Synthroid for Underactive Thyroid User Reviews (Page 2)

• Luc...
• August 30, 2016

"MUST be taken at night - and it absolutely seems to work for me. No more brain fog - and for someone who was always a go-getter - the brain fog was devastating. No more night sweats either. Those were the worst."

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2010

"I've been on Synthroid (Levothyroxine) for about a year and a half now. They've changed my dose 4 times so far and I'm currently at 100 mcg. Once they keep me on a dose for a bit, I feel okay, but with every change I have a few annoying side effects. I can say that if you take it every day like you're supposed to, it will work eventually. You have to be patient, it won't make you feel great right away. It took me about 3 months. But it helped with my lethargy, weight, and even depression. It's pretty good if you take it as prescribed. If you stop taking it suddenly, the effects of hypothyroidism come back pretty quickly and severely, so I recommend taking it as your doctor states."

• Lov...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 12, 2018

"Originally, my doctor put me on Levothyroxine when I first had symptoms of hypothyroidism. I continued to have the symptoms and ended up putting on a total of 43 lb! I then asked to see an endocrinologist and begged them to put me on Nature-Throid. Due to my persistence, they put me on 82.75 mcg of Nature-Throid. After 3 weeks of it in my system, I began to have energy again, stomach aches went away, slept better, and was able to work out daily again! My new endocrinologist insisted that Synthroid was better than Nature-Throid, so I will switch to Synthroid. Unfortunately, stomach aches and fatigue came back. Synthroid and Levothyroxine don't help."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2016

"I was taking Levothyroxin 50mcg for the past 3 months. My initial TSH was 13 when I started Levo; within 2 months, my TSH dropped to 2.5. Although my levels were normal, I continued to have some fatigue, sleepiness upon waking, night sweats, facial flushing, anxiety, and horrible brain fog. I decided to try my sample of Synthroid 50mcg and within a week, the brain fog, night sweats, and sleepiness were gone! I wake up with the most energy I have ever had! I am still experiencing some anxiety and facial flushing which we are monitoring, but overall Synthroid is working for me! I am 32 years old and 9 months postpartum. I also take my dose at night, hours after dinner."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2009

"I was born without a thyroid and I've been taking Synthroid every night. I'm only 13. I have to tell you this is the best thing ever. If I didn't have this medication, I would be barely alive. I wouldn't be this tall either (5'7). This medicine is my lifeline."

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2017

"My doctor prescribed Levothyroxine for low thyroid, and I had been feeling so tired and wiped out. Levothyroxine did help improve my numbers (TSH of 7.5 dropped to 4.5), but I felt awful on it. Everything hurt, and I was so exhausted. After 3 months on Levothyroxine, I asked to try the brand name Synthroid. What a difference! It improved my numbers even more (same dose, TSH decreased to 1.75), and not only that, I felt better. I had energy. My experience is night and day. I know generics are supposed to be equivalent, but I can tell you there is a difference. Synthroid brand works so much better than Levothyroxine. Recommended."

• Anonymous
• February 20, 2012

"Have been taking thyroid medicines for 10 years. I found that the generic version is not absorbed as well as Synthroid. Went back to the brand name a few days ago and am no longer tired, and my period finally stopped after 3 continuous weeks. 10 on the scale for sure!"

• Ted...
• July 31, 2016

"I feel awful! I have been on this drug for 6 weeks. I have so many side effects. 1. Very tired (no energy). 2. Nausea. 3. Headache. 4. Can't sleep (even if I take a sleeping pill). 5. Always feel hot. 6. Sweating. 7. Clammy skin (have to have the fan on all the time). I live in Canada so it's not that hot. Never felt so sick."

• Cat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 27, 2020

"I have been on Synthroid since 1993. Prior to starting it, I couldn't lose weight no matter what I did. It was and is the help I needed. After being on Synthroid for about a decade, my insurance requested I switch to a generic. After a couple of months, my TSH levels were no longer balanced, and my dose was increased. After nearly a year of no control, no matter what dose I was on, my levels and symptoms wouldn't stabilize. My doctor and I realized the change happened when I was switched to the generic. It took several months back on the Synthroid before I was stable again. No more generics for me, now it's my wallet getting lighter because of how expensive it is. But at least my levels are stable."

• Amy...
• August 13, 2016

"Diagnosed with Graves' disease, my thyroid was radiated and destroyed. Put on Synthroid, took a while to get dosage right, but I have been on it for 8 years now and without it, I would want to die. I take 100 mcg a day, and I set my phone alarm to go off at the same time every day so I won't forget it."

• Str...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 1, 2015

"Since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1999. First, I was given antidepressants for being tired and gaining weight (eyeroll). I have been on 88mcg of Synthroid daily. My blood work has always come back with my TSH at the high end of normal. Former doctor retired years ago, so no continuum of care (walk-in clinic). Recently, a new doctor suggested we adjust meds to bring down the TSH level. Started with 100mcg of Levothyroxine 5 days & Synthroid 88 - 2 days a week. In a few months' time, I suffered some pretty severe side effects - extreme dizziness/weakness, lack of energy, mood extremes, weight is either climbing or stagnant, racing pulse/heart rate. We checked levels, and now TSH reads at the extreme low end of normal. I'm scared, please help."

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2011

"The only confirmation I have that it works is my blood work. I feel no better or worse on Synthroid. It is very annoying to take. You have to take it in the morning, on an empty stomach, no food for an hour. And for some, no calcium for two hours. Tell me, how do you eat breakfast with this medicine!? It does work though, so I gave it an 8."

• pli...
• October 25, 2009

"I have taken Synthroid for 23 years. The first 3 years I did okay on it but over the past 20, I started to feel lousy. I'm tired all the time and very irritable. I've taken from 0.050 MG to 0.125. I still feel bad. It's been adjusted at least 30 to 35 times throughout the course of 23 years. I feel totally helpless and hopeless. My doctor will not change my thyroid medication."

• Art...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 21, 2018

"I have been on Synthroid for 12 years, and I have had no side effects. I only have good things to say about this drug. However, when you start, blood tests are essential to determine the right dosage. You must take it on an empty stomach and have no food for about an hour. Also, you need to keep the Synthroid level constant in your blood system. If you skip a day or two, it is like you have to start over to get back to the dosage you were prescribed. This drug works. Use it as your Dr. tells you to and have blood tests on a regular basis."

• Anonymous
• July 3, 2008

"I have been taking Synthroid for about eight years now. I have tried the generic Levoxothyrine, and it makes me shaky all over even at the same dosage. My history has been going from hyperthyroid, caused by thyroiditis, to hypothyroid afterwards. I take my dose religiously every morning, 1 hour before breakfast. Even in light of this, I seem to have great fluctuations in my levels. I assume this is more a physiological problem than that of the medication. When we get it leveled out, I feel well."

• KFS...
• April 13, 2011

"I have been on Synthroid for over 8 years and have actually gained weight. I have a very healthy lifestyle (exercise for one hour 5 days a week, and eat healthy), but nothing has been working. My endocrinologist consistently increases my prescription and nothing changes. Next time I see her I am going to get on Armour."

• Nan...
• January 23, 2016

"Before Synthroid, I was achy and tired. Now I have headaches, bloating, stomach pain, loose stools, and the feeling of being in a fog. I'm only on day 4 of the lowest dose cut in half. I'm stopping it. I was put on it before and it made my heart go to sinus tach, but the new doctor insisted I try it again! Hell no! I felt better before the medication!"

• Mar...
• June 17, 2021

"I have taken Synthroid (branded) since 2005 (dose .075) with no issues or side effects, have kept annual notes on TSH, T3, T4 test results since that date. Recently, my TSH dropped to .25 with T3 and T4 in normal range. Doc switched me to .50 from .075 because my TSH was low. The side effects were absolutely awful for 5 weeks, with the worst being muscular pain throughout my whole body, afraid my legs would give out. I stopped taking it after 5 weeks for 2 days while waiting to see Doc to see what’s happening. Within 1.5 days, the symptoms relieved without any pain medication. I believe there is some change to the drug and have contacted AbbVie (waiting for an answer) to see if the fillers (which are numerous) have been changed from 1 dosage to another. If you are having any side effects, you must call them and report it, especially if they are long-term or severe as mine were. I am back on .075 with no issues... something is wrong here. Will keep posted."

• jrb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2020

"I had a partial thyroidectomy in 2007. I've been on generic Levo 88 mcg for about 10 years now. Maybe it would be different had I been started on Synthroid from the get-go, but I've tried Synthroid two times, once at 75 mcg and this week at 88 mcg, and the results were the same. Within three days, I had muscle weakness, muscle spasms, more pain in my neck, and extreme fatigue. Regulation mandates 95-105% of the active ingredient be present. I've taken Unithroid 88 mcg, and I never had the extreme symptoms like with Synthroid. I steer clear of this med because I can't afford to miss another week of pay fiddling around with it. Generic and Unithroid aren't perfect, but at least I can function."

• CMI...
• March 6, 2012

"I've been taking Synthroid for about 3 years. I had to have radiation on my thyroid because they couldn't control levels. It just would go real low then extremely high. I'm on 300 mg taking Monday through Saturday. I'm feeling better but it takes a long time before they find the right dosage."

• Miz...
• October 27, 2014

"Had partial thyroid removal with benign tumor 30+ years ago, was OK until about 2 years ago and routine bloodwork showed low thyroid. After 2 years being OK on the medication, suddenly the thyroid levels are dropping again, hair falling out, skin is breaking out in itchy red welts, gaining weight, so Dr. upped the dosage. A couple of weeks on a higher dose I feel like I am 'wired' in high gear, can't sit still, talking to myself going in circles, and my hot flashes have really, really ramped up big time. Dr. says to give it at least 60, preferably 90 days to adjust, not sure I can hold out that long before stopping it. Hoping there is a better solution out there someplace."

• Aya...
• December 6, 2017

"I used Synthroid (25, 50, or 75) for over more than 10 years, but had to use the original, not the generic, because the generic does not work in some people. I've not been operated on, but for over 2 years, I've been using NatureThroid (32.5) instead, which was recommended by my ND, and I have to say that all my side effects that Synthroid caused had gone. I almost lost all my hair and had terrible heartbeats, headaches, joint pains, etc. I do not have Hashimoto, and really don't know if it works for people with this condition, but I tried NatureThroid, and I am very happy with the results."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2009

"I've been taking Synthroid for a few years and it has really helped. My dose has gone up several times. I can really tell a change in how I feel now compared to before I was taking it. I tried the generic and it actually made me feel worse, so I am taking the name brand only."

• Thi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2017

"After seeing my OB for some problems with menstruation, I was sent for about 10 different blood tests to check my hormone levels. Let's just say that we found the source of my problem and I was referred to an endocrinologist. She wanted to repeat my TSH level because she said that being at 3.65 was a little high for someone my age. So I went back within 4 weeks to get retested and my TSH was 10.36, and I was feeling it. I was so tired I could barely get out of bed. My headaches were out of control, and I gained about 10 lbs in a month's time. I just started 75 mg Synthroid a few days ago, so I'm feeling optimistic. I feel once we get my pituitary adenoma, thyroid, and my vitamin D under control, I'll be so much better. ADVICE: listen to your body."

• kit...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2017

"I was put on Synthroid 1 year after telling my endocrinologist (he was taking care of my type 1 diabetes) that I think I have low thyroid (it runs in my family). After a year, he finally tested my TSH, which was high, and put me on Synthroid. My TSH came back fine, but I told him my hair was still thinning, my nails were still brittle, my stomach was still swollen, and I got every bug that was within 100 miles. I also developed total exhaustion and only left the house for doctor appointments. I went from 103 lbs. to 130 lbs. He put me on a higher dose and switched me to Levothyroxine (generic for Synthroid), which caused a rash and itching on my face, then on the rest of my body, it felt like a ball in my throat. Changing doctors now."