Synthroid and shortness of breath

[ageoff]

I recently underwent a total thyroidectomy (completed early January).  I've been on 125 micrograms of Synthroid for about a month and am noticing more and more instances of shortness of breath.  I called my doctor who said that she has never heard of a connection between Synthroid and shortness of breath.  I told her that I find this listed as a possible side effect in all the literature, but she said that it wouldn't be caused by the medication.  She checked my current thyroid level and stated that they are where they should be at this point in the treatment.

Does it seem that these symptoms will go away once my body adjusts to the medication and reaches the correct hormone level or will it just get worse?  Do I need to find a different doctor?  Is shortness of breath caused by hypo or hyperthyroidism?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It will likely disappear as your body acclimates to the medication.  I have seen this in post-thyroidectomy patients new to thyroid meds (not just synthroid).

Also, some people need levels that are in the low-normal range (ie, TSH around 3) while others do better with high-normal (ie, TSH around 0.5).  If you had surgery for cancer, the TSH needs to be kept low.

[thyroid man]

it will go away after your adjusted. I kind of feel that way too when adjusting to thyroid. when it comes to the thyroid your average doctor doesn't know a god damn thing.