Synthroid switch to levothyroxine

[medicmommy]

Hey all! It's been awhile since I've haunted this forum! :) I just wanted to post an interesting experience (does anyone else feel like a lab rat here?!?) that I had switching from Synthroid to Levothyoxine.
I was on 75 mcg of Synthroid for the last year and began having hypo symptoms again (joint/muscle pain, brain fog/memory issues, edema in legs, fatigue, weight gain). Sure enough, my labs showed me sneaking into the hypo range again (as a Hashi's patient, I feel the best with my TSH about 1.0 and I was 3.4) and my endo increased my dose to 100 mcg -but he wrote the script for Levothyroxine instead of Synthroid. I didn't think it a big deal because the Levo is just the generic for Synthroid, so I began taking it.
It was like I wasn't taking any thyroid meds at all for about 1 1/2 weeks. I couldn't believe how cr@ppy, old, and depressed I felt. I was about to call my endo back and give him a piece of my mind when I suddenly began feeling much better. This has been 5 weeks ago and I feel quite normal now -better than before the dose change -so I guess I'll stay on the Levo. There is some sort of difference between the two meds, I don't know what exactly, but my body recognized that it wasn't the same. I'll be due for a second set of labs in about 3 weeks, so it will be interesting to see what they show....

[hashigirl1972]

I was just the opposite.. I am more stable on Synthroid than levothyroxine..

[medicmommy]

Just a thought...sometimes those who've had TTs also get their parathyroids damaged in the process. You might want to look at calcium deficiency issues caused by hypoparathyroidism to explain some of your medical problems in addition to your struggle to refind a happy thyroid baseline. I've found that having an endo that treats your symptoms, not just your labs is worth his/her weight in gold.

[Barb135]

There may have been something to do with the fillers in the levo, that kept it from helping you, but since you still feel bad on synthroid, it's not the fault of the medication, it's the fault of the doctor who won't give you a high enough dose to alleviate your symptoms.

While there are a lot of doctors out there that refuse to look at anything besides TSH, there are also a lot who will.  We just have to find them.

Yes, a person who has had TT will experience more issues than those who still have a thyroid that produces some hormones; however, for those of us whose thyroids do not any longer produce hormones, we're in the same boat as you.  You don't have a thyroid to produce hormones, ours might as well not be there, because it doesn't do anything.

It's very unfortunate that you've had to apply for disability; sounds like you definitely need a different doctor.

[blsdnsvvd]

I started on levo immediately after the TT and it did nothing for me. Once i was switched to Synthroid, i noticed the difference. My levels are never adequate enough for me, the doc's believe that they are because they are always in range. My doc will not prescribe cytomel or anyother med that may help me believe he does not believe in them. there are not many docs that will either. i truly believe that those who have had their thyroid removed will experience more issues than a person who still has thiers and have some hormone function. I have developed so many health issues that i had to apply for disability. it is impossible for me to work and feel the way i do.

[Barb135]

If you still feel bad on synthroid, then quite likely it wasn't the levo that made you feel bad. Have you had your levels checked lately to make sure they are adequate for you?

[blsdnsvvd]

I felt crappier on Levo than i did synthroid and that's a scary thought! there is surely a difference. I have been on synthroid for almost three years and i still feel like a walking zombie most of the time amongst other issues....

[Barb135]

I had one doctor who recommended tonic water for the cramps (never offered a reason for getting them), so I was actually drinking it quite regularly -- gin is not my poison of choice, either.  I got a urinary infection and began having blood show up in my urine.  Urologist never could find a reason for me to have blood in my urine; however, my own research indicates that quinine can cause this.  

I, too, supplement both magnesium and calcium, plus take vitamin B12 shots, so that could come into play as well.

It's possible that an adjustment in your thyroid medication could help, as well.

[Red_Star]

I had bad calf/foot cramps but this went away when i corrected my magnesium deficiency and calcium deficiency. I never had RLS but just prior to going to bed i would have bad myclonic jerks (nearly hit myself in the face with my crazy arm lol!). I had this too prior to diagnosing my severe vitamin B12 deficiency.

[medicmommy]

Thanks! -I'll look into that. When I get really desperate, I'll drink a glass of tonic water (I'm not much of a gin person) and the quinine in it will stop the spasms in about 15 minutes. I'd really like to know the cause of them, or at least how I can avoid them. Even the Drs don't seem to have an easy answer for that...:)

[Barb135]

I had restless leg syndrome when I was hypo, plus I sometimes get horrible muscles spasms/cramps in my feet/legs.  

I found some stuff called Restful Legs at a major store that works pretty well for me.  It's made by Hyland's.  Sometimes, it works to rub a bit of aspercreme on them too.  That sometimes works for the cramps, as well.

[medicmommy]

Just curious, have you experienced restless legs/leg/foot muscle spasms (mostly at night) with either the low magnesium or hypothyroid? If so, what do you do for them?

[Totie]

I think everyone react different to medications. I was on Levo for about 17yrs until my new endo switched me to Synthroid. She does not like the generic form.

I do feel a little better on Synthroid, but still trying to find the correct dosage at the moment. Good to hear your Endo goes by symptoms....

[Red_Star]

Causes of abdominal fat:

High insulin
High cortisol
High estrogen
Low testosterone
Low DHEA

Fat on back of neck (buffalo hump):
High cortisol
High insulin

My hip waist ratio is 94. In other words, i'm mimicing a ruler. SO not sexy. lol. I have a very prominant buffalo hump as well (have extensively ruled out Cushing's disease).  Just adding to the unsexy vibe. *rolls eyes*.  

Magnesium deficiency and hypothyroidism affect my insulin no question. And yet my insulin is in range. I'm tricky like that. :)  I also have acanthosis nigricans which is due to higher insulin. I have a feeling "normal" is not normal when measuring glucose levels. Reminds me of a few tests i could mention. :P  

[Paus]

Like mine last 2yrs ago i switch synthroid to thyrax, well  while taking Thyrax a lot of adjustment & symptoms i had, i feel like im a living dead.
after 5weeks/half im starting to feel better. so exactly 1 month before i recovered & back to normal.

anyway maybe after 3 or 4 months im gonna switch again to a new medication, seems synthroid are available here & now thyrax is not available. well another shifting again to thyrax to syntroid. and another adjustment again? hope not,  but i take syntroid 2yrs ago.

[medicmommy]

Thanks for the reminder about referring to not relying on TSH levels for med adjustments. Yep, my endo is monitoring "frees", not just the TSH. I'm okay with the switch as long as the generic works!
Is it just a coincidence that I am gaining weight around my rib cage and upper belly for the first time in my life? (It's always gone to my rear and hips in the past.) Is this an effect from the thyroid meds or  maybe just the aging process (I'm 47...)?!?  

[Kristina538]

Hi MM - thanks for the update - I'm sure I'll be switched eventually here once I'm a bit ore stable - great to hear you're feelinh good!!!

[Barb135]

Levo has different fillers that Synthroid, so there may have been a temporary issue with absorbancy, while your body adjusted to the different medication.  AND don't forget that it takes several weeks for a dosage adjustment to reach full potential and it's not unusual for patients to feel worse for period of time, before they get better.

Remember, TSH does not cause symptoms, so adjusting TSH to a certain level is a step backwards.  You need to test the FT3 and FT4 and adjust your medication, based on those, not TSH.