Can you become depressed tired agitated just plain out not feeling good
Levothyroxine - What are the effects if you stop taking your thyroid medicine for 2-3 weeks?
Question posted by Bluerosemoon on 3 Nov 2014
Last updated on 10 April 2022
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
35 Answers
Mariaagui
2 Jan 2022
I was diagnosed in 1991 after I had my 4th child , started levothyroxine, in 2001 I moved out of state stopped meds , went through lots of depression but lost weight felt good besides the depression but I know it was cause of my divorce. I started gaining weight in 2015 and went from 200 lbs (5'8 height) to now 255lbs I'm 55 yrs. With so many symptoms I thought it was my thyroid but got tomography scan and have empty sella , problems with pituary gland that is causing my symptoms headaches , weight gain , insomnia body aches ect. Pituary gland controls all of your glands specifically thyroid, look for it on internet and learn more , also there is ways to stimulate your thyroid naturally and natural remedies for hypothyroid . I ask myself if thyroid meds are so cheap then it's not our only survival method like cancer , HIV , ect... treatments , educate yourself about your health and illnesses always .
tammyrena
15 June 2021
I'm on 200mg Levothyroxine. I'm so tired everyday. I have anxiety everyday. My hair is so brittle. I get these unexplainable chest pains(palpitations) that really heighten my anxiety. I get so tired of feeling like this and each time I go to Dr. he has to make adjustments to my meds. When I miss taking the meds, I do feel better, but I'm so afraid if I don't take them something serious will happen. I need some type of alternative.
Deb1275
16 Feb 2021
I recently found this site after searching for information along the same lines. I went off my thyroid meds for hypothyroid for four months. Hadn’t felt that good in many years. I only went back on them because I started to have some bladder issues. My dr didn’t think that had anything g to do with it. She kept doing my blood work and yes the numbers went up and up but I still felt great. She said I should go with how I feel. Now back in them for almost year I, not sleeping at night starting to sweat at night And not feeling good. I’ve been back off then two days and immediately feel better. I’m not sure what to do what’s right. It was good to hear it wasn’t just me that felt better off them. I don’t know the answer but thought medicine should make you feel better not worse.
VALSEC27
10 April 2022
I had a parathyroid tumor removed a year ago. Felt great but was told by my local endo to stay on .75 mcgs of Levoxyl. I have started losing weight, heart racing and palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, shaky, hair loss, dry skin... all within the last several months. I can't find an endocrinologist to even see me for several months and I am truly scared. Today is my second day of not taking the Levoxyl... I actually feel better this morning... could I no longer need the Levoxyl? Wish I could talk to someone.
PatMac2362
20 July 2019
Lethargy, withdrawal (socially when free), foggy mind, depression due to lack of engagement and productivity
Deni02
12 May 2019
I still have my thyroid. Was diagnosed with hypothyroid 5 years ago. I've stopped taking my medicine as I couldn't sleep at night without taking a nighttime OTC sleep help. I haven't had to use that since I've stopped so I'm hopeful this was what was causing my not sleeping.
AndreaM2018
5 Nov 2018
It is so amazing we are all feeling this way. I have days where once in blue moon I forget to take mine. I have had this disease since 13 years of age, and now I am 41. I have noticed the times I do not take it, I am not as lethargic, and I actually have energy. It is weird because it is supposed to give you energy. I think the levothyroxine is at fault for keeping me overweight and even when eating correctly or excersizing, it does not help me lose at all. I take about 125mcg. I started with actual Synthroid years ago but now they do these generics claiming they do the same. But who knows. I think there is scheming going on in the pharmaceuticals business, in order to keep the population sick to keep money in their pockets, as well as the doctors. And of course you will get sick after not taking something because your body has become dependent on it like a street drug. However this pill is not desirable and makes me feel like crap all the time.
I am just experimenting to see the difference. Yesterday and today I feel more awake and alert and actually have will to do things around my house. I never can when I come home and the minute I sit down I am toast. I am not sure what to do really right now since I cannot afford my month insurance and the out of pocket cost has risen.
Cecil Madison
16 Sep 2018
I have been out of this medication for 10 days
an called my Doc, she will
see me in too day will I be OK.
Megs3779
11 July 2018
I had a total thyroidectomy 20 years ago due to graves disease. I have been forced to go 2 or 3 days at a time without synthroid on a couple of occasions and my body swelled. My face in particular. I had NO energy and could barely walk to the bathroom. Every time I stood up I got the spins. I felt like I was dying and looking back, I don't think that I was too far from it. So maybe it's because I don't have a thyroid at all and it sounds like most of you have at least partial thyroid. But it's certainly not something that I'm willing to mess around with. Taking one little pill for the rest of my life to keep me alive really isn't so bad. Also, I agree with the person who commented on the price. It's dirt cheap if you have to pay cash. Why take a risk with your health over $10 or $20?
Venus Durr
10 July 2018
Your gonna feel horrible.I'm sorry,my name is Venus and I grave's disease ,basically another word overactive thyroid gland.I still have my good and bad days tho,irritable, fluid, headaches.
James Hayward
22 April 2018
How do I control my how do I control how do I control my digestive tract depression and lack of energy I will do anything
Marcia Visker
2 March 2018
Because of a change in mail order pharmacy and a mix up, I have not had my thyroid meds for 3 weeks and I have a week to go. What reactions should I look for?
Angelaheading
25 Dec 2017
I had my thyroids taken out and said i had cancer and now i have to take a I131 pill and they told me to stop taking my thyroid pill and i cant take it again until after febuary when im done with the treatment. Whats the side affects of going off the pill for so long
WildcatVet
24 Aug 2017
*Hypothyroidism
Levothyroxine withdrawal may cause hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism causes weight gain, fatigue, depression and sensitivity to cold because your body does not have enough thyroid hormone so your body processes slow down. Patients with thyroid cancer may suffer acute hypothyroidism because of levothyroxine withdrawal.
Thyroid cancer patients stop or reduce their dosages of levothyroxine before follow-up or diagnostic procedures. Reducing your dosage or stopping altogether can cause depression and increased anxiety, according to a study published in December 2005 in the “European Journal of Endocrinology.” The study found that there is a consistent pattern of increased anxiety of around 44 percent and depression of around 17 percent in patients undergoing levothyroxine withdrawal.
Insulin Resistance
Thyroid hormones help in the modulation of glucose metabolism, your body’s insulin response to blood sugar. Levothyroxine withdrawal can cause a state of insulin resistance, according to a study published in the June 2009 issue of “Thyroid.” Four patients were tested after six weeks of levothyroxine withdrawal and were found to have a significant degree of insulin resistance, which resulted in reduced glucose disposal -- how fast your body stabilizes blood sugar. Blood glucose affects your body’s energy level and ability to burn fat.
Dry Skin
Another symptom of levothyroxine withdrawal is pale or dry skin. The moisture content of the skin is affected by the reduced amount of hormone available, which also causes hypothyroidism. In addition, other physical effects include dry brittle nails and hair loss.*
MistyLB
24 Aug 2017
Well, I'll watch for these symptoms, but I've always had dry skin, brittle hair and nails, and going through menopause too, I've noticed changes, but these changes started at least a year ago.
I'll keep tabs and since my GP has retired I'll check with a new doc down the road.
WendyCarroll
28 Nov 2017
I'm growing very suspicious of drugs. I began with a diagnosis of diabetes and I was put on metformin. After about 6 months I developed side effects that caused me to stop taking that and instead controlling diabetes with diet and exercise.
However, I then was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Hmm, connected to the metformin? Anyway, I only found out about the hypothyroidism because I was losing my hair and my hairdresser (who has thyroid cancer) told me it's very common in these parts and I should be checked. So, okay, I get the diagnosis and am put on Levothyroxine.
Now, it gets ugly. The doctor's assistant (not the doctor ) gives me a very high dosage of lexothyroxine. So much so that the pharmacist is concerned. "Have you been on this before?" and "If you notice heart palpitations or anything get to the ER." It seems the doctor's assistant's strategy is to start really high and then taper down. Sheesh.
So after four or five adjustments, I'm on 100 mg. But I'm experiencing extreme weight gain when I had expected weight loss (increased metabolism). I also have stomach discomfort that comes and goes but is certainly daily - or I should say nightly as it seems to bother me when I'm sleeping. I'm sleepy again and have memory loss.
I am going to see a new doctor who specializes in thyroid disorders and is big on finding natural solutions. The only issue is he isn't currently signed up to accept Medicare but hopes to be in a few months.
Having read the comments, I'm encouraged to stop taking the levothyroxine until I can see him . I swear Ii do believe the metformin triggered the hypothyroidism. Until now I've been in excellent health. Very cautious about drugs at this point.
I'd love some updates from other posters here. How has your struggle been going?
Jackies Grandbaby
31 March 2018
So my granddaughter has down syndrome and autism. Her parents ran out about 8 days ago. They also skip days often. She seems to always have a cold would that have any thing to do with it
Nicci1619
2 Nov 2018
I have both hypothyroidism and diabetes. My endocrinologist told me that they CAN (but not always) go hand in hand. Just passing around some info. Once I started levo, my diabetes was controlled without meds. Just being aware of what I eat made a world of difference. Hope this helps someone out there.
WildcatVet
2 Nov 2018
"Since the thyroid gland plays a central role in the regulation of metabolism, abnormal thyroid function can have a major impact on the control of diabetes. In addition, untreated thyroid disorder can increase the risk of certain diabetic complications and can aggravate many diabetes symptoms. Luckily, abnormal thyroid function can easily be diagnosed by simple blood tests, and effective treatment is available. For all of these reasons, periodic screening for thyroid disorder should be considered in all people with diabetes."
"People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing thyroid disorder. In the general population, approximately 6% of people have some form of thyroid disorder. However, the prevalence of thyroid disorder increases to over 10% in people with diabetes.
Since people with one form of autoimmune disorder have an increased chance of developing other autoimmune disorders, people with Type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of autoimmune thyroid disorder. Up to 30% of women with Type 1 diabetes have some form of autoimmune thyroid disease. Postpartum thyroiditis, a form of autoimmune thyroid disease that causes thyroid dysfunction within a few months after delivery of a child, is three times more common in women with diabetes.
Although Type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune disorder, there have been many reports showing a higher occurrence of thyroid diseases, particularly hypothyroidism, among people with Type 2 diabetes. The association between Type 2 diabetes and thyroid disorder, however, remains unexplained."
"Abnormal thyroid function can have a major impact on diabetes control and increase a person’s risk of developing diabetic complications. Because of the complications that can result from untreated thyroid disorder, regular screening is recommended to allow early detection and treatment. For people with Type 1 diabetes, annual screening is advisable. For people with Type 2 diabetes, screening should be done at the time of diagnosis and then repeated every five years thereafter. The frequency of screening should increase with advancing age, since the incidence of thyroid disorder increases with age. For people over the age of 60, annual screening is recommended."
MistyLB
24 Aug 2017
I was diagnosed with low thyroid about fifteen years ago and put on levothyroxine. I never felt bad so I was surprised and the doc said I'd be feeling much better. Actually, the medication made me feel anxious and I soon after developed insomnia, though after many trials of stopping the med. my sleep didn't improve.
So now I've stopped taking it again, for the first time in ten years. It's been three weeks and I still feel fine. I've not gained or lost weight, my hair isn't falling out, I'm sleeping great, feeling rested. I go to the gym and do all of my favorite activities.
Of course, when I tell my doc she just tells me I need it and should stay on it, for the rest of my life.
What's the worst that can happen to me?
xskylass
7 Sep 2017
I have had my thyroid removed. I have all the side effects everyone on here talks about.
My energy has never returned. I take 1.25mcg of the crap. I wonder if I would feel better on a lower dose??? The Dr. does not tell me much of anything. I have learned more on the site.
Got to go get ready for the hurricane. I am in florida so please put me in your thoughts and prayers... Thanks Connie
Bgs2013
13 Sep 2017
I was wondering how you are doing if you are still off of your thyroid Medication? Been on medication now for 8 months and considering getting off of it!
MistyLB
17 Sep 2017
I'm still doing fine, feeling good
cherylinelkford
23 July 2017
I have gained weight as well. I can fall asleep at anytime and driving to work 70km each way it is hard to stay awake. I have been on 75mcg for one year. I was diagnosed in 2016 have a burst cyst removed from my ovary (and part of my ovary was removed as well). That surgery also initiated my period again after 13 years of not having one at all. I am going to stop my thyroid for a month and see what happens. I can't stand the weight gain. I have had eating disorders my whole life and gaining weight is the worst thing in the world to me.
Related topics
depression, levothyroxine, medicine, thyroid
Further information
- Levothyroxine uses and safety info
- Levothyroxine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Levothyroxine (detailed)
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