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[Jellybabyj]

I had a look on here to find out about my hypothyroid meds side effects and have found users experiences priceless!! So much so I joined up to get as much information as possible. Thank you everyone for being there!

[Mary-intussuception]

Hi jellybabyj.

May I ask what side effects?

Also, have you asked for blood tests for B12, Vitamin D, Ferritin and Folate yet.

I started on Levothyroxine in 2011. After being left suffering numerous symptoms and illnesses for years. I joined here in March so quite new. I recently asked for these blood tests and 3 out of 4 are low !!! Including Folate which is below range. Only my B12 is OK.

🐥

[Jellybabyj in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Hello! I recently had tests for b12, vit d and iron those were advised by my chiropractor, I'm not sure what the others are, or if I'v had them. It took a while following stupidly high blood pressure to get the thyroid tests, I still dont know a lot of the other tests that I had but they eventually found the thyroid antibodies. My last test indicated that the dose of levothyroxine should go up from 25mgm to 50mgm. It's since the increase that I've had hives which I'm controlling with antyhsthemines every 3 days but I feel so sad all the time! Angry, mood swings and when I woke up on tuesday morning I didn't recognise myself in the mirror!! I didnt look any different but I cant explain why I didnt know me! I had a few flashing lights in the top of my field if vision for a couple of hours the it went away and I fealt fine, all be it a bit unhappy. My Gp is lovely and puts the sadness down to menapause but the joint aches are terrible and my chiropractor thinks its fibromyalgia. Until visiting this site I had no idea there were links between the conditions!

[Phoenix605 in reply to Jellybabyj]

I went to my GP with joint pain, low mood, weight gain and hair falling out and we both assumed menopause and a touch of arthritis.

Imagine our surprise when the tests said not menopausal but hypothyroid instead.

Everytime they raised my dose of levo (25mcg through to 125mcg) the low mood and joint pain totally disappeared then gradually crept back, its how I know I need a retest and increase now.

Did your levo brand change when you went from 25-50, mine did and again for 100's. Different brands have different fillers, mercury pharma for example has acacia which some people react to. it may be worth speaking to a pharmacist and explaining the issue if a different brand to try and identify a likely allergen. If you have any left you could take 2 of the 25s for a few days to see if the hives stop. If they do ask GP to put that brand on your prescription.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Jellybabyj]

Hello again

Did you tell your GP about the flashing lights? A couple of hours is a long time to have had this symptom don't you think? Any visual disturbance should be checked out by the Optician or a visit to Eye Clinic. Have you any headaches? Particularly in the Temple area?

Do you know if you had blood tests for inflammation markers - CRP and/or ESR?

Do you know what your VitD and Folate results were?

Vitamin D deficiency can cause bone pain and muscle weakness.

My Vitamin D isn't below range but low in range . My GP prescribed capsules to raise it.

XMary

ps the Levothyroxine dose is in mcg

[Jellybabyj in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Hello Mary and phoenix,

When I phoned for the test results the lady said they were all fine. I think the flashing lights might have been a bit of a migrain thing, I used to get them when my blood pressure was really high so I immediatly took a few readings to make sure that was ok. I have a lot of strange allergic reactions to things, the hives started with the new dose of levothyroxin but the brand is the same, (mercury) I wondered if it was a side effect of too high dose but the doctor says the range is now back to correct (i need to read up on what it should be) . I've read about a lot of people getting hives post blood tests simply by googling "hives after blood test", it seems quite common but strangly coincidental. Are the inflamation markers you mention for inflamtory arthritis? If so then yes, I've had the tests and they are fine. I'm feeling better today, I've started drinking cherry juice! It's supposed to help with joint pain and even if it doesn't it's delicious! I may go back to my doctor and ask for another thyroid test in a few weeks, I don't know how fast the deterioration can be but the last test was only in March which was when the dose was increased. I take a multivitimin and eat a healthy vegetarian gluten free diet so I'm as everyone struggling with the weight gain! Another factor to feed my low mood, I'm just so glad to have people to talk to. Thank you for being there. X

[Phoenix605 in reply to Jellybabyj]

Be very wary of the words fine and normal. In the thyroid world they are nonsense! Always get the actual numbers including ranges and post them for advice if you are not sure. My labs TSH range says normal is (0.27-4.2) however many people do not feel well until it is under 1. Every test for a year I was told normal or fine, booked appt argued symptoms, got a dose raise. So, normal/fine, really?

Definitely get your vits checked - vit D, B12, folate and ferritin are often low due to absorption issues caused by hypo. Multi vits are not usually good enough and combine things like iron which stop the others being absorbed - These vits need to be above certain levels for us to convert the levo to T3. getting my vits sorted has really helped fatigue.

Migranes can be allergy based too and you can have all the symptoms like visual disturbance without the actual headache it still classes as migraine. I am sensitive to caffeine, if I have a weak cup of coffee a day I get a full migraine every three weeks but if i skip on weekends it keeps me below my threshold and no migraine so it seems to be cumulative for me. You may have been below your threshold on 25's but not higher doses and you can hardly skip! I would definitely ask for a brand change, I believe Wockhardt and Actavis cause the fewest issues and if that doesnt work there is liquid levo with no binders or fillers to try.

Your GP should retest 6-8 weeks afer each dose raise until you are stable and asymptomatic. This is how long it takes your system to settle into the new dose. There is a tendancy to try and suggest test after 3 months at the momsnt (cost cutting?). This just means it takes too long to get up to the correct dose so try and insist on the shorter gap on the basis you still feel so unwell - if in doubt, lay it on with a trowel 😆😆😆

[Jellybabyj in reply to Phoenix605]

Thank you x

[shaws Administrator]

I am glad you have found the forum helpful. If you've become a Member of Thyroiduk.org.uk that's good as it is them who are the driving force trying to get the guidelines changed and we get the optimum of hormones that make us well. I shall give you a link just in case and we have a Conference every 4 or 5 years.

The more members TUK have, the stronger they are and they work behind the scenes with about 3 staff.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/member...