Synthroid side effects

[hollyhock]

Has anyone ever had joint pain as a side effect of Synthroid? (I totally just typed "joint paint", ha.)

 

I'm on a pretty low dose (50 mcg) and about two months after beginning this dose, I started having pain in my hands that has increased over the last 3 months. About the same time, I also started experiencing premature ventricular contractions, and although my doctors are all aware that I am on Synthroid, none of them seem at all concerned that it could be related.

 

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what you did about it.

[UCF612]

I take Levothyroxine.  I will once every few months have the joints in my hands stiffen up.  It feels really really weird but it doesn't happen often enough that I'm concerned about it.  Definitely didn't coincide with my thyroid medication start.  However, I was just talking to a friend about the heart thing.  She said she has palpitations since starting her meds.  I have had that once in awhile but again it hasn't been often enough for me to really be concerned.  

[gardenmom5]

I'm in process of switching from 75mcg levothyroxin (generic version synthroid) to naturthroid (generic of armour).  I've had to switch drs to do it.

 

I'm currently taking the OTC emerald laboratories thyroid (contains desicated bovine thryoid) - and feel *alot* better than I did on the levo. (I told my dr all about this - and she STILL didn't run the tests I asked.  so, I switched drs.)

 

has anyone done a thryoid panel? 

FREE t3 and t4?  not total, not "just" tsh, etc. but FREE? it would tell what your numbers really are on the rx, and how your body is using it.

Edited March 11, 2016 by gardenmom5

[Ravin]

Nope, and I've been on levothyroxine for 27 years.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Ravin

[hollyhock]

Yup, my numbers are perfect, free T3 and T4 included. That's why it seems so weird.

[abacus2]

http://www.mayoclinic.org/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/faq-20057789

 

Joint pain is a symptom of hypothyroidism. I don't know if synthroid affects it, other than the fact that under-treated hypothyroidism will have more symptoms than effectively treated hypothyroidism.

[HSmomof2]

I've taken synthroid for many years. I do get joint pain and occasional palpitations from either my ferritin level being low or needing my synthroid dose adjusted. Usually, it's the low ferritin.

[Ellie]

I'm in process of switching from 75mcg levothyroxin (generic version synthroid) to naturthroid (generic of armour).  I've had to switch drs to do it.

 

I'm currently taking the OTC emerald laboratories thyroid (contains desicated bovine thryoid) - and feel *alot* better than I did on the levo. (I told my dr all about this - and she STILL didn't run the tests I asked.  so, I switched drs.)

 

has anyone done a thryoid panel? 

FREE t3 and t4?  not total, not "just" tsh, etc. but FREE? it would tell what your numbers really are on the rx, and how your body is using it.

 

NatureThroid is not a generic of Armour. But it is my miracle drug, lol. Almost 5 grains, and I feel like a new person. :-)

[kewb]

No, I have yet to experienced any synthroid side effects. I have been taking synthroid for 39 years. As a side note, holy moly when did I get so old

 

I hope you find the cause.

[Tap]

Thyroid issues have some known associated health problems.

 

Taking a thyroid replacement typically doesn't have side effects, because you are replacing something your body needs, and isn't getting. Some people feel that they have better absorption by using different brands, but the vast majority of people do great on just a basic generic L-thyroxine from the pharmacy.

 

Most discomforts that are related to thyroid issues are resolved when you get to the appropriate dose for your body, AND take the medication appropriately (away from other meds, same time of day, same amount/lack of food in stomach).  Symptoms felt by patients as they are adjusting thyroid medications are typically rooted in the health issue/medication inconsistency and not the thyroid replacement. As patients move through the different doses and the levels change in their body, they can experience different symptoms of their thyroid disorder (or severity of the same symptoms), but they aren't actually side effects of the medication.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Tap

[J-rap]

I've been taking it for about 20 years, and have not experienced that or any other unusual symptom, that I can tell.

[gardenmom5]

Yup, my numbers are perfect, free T3 and T4 included. That's why it seems so weird.

 

"perfect" numbers are a range.  what is "perfect" for one, may or may not be the same.  "perfect" for you - doesn't have symptoms.

 

e.g. there is one brain chemical for which dudelings levels are the in sub-basement (his drs words), they're so low.  we tried supplementing to get them to a more normal level - and he was better off with no supplementation - even though his numbers were well below norm.

 

or as one dr was explaned  to a collegue (whose dd was rather ill) - when she feels good and isn't trying to kill the nurses - that's a good dose. FORGET ABOUT the fact according to the labs - her numbers are bad.

 

levo is only half the thyroid, I feel better doing a whole thyroid supplement because it brings up all the numbers.

[Pawz4me]

I had lots of joint pain and heart flutters before starting levothyroxine.  But the medication improved things tremendously.  I still have some issues, but I can't blame it all on my thyroid -- I have some arthritis and mitral valve prolapse.

[Soror]

I'd guess that you need an increased dose, sounds like hypo symptoms- just b/c they say they are "in-range" and "perfect" doesn't mean they are, a lot of times they don't even test the right stuff.

[umsami]

Never had that symptom, but when my thryoid meds are off, my hair starts to hurt.  (Weird, I know...but it's been proven true via blood work every time!)

[Ellie]

Yup, my numbers are perfect, free T3 and T4 included. That's why it seems so weird.

 

Are they optimnal?

 

[Momling]

No problem here on synthroid. I'd be surprised if it has anything to do with joints. I think it's easy to make a connection between taking a drug and a side effect when really you would have some joint pain regardless of whether you were on synthroid or not.

[gardenmom5]

Are they optimal?

 

 

My DO wouldn't even test "free t3 /t4".

only after I started the emerald laboratories thyroid (with 350mg desiccated bovine thyroid) did my tsh drop to a reasonable level of 1.27.  

 

on "Just" the levo - I was around 3.9/4.  and she wouldn't increase my dose. 

 

oh - broccoli/cauliflower/cabbage/kale etc belong to a class that will slow the thyroid when eaten raw.  if they're blanched first, they're safe for your thyroid.

[hollyhock]

Yes, Ellie, they do fall in the optimal range, and they do test my free T3 and T4 every time.

 

Thanks for the replies. There is a lot of backstory to this post and I have some work to do now. Basically, I don't even know if I am hypothyroid or not. I was not put on Synthroid for hypothyroidism and I need to go back to the doctor who put me on it and re-evaluate everything that's happening. I know that's vague but it's a really long story. 

 

I know it's unlikely for it to cause side effects, but if I don't even need to be on it, it's concerning to me that I've developed these symptoms. I know it could also be that I actually need more medication and not less. Need to make an appointment.