CAN SYNTHROID CAUSE CONSTIPATION AS A SIDE EFFECT ???

[oscar999]

Have been taking SYNTHROID 50 micrograms for 3 weeks . Mostly the experience has been positive EXCEPT the severe constipation
My endocrinologist said this is not the side effect of SYNTHROID .
Is there a better alternative ?

[TerriPH]

I have a new endo (thyroid specialist) that has lowered my synthroid from 300 mcg to 125 mcg and yes,  I have gained 30 pounds in 3 months, never been so constipated.  I walk/run 3 to 4 miles a day and I'm eating low carb/ no sugar and can not get the weight off.  I can not think properly and I'm just not myself.  I had a bone density test that came back normal after being on this high amount (300) for 25 years.  He won't even talk to me about going back up on synthroid.  I leave their in tears every time.  He says "we don't use synthroid to lose weight".  I don't know what else to do.  But I feel that I was healthier before he lowered it.  I fear that the cancer could come back but he says after being totally suppressed for 25 years that it won't.  

[Rosie1235]

I don't have a copy of my labs, sorry. I'm new to this. My levothyroxin bottle says 100mcg on it? My mom has thyroid disease, she's had it forever and she has to fast before her blood tests but I didn't. I thought that was weird. I just got labs done again last Tuesday and my doctor said to keep the same dose of levothyroxin. She said my proalactin (sorry if I spelled that wrong) Is higher than last time which is why I'm now taking the bromocriptine. I don't know much about any of this stuff. I just want to go to the bathroom. All I know is that I wasn't having trouble going before and now suddenly I am. I'm supposed to get labs again in Dec.

[Barb135]

What's your dosage of levothyroxine?  Do you have thyroid labs you can post for us so we can see what your actual hormone levels are?  Please be sure to include reference ranges, as well, since ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.

Sometimes exercise can help ease constipation, too and make sure you eat plenty of fibrous foods, such as vegetables.

[Rosie1235]

Anyone who can help me! I was not feeling good so I went to my dr. and she did some blood test and told me my thyroid was messed up. I was also having headaches so had an mri done and I have a small tumor in my pituitary gland. I've been taking levothyroxin for 2 months and 3 days ago I started taking bromocriptine for the tumor . For the past 3 weeks I've been having trouble going number 2. Now I've only gone once in the last 9 days and that was because I used a laxative.I don't want to use one again. I drink lots of water and I have been taking metamucil for weeks and I still can't go. I eat lots of spinach. I just want to go to the bathroom.How do I fix this?

[sarita989]

Try the natural thyroid if you can, Rosie, and see if it helps. As a possible alternative (or supplement), prunes and prune juice can be very effective. 6 or 7 prunes a day helps me solve any little problem - only it didn't help nearly as much when I was taking Synthroid or levox.

[gimel]

Constipation is a common problem with hypothyroidism.  If still having the problem when taking thyroid med it is an indication of inadequate dosage.   The med dosage should be increased as needed to relieve hypothyroid symptoms, while monitoring both Free T4 and Free t3.  Along with that you need to have Vitamin D at least 50, B12 in the upper part of its range, and ferritin at least 100.  If you want to confirm what I have said, have a look at our paper in this link.  

https://thyroiduk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Patients-Guide-Final-V5.pdf

[helyanna]

If I increase my Thyroid  Erfa dose, and particularly if I add a little T4 to Erfa I get constipation, bloating and water retention.

I am taking about 2 60-mg tablets Erfa per day. My FT3 is 5.5 (ref.  3.5-6.5).

I am thinking whether increase of thyroid medication causes increase of Ca and that causes constipation. Note that I have primary hyperparathyroidism!
I cannot realize any other cause to reacting so. Or do some people have hypo symptoms when they are becoming hyper?
I do have odd reactions to some medicines.

[Barb135]

How long are you trying each suggestion for?  It does take time for things to work; it doesn't just happen immediately when you start taking something because your body has to re-balance and get used to a different routine.  It took a couple of months of me taking the digestive enzymes and probiotics before they really made a difference.  With probiotics, you're actually rebuilding gut flora, so depending on your current gut health and what you eat on a daily basis, that can take a while. Plus if you're taking antibiotics, you're constantly killing off good bacteria as well as bad, and you have to get back those good bacteria again, as well.  

Additionally, you've never posted your actual thyroid hormone (Free T3 and Free T4) levels, so we don't know if they are optimal or not.  If your thyroid hormone levels are not optimal, it will be much harder to get the rest of your body functions balanced out.  

If you have the results of your latest tests, please post them, along with reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report. Once we see your actual levels, we can better determine whether your issue may be caused from the med, being hypo or from something else.