Synthroid/Levothyroxine Side Effects

[soccermom2002]

Has anyone had high blood pressure while taking Synthroid and Levothyroxine?

I am hypo and I was given .50 Levothyroxine and I started filling shaky and light headed, I had trouble breathing and felt pressure in my chest, stomach cramps, headaches, and high blood pressure so my doctor told me to stop taking them and referred me to an endo who put me on .50 Synthroid because he thought I was having reactions to the fillers in Levothyroxine so I've been taking Synthroid for 2 weeks and starting to have some of the same reactions, stomach cramps, headaches, fatigue, light headed, and high blood pressure. I've never had a blood pressure problem in my life, my endo said Synthroid and Levothyroxine can't cause high blood pressure but when I stop taking it my blood pressure goes back to normal. I want to hurry up and find something that will work for me because I don't like putting up with my thyroid symptoms. I hate feeling weak and tired all the time, stomach issues, scaly dry skin, my hands and my fingers swell.

My Results
10/26/11 my TSH was 6.9 and I was given Levothyroxine .50 and had almost every side effect of it and high blood pressure so I quit taking it and went back to the doctor on 12/06/11 and my TSH was 5.3, FT4 was 10.8, FT3 Uptake was 23, and FThyroxine Index was 2.5 so my doctor referred me to my endo and I went to see him on 1/30/12 so I wasn't taking any thyroid medication since November and my results on 1/30/12 was TSH 5.65, FT4 1.0, Thyroid Microsomal was >1000 (reference <35).

[Barb135]

Okay, so you just started on Synthroid and he started you right off on 88 mcg?  Please tell me I'm misunderstanding that...

[Amhansen1176]

My TSH was 6.85 and my doctor started me off on 112mcg. Is that bad?? I immediately felt like death after taking it. Well actually the first day wasn&#39;t terrible but the second day on.. I quit after 4 days and emailed her and just got prescribed 50mcg.

[kmartin60]

Nods yes, but I had just started it. Only been on it about 2 weeks if that. He didn't tell me the actual hormone levels just that the number is suppose to be closer to this and it is over that here are the samples we will discuss more in 6 weeks.  

So I will be calling them as soon as they open Mon. morning and see what they can tell me to do, what options  etc etc and will try to get the numbers from them.....  Anything to find way to keep the BP from sky rocketing again! That was just horrid!  shudders..LOL  

[Barb135]

You can't necessarily just stop the Synthroid... I assume you're taking it because you have hypothyroidism, so you'll need to stay on some form of replacement thyroid hormones.  

Perhaps you need to talk to your doctor about trying a different type of bp med...

What are your actual thyroid hormone levels?  Some of us have blood pressure issues when thyroid hormone levels are not right for us. If you'll post your actual thyroid hormone levels, along with reference ranges, perhaps we can give more insight into your situation...

[kmartin60]

Hi! I have been put on Synthroid thyroid  medicine 88mg cut in half for about a week but my BO has gotten out of sight! I already take Toprol 100mg XL 1 at night  and after calling doc said I could go up to 2 a day. Im now taking 1 at night and 1 and half to 2 during the day and the BP is still 180 over 110 etc etc.... So... if I stop the synthroid how can I get the BP down quick? Any help would be so gratefully appreciated!

[Barb135]

You're welcome.  Good luck and be sure to keep us posted on progress.

[fricky]

Thank you Miss Barb.

[Barb135]

Dosage increase would depend on symptom relief and blood test results.  Typically, when we start on thyroid medication, we stay at a dosage for 6 weeks, then retest and go from there.  When I was put on thyroid hormone replacement, I was started at 25 mcg for 2 weeks, then increased to 50 mcg for 2 weeks, then to 75 mcg for 2 weeks, then on to 100 mcg.  At my first retest, my TSH was rock bottom and my doctor freaked out and started dropping my med back down, even though symptom relief was a long way off.

If I were you, I'd probably stay on the 25 mcg for a couple weeks, then go up, if that's okay with your doctor.

[fricky]

Thanks Barb. How long should I stay on the 25mg before I up the dosage to the 50mg  that was prescribed? Any side effects to watch out for?

[Barb135]

Hi Fricky

Yes, I know you're considering going on Levo.  No, the med shouldn't affect your antibody count.  You either have antibodies or you don't.

[fricky]

Hi Barb. As you know I am considering going on the Levothyroxine 25mg for starters. I was wondering if being on the meds will in any way affect my lab results in Jan. when I have the Thyroid Antibody test done?

[fricky]

Hey Barb, you there?

[fricky]

My Endo was just leaving it up to me as to whether or not I wanted to go on meds because it wasn't that bad, I guess.

[fricky]

I won't see my endo again till Jan. I think. So, I should ask for a Thyroid antibody test at that time? That's when he will be ordering new labs for everything. What type of reactions should I watch out for when I start on thyroid meds? What exactly is Levothyroxin? Gee, I didn't think I even needed the meds. You broke it down into percentages. You are one smart chick.  I really appreciate your help. I am thyroid illiterate. We are constantly working on my diabetes. It's getting better all the time.  

[Barb135]

We know the new range for TSH is 0.3-3.0 and your TSH is just over that.  Your FT4 is only at 13% of its range, so it's getting down to rock bottom.  Your FT3 isn't too bad yet, at 50% of its range.  It often take FT3 longer to come down, because the body is converting most of the available FT4, to keep going.

In my opinion, it does look like you need thyroid med.  You'd do well to start thyroid medication at 25 mcg and work up, depending on future labs and symptom alleviation.

You should get tested for thyroid antibodies to determine if you have Hashimoto's.

How is your diabetes control coming along?

[fricky]

Hi Barb. How ya been? Well, I got my lab results and ranges. TSH 3.19 (.35-4.94)  FT4 0.8 (0.7-1.5)  FT3 2.7 (1.7-3.7)   My last TSH was 4.94 @ the same lab. I have not taken any meds. Doesn't look like I need them. So, do you think these ranges are very updated? I know the TSH has been changed.

[fricky]

Thanks Barb. I'll keep you updated on my results when I get them.

[Barb135]

Hi fricky, how's it going?

Fasting is not required for thyroid blood work; however I often end up fasting for it anyway, because I'm having other blood work done that does require it.

Because TSH may be lower later in the day and after you've eaten, you may want to have the tests done while you're fasting.  Since you're not on thyroid medication yet, your FT3 and FT4 won't be affected, but once you get on medication, particularly, if you ever get on a T3 medication, you'll need to wait to take that after your blood draws or you'll get false highs.

[fricky]

Hi Barb. I contacted my Endo & I now have my lab orders for FT3 & FT4 which I am going to do before I even consider starting any meds. Should I fast or not before the blood draw? I've researched this on the internet & have gotten conflicting answers.

[fricky]

Ya know I said I had thinning hair on my scalp but I might add that I have lost all hair also on the rest of my body. Legs, armpits, nothing. I've been blaming everything On old age & diabetes.Thank God I had enough super thick hair on my head that the thinning over the last few years hasn't made me bald yet but I can't afford anymore thinning.

[fricky]

I'll also request the test for Hashimotos.

[fricky]

I'm going to email my endo & request a new set of lab orders to include the FT3 & FT4 before I even start any meds.  And then If I start any meds at a later date I will have it all rechecked in 6 weeks. Does that sound about right?

[Barb135]

Autoimmune diseases run in families... but not all family members will get the same autoimmune disease.  Both Graves and Hashimoto's are autoimmune.  There's a good bet you have Hashimoto's.  Ask to be tested for it.

You don't necessarily need an endo to treat thyroid.  Even a knowledgeable primary care doctor can do it as long as they are willing to test/treat adequately.

Your symptoms all run the hypo gamut. Unfortunate that you can't get labs until you've been on med for 6 weeks; I'd sure like to see an FT3.  

[fricky]

Hi Barb. I've had basically fatigue, hair thinning, worsening of my already dry skin, and the inability to loose weight. I sure can gain tho. My sister has Graves disease & my oldest daughter has Hasimotos so I guess it is a hereditary thing. Oh yeah, and a cousin also had thyroid problem. My endo is the only one in my area. We live  outside of  a small town. But, I'm gonna make sure he gets the correct testing done before I go on any meds. I appreciate your knowledge & help. I don't know much about thyroid. I love that I can connect to the internet & learn from others that have the same experience. I won't get my labs again until I've ben on meds for 6 weeks.

[Barb135]

Oh, I think you're okay starting meds, you just may not need to start on that high a dose - depending on your symptoms, which I've been remiss in not asking about.  You mentioned weight; what others?

I've been through this (bad doctor/inadequate testing/poor treatment) and have seen a lot of others go through the same thing, here on the forum.  I've been on the forum for 6 yrs and was helped here; I've continued to do a lot of research, along with others, in order to help myself and others get through it and back on the road to recovery.  It's not easy, especially, when you add other conditions and/or inadequate care to the mix.