Sore throat

[RomyJean]

Please can someone tell me the side effects of being over medicated on Levo?

[Lalatoot]

The side effects of overmedication can be the same as those of undermedication so it is difficult to judge what is causing symptoms. Can you give more info?

[RomyJean in reply to Lalatoot]

Ive only been on the Levo for a month, so I don’t know if it’s kicking in, but the doctors seem like they don’t care.

I’ve got a sore throat, yesterday I was having hot sweats on and off day, which I usually get, but not as often, shaking hands, wanting to eat alot, feeling really tired, which Is normal. Feeling anxious, irritable, can’t keep still. Thinking quickly.

[Lalatoot in reply to RomyJean]

When starting levo or with dose increases it is common to feel good for a of weeks then to feel bad for a couple of weeks as things begin to change. Sometimes a starter dose of 25mcg or 50mcg can make us feel worse as the body is really needing a higher dose and our symptoms become worse.

Some folks need to split their dose as taking it all at once causes too much of a spike in hormones. I take half my dose on waking and half at bedtime.

Levo dosing can be very much trial and error as to how your body reacts. The important thing is to try to stick out each change for 6 to 8 weeks and then get blood tests so you can try to judge what was going on with your thyroid hormone levels. By keeping a diary of symptoms, doses and blood results you will be better able to tailor things to suit you.

I am sorry that this doesn't help you much today. I hope things improve soon.

[waveylines]

Common symptoms when over nedicated are sweating, loose bowels, tremors. Your temperature maybe higher but not at fever level.

[RomyJean in reply to waveylines]

Thanks waveylines

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

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

Book early morning blood test, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Has GP tested vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels and thyroid antibodies

Please add results

[SilverAvocado]

RomyJean,

Unfortunately, as people have mentioned, its hard to detect overmedication from symptoms.

Over medication can give you those speeded up symptoms, some others have mentioned specific ones. But also these symptoms are common in under medication, particularly very extreme under medication.

The biggest thing is to wait out at least 6 weeks on a dose, as thyroid hormone replacement rskes time to settle. You should be getting thyroid panel blood tests some time shortly after that at your doctor's.

If your GP is not good with getting you blood tests regularly then you can get private mail order finger prick tests (read the forum for more details).

My suggestion would be to get hold of your blood tests, then make a brand new post. Give the full details of what your dose of Levo is, when you've started and adjusted, and type out those blood test results, including the range (the two numbers after your personal result). Then members will be able to give you advice on whether this is the right dose for you.

Two quick things to note are that starting out on Levo can be quite rough - most people will feel worse before they feel better. A starter dose of 25-50mcg is not enough to give improvement. It's really important to keep getting retests and having the dose adjusted by 25mcg each time. Most people will need several retests and adjustments, so it can easily take six months to get fully stable on a dose.