Can Levothyroxine INCREASE fatigue?

[Ginger7]

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

[lscip1980]

Hello,
Not sure if anyone checks this.  Looking for advice.
For the last year, I have gained weight (22 pounds), hair falling out, constipated, and had cold intolerance.  I was seeing my GYN for several months last year trying to get to the bottom of this.  I had my birth control pill switched numerous times, thinking that was the case.  I stopped going to the doctor, and only went back in early March because I started forgetting things and couldn't concentrate at work.  Finally then, my GYN ordered bloodwork for TSH and Vitamin D.
She called me with results.  TSH was 9.9 and Vitamin D was 20.  She told me I had to see my primary to be treated.

My primary Dr started me on 50mcg of levothyroxine, and 2,000iu daily of vitamin D, which I have taken every day since March.

I went back to the doctor this week because I am not feeling much improvement.  The constipation has gotten slightly better, my hair isn't falling out as much, and I can concentrate better.  However, there are some days where I feel MORE tired than I did when I first start thyroxine.  It hurts to keep my eyes open.  Yesterday I forgot to take my thyroxine for the first time, and I actually felt less tired.  Took it this morning, and I am struggling to get through my day.

Anyways, my Dr checked did some blood work, and TSH is 3.65and T4 Free is 1.1  He did a CBC and said that since everythign in CBC was within normal range, there is no reason to believe I am deficient in iron or anything else.

I am wondering if the levels above are normal.  He says they are.  And, if it's possible for the thyroxine to make you feel more tired than if you didn't take it.

[goolarra]

Your doctor is dead wrong...once on thyroid meds, it's absolutely essential to have FREE T3 and FREE T4 tested every time blood is drawn.  TSH is totally inadequate to be used alone to manage meds.  TSH is a pituitary hormone.  As such, it is subject to many influences other than thyroid hormone levels.  It's an indirect measure of thyroid status, not nearly as useful as the direct measures of the actual thyroid hormones, FT3 and FT4.

How much levo do you take?    

[tabbycat0912]

I have a question if anyone still checks this. I have seen over five different Dr's over the span of 9 years for thyroid. The first Dr. was trying to help me with my daily headaches, did a blood test and called with the results saying that everything was normal other than my thyroid was a little low but nothing they were worried about. About a year later I see another Dr. with symptoms thinking I'm pregnant, only to find out that I had an underactive thyroid. He then tells me that the headaches I have been having were caused by the thyroid. Go ahead and I see another Dr. who wants to help me lose some weight by increasing my medication a bit. Seemed okay got pregnant which threw everything out of wack. Had the baby and they kept me on the increased dose because they said it worked with my levels, trying to figure out why I wasn't feeling good still. Dr. sent me to a specialist a year later to have them tell me I was on the wrong dose for over a year and because of the increased dose it was causing me to gain weight. Now my new Dr. just did a test and said my TSH was .59 I think and I was wondering if increasing my dosage would help with my fatigue and the fact that I still can't lose any weight and they tell me that it will just make me more tired!! I asked about the T3 and T4 when they did the last test and they told me that they don't need to do them because they all tell you the same thing. I'm just trying to figure out how some many Dr's can all tell me something different. What do I need done so I can feel normal and not continue to gain weight all the time. I'm even on the prescription diet pill to help with the weight loss but it isn't working as well this time like it did before. Please help if you can and if you know any sources to print off information to take to the Dr. to get some strait answers. Thank you.

[Barb135]

If you're having that much trouble, your levels are, most likely now high enough for you, even if they are in the "normal" range.

If you have a copy of your lab report, please post your levels, with reference ranges, so we can better assess your situation.

[brittbratt101]

i have been on it since i was pregnant i had my son and i cant loose weight for crap im walkin 8 miles aday and gaining weight they say im in normal range its killin me i cant even get out of  bed im so depressed on  it and they say its my fault im not loosing weight and i am mean on it i want to get off it i was loosing weight off it and gaining it back off it but now that im on it i cant loose weight at all

[Barb135]

This is a very old thread and Ginger has not participated in the forum for since this was posted, so it's unlikely she will respond.

As far as doctors go, there are some very good ones out there and not just the holistic ones.  Some people have to change doctors several times, before they find one who will test/treat them adequately.  

I see you're Canadian.  We've had some members who have had trouble getting testing/treatment because of guidelines of your health care system. Is that a problem for you?