On 25mcg Levo : Seven days ago I started my 25mcg... - Thyroid UK

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On 25mcg Levo

Ari3 profile image
Ari3
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Seven days ago I started my 25mcg Levothyroxine as my blood results were on 12.12.17 TSH 18.07 and ft4 was 8.3.i started on 25mcg as when I was on 50mcg number went so much on hyper side .For last few weeks I have very very painful eyes I feel inside the eyeball when I look up and down left or right the pain is so unbearable at the moment and it is getting worse.My eyes are red at times.I have extream constipation like no bowel movements at all.Today is my seventh day on levo 25mcg I can slowly start to feel my neck and shoulder is in pain.I am currently waiting for nhs endocrinologist and my private endo is on holidays at the min till 14th January.what it could be with the eye pain?is this normal iam so scared.The pain doesn’t go away at all.Few days back I had palpitations and my hands were cold and pins and needles and than it calmed down.Also than my eyes were in extream pain and than pain eased down when all became alright.It was like kind of attack.I have dandruff’s all the time and what bothers me is this ringing in ears nearly all the time .any suggestions?

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Ari3
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25 Replies
Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake

Visit an optician urgently to get eyes checked. It may be nothing to do with thyroid so you need to rule other things out. Are you taking any other meds or supplements?

When you say you went 'hyper' on 50mcg levo, what do you mean? What were test results? You can't be hypo and hyper at the same time.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to Nanaedake

I can’t give you the first results which were in September but all what gp said I have hypothyroidism (I should ow asked results and kept them) but them lost them .So I went straight to gp and he asked why nobody put you on levo yet I said I don’t know.He straight away started 50mcg after two weeks I did blood test (basically did vitamins full blood count and TSH was ticked also)and it the results came like TSH 10.6 and ft4 13,than again after two weeks I had palpitations and lots of zits and acne on my face and back hair fell off so much and muscle pain all over my body results came as in October TSH 0.1 and ft4 23.9 and ft3 6.9.i stopped levo as I was so scared and after couple of weeks results came as in November TSH 0.03 ft4 17.7 and ft3 6.2 and now after couple of more weeks completely off from levo on 12.12.17 my results came as serum TSH 18.07 and free t4 8.3.so I have started on levo 25mcg as my constipation is so severe eyes are just in such a pain

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Ari3

Has anybody tested your antibodies? If not, ask for them to be tested. You could have Hashi's.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to greygoose

I will have results tomorrow

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Ari3

Good. Don't forget to put the ranges when you post the results. :)

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to Nanaedake

Iam taking Metformin and spinorolactone for a week now but the pain has been there for weeks .ringing in ears is killing me .vitamin d is 85 and ferritin was 24 but iam eating chicken liver lots now as Endo told me

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to Ari3

Eat no more than 200gms a week of liver. It has high vitamin A content. More than This can be toxic, especially for thyroid patients who cannot utilise vitamin A effectively.

If your iron levels are very low, Endo should refer you to haematology.

What was B12 level?

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to Nanaedake

Don’t know vitamin b12 endo said it is good .how long it takes for me to put my ferritin up if I eat 200g liver a week?

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to Ari3

Search other people's experience on this forum using the search function to find out how long to raise ferritin levels with diet.

Get a copy of B12 and folate result and don't take Endo's word for it. Check it out yourself.

bluebug profile image
bluebug

As already stated visit an optician. Go tomorrow morning as most will fit you in on the day. If one cannot fit you in try different one.

If it is serious they will then tell you where to go next.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to bluebug

I went to opticians and he said most likely the muscles are inflamed but once I mentioned thyroid they said it could be related .They did all checks and said that nothing bad is going on .They also told me that I have gland blockage and need to use hot compress but Other told me that the pain is related to thyroid

Greybeard profile image
Greybeard in reply to Ari3

Hi ari3, as a tempory measure you may get some relief for you eyes by using some synthetic tears from the chemist, dry eyes are often a symptom of underactive thyroid

Saya85 profile image
Saya85 in reply to Ari3

Hi again ari.

Both of the opticians/ optometrists are right. (I am an optometrist too)

Eye muscle pain can be thyroid related especially when moving in different directions. If you get double vision with this it is more a sign of hyperthyroidism but can be severe hypo too. If they did muscle checks and did eye health checks it suggests nothing obvious. Thyroid control will help with these symptoms

However if your eyes are extremely dry you will experience an inflamed bruised pain (also on movements or blinking as the lid is rubbing over a dry swollen eyeball)

The glands blocked suggest blepharitis (which also causes dandruff on eyelashes) which is likely to be causing your dry eye.

Therefore the hot compresses, kid massages and scrubs, and dry eye drops will help immensely.

I would recommend hycosan intensive tears (red box, OTC) or hyabak/thealoz dry eye drops. You can get from boots stores or most opticians.

Use regularly until symptoms subside. You can use gel dry eye drops like viscotears for a while or at night before bed but don’t use too much as gel will likely block things further.

Treat the dry eye/blepharitis for now and focus on the thyroid control and vitamin deficiencies in the meantime x

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to Saya85

Thank you so much I have HycoSan Dual drops from specsavers and hot/cold eye mask I need to use one or twice a day 15min .

Ayesha

Have you been taking the Laxatives your GP gave you on Wednesday?

I did suggest you try Lactulose medicine and Fybogels.

However, for quicker relief ( your immediate need,) you could try bisacodyl. You can buy these from Tesco now - they are called Dulcolax. Only take for two days. You can also use Glycerin suppositories. You can buy these from Tesco now. If using the suppository Don't wet the tip under a running tap as it may get too wet to handle. Use dish or cup of water to dip end in.

Once you have cleared problematic constipation - stay on Lactulose and Fybogels EVERY day. Until you decide what you are doing about the other matter of the Spironolactone.

EYES

Optician should have told you to see GP for prescription for Dry Eye treatment. However, it's not expensive from pharmacy. I have Carbomer gel liquid eye drops. Gel effective for longer than liquid drops.

If you are still concerned after seeing an Optician, then you can go to A&E - it's up to you. How bad is this ? Is panic / concern making it worse? How is your vision? Have you rubbed your eyes ? Because that makes Dry Eye symptoms worse - and time is neede to settle. OR - see another Optician, get another opinion.

ps

You can also phone NHS Endocrinogists secrtary and/or First Appoinments Dept to enquire how long you will have to wait.

You can also go back to GP or ask a different GP about the Spironolactone.

Your GP did suggest taking 50mcg Levotbyroxine - so why not give it a try?

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to Mary-intussuception

I will ring them tomorrow thank you

Gp seams are not interested In spinorolactone and Metformin thing so I started to use it as private Endo told me as my LH and FSH ratio wasn’t good LH was raised so he suspects I have POcS

Regards levo I have started on 25mcg as 50 mcg when I took after four weeks I had severe palpitations zits on face back falling hair a lot muscle pain all over the body so much that I had difficulties to bend down even so painful.I stopped levo and have started on 25mcg now again

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to Mary-intussuception

I have tried suppository and it helps but I can’t keep longer than 15-20min and it comes just a tiny bit out not all and half of suppository is left over in toilet it doesn’t melt properly but I can’t keep longer as I have to run to toilet .I have winds and things which indicates something is working .Gp prescribed me Macrogol compound oral powder I take that one but only wind comes that is all.I feel so bloated :( have tried senokot and dulcolax too very less of help.I use suppositories daily now just to have ease.

About vision at times my eyes are inside so painful and at times not so painful so when it wants to be painful it is specially behind the eyes.optitians gave me hot/cold eye mask and eye drops HycoSan Dual specsavers for dry eyes and satabilises the tear film and reduces inflammation and allergic symptoms such as itching and burning.iam not rubbing eyes they are not itchy all I have is pain behind eyes

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply to Ari3

I would go back to GP and ask for referal to Colorectal Specialist. Mention the fact that you had bleeding from back passage also.

Are you drinking enough water? Pelvic floor exercises might help. It does take time though. Lactulose should help. I will send pm about suppositories.

You could also phone the Bladder & Bowel helpline number : 01926 357220

And/or phone the Continence Adviser/Nurse for your area (Google search for details).

EYES

For pain behind eyes I think I would go to A&E - maybe at 8am if stiil a concern then. Depending on how bad it is now.

OR I might call Out-of-Hours GP for advice or 111 now.

We don't have 111 facility here in Wales, but I have heard some good reports on HealthUnlocked forums.

You could also call the RNIB helpline : 0303 123 9999 open 8am to 8pm tomorrow.

They were very helpful to me back in 2009. Not sure if it is same helpline now. But worth a try.

You mentioned pain - but what about your sight? Any actual vision disturbance? Double vision? Simple self-check is hold hand or a card across one eye to check how clearly you can see from othe reye. And vice- versa.

Have you had any jaw pain when eating or new stiff neck/ neck pain?

ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed

I think maybe your like me if you take levo at a higher dose too fast then ft4 goes too high.. i suggest u take the 25mcg for at least 8 weeks before blood tests... i only increase by 12.5mcg at a time so half of a 25mcg, less side effects that way x

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to ThyroidObsessed

Could you message me pls what side effects u had when u started and what were results before u started?do you crack in half a tablet?did gp suggested you ?and are you okey now with your dose?many thanks I feel better if I know person who has same issues as me .did u have the same side effects when u started on 50mcg as I did ?

ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed in reply to Ari3

I will pm u x

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to ThyroidObsessed

Please if you could thank you

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to ThyroidObsessed

Hello again just wanted to ask u when u started on 25mcg did u get muscle pains and aches all over ur body from levo ? Iam having pain and burning shoulders pain in arms muscles neck like someone beated me iam on levo 10 days now and restless sleep can’t fall asleep and waking up early

ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed in reply to Ari3

Yes i did get various side effects at first and lots of aches and pains.. your body is adjusting and its because u need more, but u have to take it slowly 10 days is not very long it takes months for the medication to benefit u and to be on the correct dose.. u should also get your iron, b12 folate and ferritin checked too x

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