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How Long For Levoxyl To Work...Headaches Side Effect??

Hi there,

I was recently diagnosed as having Hashimoto's thyroiditis with antibodies present and a TSH of 2.8.  My endo. put me on 25mg of levoxyl, I've been on it for 2 weeks.  I'm still exhausted and feel bloated still.  Also, I've been battling a horrible headache for nearly a week.  

How long will it take for the levoxyl to work?  Are headaches a common side effect?  Thanks!

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Avatar universal
I was on a sample of synthroid for about a month and I was feeling fine.  It actually got rid of my headaches!  Before starting on any medication I would get headaches several times a week and I noticed on synthroid I wasn't having any headaches.  After a month of synthroid I started takin Levoxyl because synthroid was more pricey.  I noticed with Levoxyl I always had this heavy feeling in my head.  Like a headache was lingering.  I hated the feeling so I'm going to ask my doctor to switch back to synthroid because I've felt the best on it!
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Avatar universal
Thanks everyone (:

I'm trying to fiugre out if these nasty headaces are a side effect.  I took my levoxyl this morning and about an hour later, wham, nasty headache.  It feels like someone is squeezing my head and my face feels weird.  Great, huh?  I was hoping this would work quicky and without any side effects.  Oh well!

NYNY, when you were on levoxothyrine, how long after you took it did your headache start?  Also, once you switched brands, how long before the headaches stopped?  Thanks!!
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Avatar universal
Hi Momoto3girls, The side effects I experienced on the Levothyroxine would start about 30 minutes after I took it.  First I'd feel a little drugged, then some nausea, then the headache which probably stared about 1 or 1 1/2 hours after I took the med. The headache was at my temples and sometimes across the top of my scalp, it was almost as if my scalp felt tight. Most of the side effects stopped after 2 hours, but then I'd get diarrhea and warming/burning feelings on my skin that lasted MANY hours! I was told by MD to take advil for the headache. (Great, right?!!)  Finally I told my MD that I wasn't going to take the med anymore, and he sent me to an Endo. who switched me to Synthroid, and all of those HORRIBLE side effects stopped!! (except the slightly drugged feeling. That stopped after about 3 weeks or so on the synthroid.) The Endo said different brands of the thyroid hormone have different fillers which can affect the delivery mechanism of the drug (thyroid hormone), and/or that some people are sensitive or allergic to some of the fillers. I will NEVER ever take Levothyroxine (the generic) again! If you think Levoxyl is causing your the headache, you could try another brand. Especially since you haven't been on the med very long. If you read this forum, you'll discover different people prefer different brands of the med. Everyone is different, no one simple answer. Currently, I don't seem to have any side effects on 50mcg of synthroid, but none of my hypo symptoms have improved. My symptoms were VERY mild, and tolerable. MD says it takes a few weeks on the right dose before you feel better. Also, your TSH needs to get back into a normal range. It sounds simple, but if you read this forum, you'll see that it often isn't!! Good Luck!
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Avatar universal
Hi, I'm also recently diagnosed and have limited info/expirence, but for what it's worth, I had a difficult time adjusting to the med. I was on Levothyroxine first and had horrible side effects (which included nausea, headache, diarrhea and warm/buring skin and a drugged feeling). I had to switch to Synthroid. I've done ok on it so far, but not much improvement yet. I started on 25mcg and just inceased the dose to 50 mcg, so I guess it's too soon. MD said it takes a few weeks at the "right dose" before you feel better. I've never tried Levoxyl, but each brand of the med has different fillers. If you think a particular brand of the med is causing your side efftects or headaches, you might consider switching brands. Switching brands was the solution to my side effects. Also,I still felt a little drugged on the synthroid. That stopped after about 3 weeks.
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168348 tn?1379357075
I don't know but wanted to say hello and see how you are doing.

C~
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Avatar universal
I am sure someone more knowledgeable than me will post, but I was diagnosed hypo not quite 5 weeks ago with a TSH of 62.  I am on .112 of Synthroid and feel better but not great.  I understand it takes at least 4 weeks for the hormone to get in your system (just like birth control) and at least 6 weeks to tell if your dosage needs adjusting.   You may have a few more rough weeks before the meds start working.  I hope this helps!
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