Can increasing dose of Levothyroxine cause stomach pains and diarrhoea?

[sunshineisbetter]

I’m trying to work out if I have a bug or if increased medication had caused an IBS reaction. I’m only on 2nd day of increase.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brand of levothyroxine is new dose

Is it same brand as previously

Looking at previous posts, you started on just 25mcg levothyroxine…..presumably now increasing to 50mcg

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

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

[sunshineisbetter in reply to SlowDragon]

Same brand from 25mcg to 50mcg. I haven’t been able to eat or leave the bathroom today 😔

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to sunshineisbetter]

Hi did you have IBS before you took Levo? I found I couldn't tolerate Northstar brand of Levo. I have IBS and this really gave me bad bloating and stomach discomfort. I switched to a different brand and was ok. Levo does increase gut motility and food passes through more quickly.

It could be you are just getting used to it and it'll settle down, it could be you might need a different brand, which brand do you take btw?

Or you might need a smaller dose increase, ie 12.5mcg or half a 25mcg tablet. Sometimes we can't tolerate a big increase and need to do it more gradually. If it continues you need to speak to your doctor.

Of course you could have a bug and it might just be a coincidence. Hope you feel better soon.

[sunshineisbetter in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thank you. Yes I did have IBS before levo. I’m on Mercury Pharma which was recommended on this forum. I’m wondering if perhaps I have a bug. I will give it a couple more days to see x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sunshineisbetter]

Which brand of levothyroxine is it?

[sunshineisbetter in reply to SlowDragon]

Mercury Pharma

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can see on previous post you tested negative for coeliac

Are you now on strictly gluten free diet ?

[sunshineisbetter in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes gluten free

[sunshineisbetter]

Update: Feeling much better today. No aching all over and stomach cramps like yesterday, also less exhausted- just still an upset stomach.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sunshineisbetter]

Good you’re feeling a bit better