Overdose??

[hp5310y]

Have been taking Levothyroxine 137mcg for quite sometime.  Now experiencing hot flashes ? although I have been thru menopause for many years.  My internal thermostat seems to be out of wack as I don't seem to get cold, as in the past, but now am warm or experiencing sweats at times.  Is this an overdose of the med???

[hp5310y]

Thanks for the info.  Never knew there was such a thing.  

[jacrjacr]

I know how feeling hyper can be alarming and weird hence being HOT is one of my signs for overmedication. Another is a slight headache . If you want to test yourself and order a online test for around 59.00 healthonelabs.com has a "thyroid plus" blood test that you can order online and pay by credit card, then they send you a paper via email  within a hour that you can print out and take to a local labcorp and they email the results usually in one day back to you and it will tell you if you are high or low in free t3 free t4 and tsh or within normal range. I take my test always first thing in the morning on a empty stomach and no meds for a accurate result.  You can also post those results on here if you need further assistance. You can take this test to any doctor  since it is the same test that they order. That may be one option if you are concerned, if that is financially feasible.

[Barb135]

Weight loss isn't the only symptom of over medication.  What about diarrhea, tremors, etc?  

I travel almost an hour to get to my endo; it's worth it, so if there's any way you can get better more frequent testing that would be better.  That said, most doctors are willing to test more frequently, if there's an issue, though and August isn't that far away, so I don't see any reason why your doctor wouldn't be willing to test early.  Make sure you get the Free T3 and Free T4, not just TSH.

In addition to over medication, there are a number of other things that can cause hot flashes/night sweats, including, but not limited to some foods or drinks, medications, sleep disorders, anxiety, and even other illnesses, such as some cancers, HIV, tuberculosis, etc.  Any time a symptom is of concern, it should be checked out, because there's rarely only one cause for it.

[hp5310y]

I do have Hashimoto's but no weight loss etc.  I do not go to an endocrinologist since we have moved to a new area.  Just to primary care doctor.  He takes my levels once a year with my checkup coming in August 2014. The doctor I had before we moved took levels every 6 months..  We have not been happy with the doctors in the new area but have no alternative except to travel an hour or more to another.  This is not an option.  The sweats and the getting hot all the time are overwhelming occasionally.  My best option I suppose, is to call the doctor and ask for early testing to see what the levels are.  

[Barb135]

What are your current thyroid hormone levels?  Be sure to post reference ranges with results, since ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report.   You should be getting tested periodically for TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.  Do you have other symptoms of over medication, such as weight loss, diarrhea, tremors, etc.  Do you have Hashimoto's?