Is it okay to suddenly stop taking synthroid after 20 yrs?

Question

I have been on synthroid for roughly 20 yrs. I had a goiter removed and have had hypothyroidism ever since. About 2 yrs ago, I was at work and suddenly I got very dizzy and fainted. When they took me to the doctor, they heart rate was really high so they stopped my meds. Well about 1 month later I went in for a test and the doctor called me back and told me my life was in danger, I had no thyroid hormone in my body. Well since then they have been trying to adjust it by doing thyroid test. I range between 85mg and 78 mg a day. About a week ago, I felt like my heart was going to beat right out of my chest so I went to the doctor and they did a cardio stress test and said all looked great except my heart rate was way too high and they wanted me to stop taking the synthroid for a month to slow my heartrate down. He told me meds would stay in my system for roughly 6 weeks. Since then I feel awful. I am exhausted and feel faint and week, but still feel my heart racing at times. I just wanted to know if anyone has had the same problem and is it same to suddenly stop taking synthroid after 20 yrs.

This discussion is related to What does everyone think about Synthroid?.

blsdnsvd · Answer

Not a good idea.....Once you stop a med that is mandatory to survive, you are putting your health in extreme danger. Instead of stopping the med, the endo and GP must figure out the right dosage for you and the heart palps can come from other health issues such as Anxiety......that must be ruled out as well. You are going to go hypo, and that seems to be what's happening to you now.....if i were you, i'd speak to the endo about this...because it doesn't seem right!

peggy64 · Answer

First, I am sorry you are having all this trouble. 

Do you mean stop for the month of permanently? And even then just for a month, I would have my doubts. 

Do you have your labs and ranges?

Have you ever tried Armour?

I am thinking it could also be something besides the synthroid causing this.  Adrenal insufficiency can cause this as well. And if you have had thyroid disease and the levels have been bouncing around, that will put a strain on the adrenals.