Levothyroxine / Underactive thyroid

[Misty77]

I've bene on 25mcg of Levothyroxine for an underactive thyroid for the past 3 weeks. Since I've been on the tablets I've had a permenant headache and stiff neck, and worst of all memory problems. My doc tells me its nothing to worry about but I'm fretting. I'm seriously thinking of just coming off the tablets because I feel she's just palming me off. Does anyone lese have experience of this ?

[shaneystar2]

I take 150 mcg a day for underactive thyroid .I have been on Levothyroxine now for about eighteen months .I started on 75 mcg but the dose has been upped to get the levels right . I have had had no side effects whatsoever and feel like a fairly normal human being again after being quite ill with the wretched thing .
25mcg is a very low dose so you must be just above borderline. Borderline is touch and go . It does take time to get the levels right and you should be monitored every three months until they get it correct.To much and you become hyper ..too little and it has no effect.
If your doctor has prescribed you this medication then please persevere ....it doesn't pay to mess about with thyroid medication .
If you are unhappy then seek a second opinion or insist on your GP giving you further tests.
Hope you soon feel better.

[quinah]

Hi,
I have been on tyroxine for the last 10 yrs or more, and I can't remember having any side effects like yours. I agree with the last poster - go back and see your doctor, even ask for another test to see how you levels are doing.
Hope you get it right soon.

[Andyvon]

Hi Misty,

My wife has been on Levothyroxine for about 7 years now for an undeactive thyroid. She has just been stabilised on 175mg after having been up to 250mg for the last couple of years. That is a high dose and my wife is less than 5 feet tall and under 8 stone but she has never had any noticable side effects. Your 25mg is a very low dose indeed and I would be surprised if you had any bad effects at that level. However, you may be having a reaction if your body is sensitive to the medicine.

The doctor has obviously started you off on a very low dose and will increase it if necessary after regular blood tests. I would suggest you stick with it for a while as your problems just might be down to something else.