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Synthroid/Levothyroxine Side Effects
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).
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).
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm happy to know that you're in the US, where you have a better chance of getting good thyroid care; however, it's very distressful to know that there really are doctors in here that are ordering tests called "Free Thyroxins". Kind of tells me your doctor might know a whole lot about thyroid care. You definitely should check to make sure that includes both Free T4 and Free T3.
Hair loss is a symptom of hypothyroidism. Typically, once you get started on medication, hair will grow back; however, it's not unusual for symptoms to worsen before they get better. It's also important to note that the body takes care of the most important functions first, such as heart rate, body temperature, etc - and hair loss is not one those, so it could be a before the hair loss is reversed. It's very possible it could stop, though.
Hair loss is a symptom of hypothyroidism. Typically, once you get started on medication, hair will grow back; however, it's not unusual for symptoms to worsen before they get better. It's also important to note that the body takes care of the most important functions first, such as heart rate, body temperature, etc - and hair loss is not one those, so it could be a before the hair loss is reversed. It's very possible it could stop, though.
Thank you so much for explaining all that to me. Now I understand things better. No I'm in the good old USA. I'm REALLY worried about hair loss too because I've already thinned to the point that I can't afford to loose any more or it's gonna be wig time. Would it come back if the meds caused me to loose more? OH God I certainly hope not. I'm gonna ask my Dr. about the Free Thyroxins & make sure they get lab orders for the Free3 & Free4.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You should not take the Fibercon at the same time as the levo, as it will interfere with the absorption of the levo. Take it a few hours apart or take it at night, with the levo in the morning. Vitamins, minerals and other supplements should not be taken within 4 hours of levothyroxine.
TSH is not a thyroid hormone. It's a pituitary hormone that's trying to stimulate the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormones. It's counter intuitive. When thyroid hormones are low, TSH is higher in an effort to stimulate the thyroid to produce hormones and when thyroid hormones are higher, TSH is lower to indicate that there's plenty of thyroid hormones. Your TSH is higher, so your pituitary says there's not enough thyroid hormone.
Free Thyroxins, most likely stands for Free T4. Are you located in U.K, by any chance.
You're probably okay with the 50 mcg, since that's what your doctor prescribed for you. Many doctors will start off with a dose of 25 mcg, but some believe 50 is fine. It takes 4-6 weeks for the med to reach full potential in your blood. If you find that you have symptoms of over medication, such as diarrhea, sudden weight loss, excessive sweating, etc, ask your doctor to retest and ask about reducing your dosage.
Be sure to ask about testing Free T3 as that's the hormone used by individual cells.
TSH is not a thyroid hormone. It's a pituitary hormone that's trying to stimulate the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormones. It's counter intuitive. When thyroid hormones are low, TSH is higher in an effort to stimulate the thyroid to produce hormones and when thyroid hormones are higher, TSH is lower to indicate that there's plenty of thyroid hormones. Your TSH is higher, so your pituitary says there's not enough thyroid hormone.
Free Thyroxins, most likely stands for Free T4. Are you located in U.K, by any chance.
You're probably okay with the 50 mcg, since that's what your doctor prescribed for you. Many doctors will start off with a dose of 25 mcg, but some believe 50 is fine. It takes 4-6 weeks for the med to reach full potential in your blood. If you find that you have symptoms of over medication, such as diarrhea, sudden weight loss, excessive sweating, etc, ask your doctor to retest and ask about reducing your dosage.
Be sure to ask about testing Free T3 as that's the hormone used by individual cells.
Thanks for your speedy response. My lab orders state "Free Thyroxins" Does that mean FreeT3 & FreeT4? My triglycerides are my main reason for the Crestor. Also, I take Fibercon to help with Diverticulitis. Will that interfere with the Levothyroxin? I must admit, I don't understand the way the Thyroid hormone level is tested. If your level is over the 3.0 that means you are low on TSH? That's confusing to me. Do you think 50mcg is a good starting dose for me at my level of 4.94? I saw in an earlier post where you said 25mcg.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You're correct that your lab is using an outdated range - the recommended range is 0.3-3.0, but most labs have been very slow to change.
Typically, we recommend starting at a low dose. There is no 12.5 mcg levo, but you could split the 50 mcg pill in half for a few days if that would make you feel better. They're pretty small to split into quarters - you'd pretty much end up with powder and you wouldn't know what dosage you'd have.
The instructions for levothyroxine are to take first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, then wait for 30 minutes to an hour before eating or drinking anything else. It's not that hard to wait 30 minutes before having coffee, but I don't always wait that long. It doesn't really matter that much if it's just coffee, as long as you're consistent.
I assume the Crestor is for high cholesterol? Hypothyroidism also causes high cholesterol, so you might be able to get off the Crestor once your thyroid levels are in line.
Be sure to insist on Free T4 and Free T3 whenever you have a TSH test.
Typically, we recommend starting at a low dose. There is no 12.5 mcg levo, but you could split the 50 mcg pill in half for a few days if that would make you feel better. They're pretty small to split into quarters - you'd pretty much end up with powder and you wouldn't know what dosage you'd have.
The instructions for levothyroxine are to take first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, then wait for 30 minutes to an hour before eating or drinking anything else. It's not that hard to wait 30 minutes before having coffee, but I don't always wait that long. It doesn't really matter that much if it's just coffee, as long as you're consistent.
I assume the Crestor is for high cholesterol? Hypothyroidism also causes high cholesterol, so you might be able to get off the Crestor once your thyroid levels are in line.
Be sure to insist on Free T4 and Free T3 whenever you have a TSH test.
Hello. I am a little anxious about starting Levothyroxin. My Dr. prescribed 50mcg to start. My TSH was 4.94 & from what I've read my lab is using an outdated range of .35-4.94. Should I start with a lower dose of 25mcg or possibly even 12.5 ? Is it ok to split the pill in halves or quarters? I've also read to take it in the morning 1/2-1 Hr. before breakfast or in the evening because it will be better absorbed. Which is better? My prescription only says to take it once daily. I am insulin dependent diabetic with hypertension. I also take Losartan 100/12.5 & Crestor 20mg. I am a little worried about palpitations & blood pressure. I normally like to drink coffee upon arising & this seems to up my BP even tho I use the 1/2 caffeine strength brand of coffee. I am due for another lab test in 6 weeks for TSH & Free Thyroxins. My first test was only for TSH.
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