I increased my levothyroxine from 50 mcg to 75mcg 4 weeks ago. I also switched to name brand Synthroid at that time for consistency going forward. I have been on 5mcg T3 since January.Since the increase 4 weeks ago it has been up and down. I had 3 good days in a row (this past Fri-Sun). Yesterday I felt shattered and had some serious mood swings, but those have calmed back down. I had a few bad mood swings last week as well.
All last night I could feel my heart beating and my pulse in my head. I didn't sleep well at all. I don't think my heart is racing. Is this something I should immediately be concerned about or is it part of the settling in process? I am pretty sure if I contact my endo, he will have me reduce my dose. I don't want to if this is normal and will settle down soon.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
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HeartWoman
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I don't have any results on this dose because I am only 4 weeks into it. I have the paperwork to be tested again in 2 weeks.
I have had everything tested and I am high in range in B12 and ferritin. I was mid-range in D and have been supplementing with 2000-3000iu a day for several weeks. My folate was not tested.
OK so when you get your thyroid bloods done then make sure they also test folate.
Your dose is relatively low even with the increase so hypo symptoms would be expected. Increasing dose can make symptoms worse sometimes but should settle over time.
Thyroid issues seems to be a circus most of us would rather not join. It will be interesting to see what my labs are in 2 weeks with not only the increase, but the change to the name brand, Synthroid. I am in the states, so I don't know how widely available it is, but here, most people prefer it even though it cost more. If it keeps me stable, it is worth the cost.
In all honesty it's hard to say. I think maybe you probably did more during the three days you felt well so this couldve swung you back as a bit hypo. Sort of boom and bust. The adrenals would kick in more to compensate giving you those symptoms If resting up relieves it then yes. Also your body is adjusting and whilst it does it can swing up down a bit. Bare in mind the thyroid, adrenals and ovaries are all affected by each others out put so it could also be that. If it were me I'd wait to see if it settles down as the body takes time to adjust.... Like a waking up process. . You only have another two weeks before retesting thyroid hormones. I'd wait & see unless it's really feels bad. That's just my thoughts. Am not a medic.
I forgot to add that i am on estrogen because of a hysterectomy many years ago. I have been stable on my estrogen dose for many months. I take a substantial amount and they never test those levels. I know when my estrogen is low, I am a mess.
Even though I felt good those 3 days, I tried to be mindful not to over do it since I am still in the "healing" process. We are having really hot days where I am located, so I am also watching I don't get dehydrated
I think I will just stay the course and see what my bloodwork shows in 2 weeks. I can handle most symptoms, but the mood swings have got to go. I never experienced PMS or anything like that, so being hit with them now was not something I expected.
So far, my endo has been working with me. Hopefully he will continue to do so.
Awww sounds tough. Glad you have the Endo on board too. It's a difficult one as one will affect the other. He/She may need to check both levels. I have to say I found it hard going through it till found my 'sweet spot' for thyroid meds. Think of it like this hypothyroidism makes the body run slow but as thyroid hormones are replaced gradually the body runs faster and so it impact on all parts of the body. But then cos your body is running faster it needs more thyroid hormones to maintain it.... Hence the tiltration of increases. Now think about how that balances with your estrogen supplementation.I think it's amazing that our bodies stay in balance as much as they do!!
Just stick with it for now. The pounding heart beat is most likely the juggling that's going on with your thyroid and oestrogen hormones and the adrenals have joined in the game. They are the ones that often cause the pounding. It should settle.
Now do as I say, not as I do. When you get a few days, or even one day, where you feel good. Don't try to tackle years worth of backlog of housework and gardening. Leave that to the fools like me. Sit down and read a book.
I would read, if my brain wasn't so mushy right now. I use to read novels all the time, but haven't read much for a long time. I hope that comes back when I am balanced back out.
The pulse in your head could well be caused by "pulsatile tinnitus". It is always easier to research something when you know the name of it. This form of tinnitus has various causes, and I couldn't say which of them might apply to you, if any.
I never suffered pulsatile tinnitus until taking thyroid meds. I feel and I am advised, that I am under medicated. I need T3 and I am working towards that. I have a theory which is around the ‘body’ literally working more slowly but having to use much more effort to go about it’s business. This required effort can be heard in pulsatile tinnitus in some people. Probably, depending on your individual body’s construction, is why some patients get this symptom with hypothyroidism and some do not. Often it’s very annoying but I now use it as a kind of check. I do not need to take my pulse etc because I just need to tune into it. It tells me a lot. The only time I escape it is when I use my sleep apnoea machine. That’s another story. Here’s to us both becoming optimally treated ASAP.
It is so confusing and frustrating. I also use a machine for sleep apnea. I just don't sleep well right now. I had started sleeping a few weeks ago, but that seems to have stopped again. I hope my test show something that needs tweaked.
Honestly I have not really slept properly in many years. When I tested for sleep apnoea I was totally shocked by the result. No-one told me I snored but I understand you don’t actually have to snore to experience sleep apnoea. It took me ages to get around to using the machine. I was SO against it. However a new mask that just covers my nose has been a game changer and most importantly I get peace from the pulsatile tinnitus. So the air pressure is holding my muscles in a place that I cannot (due to hypothyroidism) and now allows the blood to pulse more normally through the channels - quietly! After all the trauma of not being able to sleep and the pulsatile tinnitus, I almost find the process relaxing, even if I still don’t always sleep. I have high hopes this might be remedied by being properly medicated.
I have not had issues using my machine once I found a mask that works for me. I had to try several and have a nasal one as well. I don't give it much thought anymore. Right now I am dealing with an anxious feeling and I don't have anything to be anxious about. I don't laugh like I use to either. I hope this all gets worked out soon as I settle in on the right doses. Sometimes I wonder if an antidepressant would help until I get where I need to be.
Please don’t go down the antidepressant route, once on those it’s often hard to come off. Also, the mention of depression on your medical notes means doctors are less inclined to believe that your symptoms are not “all in your head”. You have to be patient when it comes to thyroid replacement - give your body time to adjust, you’ve only got a couple of weeks to wait for your retest.
Thanks! I just get so frustrated with feeli g so awful. Today my moodvis better. I am just dealing with a lot of brain fog. If I could get that to lift, I would feel so much better.
I was put on Adderall a few years ago because I couldn't concentrate or focus. Duh! I never felt good on them. They just keep my feet under me so I can get to work.
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Blood test results after 4 weeks of stopping levothyroxine
First blood test since diagnosis (4 weeks ago)
4 weeks on thyroxine
