NEED GUIDANCE: Synthroid & Anxiety/Insomnia

sweetpotato13

Hi Rose!

Sorry your meds are affecting you that much. I know others on the board take Armour, maybe they will tell you about their experiences.

For such a high TSH, and the fact that you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis (that explains the antibodies, I have it too....) I am surprised that you are on such a low dosage of medication. Are you seeing an endocrinologist, or is your primary doctor prescribing this? My advice is to go to a specialist. Sorry I can't help you about your anxiety and sleeplessness issue....

ThyroidRose

Thanks sweet potato. I tried an endocrinologist that I ended up not caring for, so I am back at my primary care doctor. I'm on such a low dose because I cannot tolerate the medication even at the smallest amount. I guess I will try to look into alternative thyroid meds.

midwest1

My own reaction to Synthroid isn't common at all. I've only seen it reported here once or twice in the whole time I've been here. Yours sounds similar. If you have little to no anxiety/insomnia problems until you take Synthroid, you may be like me.

I started out on Synthroid 75 mcgs. Within a month, my anxiety and muscle pain was through the roof. Retesting found the dose too high; it had elevated my free T4 above range, causing the symptoms. The dose was reduced to 50 mcg, which is considered the lowest therapeutic dose. The side effects continued, and retesting found the free T4 still too high. The prescribing MD said there was nothing to fix it, that I was "hypersensitive" to the Synthroid and would have to go untreated until my body could "tolerate" it. I was unwilling to remain sick just because that brand of thyroid med is the only one that MD prescribes.

I consulted an MD who practices with a naturopathic philosophy who prescribed Armour thyroid for me. I had no "hyper" reaction at all to the modest starting dose, so he gradually raised it until I was taking a full dose and my symptoms were relieved. Apparently, my body sees it as a more gentle formula.

If you've been trying genuine Synthroid brand, my suggestion is to try another brand-name levothyroxine (Unithroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, Tirosint, e.g.) or switch to natural porcine thyroid like Armour, NP, Nature-throid, or WP. It can be hard to find MDs willing to prescribe natural thyroid, but for me, it was necessary.
Note though, that this is my experience with natural thyroid; it may or may not be yours.

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"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Abraham Lincoln
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ThyroidRose

Thanks Midwest. I must admit to being a nervous/anxious person by nature but normally do not have any issues sleeping. This insomnia is like I drank 3 cups of coffee before bed, it's a very "wired" feeling.

I really feel like the Synthroid is causing me to have other hyperthyroidism symptoms as well. Hot flashes and trips to the bathroom have become the norm. UGH!

I am thinking of seeing a holistic MD in my area, I'm glad to hear you have had success with the same. I will certainly ask about other medications, as I don't think Synthroid is the one for me.

Thank you for your response!