I have been using some alternative methods to improve thyroid function, and lab tests have shown it hasn't worked. I'm considering taking the docs advice and starting a thyroid medication. Is anyone on a thryoid medication? What are the side effects (negative)
Any info you can give would be appreciated. I have never taken an ongoing medication and am a bit nervous Getting older I guess.

By Nicki on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 04:37 pm:

I have hypothyroid and I'm taking Levoxyl. My doctor started me on a low dose and I am now up to 100mcg and my lab tests now come back as normal functioning. When I first started the medication, I remember having headaches for about a week while my body became used to the drug. I'm not aware of any bad side effects from the medication. I have read that it can cause thinning of the bones. This concerns me because osteoporosis runs in my family. Yet, I continue taking the Levoxyl because I feel so much better. The depression lifted, and the body aches diminished soon after I started the Levoxyl. I was really hoping my weight would go down, too, but I think that's up to me and a change in diet and exercise. Darn, lol.:-)
Good luck with your decision, Kym. You are wise to ask questions. I hope you're feeling better, soon.

By Sandysmom on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 04:57 pm:

I've been taking synthroid for years now and I really haven't noticed any side effects. I hope whatever you take works well for you.

By Karen~admin on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 06:02 pm:

I was on synthroid for a couple years in the mid 90's, I experienced no side effects whatsoever. I no longer need to take it. My sister has been taking it for years, and she's had no side effects.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 07:44 pm:

Is there some reason your doctor wants to prescribe Levoxyl instead of synthroid? Synthroid has been around for years and is, I think, in generic form now. I know my mom took it for at least 15 years if not longer.

My personal rule for medications is that unless my doctor has a very good reason for prescribing a relatively new drug (one that has been on the market for less than 5 years), instead of a medication that has been around a long time, I would rather take the drug that's been around a long time. I'm very leery of newer medications because of everything we have all read about the inadequacy of testing and the reluctance of manufacturers to report negative side effects until enough people suffer sufficiently drastic problems.

Synthroid has been proven for decades to be very effective for people with low thyroid activity and I wonder why some new drug would be better.

By Kym on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 08:00 pm:

Ginny, I'm actually not sure which one he wants to perscribe, I think you've got the posts confused I have an appointment next week to go over the options, I'm currently on no meds.

Karen, how were you able to go off? That is my biggest concern, besides possible hair loss, is that I'll have to take it forever. I've read it can raise heart rate, and cause anxiety and insomnia? I'd love to take it for a while and magically have a metabolism and no achey joints or painfully dry skin!!

Nicki, yeah I hear it rarely "causes" weight loss or in some it's excessive and dangerous, we could only be so lucky huh?

Sandy, do you feel markedly better?

Thanks ladies, any more info is appreciated.

By Hol on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 08:48 pm:

I, too, take Synthroid and have for six years. It took a while to get the dose right, but it made a world of difference. I was started on the lowest dose, .025mg, and now am up to .075. The doctor had to add Cytomel for me, though. It is T3 where Synthroid and Levoxyl are T4. Some people's bodies don't convert T4 to T3 like they are supposed to do, and I am one of them. I was always sub-clinical hypothyroid, but when I went through menopause, the symptoms became much more apparent. My endochronologist (who I also work for) says that the lowering of estrogen in menopausal women will often exacerbate hypothyroidism.

There is nothing to be afraid of. All levothyroxine does is REPLACE what you are deficient in. It is a very safe drug, and has been around a long time.

Ginny, Levoxyl is just another brand name competitor of Synthroid. Both are levothyroxine. My doctor does not endorse using generics for this med. Because there are many drug companies manufacturing the generics, she said that the quality control and consistency of dose cannot be guaranteed. It is better to spend the little extra and get the brand for such an important drug. As meds go, it is relatively inexpensive.

I, too, felt much better after taking it. The mental "fogginess" lifted, I felt stronger and slept better. I, too, had body aches when my throid was too low. I get bone density scans done every other year to watch for osteoporosis. I am shrinking a little in height (not in width, I'm afraid), but that would happen anyway from 59 years of gravity pulling on my body.

Synthroid didn't cause me to lose weight, but it makes it easier to lose, and I don't have the steady gain. When I went through menopause, I gained thirty pounds quite rapidly with no change in diet or exercise. I, too, had been cold all the time and had dry skin. That got much better. I also have nicer, thicker hair and better nails than I've ever had.

By Sandysmom on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 09:20 pm:

Yeah, I did feel a little better, but it didn't help me where weight is concerned. However, I've been having to up my doses lately and i have a few nodules that need to be watched. I have PCOS too so that just aggravtes my symptoms.

By Hol on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 11:22 pm:

Sandy - Does you doctor treat your PCOS with Metformin? The endo I work for has had good success with it. It is actually a diabetes drug.

By Sandysmom on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 07:38 am:

I have taken metformin but I don't like the side effects. I should probably start taking it again.

By Karen~admin on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 09:04 am:

Kym, I had 2 *female* surgeries in 14 months. After my hysterectomy, my thyroid was *sluggish* - I was lethargic, had no energy, was rapidly putting on the pounds. My doc put me on synthroid, then some time later, re-ran the blood work. It appeared to be normal so I stopped taking it. I know every situation is different, this was just *my* story.

By Kym on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 12:55 pm:

Thanks Karen, we were hoping my levels would change too, I started a Testosterone HRT about 18 months ago and have wonderful results, except the tyroid, my is sluggish as well, barely off the charts then, and is the same now, so doc is wanting to try. The acceptable levels have really come down, and they are finding women are really responding to more agressively treating the "barely off the charts" gals

Thanks Hol, that helps me so much. I'm really not looking for a weight solution, but just to feel better and hoping that the thyroid coupled with the testosterone will do the trick It kinda sucks getting older.........but there are lots of benefits too!!

By Kym on Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:43 am:

An Update, I started taking Nature Throid on Monday 1 gram a day (1/2 twice daily). It too works on T3 and T4. I took my docs checklist of 40ish symptoms/signs and I had about 30, and my number had increased almost one point since Jan of last year, so I'm sure it's a good choice. I go back in for blood work on Sept 14th to see if it's the right dose. Can't say I feel anything different as of now, but it does take some time to "start working".
I feel OK about taking it, but do have a little anxiety about taking something everyday, this is my first perscription Guess I'm growing up!LOL