Side effects levothyroxine?

[andreafletcher]

Just recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Been on50mg levothyroxine for 2 months. Symptoms have severely worsened. Light vaginal bleeding ( 5 years into menopause)very tired, shortness of breath. Doc says bloods are good now with this med. Im sure its the meds thats worsened the symptoms. Got a docs appointment for tomorrow. Has anyone experienced bad side effects with this med?

[Ari3]

Hi there sorry that u r going through this and feeling awful.please have a look at my page I’m very beginning how my jorney has been -by starting with Levothyroxine and having all side effects and couldn’t just take it maybe that will help you! Wishing u the very best of luck ! And remember there are so many things to look at cause endocrine system is wide not just thyroxine as medication ..pay attention for minerals and vitamins to get them on optimal levels also adrenals play big part and diet.wishing u luck!

[Judithdalston]

Have you got any blood tests to share after being on 50 mcg levothyroxin- it is still a small starter dose, so perhaps you actually need more to feel better. Doctors have a nasty habit of saying thyroid hormones are 'normal' when they are within, or nearly within, range when members know most need much more medication; furthermore they tend to rely on TSH and never test the active FT3 which is what our cells need. Do you know if you are Hashimoto's, with high autoimmune antibodies, and have you had VitD, B12, folate and ferritin tested? If you doctor want do any of these migh be worth getting private bloods done with Medichecks or Blue Horizon labs.

[andreafletcher in reply to Judithdalston]

Thank you. I live in The Netherlands and i was only diagnosed after a random blood test to make sure my other meds were not damaging liver function. I was feeling depressed and really bad but thought this was due to my anxiety disorder. The blood test revealed i had low thyroid function and i was put on 50mg levo. Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts were all put down to my anxiety disorder, which they think/thought is a symptom of my Borderline personality disorder. A month after taking levo they tested only for thyroid function and said it was good and 50mg levo was fine. The past 3 weeks have been hell, first anxiety worsened so they too me off the mood stabilizers. Now im so weak and have shortness of breath. Tomorrow i have an appointment for further blood tests. When i started loosing a little blood daily, my doctor has booked me in for a womb echo. I did mention that the blood loss could be the levo, he shrugged it. Im almost too weak to type this, my boss is getting really weary with me, but this is the first time im off sick. I was at work yesterday and just broke down. My anxiety attacks and suicidal thoughts has not been taken seriously because i have the diagnosis BPD.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to andreafletcher]

You may ready for dose increase in Levothyroxine. 50mcg is only a starter dose. Body has to adjust. Then dose is increased in 25mcg steps. Retesting again 6-8 weeks later

Depression and anxiety are often a symptoms of hypothyroidism

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Shortness of breath can be low iron or ferritin

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[Judithdalston in reply to andreafletcher]

I have no idea what Dutch doctors think is 'normal' for thyroid results- in the Uk TSH has to be 10, tho other countries treat with it at 3. Ask to get print out of all your results - in Uk now they have to do it free by law. Try to get an 25 mcg levothyroxin increase. Worth getting your VitD, B12, folate and ferritin and thyroid autoimmune antibodies tested too- all relevant to good thyroid health. Meanwhile good luck.