Scared to start levothyroxine

[Lynne75]

Morning my doctor has recommended 50mcg of levothyroxine as my bloods came back borderline and I’ve various symptoms.

My question is ive had the medication for 2 weeks now but my anxiety is getting the better of me,I’m terrified of any serious side effects ie swelling of tongue or worse.

I know taking them will be beneficial to me,but I can’t get past this one hurdle.

Thanks xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Anxiety is an extremely common hypothyroid symptom

Getting started on levothyroxine will eventually reduce your anxiety levels

Do you have copies of your thyroid results and ranges?

TSH

Ft4

Ft3

TPO antibodies

TG antibodies

Which brand of levothyroxine have you been given

Taking levothyroxine at bedtime can be more convenient than taking early morning. Might also be more effective

Always taking levothyroxine on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

No other medications or supplements within 2 hours

Are you currently taking any other medications

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested yet? Or thyroid antibodies?

If not request they are tested at next test

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Always get tested as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Levothyroxine dose will be increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until TSH is ALWAYS under 2

Most people when adequately treated will have TSH around 1

[Lynne75 in reply to SlowDragon]

Morning thanks for your reply,I wasn’t giving any figures just a call to say I’m borderline and because I’m displaying symptoms they wanted me to start 50mcg.The brand I received is wockhardt.

I suffer from anxiety anyway but I managed to stay off any medication linked to that for the past 5 years.

I’m always the same when I get offered medication by anxiety comes back to haunt me x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lynne75]

Wockhart is very well tolerated. They only make 25mcg tablets. So you have presumably been prescribed 2 tablets per day

Anxiety is one of the most prominent hypothyroid symptoms

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lynne75]

Levothyroxine isn’t really a medication as such

It’s a replacement hormone as your own thyroid isn’t making enough thyroid hormones

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lynne75]

Don't think of levothyroxine as 'medication'. It is a hormone that our thyroid gland no longer provides. Taking a replacement allows everything in our body to function and our brain and heart have the most T3 receptor cells. Levo - also called T4 - is inactive but converts to T3.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Just to pick up the specific point about swollen tongue.

I had a swollen tongue due to inadequate thyroid hormone - (for me) definitely not a side effect of levothyroxine. (Can also occur if low in vitamin B12. And likely some other causes.) It passed when I got about half way to an adequate dose.

[Lalatoot]

Lynne I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks. They were mostly related to my thyroid problems.

My thyroid was not making enough hormones so what my body lacked in hormones it made up for by producing adrenalin. I lived my daily life on adrenalin. It was not a way to live.

I was on Citalopram for more years than I care to remember. Came off it several times and went back on it as the anxiety never left.

I have been off citalopram for 3 years now that I am on the correct medication for my thyroid.

I won't lie and say that levothyroxine is a quick fix. It takes time to get established and for the body to change and settle with the additional hormones. But it is a positive direction to go in.

Your thyroid is not making enough hormones to keep you well. You can take additional hormones to replace the ones missing in your body. Those additional hormones are called levothyroxine.

[Lynne75 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply,I actually feel better already about starting it tomorrow morning,I just let anxiety rule my head.I was on propanol for my anxiety but under my doctor I managed to come off all medication and fight it myself,which I have done but triggers like medication or new places always sets it off again.

I know once I take the thyroid tablet it will eventually make me feel so much better,it’s just taking that step not to panic as soon as I’ve took it,I’m not getting any younger lol so need to look after my health a lot more xx

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lynne75]

Propranolol would very likely have hidden your thyroid problems

Propranolol slows uptake and conversion of thyroid hormones

Well done for getting off propranolol

[Lynne75 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks it was a medication that made me feel very spaced out and my heart raced if I had anything caffeine linked.I found getting hypnotherapy helped me massively to control my anxiety disorder,strangely my thyroid came back borderline the last few times,but my symptoms were anxiety linked,kind of wondering was it my thyroid all along x

[Marz in reply to Lynne75]

It would be good to request your last few thyroid results from Reception. Perhaps they can mail them to you. Also ask for on-line access - which surgeries should now have.

Now is the time to start monitoring your journey by checking results and ranges with details of the amount of meds, vitamins and minerals you are taking and how you are feeling. Also you need to know what has been missed !

Low levels of B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD can also contribute to anxiety.

[Lynne75 in reply to Marz]

Thank you I will request that,my doctor is ringing me at some point this week,so I will ask him for a copy.x

[Marz in reply to Lynne75]

Hope you have a helpful Doc - many do not like you having too much information ! Reception usually deal with the results. Have you asked about on-line access ?

[Lynne75 in reply to Marz]

I do have online access to certain things,but not test results x

[Marz in reply to Lynne75]

You can request enhanced access for test results ...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Marz]

Not everywhere - I think that should be the case in England but might not be everywhere.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lynne75]

Far better to request test results from receptionist

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone 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.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

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

[Lynne75 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for all your advice,I will ring and speak with the receptionist x