Medicines with Synthroid

[EspritLibre]

Good Morning & thank you!  I am a 40 year old menopausal woman-not peri-actual menopause with Hashimoto's.  Still trying to get thyroid leveled out, but TSH in low end of norm & T4 still a bit low.  I am horribly depressed & lightheaded lightheaded lightheaded - did I mention lightheaded?????  Sorry, but it's been 7 mos. now & I've had the CT scans etc. They tell me it's thyroid/menopause. I feel worse since being diagnosed 8 mos. ago.  Question:  I've read everywhere that many meds/vitamins prohibit the absorption of Synthroid.  I faithfully take Synthroid on an empty stomach & do not eat or drink anything within 2-3 hours of absorption.  I take meds at least 12 hours AFTER synthroid.  I am on Protonix & soon an anti-depressant.  If I take these at opposite times of the day, will they still interfere with the Synthroid?  Will I need my dosage increased?  I simpy don't understand how different times can help.  Are there any meds that a person HAS to take for health that they CANNOT take while on Synthroid?  If Synthroid stays in your body, then how will I be able to take necessary estrogen if necessary, vitamins, Protonix, anti-depressants etc. without it affecting my thyroid?  I'm sorry for all the questions, but one dr. told me it's okay to take them at the same time!!!! Even I know that can't be true!! Your help is appreciated.  Thank you so very much!!!!

[ketaytris]

A related discussion, migraines and thryroid was started.

[wendy123817]

A related discussion, allergy and cold medicine  while on synthroid was started.

[julie d]

Hi, I have some questions on thyroid meds. My doctor put me on Synthroid in June. My main complaint was exhaustion. I took Synthroid 50 mcg  for 2 weeks and had much more energy but I became anxious and irritable and couldn't sleep at night. I also developed headaches that started each day about an hour after I took the pill.  So the doctor reduced the dose to 25 mcg.  I took that for 2 weeks. The headhaches remained and I just could not live with that. So then the doctor put me on Armour. I took it for 4 weeks and felt no different than I did before starting on the Synthroid. I was back to being tired all the time and my hair started to fall out.  Then doctor did more bloodwork and called me and said that I should come back in 6-8 weeks for more bloodwork. They said that my levels were normal and that they weren't going to put me on anything. I told them that I couldn't live with the fatigue as I am only 47 and have an 8 year old and an11 year old. The doctor decided to put me on Cytomel 25 mcg which I have taken for a week now and I feel no different. I am still tired all the time. Do I give it more time?  Is this (trial and error) the way it is with medications? I have never been on any prescription meds before, have always been healthy and am not depressed. Any suggestions? Comments?
Thanks,
julie d

[Fraus]

Before I post I would like to know if this site is still active......Thanks

[JaneC]

Hi, I've been very confused about the issue of what medicines I can and cannot take together with/without daily synthroid.  One "over-the-counter" medicine you should definately ask your Doctor about is any cold medicine containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
Take Care,
JaneC

[zachslp]

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in re: Synthroid.... I also was on Synthroid for YEARS (i've been hypothyroid since I was 11 - 25 years ago!).  The last 10 years or so, my TSH had fluctuated up and down, and my mood and fatigue had slowed down considerably.  I just thought I had to "adjust" because I was hypothyroid and people with bad thyroids were supposed to feel this way for the rest of their lives (even with supplements and "normal" TSH).
The last straw was when I started feeling worse, went in for testing and they told me I was HYPER thyroid- oh my gosh!!!  I started researching and began to think that I was one of those people who did not convert the T4 into T3 at the cellular level. But now what?
I got a new doctor who said he has had success with use of Armour (this is the natural thyroid - "porcine").  Since adding Cytomel (another T3 drug...) to my Synthroid would cost me an extra $50 a month (in addition to my Synthroid), we decided to completely switch me to Armour (only $9/month).
What a difference!!!!!!!!  It took me about 2-3 weeks, but my mood is FABULOUS, I'm not tired all the time, my nails are stronger, and I don't have the cold intolerance.  I am absolutely thrilled.
Sorry this is so long, but I found that reading "testimonials" like mine really helped me search for better answers.  I can't answer to your lightheadedness, I never had that, but just wanted to encourage you to keep at it.  Another great website is: Mary Shomon's thyroid website - especially the forums.  (Just google Mary Shomon).  The other is: stopthemadness.com about the use of T4 meds and their ineffectiveness.
Good luck!

[EspritLibre]

All of you people are simply the best and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Believe it or not, I am actually feeling a bit better yesterday and today (increased dosage 2 wks ago).  Still lightheaded, but not as bad?!  I just worry about the vitamin intake.  I stopped the vitamins 4 days ago, & seem to feel better.  I was taking them 12 hours apart, but still wonder if it was affecting my dosage????  Doc. says its okay to take.  If thyroid patients shouldn't have certain vitamins, why doesn't somebody come up with a combination of vitamins directed toward the hypothyroid patient on replacement?  Or is there something like that that will actually BENEFIT the replacement instead of decreasing absorption?  

Any help is appreciated!!

[Julie65]

Hi zachslp -

I'm so glad that you're doing better!  I remember commenting on some of your earlier posts.  Have a great day!

Julie

[Julie65]

Hi again EspritLibre -

The lightheadedness was really bad for me until I got on the right medication.  In fact, it and the depression were the symptoms that got me to drag myself into the doctor's in the first place (before I was diagnosed hypo).  Hang in there - it will definitely get better!  Can't address the menopause stuff though - sorry.

Julie

[MS Hashi]

Hi,
Another thing you should maybe check is your adrenals. They will need to be strong enough to carry T3 or Armour into your cells. An ACTH stim test can be done via docs or you can order yourself an Adrenal Stress Index 24 hour saliva test. Long standing hypo can really take its toll on the adrenals. I was on levo now on Armour.
Good luck to you.

[bizwiz12751]

Yes I definitely concur with Julie on this subject since I experienced the same problem. I was on Synthroid (175 mcg) alone and felt literally dead. I talked to my doctor who dropped the Synthrod to 150 mcg and gave me Cytomel 25 mcg, and this change made a huge difference. It is so wonderful to actually want to get out of bed in the morning. I'm not sure if anything will ever get me back to my normal self, however, Cytomel made a huge difference.

[EspritLibre]

Thank you all so much.  Just when I thought life wasn't worth anything, I wake up and read these things from wonderful people like you who don't even know me and are trying to help me.  I'm crying (happy tears) right now.  I can't explain that I know some folks in my family and one distant friend who has had hashimoto's for over 30 years.  They started telling me how bad it could get, but supposedly gets better on the right meds, but they simply do NOT want to discuss it with me.  It's almost a taboo subject and I cannot figure that out.  If/when I get better (feeling better), I am going to be so proactive in helping others understand what they're going through is normal.  That's what you people are doing for me & I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT.
P.S.  Has anyone of you gone through the lightheadedness?  It simply is not getting any better, & again, I have to think it's the thyroid/synthroid since the day I began it in May the lightheadedness began & has continued.  It's difficult to push myself to do anything because it's always there - a reminder that I'm not feeling well.  

Also, are any of you going through menopause?  How long after menopause do the symptoms last?  Thank you all!!

[EspritLibre]

Thank you again.  It is sunshining outside & I am feeling a bit better thanks to your replies.  The reason I asked about the menopause was that I wanted to make sure that the lightheadedness was caused by the thyroid which is what I believe to be the case.  Again, too much of a coincidence that this only began within the week of Synthroid meds for Hashimoto's!!  I'll fill you in on my Dr. appt. which isn't until Dec. 1st.  Until then, if I can answer anything for you (or others) please ask & Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

[Julie65]

Hi - I do feel for you!  Have definitely been there myself.  Some people apparently don't convert the T4 in Synthroid well enough into T3 (T3 is what helps with the mood issues.)  I think that's what my problem was - I was a "poor converter".  It would definitely be worth a try to add either Cytomel to your Synthroid or switch over to Armour and see how you do.  I like Armour because it's just a single medicine and it's very inexpensive.  I was on all kinds of stuff - beta blockers, birth control pills and I was just about to request some anti-depressants when I decided to try Armour instead on my doctor's recommendation.  Luckily, it did the trick for me.  (I hate to sound like a commercial and that isn't my intent at all.) Another thing you can try right now is St. John's Wort.  It's very inexpensive and takes the edge off the depression until you can give the new meds time to start working.  Just take it at least four hours after your thyroid meds.  Good luck!

[EspritLibre]

Hi Julie!  I am really wondering about the cytomel plus Armour.  I cannot tell you how AWFUL I feel.  I have been sobbing on and off for weeks now.  I literally feel like I'm dying.  I have always been active & "young" and concerned about things - looks, etc, & you should see me now.  I don't put on makeup, my hair is still dry, brittle ugly!!  I am a completely different person since diagnosis in May.  Hands swollen.  Blood work is all "normal".  My only thought is if I may be allergic to Synthroid.  I am not "tearing it down" because it is a great alternative & for the majority of folks, it is a life-saver, but I find it difficult to believe that from the MOMENT I began taking Synthroid even in the smallest of doses, the lightheadedness began & with each increase it gets worse. It cannot be my "numbers" because they started out bad & even I agree that they can't really get much better, but the symptoms are horrible.  Even menopause can't be THIS BAD.  I mean, I remember my Grandmother had NO THYROID, and took the "animal thyroid" - Synthroid didn't exist then - and wasn't as miserable as I am.  She had a hysterectomy at that time too (38 yrs old) and lived a happy, healthy life in her 80's!!  I feel HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!  Any more advice you can give me on Armour, please do.  I would give my e-mail address to you but evidently we are not allowed to.  Thank you for your help!!  I don't want to go on anti-depressants OR estrogen unless absolutely necessary.  I've had the HRT Rx for 3 mos. now and have not filled it for that reason.

[Julie65]

Hi - consider adding T3 to the Synthroid or switching to Armour Thyroid.  I had the same problems as you - dizziness and depression that didn't go away on Synthroid.  I tried Armour and within a week or two the depression was completely resolved.  No need for anti-depressants or anything else.  Good luck!  And don't take any other meds within 4 hours of your thyroid stuff - including vitamins.  I take my Thyroid meds in the morning on an empty stomach and wait at least one hour before eating or drinking anything (besides water).  Then I take my vitamins in the evening with dinner.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

There is no med that cannot be taken with synthroid.  The protonix and estrogen and anti-depressants could be taken with synthroid but I prefer to wait at least 30-60 minutes.  These meds effect thyroid levels in ways other than directly decreasing absorption.  Monitor levels every 3 months with all these med changes.