Levothyroxine driving me crazy.

[Jade2307]

Hi, I'm new here. I have had an underactive thyroid all of my life. I was diagnosed at 7 days old and at one stage, they thought I didn't have a thyroid at all. For years everything was OK, had a few problems through puberty but nothing compared to now.

The last 5 years I feel like when I am on my Levothyroxine it drives me crazy, I cry, get angry and just spiral into depression. I have a happy life and a good job and there is nothing for me to be worried or depressed about.

My weight is also an issue, it is so hard to lose weight, I exercise but then the next day I feel like a 90 year old who is hunched over.

Every time I go to the pharmacy I get questioned all the time about my medication. I was on 275mg and I would get taken into a room by the pharmacist and they would ask me if I have seen a doctor and if I see a consultant as it can effect my heart.

I have told many doctors before of the side effects of the levothyroxine, they just say I am depressed and put me on antidepressants. I have seen two different endocrinologists at two different hospitals and had lots of different tests but my dosage just go up and up ad so does my weight.

Recently, I have not been taking my tablets at all now for about a month. Apart from feeling tired, my mental health feels so much better. (I do feel tearful but not as bad as when I am on them) I was coping with the physical symptoms but I am very worried about causing some permanent damage to myself but on the other hand I would rather feel tired and ill than feel like I am losing my mind.

Does anyone have the same issues like this? Any advice or anything I can go to the doctors with?

[Peanut31]

Hi

You’ve come to the right place for help.

What brand of Levothyroxine are you taking?

It would be helpful if you could post your latest blood results from your GP on here.

The more experienced members can then advise.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[greygoose]

Have you ever had your FT3 tested? It sounds to me like you aren't converting very well. Doctors never think about that - well, they don't know that much about thyroid at all. But, if's very important to have full bloods done, and I doubt if they do them. You need:

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit d

vit B12

folate

ferritin

275 mcg levo, whilst unusual, is not that high a dose, some people do need it that high - and most pharmacists, in my experience, just like poking their noses into other people's business! And, it's ok to take that dose provided you are converting it to T3.

So, time to take charge and see what's going on! As you been on such a high dose of such a long time, it's not surprising that you still feel ok after a month. But, believe me, it won't last. You need to take something. And as soon as we've seen your labs, we'll be able to advise you what's best to take.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018

Can you add most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4

Also helpful if had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested.

Add results and ranges if you have them

Assuming you were born with no thyroid rather than autoimmune thyroid disease