Headaches with Changes

[Trina64]

I increased the Levothyroxine from 25 mcg to 50 mcg yesterday. I did go to 37.5 for about 4 days prior to going to 50mcg. I am also on T3, but have been on it for about 2 months now. I don't expect to feel better from hypothyroid symptoms for a while, but I have a horrible headache and I generally don't get headaches. I have googled to see if that is a possible short term side effect and I haven't found much on it. I have mostly found what side effects are if you are on too much and I assume you would need to be on it for more than 2 days to get them.

Has anyone else had headaches when starting or changing dose of thyroid? Do I just wait it out for a little while and see if they go away? I definitely don't want to call my doctor because he would probably tell me to go back to 25mcg which clearly was not working. I did not change generic brands.

[tattybogle]

yes .. i'll often get a headache for a few days , (and intermittently for a week or so) when i increase levo by just 12.5mcg . ( i go up and down by 12.5mcg every so often)

so you may find it resolves itself naturally over then next couple of weeks .

there no law saying you need to increase by a full 25mcg ... it's often a much better idea to try just a 12.5mcg adjustment for a few months first ...

that amount is sometimes enough ..

and if it's not .. you cam add the other 12.5mcg later.

have you condosdered just staying on 37.5mcg for few months to see how that feels ?

[Trina64 in reply to tattybogle]

I was on the 37.5 mcg and just felt like I was continuing to go backwards. I was the one who talked my doctor into letting me go the full 25mcg. If the headache doesn't get better in a few days, then I might need to consider going back to 37.5mcg. I know it takes weeks to settle in, but I had stopped sleeping and last night I slept well again after the first day on 50mcg. Coincidence? Maybe

[debjs in reply to Trina64]

I have always had a headache from about day 3 to day 10 or 12 after any increase in thyroid meds. I have been on a variety of doses over the years (have never been particularly stable) but always seem to follow the headache pattern. Hope yours improves soon.

[HeartWoman in reply to debjs]

Thanks! I hope you get stable soon.

[radd]

Trina64,

Yes, I have experienced headaches with thyroid med dose changes, particularly T3 when I first introduced it. Headaches appear quite common with dose changes although this fact may not be supported by GP's!

[HeartWoman in reply to radd]

I don't ask doctors many questions. They generally look at you like you have 2 heads.

[radd in reply to HeartWoman]

😆

[Lovecake]

headaches with increases in levo. And also if T3 is increased too much.

Migraines if FT4 level drops too low and therefore along with FT3