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What happens if I quit taking levothyroxine?

I was diagnosed with Graves at 27. In a years time I had a complete thyroidectamy(?). I have been taking levothyroxine ever since. What would happen to me if I just quit taking the medicine all together? I hate taking a pill everyday and sometimes to get refills for up to a week. Just curious......
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Avatar universal
I had a thyroidectomy 4 years ago. I was on medication. But about two years ago i lost my insurance. I had 90 days of meds still after i lost my insurance. But after those were gone, i have not been able to get another prescription since then. I have so many symptoms and im terrified something bad is going to happen. I get cramping all over my body that is extremely painful. My hands are so weak. It hurts my arms to do anything, even brushing my own hair. I have pounding heart beats often. Ive gained over 100 pounds in the last yr and a half even though i hardly ever eat. I have extreme exhaustion alk the time. I am out of breath just walking to another room in ny home. My hair has thinned. I get doubled sided nosebleeds often. I feel my only option is to go to the ER but i have no idea what to say since an ER is supposed to be for people who have emergencies like car accidents and such. Plus doctors arent very nice at hospitals especially once they find out you dont have insurance. Should i go to the ER or not? Please someone answer
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1 Comments
You need to get medical treatment as soon as possible.  You can either go to an ER or an urgent care facility and see a doctor for right now and try to get on medication.  

Even without insurance, you need to see a doctor regularly to stay on your medication.  You should qualify for Medicare, so your insurance for doctor visits and medications would be paid for by the government.  

You can go to your County Health department and they will help you or tell you where to go to fill out paperwork for Medicare.  

Please go get care as soon as possible, and when you can, come back and post here to let me know you're okay...
Avatar universal
Please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges, both before and after starting on the 50 mg of Synthroid.  
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Avatar universal
I am 30 years old. I had my thyroid removed about 6 years ago and also just had my adrenal glade removed in Feb due to enlargement. I'm on levothyroxin 100mg. I ran out and went 3 days with out my meds. My doctor told me that if I missed a pill I could take 2 the next day to make up but I have heard others say NO don't so not sure what to do kinda confused. Took 1 today after the 3 days of not having 1 but I still feel funny. I'm worried that I might damage organs or cause major problems by missing it that many day. Someone please give me advise.
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Avatar universal
im 16 years old and i take a dose of 25mg and i always forgot to take it in the morning, if this carry's on what will happen?
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Avatar universal
walgreens and CVS are the most expensive pharmacies out there. Walmart and Kroger in the south, this med and most others r only $4 co pays
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Avatar universal
Thank you Summerwind63 for that valuable information. My husband and I are about to move to Japan for his work and I am worried that while moving and getting settled in I will run out of my two thyroid prescription meds since they only give me a 30 day supply at a time. I am going to request that they give me a 90 day supply of each med to get me through the transition of getting moved out, moved overseas, getting settled in Japan and then finding a new doctor in the area. I know this will not be a quick and easy transition. I was thinking if I ran out, no worries, but now that I know the risks, I will fight very hard for that!!! Thank you, again.
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Avatar universal
Most of us can't even get a diagnosis from reg md's led alone a label of disabled for this. Last mo I told my pain clinic doc that I needed disability , and therefore needed a diagnosis on paper and he laughed and said for what anxiety? Without even looking at my diagnosis page which only includes hypothyroidism/nodules classic migrains, interstycial cystitis, IBS, anxiety fibromyalgia, and a few BS diagnosis they just added. In reality my diagnosis's are 3 to 4 pages long, the ones actually diagnosed by DR's over the past 22 yr's.But most of those DR's are not around anymore so can't even get records.. any way I felt your post was prob coming from a woman with a husband with good ins. and u prob have an endocrine specialist, and live in a big city. Where they have city busses, but the church was good advice if he goes to church which some of us don't. But I still have a good relationship with the lord. Only added that so I wouldn't be judged. And to the guy who this person responded to the best thing is to contact the pharmaceutical co, via email or mail they have an app for free meds for those who have no ins and can't afford. But you can't have a med card or they won't approve. I used to get my Elmiron for IC this way back when I was 20, which was a long time ago now so hope they still had this for peps! Good luck. Just type in the name of pharmaceutical co that makes ur pills then go from there on their website.
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Avatar universal
I can't begin to explain all but I have had all the probs everyone on here mentions and just wanted to say since no one else has that some levothyroxine pills have lactose in the inactive ingredients which can cause some of  us an allergic reaction. A lot of peps with hashimotos/hypothyroid have allergic reaction to wheat gluten, lactose, ect.. find the endocrine websites for hashimotos many have special diets for us, I had to go on the paleo diet which is no grain no dairy and so on , almost can't eat anything at this point. And a lot of PEPs symptoms sounds like allergic reactions to me. so I tried stop taking my med to see if my gastritis and all other itis's would get better and they did, been off almost a month now, But everything else got worse and that includes the major allergic reactions/anaphalaxis to everything I eat. The symptoms are endless, so I think I need either more med than 75 mcg or I need name brand levoxyl, not sure if this has lactose in the inactive ingredients. So I took my old med this morn hoping I'll feel better and be able to eat something, get off this methadone which I read could of caused all this ....14 yr's on methadone in process of getting wiened off now. been staying up till 3 am in morn past 2 mo's researching all I can to heal myself. Finally after 6 yr's of BS I'm getting a referral to an endocrine specialist yay I have hope and faith again that my 4 yr old won't grow up motherless. But ihink I have most of the puzzle PCs already in place. So good luck to u all!
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Avatar universal
I can't begin to explain all but I have had all the probs everyone on here mentions and just wanted to say since no one else has that some levothyroxine pills have lactose in the inactive ingredients which can cause some of  us an allergic reaction. A lot of peps with hashimotos/hypothyroid have allergic reaction to wheat gluten, lactose, ect.. find the endocrine websites for hashimotos many have special diets for us, I had to go on the paleo diet which is no grain no dairy and so on , almost can't eat anything at this point. And a lot of PEPs symptoms sounds like allergic reactions to me. so I tried stop taking my med to see if my gastritis and all other itis's old get better and they did, been off almost a month now, BUT
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I can't begin to explain all but I have had all the probs everyone on here mentions and just wanted to say since no one else has that some levothyroxine pills have lactose in the inactive ingredients which can cause some of  us an allergic reaction. A lot of peps with hashimotos/hypothyroid have allergic reaction to wheat gluten, lactose, ect.. find the endocrine websites for hashimotos many have special diets for us, I had to go on the paleo diet which is no grain no dairy and so on , almost can't eat anything at this point. And a lot of PEPs symptoms sounds like allergic reactions to me. so I tried stop taking my med to see if my gastritis and all other itis's old get better and they did, been off almost a month now, BUT
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I gained 10 pounds once the dr. up'd my dose from 25 mcg to 75.  My TSH tests normal, but I have horrible Hashimoto symptoms, and they continue to get worse.  I had to switch dr's because the guy I saw just blew me off. This new dr admitted my thyroid was enlarged and sent me for a US. I'm waiting on the results. But I stopped my thyroid meds, went gluten free, and it's only been 1 week, but I feel better and have lost 3 lbs.  I don't want to be on the thyroid medicine. I don't think that was helping. I have an autoimmune problem that is attacking my thyroid.  Why can't I find a dr that will help with that?
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1 Comments
Hi Jel, are you still gluten free and med free? How are you getting on? I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto a few months back. I am not on any meds but have just gone gluten free. I'd love skme advice. Thank you in advance.
463897 tn?1468013750
Hi,

The symptoms you describe could indicate a potentially serious health matter for you, and we would urge you to seek medical attention immediately. Please go to your local emergency department, call your local emergency number, or contact your doctor.

Thanks,

Cheryl
MH Community Mgr
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Avatar universal
Hi, I'm 20 and I'm dealing with Hypothyroidism, stress and depression. I'm a college student going to Law School. I got this Disease my freshman year of College and everything came out of nowhere so suddenly. Right now, I haven't taken my medication for four weeks, almost a month. I still feel the same except pain in my chest of and on and tiredness to the point its hard to wake up.
The reason I haven't taken my medication is because my Doctor has scheduled to see me until another 2 1/2 months and I know this is an emergancy. But the pharmacy won't give me my medication until my Doctor prescribes them. She won't sign the release of 150 kg. Is there any way to stay alive until she sees me? What other options do I have?
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
First, its not something you catch on the street or airborne, its heriditery.
Avatar universal
I also had no symptoms whatsoever of hypothyroidism and my doctor noticed my blood work levels of TSH were 16:08.  I am 55 years old, I eat healthy and excercise.  I have more energy than the 25 year olds I work with.  I went on levothyroxine and have gained weight; especially in my stomach area.  I'm glad you mentioned the bone loss due to this drug: thank you.  I am reconsidering whether I need to take my meds or not.  
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2 Comments
Unless you have a death wish, you will die without them and possiibly go into a comma first.  It controls your whole body
My thyroid ceased to function (my doctor believes it was killed off by my own white cells, due to auto-immune issues) some time in 1991. Not sure how long I was without the hormones the thyroid produces, but can tell you I ended up in the hospital in November that year, unable to walk, for five days before the problem was diagnosed. I have been taking synthroid or levothyroxine ever since. I recently went ten days without levothyroxine, due to problems getting a prescription filled. I began noticing numbness in my hands and feet after about seven days. Due to the aforementioned hospitalization, I wouldn't want to have to find out exactly how long I could go without medication, before finding myself semi-paralyzed again.
Avatar universal
See another Dr get freeT3 and free T4 tested with TSH and antibodies, I know folks on the natural hormone Armour, they have no problems. My Dr had me on levo for 7 months gained 17 lbs hair loss and worse yet heart beats irregular. I stopped 3 days ago heart went back to normal. Seeking out a doctor who will run all blood work and prescribe Armour. Good Luck!
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Avatar universal
i am so wondering what the outcome was... this was over a year ago.

Kate
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Avatar universal
I'm so glad I live in the UK! I don't have to pay prescription charges for my 200mcg thyroxine and 20mcg liothyronine. (T3 and T4). My thyroid shrivelled and died 23 years ago and went undiagnosed for six months. My weight went from about 10st to 21.5st in that time. I couldn't speak properly and was unable to brush my own hair because of the pain when I tried to use my arms. I couldn't walk and had to have help changing my baby's nappy because he could crawl away faster than I could catch him!
After six months, I was finally diagnosed. My heart was failing and my brain had slowed down to dangerous levels.
My life has now changed completely. I feel well and have lost most of the excess weight. I am so grateful for the medication I take, Don't ever be upset that you are on medication for life. It's so much better than the alternative!
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Avatar universal
I've been on thyroid meds for 25+ years. My mail order prescription was delayed and I just didn't want to bother with calling the doctor & having a few prescribed at the drug store.I thought I'd just wait as I never noticed anything different from it anyway ever. Well it was only 4 days off of it and it seemed like nothing happened but now a week later I went into A Fib. I am wondering if there is a connection?? Maybe so! Now I have to go to a cardiologist and have a heart monitor for 30 days & have it all evaluated. I wish I had bothered just in case if was a factor I would know.
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Avatar universal
Is that 50 mg or mcg?   Also, what medication is it?  Any test results you can post, along with their reference ranges?
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Avatar universal
50mg trouble not sleeping throat fells like closing up no taste of food
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Avatar universal
Because of being on a low dose of levothryoxine for 8 yrs I now have osteoporosis which after my last bone density test showed I did some research only to find out the drug caused this and I am furious the dr did not say anything about this side affect. So what bone issues are you saying that it causes when you do not take the med when needed? I am in perfect health otherwise and have been weight training for yrs and eating right my whole life. I am now thinking about going off the meds simply because when they put me on them I had no symptoms what so ever of being Hypothyroidism. Im very slim with energy to burn...So everything Im hearing is just opposite of me and the only reason they put me on it was a blood test not any symptoms. Now Im really confused
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Thyroid S is supposedly a T3/T4 combo, much like Armour ... It is sold as a dietary supplement, rather than a drug.  Personally, I'd be very scared of taking it or recommending it to anyone, because you have no idea what's really in it or the amounts of actual thyroid hormones.  I put it in the same category as the "cytomel" purchased from body building sites -- dangerous!!!
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1756321 tn?1547095325
Ahhh I see. I did find an article entitled "Why It's Legal To Buy Thyroid-S" though stating this: "NDT is a non-prescription dietary supplement in Thailand (and not a prescription drug), so we can legally ship from Thailand with no prescription."
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
We can not buy, thyroid hormones, legally, in the U.S online, without a prescription.
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