Well here I am posting about how awful I feel after being on Synthroid(levothroid) for a little over a month. I have been on Armour/Naturethroid for almost a year without any problems at all, as far as thyroid meds go anyway. I was doing fine on the levothroid which my ND prescribed to me.(Hashmoto's protocol which she states works). Then I skipped a couple of doses of the levothroid and things have gotten pretty bad. I feel kind of dizzy/spacey and tired. I have to now take it at night since it really knocks me out. I woke up this morning and it felt like the room was spinning. I have been feeling like this since Tuesday and it seems like it is getting progressively worse.
I spoke to my ND on Thursday and she said that this is a normal way to feel while on this. I don't know if it will go away or what is happening. I really do want to put this Hashimoto's into remission and if this works that is great but I feel pretty bad in the mean time.
My ND's plan is to have me on the levothroid for 3 months, then switch back to the Naturethroid because she said she doesn't like having anyone on the levothroid at all but it works for the Hashimoto's treatment if you switch from one to the other then back again.
I guess I shouldn't have skipped those doses or maybe my body is feeling the full effects of it after being on it for 4 weeks.
Can Synthroid(levothroid) make you feel like this for awhile until your body adjusts or what the heck is going on??
Thanks,
Bev

I've never had a problem with Synthroid. I'm up to .088 now. I started on a lower dose a few years ago.

Are you still on the Armour, too??? Maybe that's the problem??

I take 175mcg of levothroid without the Armour. I can't figure all of this out!!

Everyone is different and what may be good for one person isn't necessarily good for another.

Perhaps the dosage is too high? This warrants further investigation. Please talk to your doctor again. Maybe you should get bloodwork done again to see if your levels have changed since starting the new med.

Why did you choose to stop the Armour? A lot of gals on this board said it works well for them. Just curious.

Bev,

How would you feel getting a second opinion? Or maybe have her show you the medical research or studies to back up her protocol.... never, never heard of this so I would be interested in seeing any studies. The thing that concerns me is that you are not getting any T3, and since your ferritin is so low, you may be having a conversion problem converting the T4 to the active T3. Has she even addressed your ferritin levels?

Good luck with this and keep us posted.

I always thought once we had Hashimoto's that we had it for life, but it can be controlled with diet and certain supplements to reduce the inflammation. And of course thyroid hormone replacement after we have become hypothyroid. The hormonal upheaval at meno is so hard on us w/ Hashimoto's since the endocrine system is supposed to work in sync.

Hope you are feeling much better very soon!!!!

hugs,
mood_swinger

Your guys are right, I do need to check into this further. It's just that I trusted her with what she was saying as she is a very smart person and deals with the whole person rather than covering up the one problem.
If I am having a T3 conversion probelm I think I should switch back to the Naturethroid as this dizziness/haze seems to be getting worse daily and I won't be able to talk with her until Wednesday. I really can't wait that long as I feel so bad. But then again she said I should be feeling like this, per her receptionist, but I really don't feel that this right and I should go with my gut instinct.
I will keep you posted as the saga contiunues.
Thanks for the help you guys,
Bev

Do you have any good references on the diet and supplements? Can it really go into remission, or, it's just biding time until I go permanently hypo? I'm thinking the latter.

I'm on 50 mcg (0.050 mg) Synthroid. My endocrinologist wonders why I even need it, since the value is so small. However, it does affect my TSH levels and I definitely feel much better using it.

I read the patient information sheet. 50 mcg is about 50% of the full replacement dosage, which should mean I'm doing a 50% replacement right now. From my perspective, anything I can do to help preserve my thyroid from working too hard is a good thing. Of course, I want to take the minimum amount needed. This is it.

As for the Hashimoto's and endocrine system working in sync, I fully agree. A few weeks ago, I needed to have about an hour of rest after I came home from work. I was totally non-functional until I slept. After that, I was fine. Then, I couldn't sleep during the night. That's the meno upheaval being in-sync with the Hashimoto's upheaval. This week, I'm much better.

Currently, I'm forgetting to do things. I'll think about something, like go write a date on the calendar. It's hanging on the wall in the next room. Later that day, I'll remember that I never wrote down the date.

I just wanted to say that everything goes in cycles. However, it takes a good amount of trial and error to get the drugs working the way you need them to be. Then, things change and you need to adjust. My doctor listened to me, and that's also important.

Get a second opinion if you have any doubts. Consider that you may find that you like your 2nd doctor better than the first. It's worth a shot and you don't have anything to lose.

I'm finding good info on this site: http://thyroid.about.com/

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am going to see an Endocrinologist today who comes very highly recommended. I don't know how many more Dr.'s I can see, but it seems that each one leads me to search for something else.
This haze/dizziness has gotten progressively worse. I now have vertigo on top of everything else. It so just so odd that all of this began after taking the Levothroid for about 4 weeks and I think there is some connection. At one point I couldn't even focus as it made me feel soooo tired. I have taken myself off of the Levothroid, as I can't get an answer from my ND as far as what I should do about my dizziness/ spaciness. I am now back to Naturethroid and I still feel horrible. I don't like feeling like a zombie as I am afraid that it won't go away. There is no way that I can live like this.
Hopefully the new Endo will give me some hope and help today as all I do is cry at this point because I am afraid that the Synthroid has messed me up for good. Probably just the depression talking but it does seem to take over Thanks again,
Bev

Hi Bev,
When I first started reading your thread I thought you should see an Endocrinologist so I'm really glad that's going to happen today. I'm no expert on thyroid issues but your ND's explanations don't really sound right to me. I can see how there would be an adjustment period when changing meds but I can't imagine that it's "normal" for you to feel this bad for a whole month and have her say to just ride it out. Ride it out for how long???? Let us know what your Endocrinologist says about this...I am interested in the "science" aspect of this but mostly care that you will get the right info and the right treatment. I've never heard of a "cure" for Hashimoto's but I could be wrong and have been before. Keep us posted, Hon and try to have a good day! Feel better soon!!!
xoxo
Jan