Synthroid Side Effects

[lorel535]

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid back in August when I was tested by my GP as a possible cause of infertility.  My TSH wasn't overly high at 12 but my doctor suggested treating it.  I was started on .088mg (based on weight) and had no obvious side effects until two weeks later when I suddenly had a panic attack.  It was terrifying and a few days later I had another more mild one.  I stopped the medication and immediately felt better for several days but then became exhausted again so I started on a lower dosage of .05mg and started having the same terrible feelings after only 5 days (hot flashes, feeling drugged, tingling in my hands and feet, heart racing, feeling worried about everything and paranoid).  I stopped the medication and took a natural supplement with did not help at all after 6 weeks of it.  I decided to try the Synthroid at the lowest dose of 0.025mg but after just three days I'm getting hot flashes again.   I was wondering which would be best, to take the .025mg every other day or to try half the pill every day.  Any opinions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

[Barb135]

Though there are some "guidelines", dosage can't really be based on weight... it must be based on symptoms and labs.

I do agree that the 88 mcg was too much to start with, though.  It's always best to start with a low dose and work up, depending on symptoms and lab results.  

[Totie]

I think the 88mcg was too much as far as starting the medication.

I did not know that dosage was based on weight. I weigh 102 & my dosage is 150mcg.

Can you see an endocrinologist?

[Barb135]

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is produced by the pituitary when the thyroid isn't making enough thyroid hormones and the pituitary is trying to "stimulate" the thyroid to produce more hormones.  

With a TSH of over 40, a person's thyroid is not working overtime; it's not working nearly enough, or the pituitary gland wouldn't be trying to stimulate the thyroid to produce more hormones.  

T4 is the "storage" form of thyroid hormones and must be converted to T3 prior to use by the cells.  Studies show that T4 does not correlate well with symptoms, but T3, which is the active hormone, does.

You need the Free T3 and the Free T4 (not total), every time you are tested to see how much actual hormone is available for use or conversion.  

I agree with gimel, that you need a good thyroid doctor; yours will keep you ill for a long time.

[gimel]

You need a good thyroid doctor, not the one you have.  How many links would you like to see that reference studies that show that TSH does not even correlate with the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4, much less correlate with the most important thing, which is symptoms.  

If you have the interest, start here.  

http://nahypothyroidism.org/why-doesn%E2%80%99t-my-doctor-know-all-of-this/

[lorel535]

My doctor told me that in her opinion there is no need to test for T3 and T4 because the most reliable indicator of thyroid function is the TSH.  She told me that she had tested people who's TSH has been over 40 and they feel fine because their T4 levels are normal but their thyroid is working overtime to make the T4 and they will still need to be treated with medication.  

She told me that she thinks that my body is just very sensitive to the change in T4 in my body.  Hopefully that's all, I am really excited to hopefully start feeling well.

[lorel535]

Thanks for the feedback.  I switched from taking the pill every other day to a half pill every day as suggested and so far I am feeling fine, no side effects at all. :)

I think I will do the same and increase to the 25mcg alternating with 12.5 to see how that goes.

Thanks guys

[Kristina538]

,,,  in saying that, I'll be increasing to 25mcg every other day from tomorrow and 12.5 mcg on alternate days until I can dose the 25mcg every day.  I know my dos will probably be adjusted up by the time the blood tests are taken - my doctor said just to 'try' with what I'm comfortable taking up to the 25mcg a day at this stage...

[Kristina538]

I had similar after 2 days on 25mcg of synthroid, and starting halving them and have been fine (and improved) over the last two weeks ( I still felt the half tab but after two days was fine).  Good luck.  

[goolarra]

Has your doctor run any thyroid test besides TSH?  FREE T3 and FREE T4 (which are different from total T3 and total T4) are much more important than TSH in diagnosing thyroid disorders and medicating.  T3 and T4 are the actual thyroid hormones.  TSH is a pituitary hormone.  Many factors can affect it besides thyroid hormone levels.

If you have been hypo for more than a few months or have a history of heart arrhythmia or are over 50 (I assume you are not), the starting dose should be 12.5-25 mcg (you can read the dosing instructions on Synthroid's website).  Some of us are very sensitive to thyroid meds for one or more of those reasons, and we have to start out low and increase slowly.

I'm very sensitive as well, and I am fanatic about taking the same dose very consistently every day.  I'd definitely go with half a pill a day and I'd even go so far as to make sure to take both halves of the same pill on consecutive days.

If you still have problems at 12.5 mcg, you might ask your doctor about adding a beta blocker to your meds.  Like you, even though I was over 50, had been hypo for a long time and had a history of arrhythmia, my doctor started me on 88 mcg.  It made my tachycardia go wild, and I backed off and backed off until I was down to 25 mcg, and still I couldn't tolerate it.  At that point, I saw a cardio and he put me on a beta blocker.  The beta blocker doesn't necessarily have to be forever...you might be able to wean off of it once your body is more used to the thyroid hormones being available again.