Levothyroxine increase has made me feel really unwell.

[Jenna_marie]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone can help me as I'm new to all this and I don't know what is normal or expected after increasing medication.

8 weeks ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and was put on 50 micrograms levothyroxine tablets and I was really low on vitamin D so was given strong vitamin D tablets that reduced in strength after 2 weeks. Although I felt better. I still had a lot of symptoms so I knew I would probably get an increase. I had more blood tests on Monday and got a call the next day from my doctor to say my medication needed to be increased and to go pick it up from the chemist. I took my first 100 micrograms tablet yesterday morning and all day at work my stomach was in pain. Had a little diarrhoea but still feeling constipated, if that makes sense. Just a constant feeling of needing to go. But the worst was last night. I had shivers but was having hot and cold feelings. My vision was blurry before but got worse with the increase, I felt like my heart was racing and I had bad nausea and was layed on my sofa holding a bucket as felt like was going to be sick. And although I was exhausted I just couldn't settle and go to sleep. I don't know if I was having panic attack.

Has anyone else had symptoms like this from increasing their dose. I'm afraid to take my tablet today as I'm not sure wether I need to get used to it or the increase is just to much for my body to handle. I felt like if I fell asleep last night I wasn't going to wake up!

[georgemar]

Iwent from 50 to 100 and immediately had palpitations and felt weird. I went back to 50 though my GP wasn't happy about it. I've been having symptoms for 20 yrs and it took until about 3 yrs ago to even get onto thyroxine treatment. I am still not happy with it as I get symptoms. I've even been privately to an endocrinologist but he was no different, telling me I was on too much at 75's. I'm giving up now and just staying on the 50's. Its a minefield.

[Jenna_marie in reply to georgemar]

I've just spoken with my doctor and she's told me to take 1 and a 1/2 of my 50's tablets for a week so it's 75 micrograms and then try the 100's again after. I'm praying I don't feel like I did yesterday again. It was awful. But yes I'm also being told I'm not on enough but if medication increase's make me feel this bad is it really worth it!

[greygoose in reply to Jenna_marie]

Increases should only be by 25 mcg at a time. Anything more can stress the body.

[Coachv]

Hi I don't think that most people would have such a bad reaction, it's possible something else was affecting you. I would take the increased dose and persevere for a few weeks. It's difficult as the levothyroxine takes time to work. Hopefully you should start to feel better soon. Some people don't respond well to levo but I think for most people they are fine and it helps them. It's what you should try first. Presumably your doctor has suggested another blood test in a few weeks.

[Jenna_marie in reply to Coachv]

I'm definitely going to continue with a higher dose I've took 75 micrograms today. She did say that I might be sensitive to it. Plus like everyone else I just want to feel well again. Just the symptoms I had on the first day of increase was horrible and really scared me. I was hoping to find out if others had been through the same as I have no one to advice me or even understand what I'm going through and like I said it's all new to me! It's a lot to take in and understand and know if what I'm experiencing is normal.

[Raventhorpe]

Hi Jenna Marie dose increase is usually done in 25mcg I suspect gp have given you too much too soon,normally you would have dose increase of 25mcg and wait 6 weeks then have bloodtest to see how your doing then another increase if needed of 25mcg and wait 6 weeks have another bloodtest to see where your levels are and so in until levels are right and you feel well.ask your gp if you can stay on75mcg for 6 weeks then have bloodtest and then see if you need another increase after that.some gp's really don't know enough about the thyroid and how to treat it. these things take time nothing can be rushed with the thyroid.the ultimat aim is for your t4 to be in top quarter of the range and tsh to be 1.0 or below this is where most of us feel well.

[Jenna_marie in reply to Raventhorpe]

I did feel like doubling my dose so soon might have been too much. When I was diagnosed I was just told that I had a thyroid imbalance and had to go on medication for the rest of my life and that was it, I was sent on my way with a prescription. I was really confused. I found out it was hypothyroidism from my blood test sheet and I had to do my own research to find out what it actually means. My second blood test I was supposed to talk it through with my doctor 2 weeks after but instead I got a call from the receptionist to go and pick up my new medication. I have no idea what my results were. I feel like I'm not being treated at a personal level or even being given any information. I've had more help from this forum and groups on Facebook.

[Raventhorpe]

Welcome to the world of thyroid! Unfortunately this is mostly what we find gp says take this pill and you soon feel better. I found out more on this forum in a month than I did 20yrs of having graves desease.i have found you have to fight for your good health and that means educating yourself and there is alot of good knowledgeable people on this forum. Also good idea to get your vitamin levels checked as we are often low in b12,ferritin, folate, and vitD.we need these to be at optimal levels so we can absorb levo properly.

[activelazy]

Hi Jenna Marie

You need to get your actual results. Next time you see your doctor. Ask him/her to print the results for you and then share them here.

I have had great advice here after sharing my results. You need at least TSH, ft3 and ft4 for now.

Also, your previous results so you know what the levels were when doctor decided to prescribe medication. You will need to keep a track of your levels because you only will one day decide what levels you feel best at so that you can maintain that level by having the right medication.