Extremely cold : Since I started taking euthyrox... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,149 members160,829 posts

Extremely cold

Suzanam profile image
13 Replies

Since I started taking euthyrox (levothyroxine) I feel extremely cold. More than ever. I have 2 pairs of socks and my feet are FREEZING. I am wearing a jumper over t-shirt and covered with a blanket, heating on but I am so cold. Is this a side effect?

Written by
Suzanam profile image
Suzanam
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Post your results and members can advise

What dose are you and how long?

Have you got High Thyroid antibodies? This is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

Post results and ranges if you have them

Likely to be too low if you have Hashimotos and/or under medicated

TSH should be around one, FT4 towards top of range

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

Suzanam,

With very low doses of thyroid hormone (levothyroxine), the effect they have on your own thyroid hormone release can be more than the dose you are taking. That is, maybe you take a 25 microgram tablet, but your own release of thyroid hormone drops by MORE than 25 micrograms.

(Don't be too, too literal, you won't actually absorb all the levothyroxine you take.)

So the effect of low doses can be to worsen your thyroid hormone levels. I wouldn't class it as a side effect in the conventional sense - it is more how your body reacts to an inadequate low dose.

Kitten44 profile image
Kitten44 in reply to helvella

that's very interesting. Is there a scientific paper or clinical guidance document or similar with that info? It would be useful when speaking to gp about increasing dose. Thanks!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Kitten44

Kitten44,

No paper of which I am aware. More a case of observation - where people on low doses all too frequently report feeling worse and lower FT4 levels (if measured).

Quite why it seems to occur is not clear - it might or might not be due to the impact of the levothyroxine on the pituitary.

Kitten44 profile image
Kitten44 in reply to helvella

thanks Helvella. Shame GPs in general don't know much about thyroid problems!

Suzanam profile image
Suzanam

I am on 25 micrograms at the moment but work up slowly to 62.5 micrograms. My last TSH was 4. 48( 0.27-4. 20) this was the only thing out of the range. I hope when my dose is higher I won't feel this cold and tiredness. I feel more tiered than before starting levothyroxine.

Debsoxford profile image
Debsoxford

All good advice from people on here as always happens have you tried strong ginger tea? I have a recipe for when you have a cold (which you could dilute) if your interested? I was told by a Chinese Dr to drink it in winter and have baths to warm your body rather than a shower, I was also told (by a nutritionist that coconut is cooling to your body

Good luck hope you feel better soon

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to Debsoxford

Would you be kind enough to tell me your ginger tea recipe? Thanks

Debsoxford profile image
Debsoxford in reply to foxglove

I've posted ginger tea on a separate post

Best wishes

Debs

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to Debsoxford

Thanks!

Treepie profile image
Treepie

Are you taking beta blockers .They cause cold feet.

Suzanam profile image
Suzanam in reply to Treepie

I am taking metroprolol (egilok) cause I had palpitations and doc said to take them until we get to the right dose of levo and then slowly get off them cause we want to conceive also after my levels are ok.

Treepie profile image
Treepie in reply to Suzanam

That will probably be the cause .I have the same problem.Body is warm feet frozen.Had cold feet before diagnosed hypo .Levo should have helped but went on beta blockers soon after because of chest pain.

You may also like...

Waking with extreme coldness and chest pressure

My legs. face, arms go so cold and i feel so cold inside even with the heating on ( its like...

Thyroid levels \"normal\" but still feel terrible Extreme fatigue, cold all the time

years, have been off the meds for about 3 years but can't fight the extreme fatigue, I'm feeling...

Cold clammy sweats and cold feet

comfy at night. I feel cold but my body must register hot, or at least part of me feels cold and...

Suffering With Extreme Fatigue

seems to make me more tired. I have Hasi, and b12 deficiency. Do you think I should take iodine? I...

Cold and sweaty hands

suffering from thyroid? My hands and feets are always sweaty and cold