This is my first time posting. I was recently diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and as being post-menopausal at 39 which has sent me into a bit of a tailspin. I was prescribed 50mg of levothyroxine which I duly took, but had terrible anxiety after 2 weeks. I am now on 25 mg and am still experiencing terrible episodes of anxiety.
I am really confused as whether it's the medication that's causing the anxiety or just the enormity of both conditions whereas before I classed myself as fairly healthy. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Am on the verge of being medicated for anxiety and depression as I am in quite a dark place.
I am also now thinking of having the blood tests recommended on this site so I can gain more insight. Has anyone had any successes by doing so?
Many thanks in advance.
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nessa263
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I would certainly have all the tests mentioned on this forum to gain more insight into your condition. Your symptoms could be linked to being Hypo and low nutrient levels. Do you have Hashi's ? Resist the pills for anxiety until you know more about the thyroid and vitamins and minerals ...
I think that's part of anxiety in that I was told by the GP that they are are not related, when my instinct is that they are. I haven't been diagnosed with hashis, but from reading these posts, that means nothing. I am going to order the tests today......just taking that action has made me feel better and that I will get answers that are sadly lacking.
You've just made me relaise something very interesting. I just realised there's 2 different brands in the bag and in my slumber in the morning (set the alarm for 6am) I have been taking different ones. I have TEVA & Wockhardt. Would that make any difference?
Many years ago when I first started levothyroxine my GP reassured me that anxiety wasn’t caused by Levo, as I thought it did. It went eventually...
I think that if you’ve been hypo for a while it can be a bit of a shock to your body / mind to start treatment. Perhaps that’s why we get anxiety, even though the medical profession don’t seem to know about it.
As Aurealis has mentioned, Teva is a problem for many people. If I were you, I'd just stick to Wockhardt for a while and see if it makes a difference. If so, file a Yellow Card Report about the Teva and mention it to your GP and pharmacist and say that you don't want Teva dispensed again due to adverse effects.
This site is so helpful. Thank you. Have just also found out that the unexplaied pains I've been getting in my sternum and shoulder are more than likely linked. As they say, every day is a school day!
How long have you been on this dose and have bloods been retested yet?
Low vitamin levels can be cause of anxiety symptoms
50mcg is the standard starter dose.
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH under one) and FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
Low vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 are EXTREMELY common
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
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 .
For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.
This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.
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