt fatigued all of the time. I also noticed my voice was hoarse and I blamed it on living in Michigan - sooner or later almost all of us get some kind of sinus or allergy issues.

My poor thyroid was so aggravated it was squeezing my vocal chords.

I chose to have an endocrinologist treat it in the event something jumps off regarding my thyroid - she could do the surgery.

When I first brought up the belly fat she didn't want to hear it so that night I decided to take it at night, same time to see if I felt different. I had read about night time dosing in a 2010 medical journal - there was a study done.

My blood work is perfect, the way she wants it and I feel like me. I did tell her that I switched the timing of the dosage about two years after I did it.