Weird side effect or issue from T4?: I've been... - Thyroid UK

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Weird side effect or issue from T4?

msmono profile image
9 Replies

I've been having this about 3 weeks. About half an hour/one hour after taking Levothyroxine, me head feels 'swimmy' a bit like if you've ever had valium or lightheadedness after a drink on an empty stomach. It's not very pleasant (a bit like a virus) and it seems to go on for the rest of the day. It reminds me of when I had anti-depressants once when I don't think I needed them. I've tried different brands (I have a couple of brands) at home and both produce the same effect. I had a day when I didn't take it and felt better. I've also been adding a small amount of T3 in (endo supervised) but this horrible effect predates the T3 starting. So fed up I feel like stopping medication as it's actually making me feel ill! (I posted test results a few weeks back but I don't think this relates to those) I actally almots feel like I've been poisoned - not that I ever have been) Any ideas what's happening? Has anyone else exprienced this?

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msmono
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9 Replies
Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

You could try splitting your T4 dose to see if that helps.

msmono profile image
msmono in reply to Lalatoot

Yeah sorry should've said I've tried that. But thanks.

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

How much Levo are you on msmono? Did your Endo insist on reducing your dosage when you started the T3? How much Levo and T3 are you on (and what were you taking before you started the T3)?

And I know you tried the 2 different brands—but I know that there are a couple of different brands out there that are effectively the same tablet underneath the packaging—so just to rule that out, what 2 types have you tried?

msmono profile image
msmono in reply to Jazzw

Hi, thanks for replying. First, it's probably worth reiterating that this weird effect predates me starting the T3. I still wouldn't mind getting an opinion on dosage. I was on 100/125 T4 alternating daily and I'm now on 100/75 alternating daily with 10 T3 daily. (Mercury Pharma and Actavis were the brands)

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw in reply to msmono

Yes, I did see that. But I wondered whether there could be something in both brands that was causing the issue.

I think if I’ve read helvella ’s document correctly dropbox.com/s/6h3h0qi4eqwi6... that there’s lactose in both Mercury Pharma and Actavis (both companies have been taken over by other pharmaceuticals recently).

So could you be lactose intolerant?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Jazzw

Mercury Pharma is still called Mercury Pharma! :-)

But Actavis has changed to Accord.

The only UK lactose-free levothyroxine tablets are Teva and Aristo.

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw in reply to helvella

My mistake, thanks for correcting! :)

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Jazzw

It is a nightmare trying to keep up with it all.

msmono profile image
msmono in reply to Jazzw

Interesting, thank you. Hmm - it could be but not sure if that fits the symptoms having googled them - it feels more neurological. Anyway have finally emailed the endo although I usually try to avoid contact with doctors these days!

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