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Accidental change in medicaton is causing misery
Hi, I'm fairly new, this is the first time I've really needed help. I took the radioactive cocktail years ago because I was hyper thyroid. I've been controlled fairly well up until recently. I was taking .1 five days a week, and half that dose on the other two days of the week. Tests were normal, but I couldn't tell you the numbers. When the dose was changed to .1 everyday the trouble began. My potassium was also very low. By accident, I put a full .1 dose in my everyday box of pills instead of the 1/2 on two days. I was on this for probably a month. I had a complete mental breakdown. Now I"m told I'm hypothyroid. They with held my levothroid for three days then put me BACK on the .1 daily. I am noticing lots of symptoms for being hypo. My hair is falling out, I can't wake up, my skin is dry and I gain a pound every day or so! I've gained about 10 lbs in 5 weeks. I was tested at three weeks and my level was I believe .1. I was told to come bck again in two weeks. That will be next Friday. My question. I'm totally confused. If they give me a higher dose of levothroid doesn't that cause the hypo thyroidism while the lower dose will send me towards normal? It's never been explained to me and I really need help. I'm also noticing increased depression, partly because I'm growing out of my clothes! What exactly needs to be done with the medication to get my weight back, and make the symptoms disappear? I am not getting any exercise currently. During August I swam 150 laps a day and had dropped to 110 lbs. When I stopped swimming, I gained to 115 and was happy there. My left foot is partially numb/like waking up. It's very painful. It started after a back injury a year ago, but could this be caused by my thyroid? How do I find out? I'm also sleeping a LOT. I don't get up til noon no matter what time I go to bed. I've always had trouble sleeping before.I have chronic joint pain, and muscle pain. It is worse in the cold of winter. THe paset few mornings when I wake up I feel flush and hot. Is this the med change. (I'm 2 so I should be getting close to menopause but not in it yet that I know of) FInally, I've also had my face swell up upon waking up in the morning several times int he last couple weeks.
Did the exercise I was getting cause me to lose the weight and did that change the dose of Levothroid I should be getting? OR,, did the change in dose to .1 daily cause this mess? I'm desparate to understand all this. NOW what do I do? I feel horrible and bloated from the extra weight. I would appreciate any help and advice before my next appt on the 14th. (They will draw blood again on the 10th which will be six weeks on .1 a day. I don't think it is right. I have not changed my diet and in fact am trying to eat LESS) I was feeling ok at the lower weight with plenty of energy until the dose was changed, although I did have the joint pain, foot problem. We were thinking perhaps Fibromyalgia until I did all this research. Please help, thank you, Cat
Did the exercise I was getting cause me to lose the weight and did that change the dose of Levothroid I should be getting? OR,, did the change in dose to .1 daily cause this mess? I'm desparate to understand all this. NOW what do I do? I feel horrible and bloated from the extra weight. I would appreciate any help and advice before my next appt on the 14th. (They will draw blood again on the 10th which will be six weeks on .1 a day. I don't think it is right. I have not changed my diet and in fact am trying to eat LESS) I was feeling ok at the lower weight with plenty of energy until the dose was changed, although I did have the joint pain, foot problem. We were thinking perhaps Fibromyalgia until I did all this research. Please help, thank you, Cat
HI again,
Things are improving. I don't remember the exact number of where I was in the range for TSH. I do know I was in the low end. My gland does not work, the levothroid is the only way I get the hormone. I am back on 100 mcg pill once daily five days a week, the other two days I take half a tablet. When I got out of control I had accidently put a full pill in the holders on those days I was to take half. That went on for 4-6 weeks before I caught it. By then it was too late. Symptoms were full blown.
I'm losing less hair and I'm not bouncing off the walls so badly. I'm also starting to sleep some. My weight came down to within two pounds of my goal weight. (I have been smaller but only when swimming laps) I am trying to get back on the treadmill but I also have a bad back, and the tingling pain in my foot that slows me down. (It is the only thing that will help my back til the pool opens) Anyway, I'm still having to eat like a bird to keep the weight off.
My doctor was really good about explaining everything and he said the numbers are indeed a range and although most doctors just decide where you belong, he showed me the range and said to base my med intake on my symptoms and how I FEEL. I still have muscle/joint pain. (It's also very cold here in Colorado now) I'm hoping the original dose will get me back to normal. Other than the all over pain, I felt really good, weight stayed down and I was "happy." I'm just mean now but improving.
I know gaining and losing weight changes the diosage amount you need, but no one has said what exercise does? if exercising, and just maintaining your weight, will that speed up your metabolism and make you need a different pill dosage? I'm told no.
Hope this helps some. I'm very frustrated. My metabolism was going so fast, NONE of my medications worked. It was like I'd become immune to them. That should have been my first clue things were off.
Has anyone had success with getting rid of horrible muscle pain? (I also have tmj dysfrunction pain, bad back, and we think I have a pinched nerve in my back from moving a bag of leaves as the result was numbness in my left foot to the knee) In two years all feeling has come back but the top of my foot and if I am on my feet too much or do too much, the pain gets worse and spreads so I don't think this is just being caused by my thyroid med)
I have very little insurance so I can't afford to get all the medical help/tests I need to really diagnose anything. Currently the blood test runs me $200.
At the same time I'm having this problem with the thyroid med, my potassium levels have been extremely low, almost non existent. Last blood test had it back up in the lower third of the range. I take K10 daily. I find I feel better if I take it twice a day every other day or so. It stops water retention which I understand can also be a symptom of a thyroid malfunction? thanks everyone, Cat
Things are improving. I don't remember the exact number of where I was in the range for TSH. I do know I was in the low end. My gland does not work, the levothroid is the only way I get the hormone. I am back on 100 mcg pill once daily five days a week, the other two days I take half a tablet. When I got out of control I had accidently put a full pill in the holders on those days I was to take half. That went on for 4-6 weeks before I caught it. By then it was too late. Symptoms were full blown.
I'm losing less hair and I'm not bouncing off the walls so badly. I'm also starting to sleep some. My weight came down to within two pounds of my goal weight. (I have been smaller but only when swimming laps) I am trying to get back on the treadmill but I also have a bad back, and the tingling pain in my foot that slows me down. (It is the only thing that will help my back til the pool opens) Anyway, I'm still having to eat like a bird to keep the weight off.
My doctor was really good about explaining everything and he said the numbers are indeed a range and although most doctors just decide where you belong, he showed me the range and said to base my med intake on my symptoms and how I FEEL. I still have muscle/joint pain. (It's also very cold here in Colorado now) I'm hoping the original dose will get me back to normal. Other than the all over pain, I felt really good, weight stayed down and I was "happy." I'm just mean now but improving.
I know gaining and losing weight changes the diosage amount you need, but no one has said what exercise does? if exercising, and just maintaining your weight, will that speed up your metabolism and make you need a different pill dosage? I'm told no.
Hope this helps some. I'm very frustrated. My metabolism was going so fast, NONE of my medications worked. It was like I'd become immune to them. That should have been my first clue things were off.
Has anyone had success with getting rid of horrible muscle pain? (I also have tmj dysfrunction pain, bad back, and we think I have a pinched nerve in my back from moving a bag of leaves as the result was numbness in my left foot to the knee) In two years all feeling has come back but the top of my foot and if I am on my feet too much or do too much, the pain gets worse and spreads so I don't think this is just being caused by my thyroid med)
I have very little insurance so I can't afford to get all the medical help/tests I need to really diagnose anything. Currently the blood test runs me $200.
At the same time I'm having this problem with the thyroid med, my potassium levels have been extremely low, almost non existent. Last blood test had it back up in the lower third of the range. I take K10 daily. I find I feel better if I take it twice a day every other day or so. It stops water retention which I understand can also be a symptom of a thyroid malfunction? thanks everyone, Cat
Hey, I hear your frustration and confusion and annoyance at all that is going on.
You gotta help us out here.
Tell me if I am wrong, but you were taking one tablet a day for 5 days and then it was only a 1/2 tablet for two days. BUT you accidentally took one full tablet for a whole month. That's a half tablet extra each weekend x 4 (I'm pretending you took it on a weekend coz it makes it easier to work it all out)
BUT the thing is, you have symptoms of hypo...hair falling out, weight gain.
SOOOOOOO... you might be too low to start with and your extra doses are not a problem! In fact you sound like you need MORE medication!!!
The thing is, the dose changes take up to 6 weeks to come good. So anything the doctors told you and adjusted you to, is going to take time to change.
The one thing that concerns me is that your symptoms having changed so dramatically with the added 1 tablet dose a week for 4 weeks.
You really have to go see the doctor and get them to check you out fully.
You gotta help us out here.
Tell me if I am wrong, but you were taking one tablet a day for 5 days and then it was only a 1/2 tablet for two days. BUT you accidentally took one full tablet for a whole month. That's a half tablet extra each weekend x 4 (I'm pretending you took it on a weekend coz it makes it easier to work it all out)
BUT the thing is, you have symptoms of hypo...hair falling out, weight gain.
SOOOOOOO... you might be too low to start with and your extra doses are not a problem! In fact you sound like you need MORE medication!!!
The thing is, the dose changes take up to 6 weeks to come good. So anything the doctors told you and adjusted you to, is going to take time to change.
The one thing that concerns me is that your symptoms having changed so dramatically with the added 1 tablet dose a week for 4 weeks.
You really have to go see the doctor and get them to check you out fully.
Can you list the latest thyroid tests you had done with the results and reference ranges?
You still seem a little confused, and that is a hypo symptom.
If you are having hypo symptoms then you need MORE Levothroid, not less. - as Supersally; explained.
If you are having hypo symptoms then you need MORE Levothroid, not less. - as Supersally; explained.
Regarding the medications.
Hyperthyroid is caused by too much medication. In hyperthyroid TSH would be below range and FT3/FT4 would be at top of or above range.
Hypothyroid is caused by not enough medication. TSH would usually (but not always) be high, and FT3/FT4 would be low.
If you are hypothyroid you need to increase your meds.
If you are hyperthyroid you need to decrease your meds.
Just to confuse you further - Please be reminded that the TSH is not enough to know your real picture. Sometimes it can be low even if someone is hypothyroid (particularly if you have been on medication for a long time). However, FT3/FT4 will give an accurate and true picture of your levels.
Hyperthyroid is caused by too much medication. In hyperthyroid TSH would be below range and FT3/FT4 would be at top of or above range.
Hypothyroid is caused by not enough medication. TSH would usually (but not always) be high, and FT3/FT4 would be low.
If you are hypothyroid you need to increase your meds.
If you are hyperthyroid you need to decrease your meds.
Just to confuse you further - Please be reminded that the TSH is not enough to know your real picture. Sometimes it can be low even if someone is hypothyroid (particularly if you have been on medication for a long time). However, FT3/FT4 will give an accurate and true picture of your levels.
Hello,
What tests have your doctors done? IF only TSH, that is not enough. Have they tested FT3/FT4?
Do you know what your results from testing were? Please tell us,and include the reference range.
What you are describing sounds like the result of not enough thyroid hormone. If this is true, you would need an increase rather than a decrease in your medications.
What tests have your doctors done? IF only TSH, that is not enough. Have they tested FT3/FT4?
Do you know what your results from testing were? Please tell us,and include the reference range.
What you are describing sounds like the result of not enough thyroid hormone. If this is true, you would need an increase rather than a decrease in your medications.
Here is series of events. I've been on .1 levathroid for 5 days a week, 1/2 dose two days a week. By accident the dose was upped to .1 daily for about a month. The hospitol said I was hypo and took me completely off for 3 days. The doctor then put me BACK on the 7 day regiment. It has been 5 weeks and I've gained over ten pounds. NO changes have been made to my diet.
My thyroid does not work. I drank the iodine 15 yrs ago because I was hyper and the drugs gave me hives, which is why I am on the levothroid I have had muscle joint aches, etc for a long time. SInce this change in dosage symptoms are increasing. All I want to to do is sleep,I'm nasty and horribly depressed, my hair is falling out, I"m cold or hot no in between and there's more.I cannot eat anythning without gaining weight. THe weight gain is not an option for me. I've worked hard over the years to remain thin, for me. I was at 115lbs on the original protocal but it has gone up a pound every day or every other day since the change. I would rather be dead than have this continue. MY face is all puffy too. Will going back to the original dose help? I cannot handle this anymore. I don't have another six weeks. I feel like I"m losing my mind. FInding a good doctor in my town is near impossible and my insurance ***** too. WE have severe financial problems but don't qualify for any help, and I need help NOW. I hope this clarifies some things. it took me forever to just find my original post because I don't think clear and am extremely angry over this mess. Can you help me?
My thyroid does not work. I drank the iodine 15 yrs ago because I was hyper and the drugs gave me hives, which is why I am on the levothroid I have had muscle joint aches, etc for a long time. SInce this change in dosage symptoms are increasing. All I want to to do is sleep,I'm nasty and horribly depressed, my hair is falling out, I"m cold or hot no in between and there's more.I cannot eat anythning without gaining weight. THe weight gain is not an option for me. I've worked hard over the years to remain thin, for me. I was at 115lbs on the original protocal but it has gone up a pound every day or every other day since the change. I would rather be dead than have this continue. MY face is all puffy too. Will going back to the original dose help? I cannot handle this anymore. I don't have another six weeks. I feel like I"m losing my mind. FInding a good doctor in my town is near impossible and my insurance ***** too. WE have severe financial problems but don't qualify for any help, and I need help NOW. I hope this clarifies some things. it took me forever to just find my original post because I don't think clear and am extremely angry over this mess. Can you help me?
A lot of info hear. Confusing to the reader. People hear will help if you make some clarifications.
So you were hypEr thyroid a while. Took to much med and became hypO as a result, correct?
We dont know what the .1 was , be more specific. Are you saying you took .1 mcg of Levothroid ?
So now if you are hypO, that is why you are on Levothroid. It replaces thyroid hormone that you are now lacking. An increase in Levethroid will make you less hypo.
Hypo thyroid can cause a lot of muscle pain in some people.
So you were hypEr thyroid a while. Took to much med and became hypO as a result, correct?
We dont know what the .1 was , be more specific. Are you saying you took .1 mcg of Levothroid ?
So now if you are hypO, that is why you are on Levothroid. It replaces thyroid hormone that you are now lacking. An increase in Levethroid will make you less hypo.
Hypo thyroid can cause a lot of muscle pain in some people.
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