topic Re: Synthroid in Community Chat

Synthroid

KateE — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 04:11:42 GMT

Asking the community if anyone has been on Synthroid and how well they have faired? I began taking this medicine about three weeks ago and I am having so many problems such as restlessness, not able to sleep, muscle aches, dry skin, wheezing and eye pain. My doctor said I was borderline Hypothyroid and could either go on it or not as I had been having fatigue issues. I haven't found this medicine to be helpful and actually making me feel worse, any comment or helpful suggestions I gladly accept.

Re: Synthroid

fourpaws56 — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 04:13:33 GMT

i HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR 15 YEARS...SEEMS TO ME YOUR DOSE IS TOO MUCH, TALK TO YOUR DOC...

Re: Synthroid

chihuahuamom — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 04:22:20 GMT

I have been on it for many years too. I started out with 75 mg (?) and now am on 150. I don't remember any side effects and have none now.

Re: Synthroid

tedEbear — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 04:23:57 GMT

@KateE----Is your doctor an Endcrinologist, or just your regular Dr? It took about 2-3 months to find a good starting point for me. I have been on Synthroid for 30yrs. Occasionly it has to be adjusted up or down. An ENDO is the Dr that specializes in thyroid problems, after you are set on a good path then the regular Dr. can go from. There is a lot of special testing that needs to be done.--------tedEbear

Re: Synthroid

SANNA — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 04:30:40 GMT

I am on it since 2006 after a complete thyroidectomy. My dose was fine from the first day till today and was never changed. I do not feel any different before and after. I am more sensitive to cold though. I also supplement myself with lots of D3, magnesium and 1000 of Calcium citrate.As a result my energy level is great.

Hope you feel better.

Re: Synthroid

January121 — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 05:06:12 GMT

I tried Synthroid many years ago & it was not good for me ... I was switched to Armour Throid in 1992 & have been on it since then..... it works for me ..... I have blood work done twice a year to make sure my levels are OK.

Based on the symptoms you mentioned that you are getting from the Synthroid the dosage might be too high ... you should go back to your doctor as soon as you can .... If it was me I would not continue taking it for too long without telling you doctor what's going on ..good luck.

Re: Synthroid

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 05:13:00 GMT

I've been on it for many years with no side effects. Sounds like your dosage is too high.

Re: Synthroid

tedEbear — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 05:29:18 GMT

The weird thing about your thyroid, symptoms can be the same in either HYPER or HYPO that is why an ENDO is important.----------tedEbear

Re: Synthroid

CatsyCline — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 05:45:50 GMT

15 years ago i started out on a generic and then via a new Rx was switched to Synthroid. i could not tolerate Synthroid, i had bad headaches. i'm taking a generic, i only take 75 mcg for the past 7 yrs

Re: Synthroid

Sweetbay magnolia — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 13:00:32 GMT

I've been taking some form of thyroid stimulating hormone for about 35 years - synthroid included, and I would agree that this sounds like an effect of your medication. Of course, though, contact your M.D.

When I've been on a too high or low dose (and it can be as little as .125 mcg (that's microgram) I have been absolutely, miserably ill - almost worse than with no supplementation at all. It can take some tweaking. However, I have no choice but to take it, as my condition is chronic, and well above borderline. Yes, contact your M.D.

Re: Synthroid

hfpint — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 12:54:37 GMT

I was disgnosed hypotyhroid in 2001 and for some reason my body had issues adjusting to meds UNTIL I started seeing an endocrinologist. If you are seeing your GP only, please make sure to see an endo. I agree with the others who said that, too.

Restlessness also has to do with when you take your synthroid. Are you taking it right before going to bed? That can cause restless sleep. My endo has me taking mine at night so that when I eat grapefruit, it will not interfer with my med absoprtion.

Remember that certains foods can interfer with the medicine absorption, like grapefruit and walnuts. Dairy/calcuim can, too.

I also take a compounded T3 med because of brain fog. I've been on the T3 med for about 4 years now, so yes, I do take 2 different thyroid meds. Thankfully no foods or calcuim interfer with the absorption of those meds.

Have the dr check not only your TSH levels, but your T3 and T4 levels.

Re: Synthroid

NickNack — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 13:11:35 GMT

I've been on generic Synthroid for about 25 years. It took a couple of months to get the dosage right. I agree with others that it sounds like your dosage is too high.

Re: Synthroid

Bird mama — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 13:44:41 GMT

@KateE

I agree with the other posters - seems like the dose is off.

I've been on Synthroid for nearly two years. My physician prefers the brand name because the recipe stays consistent with each batch of medication.

I have hashimoto's thyroiditis that went undiagnosed for quite some time (my fault - I thought I was just post menopausal). My physician started me on 75mcg in January 2013 and so far my prescription has not changed.

I took the diagnosis seriously and followed the directions for taking the medication to the letter.

About 4 months into it, I noticed that even though my eating habits didn't change, I was gaining weight. I didn't mind gaining the weight, I didn't like WHERE I was gaining the weight - in my stomach.

I kept taking the medication as prescribed and when I brought up the belly fat to my endocrinologist she rejected the idea that it was the Synthroid.

So after reading an article in the JAMA (December 2010) about a study of people who took their Synthroid before bed, I made an executive decision to take mine at the same time every night, right before bed.

Bingo - that was the ticket for me. The Synthroid did not affect my sleep, I lost 15 pounds, I wake up feeling like my old self and my labs come out in the range the doctor wants to see. Win-Win all the way around.

She still doesn't know I'm taking it at night, lol.

My point it - Synthroid is a type of hormone and dosage and timing of it can jack you up.

Re: Synthroid

maestra — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 14:05:31 GMT

I'm on 75 mcg of Synthroid and for the first time in years have even levels. Armour was a disaster for me.

Constipation remained and issue (hypothyroid) and I have to take supplements for hair loss, which is preventative.

Re: Synthroid

violann — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 14:18:27 GMT

I too have been through the gamut of thyroid treatments and doctors.

I have taken synthroid and did OK, BUT I do best on Armour Thyrod also. I take 75 grains every morning, amd have my numbers checked every six months

I also am able to consume cruciferous veggies, which CAN be a problem for some.

Unfortunately a LOT of thyroid care is trial and error. My first endo was "the best endo in the county" but an absolute TOAD as a human being.

My present endo listens to me and works WITH me to help me feel my best in the healthiest way.

Re: Synthroid

BExplorer — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 15:35:26 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
@KateE

I agree with the other posters - seems like the dose is off.

I've been on Synthroid for nearly two years. My physician prefers the brand name because the recipe stays consistent with each batch of medication.

I have hashimoto's thyroiditis that went undiagnosed for quite some time (my fault - I thought I was just post menopausal). My physician started me on 75mcg in January 2013 and so far my prescription has not changed.

I took the diagnosis seriously and followed the directions for taking the medication to the letter.

About 4 months into it, I noticed that even though my eating habits didn't change, I was gaining weight. I didn't mind gaining the weight, I didn't like WHERE I was gaining the weight - in my stomach.

I kept taking the medication as prescribed and when I brought up the belly fat to my endocrinologist she rejected the idea that it was the Synthroid.

So after reading an article in the JAMA (December 2010) about a study of people who took their Synthroid before bed, I made an executive decision to take mine at the same time every night, right before bed.

Bingo - that was the ticket for me. The Synthroid did not affect my sleep, I lost 15 pounds, I wake up feeling like my old self and my labs come out in the range the doctor wants to see. Win-Win all the way around.

She still doesn't know I'm taking it at night, lol.

My point it - Synthroid is a type of hormone and dosage and timing of it can jack you up.

@Bird mama I found your post very interesting. I alternate 50 and 75 mcg of levothyroxine daily and have always taken it first thing in the morning as instructed by my general physician since I was diagnosed hypothyroid 10 years ago. I also have unexplained weight gain in the stomach that, in looking back, started around that same time--and I am fairly thin otherwise. I had no idea the medication could be tied to that issue.

Do do you mind my asking how long it took for you to notice the stomach weight loss after swiitchng your medication to bedtime?

ETA: The reason my GP told me to take the levothyroxine fist thing in the morning is because is needs taken on an empty stomach, but I know that can be accomplished at other times, too.

Re: Synthroid

chrystaltree — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 15:49:28 GMT

This sounds bizarre. Why wouldn't she take her complaints to her doc? Surely, he told her that often this medication dosage must be adjusted. She's on a pretty high dosage. I had my thyroid ablation due to Graves and it took my endocrinologist many months to find the right dose. I take 150mcg and I have no thyroid. So, it seems reasonable to me that this poster who only had slightly low levels of thyroid hormone would have problems on such a high dosage. Everyone I know, personally or professionally had monthly lab work in the beginning. That whole constellation of symptoms is probably to the dosage. Her doc tried to kill fly with s shot gun....lol.

Re: Synthroid

LilacTree — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 16:18:01 GMT

I have been taking Synthroid for almost 30 years for hypothyroidism. I have been on 100 mcg the whole time. I have a great problem with fatigue, but I have several diseases and conditions which also cause fatigue, so I hesitate to blame it on the Synthroid.

I am editing because I always take my Synthroid as soon as I wake up in the morning. I have never taken it at night. Therefore I have no problems with falling asleep and sleeping through the night. You might ask your doctor about switching to mornings.

Good luck.

Re: Synthroid

Bird mama — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 15:53:01 GMT

@BExplorer

I messed up the dates. I was diagnosed in the fall of 2013 but didn't see the endocrinologist until January 2014.

Although thryoid issues aren't the end of the world compared to other illnesses, I was still freaked out that I had a 'condition' that required me to take a maintenance drug for the rest of my life.

If you looked at me before diagnosis, I don't think I looked like the typical hypothyroid patient. I never gained weight, my hair didn't thin.

I started taking the Synthroid near the end of January 2014. By April I was not comfortable with my belly. By Memorial Day I was debating stopping the medication altogether.

I talked to women on this forum. I made inquiries if any of them took Synthroid or it's generic equivalent and noticed an increased waistline.

Too many women were saying the same thing - they developed bellies they couldn't get rid of even though they were active.

I gathered my research and figured I would bring it up to my endocrinologist when I saw her that September. She shut me down before I could get the entire sentence out. To say that I was ticked off would be putting it mildly.

Since the JAMA article didn't address weight or anything but focused on the timing and lab results not changing I thought - Bernie, what have you got to lose? She won't listen about how you feel and is focused totally on lab numbers. Take a crack at it and see what happens? As long as the labs don't change she don't need to know.

I switched to bed time dose in mid September and could see a difference within 2 months.

Because Synthroid works best with low intenstine and bowel motility (when your system is quiet and not busy digesting food), I make sure I don't eat late and give myself a couple of hours of no eating before I take the medicine.

I went for labs in March 2015. She got the magic number she was looking for and I graduated to only having to go once a year.

Re: Synthroid

BExplorer — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 17:14:40 GMT

@Bird mama Thank you so much for sharing your experience; I really appreciate your taking the time to give such a detailed response. I think am going to give the bedtime dosing a whirl!