Levothyroxine causing burning pain?: Hi Just a... - Thyroid UK

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Levothyroxine causing burning pain?

Rah12 profile image
15 Replies

Hi

Just a quick question. Has anyone had problem with Levothyroxine causing burning pain? I have burning pain on my right side. Whenever I stop taking it, the pain goes away but as soon as I start the pain comes back. Thanks

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Rah12 profile image
Rah12
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15 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Rah12

Is this recent? If so have you recently had a change of brand and it coincides with that?

Have you started to take anything else recently that this could be associated with?

Rah12 profile image
Rah12 in reply toSeasideSusie

Nothing has changed. I'm still on the same brand. So I don't understand what's going on. I stopped it 3 times in the last 2 months. When I stop the pain goes away but as soon as I start it, the pain comes back. I haven't started any new medication.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toRah12

Rah12

If it's the Levo then presumably this is some kind of stomach burning pain/indigestion/or something similar?

Are you taking your Levo with food or taking it one hour before or two hours after food?

Are you taking it with a glass of water only?

Rah12 profile image
Rah12 in reply toSeasideSusie

I'm taking it on empty stomach early morning with a glass of water. I eat breakfast about 1/2 hours later. It definitely not my stomach or indigestion as the pain is on my right side just below my ribs. Sometimes it feels hot to touch!

Thanks for replying 🙂

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toRah12

What brand of Levo are you taking and how long have you been taking Levo?

Rah12 profile image
Rah12 in reply toSeasideSusie

Its mercury pharma. Its about 4 months since I started levothyroxine.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toRah12

Rah12

If you've always been on Mercury Pharma, have you had this pain as long as you've been on it? If so then it would point to that brand of Levo causing you a problem.

If you'd been on that brand with no problems for some time then the pain suddenly started, that makes it more difficult to pinpoint it to the Levo.

Why not just ask for a different brand and see whether you get the pain then.

helvella has a list of brands in this document:

dropbox.com/s/6h3h0qi4eqwi6...

Note that Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine and Mercury Pharma Eltroxin are the same tablets.

Rah12 profile image
Rah12 in reply toSeasideSusie

The first month on levo was fine. It only started on the second month. I'll ask for a different one and see what happens.

Thank you

Teddybear131 profile image
Teddybear131 in reply toRah12

I have had Burning right sided pain for 6 months and realised it was the teva levothyroxine I had been started on in March so switched back to mercury and burning is eventually going away slowly I may add. Would not touch these ever again and realise no one told me I had switched just noticed recently on the packet and it all clicked what had been causing all the problems good luck as it’s a horrible pain.

Rah12 profile image
Rah12 in reply toTeddybear131

I'm on the mercury pharma levothyroxine. Doctor is saying it can't be a symptom of levo. So I don't know what to do. As soon as I stop the pain goes away completely.

Thanks for replying 🙂

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toRah12

I suggest you consider a Yellow Card report:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Even if you were the only person on the planet having this issue, it would be sensible to fill in a report. It is NEVER wrong to make a report of your experiences.

Then consider asking for a new prescription and trying a different make?

Rah12 profile image
Rah12 in reply tohelvella

Thanks I will

Partner20 profile image
Partner20

I would discuss these symptoms with your GP, without delay, as there may be gallbladder or liver issues at play here, and the levo is just a red herring. Far better safe than sorry.

Rah12 profile image
Rah12 in reply toPartner20

Thanks for replying. Something is not right and is really worrying me. I have an oppointment to see the gp next week.

Partner20 profile image
Partner20 in reply toRah12

Glad you have got a GP appointment. Not all symptoms and conditions are thyroid-related, so it is always important to take note of, and report, new symptoms. Hope you find the answers you need. Good luck.

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