Does increasing dose give you depressive symptoms or brain fog/ derealization?

[Angie10116]

I’ve upped my dose form 75mg to 100mg of Levo and my depression is worse again and everything thing seems extremely pointless . I only upped it 6 days ago. Also my brain fog/ derealization is more noticeable. Is there any way it’s from my dose change? Do you ever deal with these symptoms when changing doses? Thank you

[Starling87]

Just speaking from my own experience, it usually takes me a few weeks to stabilise on a new dose.

I think it's very individual, personally I'm very sensitive to any kind of medication changes (especially hormonal) but it tends to stabilise eventually.

I've just upped from 100 to 125 (something I'm very happy about since my docs have been ignoring my low results for a while) and I've also been feeling a bit anxious for the past few days. But I'm being patient with myself, I know it'll blow over eventually.

[Angie10116 in reply to Starling87]

Thank you for sharing. I’m glad that they finally listened to you!! Is anxiety the only symptom so far?

[Starling87 in reply to Angie10116]

It's tricky to say, as I've currently got some other circumstances that could be making me tired and feeling low..! (new job with odd hrs)

So it's tricky to say. My sleep is definitely off.. But if it helps, I have felt exactly like you describe in the past when I have changed doses. I've generally felt "thick" and a bit groggy in the past, but the anxiety is usually the main culprit.

I hope you feel better soon!

🌷

[Angie10116 in reply to Starling87]

I’m very glad that you’re better! Congratulations on your new job!! That’s amazing ☺️

Thank you for the wishes and reassurance. Have a great day and I also hope you feel 100% better soon! 🌸

[Starling87 in reply to Angie10116]

Hi Angie, I hope your symptoms feel a bit better.

I just wanted to let you know that 8 days into changing my dose my depression is now worse than it has been in months and the brain fog is rubbish. So I can definitely understand you now..! Frustrating isn't it, that all we can do is wait it out and hope we feel better soon.

All the best.

[Angie10116 in reply to Starling87]

I’m sorry lovely! My derealization and anxiety and brain fog is also worse 😂 also very tired and for headaches. It’s crazy that these changes make us feel worse when we should be feeling better!

These feeling will pass I’m hoping. Please stay positive and remember that it’s just the thyroid messing with your mental health❤️ Feel free to message me if you’d like to chat 😌 stay positive!

[Angie10116 in reply to Starling87]

Hi Starling87!

I’m just wondering if you’re feeling better? I’ve become so so so fatigued! I have migraines and legit feel drunk/ hungover all the time lately. How’re you feeling after your dose increase?

[Starling87 in reply to Angie10116]

Hey! Sorry to hear it's a bit up and down with me, I've noticed that my hormones are a bit iffier but the anxiety has definitely gotten better. Brain fog is also bit better, I keep mixing up my words but I think I'll level out more in the next week or so. It's tricky isn't it, I'm about to go into my "cycle" which could be confusing things further..!

Do you take any vitamins? I used to be quite deficient in folate, so since I started taking methylfolate things felt a lot better. My magnesium and vitamin D has helped a lot with fatigue as well.

Another thing that helped with fatigue in the past: going caffeine free! I noticed a few weeks ago that I started getting sluggish after drinking coffee once again.

[Angie10116 in reply to Starling87]

Hey! I’m glad you’re feeling better🥰

Yes, I take vitamin di, vitamin B12, magnesium, fish oil, selenium. So quite a few things haha.

I’m going gluten-free and dairy free for three weeks to detox my body. So hopefully that will help. But I’ve been three weeks into 100 mg of Levo and I’m starting to feel the depression again also. Sucks so much!

[tattybogle]

yes it's perfectly possible that the dose change has this effect.. but DON'T assume how you feel now will stay the same once your body has got used to taking this dose . When changing doses of Levo you should really ignore (virtually) everything for the first few weeks while your body adjusts and then rebalances itself to the change in hormone levels . (obviously don't ignore anything dangerous like continuously galloping heart rate,, but ignore most things.. and 'wait and see' for a few weeks ) During this time all sorts of effects may be noticed.. .. by 2/3 days there are often some noticable effects . by 5/6 days it is very common to notice a difference .. some of us can even tell a (subtle) difference on the first day.

but then things usually change again in the next few days .. and then again next week etc.

So give it all time to settle down.

[Angie10116 in reply to tattybogle]

I’ve been feeling like this for 4 months because my doctors have messed around with my doses a lot. But yes, I need to just stay on one dose and then see after 8 weeks how I feel. Thank you for your encouragement. I just haven’t heard of people with hypothyroidism to experience derealization … so it’s very scary and feels like it won’t go away ( because I’ve had it for months) but thank you, I’ll remember to just give it time

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Same brand of Levo or new brand?

[Angie10116 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Same brand. Accord in north star package

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angie10116]

And you're not taking any 25mcg Northstar?

[Angie10116 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Just one 100mg tablet

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Angie10116]

How was the 75mcg dose given?

[June25]

Perhaps in future you'd be better with a smaller dose change at a time, like 12.5mcg.

Don't be discouraged. We all find out what suits us best by trial and error.

[Angie10116 in reply to June25]

Thank you very much!