Is it normal to get symptoms (like headaches) after a dosage increase of levothyroxine?

[melissa-b]

Apologies, it's me again! I just posted 4 days ago asking if I should get an ultrasound (I will ask for one - I've booked in a F2F GP appointment and will push for one then!).

I went up to 75mcg of levothyroxine on Saturday, on the same brand tablets (I'm just taking 25mcg x 3 now), but since then I've had more fatigue, anxiety, but worse of all - throbbing headaches. I get migraines, and it's similar to that, but it's lasting seconds at a time, then easing off, then coming back... Mostly on the right side of my head (where I normally get migraines) but sometimes on the left side.

Is this a normal side effect of levo, and will it pass as I get used to the higher dose? Thank you so much for all your help by the way, I really appreciate this forum so much <3

(Latest results before dosage increase - TSH 6.73mIU/L (range 0.38-5.33), T4 is 12.4pmol/L (range 8-18.0))

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Going by your results you are still very much hypo so odd symptoms have to be expected. As we change dose new symptoms can come and go as your body is healing. In my experience these symptoms will pass as time goes on and your body gets used to the new dose.

The arent really side effects of levo, just the hypo condition itself. levo is just a synthetic version of what your own body produces.

Have you checked vitamin levels and now supplementing them?

[melissa-b in reply to GlowCoach]

Thank you so much! I have actually only ever been diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism (or borderline hypothyroidism) which leads me to wonder if I'm doing the right thing having the dose increased, but I hope it is! I feel like a bit of a fraud 😆 Fingers crossed the symptoms pass quickly. My levels have been good overall, since following advice from this group! My potassium was a little bit on the lower side recently but I've been following a high potassium diet. My ferritin is still suboptimal at 88, but it's just taking time to go up. My vitamin D, B12, folate, etc all looked good, and I'm still taking supplements to keep them optimal <3

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to melissa-b]

The words borderline and subclinical are just medical terminology, but the bottom line is that you are hypothyroid which at the end of the day is all that counts. You have still passed the point where you require treatment so whatever it is called makes no difference, you need Levothyroxine.

[melissa-b in reply to GlowCoach]

Thank you so much 💟

[FancyPants54]

I can guarantee a week of migraine when I adjust my dose, usually around the 1.5 weeks into new dose mark. This happens if I increase or decrease my dose.

[melissa-b in reply to FancyPants54]

I'm glad it's not just me, then!! I hope it passes soon - does anything help the headaches when you get them? <3

[FancyPants54 in reply to melissa-b]

I just take some Migraleve, which is what I use for Migraines. Or Ibuprofen if they don't work. But I'm not supposed to use Ibuprofen because I'm on an anticoagulant.

[helvella in reply to FancyPants54]

I haven't read this at all but just thought to ask if you know of it?

Atogepant for preventing migraine

Technology appraisal guidance

Reference number: TA973

Published: 15 May 2024

nice.org.uk/guidance/ta973

[FancyPants54 in reply to helvella]

No I haven't. I'll have a look. Although my migraines are always hormonal. Be that oestrogen/progesterone/thyroid hormone. As soon as the balance shifts much, down I go.

[FancyPants54 in reply to helvella]

The first point in the recommendations relating to suitable patients rules me out. I don't get migraines unless I mess with my hormones now. I certainly don't have regular multiple weekly events and I don't have any prescribed medications for it at all, let alone have had some of the latter fail on me.

This is for serious sufferers. I do know someone who this might apply too. But she will not talk to people about her condition. It's bad and she's more than fed up of all the "advice" she gets. But her chronic migrains lasting days at a time have changed her once bubbly, fun Irish girl out for a good laugh. She's now bad tempered and argumentative and not even friendly anymore. It's a horrible condition.