I am starting to think levo may not be the right drug for me. I know I am currently hypo (Tsh 6.1, .45- 4.5, T3 3.0, 2.0 - 4.4) and my doctor has increased my dosage incrementally by a total of 34.7 mcg over the last few months. Since the increase, I am sweating more and overheated. I also started using a new pharmacy and noticed my pill is now blue instead of pink (possible allergic reaction- I also have hives now). Where vitamins are concerned- I have low ferritin and have just started supplementing (Vitamin D and B12 were low, have been supplementing and they are improving).
I told my endo about these symptoms and told her I read some are side effects of levo. She says I would only have side effects if I was hyperthyroid, which my bloodwork indicates I am not. Is this true or can you have levo side effects when euthyroid or under medicated?
I am debating asking to go on a T3/T4 combo like Armour- any thoughts?
Also, I realize these symptoms may be because I am still under medicated but she doesn’t seem to want to acknowledge that Hashi’s can give you symptoms of both. Basically, she never gives me answers and only seems to be willing to change my dose after bloodwork. Guessing it’s time for a new endo.
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thyroidmom84
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She says I would only have side effects if I was hyperthyroid, which my bloodwork indicates I am not.
That makes no sense whatsoever. I think, basically, she just doesn't know anything about thyroid.
Just looking at your TSH one can see that you are very under-medicated and probably need several increases in dose. Although, it would be helpful if you also had an FT4 result. Why is your endo pussy-footing around with such inconsequential increases? She should be increasing by 25 mcg every six weeks until your TSH comes down to 1 or under, and your Frees are in the upper part of the range, wherever you need them to make you well.
You can't really tell if levo is right for you until you get onto the right dose. It's best to get levels as right as you can on levo only before thinking about NDT, because that tells you how well you convert. Which is always handy to know.
I don't suppose she understands what happens when you take your dose before the blood draw. Very few of them do. So, that result isn't very helpful, then, I'm afraid.
We have to tell people how to prepare as the majority of doctors (unless they themselves are hypo) don't seem to have a clue about how the TSH is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day. Meaning that some people aren't diagnosed.
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood 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)
In the USA (and many other countries where levothyroxine is produced as coloured tablets), the 50 microgram dosage is white - not coloured.
The reason for this is to provide at least one option for people who react to the colouring agent(s) used.
If you could only have an issue if you were hyperthyroid, why on earth would gigantic pharmaceutical companies bother making these white tablets? (If I were one of those companies, I'd want to produce tablets in my corporate colours! )
Many people find one make intolerable and another make is fine.
I had a horrible reaction to 112mcg synthyroid , I had hives, sweating and generally felt off and Endo did not care saw no issues between my issues and this pill (I Fired him).
Synthyroid I think it was 88mcg (green pill) after 112mcg failed and in my experience Endos do not want to increase your medication only drop it especially if your (TSH) is in range, pretty US standard to follow TSH and ignore everything else.
I have been on Levothyroxine for the past 15 years, I did not feel ill at all but the doctor told me I needed to take the tablets. I argued and they told me I would be very poorly if I did not. My younger sister was diagnosed a few years later and refused medication, but she had a bad year and finally gave in and started taking Levo.
Hi thyroidmom84. I just wanted to chime in to say that I had an allergic reaction to both the generic Levo and Synthroid. After painstakingly tracking down the inactive ingredient lists for both and checking off the common fillers, I made a guess that it was the acacia that was in both brands. Some people are allergic to it and get rashes or hives. I also got runny, puffy eyes from it. I looked at the inactive ingredients from other brands and picked Levoxyl and been doing better on it.
In general, I get side effects from Levo, even if I'm not in the upper range (although I have more symptoms when it's very high). For example, my skin is drier no matter where in the range my T3 is when I'm taking Levo. No idea why. My hair falls out, but the higher the dose the worse it is. I've also gotten nerve problems since I started Levo (I was on just naturethroid before, now on a combo of both NDT and T4). Not sure if it's related.
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