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Can Levothyroxine INCREASE fatigue?
Hi - I've had symptoms of hypothyroidism for a few years now, but bloodwork remains just within normal limits. Since we've tried everything else, my doctor grudgingly agreed to try Levothyroxine in case it was indeed, hypothyroidism. He started me very low, and gradually increased the dose to .100MCG 2x per day.
...but I have NO improvement other than I'm sleeping somewhat better at night. Beyond that, if it's doing anything at all, it's making me MORE TIRED during the day.
I am SO desperate and confused; if my thyroid was normal, shouldn't this dose make me hypERthyroid? Shouldn't I feel SOMETHING? In all honesty, I could be taking tic-tacs for any difference in how I feel, and I don't know if I should continue this medication or not.
I've been through so many medications, anti-depressants, tests, tests and more tests - I am completely desperate and honestly begging for advice or suggestions of any kind; I'm so tired I can't function. Whatever this is, it's destroying my life.
I truly believed when I started thyroid hormone, I'd either feel better or get sick, either way it would've been an answer and we could move on to something else - never once did I think it would do nothing; I've been straining every day to detect a change, any change, bad or good - ugh.
I cannot stand this. It is beyond me that I can feel so awful and have NO abnormal tests other than low b-12 and marginally normal thyroid function.
ANY help or advice on this would be ENOURMOUSLY APPRECIATED
...but I have NO improvement other than I'm sleeping somewhat better at night. Beyond that, if it's doing anything at all, it's making me MORE TIRED during the day.
I am SO desperate and confused; if my thyroid was normal, shouldn't this dose make me hypERthyroid? Shouldn't I feel SOMETHING? In all honesty, I could be taking tic-tacs for any difference in how I feel, and I don't know if I should continue this medication or not.
I've been through so many medications, anti-depressants, tests, tests and more tests - I am completely desperate and honestly begging for advice or suggestions of any kind; I'm so tired I can't function. Whatever this is, it's destroying my life.
I truly believed when I started thyroid hormone, I'd either feel better or get sick, either way it would've been an answer and we could move on to something else - never once did I think it would do nothing; I've been straining every day to detect a change, any change, bad or good - ugh.
I cannot stand this. It is beyond me that I can feel so awful and have NO abnormal tests other than low b-12 and marginally normal thyroid function.
ANY help or advice on this would be ENOURMOUSLY APPRECIATED
Well, he has yet to even check FT3, so that leads me to believe that he doesn't (a) doesn't see the importance of it, or (b) doesn't realize that he should order this in conjunction with the others!
I just find it odd that I feel very sluggish for most of the day, but start to feel better at night. I take thyroxine around 7am, and by 11am I can barely keep my eyes open. Around 5 or so, it seems I finally start to wake up. Any thoughts on if the Levothyroxine is making me feel fatigued as a side effect? I don't understand why I feel worse now than I did a few weeks ago. (Or, as in our other posts, the vitamin d may me the culprit)
I just find it odd that I feel very sluggish for most of the day, but start to feel better at night. I take thyroxine around 7am, and by 11am I can barely keep my eyes open. Around 5 or so, it seems I finally start to wake up. Any thoughts on if the Levothyroxine is making me feel fatigued as a side effect? I don't understand why I feel worse now than I did a few weeks ago. (Or, as in our other posts, the vitamin d may me the culprit)
You may have to go doctor shopping...any doctor who can't interpret FT3 is going to leave you feeling miserable.
The problem with increasing on your own is that you'll run out of meds before you're due to refill, won't you? It's always best to have a doctor you can work with.
The problem with increasing on your own is that you'll run out of meds before you're due to refill, won't you? It's always best to have a doctor you can work with.
Thank you for the info!
He is sending me for a stress test and echocardiogram on Tuesday, since I complained of very mild intermittent chest pains. I am sure everything is fine!
I was thinking I would wait for him to call me witht those results and tell him I am still feeling so terrible that I am having a hard time getting through my day. And will request Vitmain D recheck and Free T3. Although I venture to guess that he wouldn't know enough about the free T3 to even interpret what the results mean.
I was considering increasing my own dose by 12.5 mcg, but I hate to do that without a physician being on board and monitoring things.
He is sending me for a stress test and echocardiogram on Tuesday, since I complained of very mild intermittent chest pains. I am sure everything is fine!
I was thinking I would wait for him to call me witht those results and tell him I am still feeling so terrible that I am having a hard time getting through my day. And will request Vitmain D recheck and Free T3. Although I venture to guess that he wouldn't know enough about the free T3 to even interpret what the results mean.
I was considering increasing my own dose by 12.5 mcg, but I hate to do that without a physician being on board and monitoring things.
Your dose should have reached its full potential in your blood at this point; it's been over 6 weeks since you started. I disagree with your doctor; I think that you need to increase. Your FT4 is only at 25% of range, and most of us find that it has to be right around 50% before we feel well. The need for an increase is reinforced by the fact that you still have hypo symptoms. Many doctors believe that everyone feels well anywhere in the range, and that couldn't be farther from the truth. We all have a level that we feel best at. Meds should be increased until symptoms resolve.
Doctors love to blame hypo symptoms on depression.
You're absolutely right; he should be test FREE T3 as well.
Vitamin D is necessary for thyroid hormones to be able to work properly in your body. Once again, some people can tolerate some deficiency in the winter, but many can't, especially people who are also hypo.
Oh, believe me, I've fought my eyelids, too. LOL You're a long way from being overmedicated. If you increase slowly (typically 12.5-25 mcg each time), retest at 4-5 weeks and increase more as necessary you should be able to avoid hyper symptoms. I've been overmedicated, and though unpleasant, being a little hyper for a short period of time is not the end of the world. Slow and steady increases work out best in the long run.
Doctors love to blame hypo symptoms on depression.
You're absolutely right; he should be test FREE T3 as well.
Vitamin D is necessary for thyroid hormones to be able to work properly in your body. Once again, some people can tolerate some deficiency in the winter, but many can't, especially people who are also hypo.
Oh, believe me, I've fought my eyelids, too. LOL You're a long way from being overmedicated. If you increase slowly (typically 12.5-25 mcg each time), retest at 4-5 weeks and increase more as necessary you should be able to avoid hyper symptoms. I've been overmedicated, and though unpleasant, being a little hyper for a short period of time is not the end of the world. Slow and steady increases work out best in the long run.
This is what the lab results say:
TSH - value 3.65 - Std Rang 0.27-4.2
T4Free - value 1.1 - Std Range 0.9-1.7
I have been on the thyroxine since 3/20. Is it possible that it hasn't accumulated enough to give the full effect? Perhaps that is why my Dr didn't want to increase my dose?
I was a little concerned that he didn't test T3, after some things that I read here.
As I was leaving, he made a passing comment that fatigue is the #1 symptom of depression. Pretty bizarre - I certainly do not think that is or ever was an issue! It just worried me that he may be dismissing how I really feel.
I feel worse now than a few weeks ago. Maybe it's the vitamin d deficiency. (Which he also somewhat dismissed. I live in upstate NY. He said that we are all deficient until summer.)
My vitamin d level was 15 last year around this time. He did prescribe me 50,000 IU per week for 12 weeks. Then never tested again. My GYN did, sent the results (20) to my primary, and he said to take 2,000 IU a day. Maybe I will have him recheck.
I don't want to be over medicated for the thyroid, as I've read that can cause a host of issues as well. But, I started searching for some feedback today because I am sitting at work today fighting with my eyelids. AWFUL feeling!
TSH - value 3.65 - Std Rang 0.27-4.2
T4Free - value 1.1 - Std Range 0.9-1.7
I have been on the thyroxine since 3/20. Is it possible that it hasn't accumulated enough to give the full effect? Perhaps that is why my Dr didn't want to increase my dose?
I was a little concerned that he didn't test T3, after some things that I read here.
As I was leaving, he made a passing comment that fatigue is the #1 symptom of depression. Pretty bizarre - I certainly do not think that is or ever was an issue! It just worried me that he may be dismissing how I really feel.
I feel worse now than a few weeks ago. Maybe it's the vitamin d deficiency. (Which he also somewhat dismissed. I live in upstate NY. He said that we are all deficient until summer.)
My vitamin d level was 15 last year around this time. He did prescribe me 50,000 IU per week for 12 weeks. Then never tested again. My GYN did, sent the results (20) to my primary, and he said to take 2,000 IU a day. Maybe I will have him recheck.
I don't want to be over medicated for the thyroid, as I've read that can cause a host of issues as well. But, I started searching for some feedback today because I am sitting at work today fighting with my eyelids. AWFUL feeling!
What's the reference range on your FT4? Ranges vary lab to lab, so you have to post them with results. It looks on the low side.
AACE recommended many years ago that TSH range be changed to 0.3-3.0. Given that somewhat more updated range, your 3.65 would indicate you are hypo (under medicated).
That's a serious D deficiency as D often has to be well up into the range for thyroid to function properly. Many doctors will prescribe 50,000 IU per week until levels start to rise. You might ask your doctor to retest, see if your numbers are improving and adjust dose if not.
If you're not being adequately treated, your symptoms can get worse. However, skipping one dose does little to lower your levels since your levels today are an accumulation of everything you've taken in the past 4-6 weeks.
AACE recommended many years ago that TSH range be changed to 0.3-3.0. Given that somewhat more updated range, your 3.65 would indicate you are hypo (under medicated).
That's a serious D deficiency as D often has to be well up into the range for thyroid to function properly. Many doctors will prescribe 50,000 IU per week until levels start to rise. You might ask your doctor to retest, see if your numbers are improving and adjust dose if not.
If you're not being adequately treated, your symptoms can get worse. However, skipping one dose does little to lower your levels since your levels today are an accumulation of everything you've taken in the past 4-6 weeks.
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