Has anyone experienced achy bones, muscles or dizziness while on Levothyroxine?

[Annkapp]

Just started on Levothyroxine a few weeks ago. I have had increasing problems with dizziness and achy bones and muscles. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms while on Levothyroxine?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

How much levothyroxine have you been started on

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Always test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested

Low vitamin levels can contribute to tinnitus, joint pain, dizziness, breathlessness

Presumably you have autoimmune thyroid disease as you have vitiligo

Autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

You will need coeliac blood test done too

[Annkapp in reply to SlowDragon]

I have been on vitamin and minerals. I am on methylated B’s because of genetics and also special liquid D3K2 for the same reason. I have been working with a functional practitioner to address what I can nutritionally. I do not eat gluten or dairy or eggs because of allergies or sensitivities.

I am mostly wanting to know if others have had problems I have described and what alternatives are available if Levothyroxine is causing adverse effects. I am assuming it is the inactive ingredients in the product.

[App1]

Welcome fellow newbie, I started 50 levo 22 April and already had and still have the dizzy/muscles/bones symptoms you mention.My first specific blood test is looming and I took advice from here on making it 8.45 and pre levo tha5 day.

Wish I’d taken the advice on meds as my second (50 levo) prescription issue was a different brand from first and packaging looked same so I didn’t noice..... silly me. I’d assumed as still same strength till next test that the prescription team would’ve been au fair with things

[Annkapp in reply to App1]

I was on NP Thyroid (25mcg) for a few years but had issues whenever trying to increase. I think it was because it had more T3 than I needed. So I recently switched to T4 Levothyroxine. At 25mcg I had some achy bones but when I increase to 50 mcg the muscle and bones ached terribly. So painful I had to take Advil just to make it bearable. Also the dizziness is constant now except lessens when it is near the time for my next dose.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Annkapp]

Standard STARTER dose levothyroxine is 50mcg

Typically dose is increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until TSH is always below 2, frequently will be under one …..blood test 6-8 weeks after each dose increase…..steps up normally over 6-12 months until on full replacement dose

Unless extremely petite likely to need at least 100mcg levothyroxine per day….often more

Being left under medicated on only half starter dose for years means your metabolism has likely been compromised

You may need to increase extremely slowly ….adding just 12.5mcg…..wait 6-8 weeks

Test ….increase again by another 12.5mcg etc etc

Splitting your levothyroxine dose taking half waking and half at bedtime can help tolerate larger increases

[Annkapp in reply to SlowDragon]

When I was on NP thyroid 25mcg my labs wereTSH 2.58 (0.5- 4.7 UIU/ML

Free T4. 1.07. (0.73-1.95 NG/DL)

Free T3. 2.3. (2.3-4.2. PG/ML)

On the Levothyroxine 50mcg

(For only 2 weeks at the time of testing. I tested early bc I Felt so bad and was afraid of T3 level drastically falling)

The same lab was used so lab ranges are the same.

TSH. 0.835

Free T4. 1.41

Free T3. 2.1

I’m not sure at this point if my T3 will increase in time if I continue on the T4 or if I should add in a little T3 at this point.

Your thoughts?

My doc gave me a script for T3 5mcg tabs in case I needed it. If I add in I would probably start with half.

[Jazzw]

Which brand of levothyroxine have you been prescribed?

[Annkapp in reply to Jazzw]

I am taking a generic. The manufacturer is Amneal.

[Gingernut44 in reply to Annkapp]

Take a look at the “other ingredients” ie: the excipients. It could be those that are causing you problems.