I have sub clinical hypothyroidism and was started on 50mg Levothyroxine two weeks ago. Since starting I have had tingling in both hands and, irregular heartbeat. Saw dr yesterday and been told to stop medication.
I’m really worried. Anyone else had these symptoms.
What brand was it? If Teva then a lot of members had side effects from it.
As all tablets have fillers with the potential of side effects, you could ask to try a different brand.
It’s Almus Levothyroxine 50mg
OK, so Almus and Activis are the same. You could ask to try a different brand.
In the UK we also have
Wockhardt - 25mcg only
Mercury Pharma
Teva
So you could ask for a different brand, or you could drop down to 25mcg which might be a better starting dose if you are sensitive, you could build up slowly.
Thank you.
My Dr yesterday just stopped altogether.
He said as I was sub clinical sometimes you don’t need medication, as my THS was 7.6 raised but t3t4 were normal. He throughts are that medication was sending me hyperthyroidism.
Just wondered if anyone had the same symptoms.
He wont know if you are 'hyper' unless he tests.
With a TSH of 7.6 and symptoms then subclinical was correct and starting you on Levo was correct.
Some people do have a shaky start when beginning Levo, two weeks isn't very long.
However, as I said, you may be sensitive and need to start on a lower dose, or you may be reacting to fillers and need a different brand.
I'm only speaking from my own limited experience here, but I'm seemingly sensitive to this stuff so I would say start lower. 25mcg a day for 6 weeks and then get a retest. And avoid the Teva brand. That really did me in! Horrid stuff. I didn't expect a problem. I just went to get a prescription refilled and took whatever they gave me. Now I'm down as Wockhart only so that I always get the same brand.
If you still have the tingling and irregular heartbeat on 25 a day, drop down to 25 every other day for a few weeks. That is how I actually started.
Thank you.
Did you get irregularly heartbeat?that is what is worrying me.
Information in medication tells you to contact Gp if you get irregular heartbeats. This freaks me out.
Well I'm menopausal as well (on HRT) so odd heartbeats go with the territory. I can't remember if the Teva made them worse or not, sorry.
But if you lower the dose and they are caused by the Levothyroxine, the chances are they will stop.
I’m on two medications for high BP and also have chronic kidney disease stage 3.
So really worried about irregular heartbeat. Just fed up with not feeling well.
Thank you for your reply.
Ask GP to test thyroid antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low B12 causes pins and needles
If you have high thyroid antibodies this is Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease.
For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested
See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3
Either retest after 6 weeks taking 50mcg every day
Or after 6-8 weeks NOT taking any
Private tests are available
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results
Some people need to start on Levothyroxine very slowly. A TSH of 7.6 is not sub clinical, its hypothyroid.
I have been tested for antibodies and I was negative.
My T4 T3 were normal that’s why he said I was sub clinical . He told me that they would not be normal if full blown hypothyroidism.
I’m confused now. Thank you for your reply
Many people find low vitamin levels precede full blow hypothyroid
If GP won't test these, would recommend getting full private tests
GP will probably only have tested TPO antibodies.
What is your doctor calling 'normal'? He may just mean you are in range but itswhere in the range that is important. Get into the habit of asking for a copy of your results and ranges so you can see your progress or ask for help with reading them. The ranges are important as they differ from lab to lab.
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