synthroid side effects

[pben89]

Hello everyone, I recently was diagnosed with thyroiditis, I was hyper, now hypothyroid.  My current tsh 9, t4and t3 are normal.  I have a TPO of 500.  I was started on synthroid 50mcg, after 12 days of taking it I developed fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, anf left sided headache.  My endo doc said stop the medicine.  I no longer have the headache, but the brain fog and concentration still persist.  Its been already 15 days off sythroid.  When I first started synthroid I was only fatigue.  Can anyone tell me how much longer before this brain fog goes away?

[moonbeam4]

Good old anti-depressants. The answer to everything. You have the thyroid drug making you that way, and then told it is a different issue. Is that why drug companies offer special packages for thyroid meds which include there favorite anti-depressent...

[sk5555]

Hi Barb,

How long did it take you to adjust to tirosint?  I have been on it for more than 6 weeks and my head feels so heavy all the time.  I get brain fog too.

[pben89]

Hi Bruce, I Just saw your labs your tsh is slightly elevated, I am not sure what you are feeling is totally caused by Hypothyroidism.  I remember when I went to my Endocrine doc and told him I was fatigued and the highest Level on my TSH was a 9.  The rest of ft4, t4, f3,ft3 where all normal.  I think to truly have hypothyroidism your Tsh level must be high and either t4 or ft4 must be low.  By the way I also stopped armour thyroid its my 3rd day off this medication.  I went again to my neurologist today and he ordered me to get a EEG.  He wants to rule out simple partial seizure.  I will keep you updated.....

[ChitChatNine]

HI and Welcome .. you may want to repost because it may get lost on the end of this thread.

C~

[jamierb]

Hi, I am really new to this experience (group chats/thyroid problem), but I feel totally alone with this issue that I was just diagnosed with, and thought this community might be a productive place to chat with folks about it.  

3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with Hashimotos/ hypothyroid (my TSH was at 71.4, T4 at .42 and anti thryoglobulin at 1277) after getting my annual blood work done (I was startled to get this news because I hadn't had any symptoms).  The next day I went on 100 mcg of levothyroxine.  I immediately started experiencing all symptoms of hypo- exhaustion, depression, and night sweats.  One morning I woke up and I could tell my face was swollen.  I thought I was having an allergic reaction so went to see an endo who told me this was normal.  (?)  She took my blood and then switched me to 125 mcg of Synthroid which I have now been on for a week and half.  The next day I got the results and my TSH was at 11 and T4 at.98.  All of the hypo symptoms went away (I think), but today I noticed the left side of my face swelled up again.  Is this normal?  Also, once diagnosed with Hashimotos, do you always test positive for the antibody?

[LazyMoose]

brain pressure.............? What? Have not seen / herd of that.

Would like to see the link / article

[pben89]

I was reading the side effect of armour thyroid and it increase brain pressure maybe thats what i am feeling.  Currently my tsh is wnl when taking armour thyroid.  What should I do?

[ThyroidHunter]

This Endo has to go, "getting old" as any diagnosis when you are 36 is insulting to your intelligence. Stella has said it all, but consider looking around for a good GP physician who has had some experience with thyroid issues. There are a lot around, but you may have to drive a bit to get to them. I think you'll find it's worth it.

Most Endos fight diabetes, with thyroid issues earning much less in Medicare and Insurance rebates. Keep in mind it really is - the "Medical Business" or as the media puts it - "The Business of Medicine".

Keep us posted.

[kl42]

i have a gallbladder.

[Brucergoldberg]

Do you have your gallbladder?

[pben89]

This are levels 2months ago tsh 9, t4and t3 are normal.  I have a TPO antibody of 500.  Being that I was tired I was started on synthroid after taking it for 2 weeks I developed my above symptoms.  Then I stop taking synthroid of 2 weeks but the above symptoms never resolved.  So my endo doc started me on armour thyroid 30mg I started taking for 1 month, and my tsh and t3 are normal.  

TO Brucergoldberg.  I also was feeling about 60% better after stopping synthroid, but I was never 100% better.  I ears started ringing after armour thyroid.  Like I said in past comments the ENT cleared me medically and just said my balance was off.  I seen 2 neurologist cleared by them also.  I just pray everyday to feel just like I was 2 months ago.  I want to go back to gym.

[Brucergoldberg]

I can't tell you what to do.  I'm confused myself.   I can tell you that I haven't taken any meds in 12 or 13 days.  I feel 70 percent better.  The waves of crap hit me once a day and then it's gone.  The ear ringing was much worse for me taking meds.  I'm stiff suffering but not as bad.  I take clonezepan when the attacks hit.  Always about 2 pm.  My ears ring but   It doesn't bother me as much.  When I was on meds I was suffering constantly.  Now it's a little at a time.   Maybe I'm not ready for the meds.   Also armour hit me harder because the t3 in it was too much for me.

[redheadaussie]

Years ago I had that sensation of feeling like I was in a boat rocking side to side. I always tilted to the left, and always felt like I was going to pass out. I was sent to a neurologist who found nothing wrong. They thought it could be Menieres but it wasn't that either.

I had undiagnosed Hashimoto's at that time and wonder if you have had your antibodies checked for that?

I would also suggest your iron levels might be low.  I am a chronic anaemic and I am sure it comes from having stupid thyroid disease. If I am not a good girl and forget to take my liquid iron for a few days, that swaying sensation comes back again, and that is my signal to have a big swig of it!

[pben89]

Yes like a slight motion sickness, it comes in waves and all on the left side.  Today for example I got bouts of not being focus and go into a stare.  I dont know if I should stop taking armour thyroid?  I am very frustrated and getting depressed.  I wish I was better.  Its been over two months now.  How much longer must we wait for clarity?

[Brucergoldberg]

The dizziness you report is more like a slight motion sickness, right?  I get all my stuff on the left as well.  Plus buzzing behind my ear..

[pben89]

You are right tomorrow i will start looking for a new endocrine doc.  I have a question if my tsh and t3 is normal while taking armour thyroid do I need to wait for my body to continue to get used to medication.  Its been 1 month on armour thyroid 30mg daily.  This morning still waking up with left facial numbing sensation, left eye dryness, dizziness like when your on a boat, and sleepy even after I slept for more than 8 hrs.  

[Barb135]

Bruce, you  might want to go back and look at Stella's post again, listing the symptoms.  I believe those are symptoms of adrenal fatigue.  Note that a lot of the symptoms can mimic hypo.  

[Brucergoldberg]

Amen sister.......

I have had endos tell me to see shrinks because according to them there is No way I could possibly have the symptoms that I'm reporting.  My favorite is when the Endo has the assistant call me.

I have found that if you are not an easy appointment, or if they have people waiting after you in the waiting room during your appointment, it's usually not a good sign.  The last Endo that did this to me, I told his assistant to tell him he was wrong, he needed a shrink, and that I was completely disappointed.

Stella listed 30 symptoms of hypothyroid patients, these endos should print the list off and keep it in their greedy feeble little pockets.

[stella5349]

I'm really holding back on what I WANT to write down about your endos ignorant prognosis of reasons..... ( he's an idiot)..  (cough)

Your not old.

This endo is running absolute JUNK labs and playing guesswork on you ignorantly

The cortisol test you had is laughable too.

I see no estrodiol or progesterone w/ testosterone so again.. NOTHING to compare to what's happening.

I suggest he surrender HIS LICENSE and stops keeping people sick!

You may have well threw the money your insurance company or you paid in a roaring fire on those lastest labs. They will do absolutely nothing for you to find out how to fix these issues.

Dump him and start over ASAP

[pben89]

I used came back from my endocrine doc and he said what I am feeling is because I am getting old.  I am only 36 yrs old 2 months ago i used to go to the gym 3 times a week and did wrestling grappling once or twice a week.  My endocrine doc said I used to probably live with high endorpins in my body now that i stop working out I am in low end of endorphins.  My recent labs tsh 3rd generation 2.94, t3 uptake 34, total t3  is 89, cortisol total fasting 9.8, testosterone total males 439, LH 4.2, fsh 1.6  all levels are within normal levels while taking armour thyroid 30mg daily.  He suggested for me to go to a psychiatrist until my endorpin in my body regulate  which might take 6 months to 1 yr.  

[stella5349]

30mg of Armour thyroid is pretty much a trial dose for many. Its hardly enough for most patients and I can only assume, you are low and need an increase.

The "new" Armour thyroid has an increase filler called MCC and most doctor that are prescribing it find that their patients need more in order to balance - vs - the old formula that it was for patients.

Many Armour patients are looking at alternatives to absorb the meds better. Some are chewing the tablet - some are increasing their selenium supplement, some are going gluten free, some also are getting directly off it and requesting a compound thyroid medication w/out MCC fillers or even trying ERFA thyroid in Canada.


Finding your right fit with medication is very important and Armour may not be what you need to get you 100%.

Track your labs ever SO close and compare it to your symptoms. very important.

Normal is not always the right term to use when looking at the labs. In so many cases the Free T3 in the higher range and the Free T4 - mid/high with a suppressed or low TSH is what works well for many patients - regardless of synthetic or natural desiccated thyroid meds.

See BrucerGoldberg's recent post also. There is a post by me this morning on the ringing issue so many thyroid patients have with their conditions.

[Brucergoldberg]

Pben,

I have gone through the same thing.  My ears started ringing 4 days after i started taking my levothyroixine.  I have switched to a couple of different brands but did not have any luck on the changes.   I can totally relate to what you are going through.

I have stopped taking the meds completely.  I still have the high pitch ring and my eyes burn quite a bit almost like allergy eyes. I have horrible anxiety.  

I am wondering if it could be from the t3 that is in the armour causing this, or in my case the t4 being converted to t3?  

Please keep us posted.

[pben89]

Hi I am back, Its been 1 mth now that I have been taking armour thyroid 30mg daily.  I still feel my balance is off, my focous feels like when you first get a pair of new eyeglasses, sleepy, recently now I have ringing of ears.  Everyone around says my facial expression looks like if I was on an illegal downer drug.  I dont smile much and its hard somedays to go to work.  Tomorrow I am going back to my endocrine doctor to have my labs checked out.  I will post all lab results.  Has anyone felt the same way when the  tsh, t3 and t4 levels are normal?  I hope I get better.  The ENT doctor only recommended me to go to balance training.  As my ENT doc said to me the other day we did a million dollar workup the only thing we found out is that my balance is off.
I hope this nightmare goes already.  It has affected my family also seeing me like this.  I dont go to the gym any more because I feel that I might fall.

[stella5349]

Are you splitting the Armour thyroid 2 times a day?

The ratios of the T3 and T4 in Armour thyroid are set at a different ratio than what the human body produces so if you are taking it all at once the spike and dip of taking in these ratios can react.

15mgs of Armour thyroid is the most common increase we NDT users feel work best. So with you taking 30mgs all at once those symptoms above are usually there at one point of the day and for a few hours.

You can remain on that dosage if you chose and things will even out soon but those symptoms can be hard to deal with until it balances out.