Synthroid
Synthroid questions and answers
Learn more about Synthroid.
Q: Synthroid?
Has anyone been on Synthroid then switched to generic? And did it work the same? My doctor says it won't...but it would be more affordable to get generic at Walmart ($4!!!) right now.
I really doubt her as a doc, and I'm changing her soon...I also work for her and anytime someone wants to switch to generic to save money she's very hesitant.
A: I take a generic and it works just fine. If you are unsure, ask a pharmacist. They know the chemical make-up of drugs better than any doctor.
Q: Can synthroid raise or contribute to high blood pressure?
My mom is taking synthroid and provachol and all of a sudden her blood pressure went from low to high. I thought perhaps one of these medications contributed or caused it.
A: With hypothyroidism , there is usually low blood pressure. Now that your Mom is on metication for the thyroid your blood pressure would probably go up. If its a little high now, it could be her diet or because she is retaining fluids. A great food to lowrr blood pressure is celery.
Q: How long does it take for Synthroid to take full effect?
I just started taking Synthroid about 2 weeks ago and I am wondering how long it will take for it to kick in and take effect. How long will it take for me to have a regular menstral cycle and begin ovulating?
I get the levels check every 6 weeks until the correct dosage is found. Then 6 months after that and then every year (unless I am pregnant).
A: Honestly, it can take a while to get your thyroid med dosages optimized; sometimes it can be up to 3 mons. before you and your doc find the right dosage. Do you get your levels checked monthly? I would give it at least another couple weeks and if nothing happens/you don't feel better, have your endocrinologist draw blood and check your levels...you may need a higher or lower dosage.
Q: What happens when you don't take synthroid for hypothyroidism and start taking it again?
I have Hypothyroidism, I am sopposed to be taking synthroid everyday, but the last year I haven't been able to cause of no insurance and no doctor and just haven't had the money. Now i am getting insurance again, can i stary taking it again, will it make me tired and sleepy and wore out again?
A: this is not really a good answer, but I had to make sure this was not a question I asked!!!!! I JUST started taking my synthroid again 3 days ago b/c I was in the same boat as you w/o insurance for 6 mos!! I hear its supposed to make you feel better very fast. I feel very tired and sleepy and kind of depressed, losing hair by the handfulls and always cold. I'm going to keep an eye on your question b/c I was just about to ask the exact same thing! One of my big questions I asked the other night was is it hard to have kids with hypothyroidism. Just know you are not alone and I am in the exact same boat, hope you feel better and it should work really fast! = )
Q: How long must I wait after taking Synthroid before i can have milk?
The leaflet that comes with the medication says not to take calcium or calcium supplements for 4 hours after taking synthroid. Does that also mean I shouldn't have milk for 4 hours too? Thank you.
A: I always take my Synthroid first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach) 1-2 hours before eating. I was told by my Endocrinologist (Thyroid Specialist) that you should wait 1 hour before eating .. I just wait 2 hours to be really sure!
Milk shouldn't be a problem .. just wait at LEAST 1 hour before drinking the milk (2 hours if possible.)
It won't *harm* you if you drink the milk, it will just reduce the effect of the Synthroid. Calcium just makes it harder for your body to absorb the Synthroid.
Q: Is there other options besides taking synthroid that can help my hypothyroidism?
I was diagnosed with Graves disease when I was 17 and had my thyroid removed my radiation. I went through many thyroid perscriptions for about 4 years and had a hard time finding a balanced level. I haven't taken my synthroid medication for over 2 years. Over the past couple months, I've been experiencing sympthoms of hypothyrodism. Is there other options other than going back to the synthroid that I can take?
A: You could try ARmour. It contains both T4 and T3, where Synthroid is only T4. Many people don't convert enough of the T4 to T3, so they still have some of the hypothyroid symptoms. Armour is a natural thyroid medication that has been around for over 100 years. Many who switch to it, feel so much better. Me included. Link below
Q: Is it possible to have a complete thyroidectomy, start on synthroid and not gain any weight?
I just had a thyroid biopsy result come back as suspect for papillary cancer. My doc wants me to have it removed within the month. Is it possible to take synthroid and not gain any weight? I'm only 31 and I'm a little nervous about taking it for the rest of my life.
A: I was diagnosed July 2008 at 21 with papillary thyroid cancer and had a Total thyroidectomy and neck dissection. It is possible to be on Synthroid and not gain weight, but it all depends on the person. You should be kept slightly hyperthyroid (TSH suppression) to keep any cancer cells from returning, but it can cause excessive hunger (which may or may not lead to weight gain). On the other hand, being slightly hyper can make your metabolism work faster, possibly leading to some weight loss. I'm not sure how you will react on Synthroid, but I wish you nothing but the best! Good luck, God bless...I know you'll be cancer free soon!
Q: What happens when the medicine synthroid is stopped ?
What happens when a person stops taking the synthroid medicine for thyroid ? My friend was on it for years - and she stopped taking it ?
What could it do to her ?
A: Thyroid will get really lazy, low level of thyroid hormones will make her really tired and gain weight, swelling, anxiety, maybe heart palpatations also. It is a really cheap medication, she should take it for the rest of her life. I also am on it.
Q: What are the possible side effects of Synthroid medication used for Thyroid Treatments?
There are some side effects to taking Synthroid a medication used to regulate Thyroid problem and not all people share the same side effects. What are some of them and how do they effect individual people.
A: I've read that soybeans contain substances that can interfere with thyroid hormone, possibly causing goiters. I like soy milk and tofu, but I'm concerned because I take the thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Synthroid) to treat an under active thyroid gland?
Soybeans and certain vegetables such as cabbage, cassava, rutabagas, and turnips contain substances called goitrogens, which tend to inhibit production of thyroid hormones. But the amount of goitrogens in those foods is a small that even with an underactive thyroid, you'd have to eat shovelful before they caused even a mild problem, let alone goiters, or visibly enlarged thyroid glands. However soy may interfere with thyroid hormones in a different way: It appears to inhibit the body's absorption of the hormone pills. So you should probably consume soy at least eight hours before or after you take the levothyroxine (Synthroid). And good luck.
Q: How long will it take for my muscle strength to return after starting hypothyroid (synthroid) medication?
I was officially diagnosed with hypothyroidism two weeks ago and started taking synthroid. I have had low thyroid for at least 4 years and this is when many of the symptoms started to really show. Unfortunately, I did not know that the issue was with my thyroid. I am taking up running again but my muscles strength is very poor (this is according to my physical therapist). It would be great to hear from other people who had to get fit again after experiencing chronic issues from hypothyroidism.
A: I got fit again. But it wasn't because of Synthroid at all! It was because of being on desiccated thyroid called Armour.
You may have 'some' improvement on Synthroid, or you may have none. But some or none is not what you want, and Synthroid is not really a good medication to be on.
Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothyroxine, et all are T4-only meds. T4 is a storage hormone. They've been prescribed by physicians for nearly 50 years. And...they have never worked. Sure, some may feel better. But nearly everyone on these lousy medications has lingering symptoms of hypothyroidism. And raising it does no good.
Here is a page about T4 meds: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/t4-only-meds-dont-work
Here is a list of symptoms that linger while on these meds: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/long-and-pathetic
What will be a better treatment is desiccated thyroid, aka Armour, Naturethroid, etc. It contains exactly what your own thyroid would be giving you: T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. As a result, it removes all symptoms. http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/natural-thyroid-101
And here's a summary of everything: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned
And you'll possibly have to work to find a doctor who is wise enough to understand all this, or one who is at least open-minded about it: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/how-to-find-a-good-doc
The above pages are from a patient-to-patient website compiled by thyroid patient activist Janie Bowthorpe. She also had a book by the same name, Stop the Thyroid Madness, and I highly recommended it. It's easier to refer to and even has more detail.
Q: What are the effects of taking too much synthroid?
I take synthroid for hypothyroid and I know exactly what happens when I do not take it, but not when I take too much. What effects will it have on weight? It's not a diet question, I am not looking to lose any weight, I just need to know what happens over a period of time.
A: Side effects from Synthroid, other than overdose symptoms, are rare. People who are treated with Synthroid may initially lose some hair, but this effect is usually temporary. You may have an allergic reaction such as a rash or hives. Children may have an increase in pressure within the skull. Excessive dosage or a too rapid increase in dosage may lead to overstimulation of the thyroid gland. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any if the following symptoms.
Symptoms of overstimulation:
Abdominal cramps, anxiety, changes in appetite, change in menstrual periods, chest pain, diarrhea, emotional instability, fatigue, fever, flushing, hair loss, headache, heart attack or failure, heat intolerance, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, irritability, muscle weakness, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, weight loss
Hope this helps! Let me know!
Q: How long do you have to wait after taking Synthroid to take vitamins?
I know there is something about Synthroid where you are supposed to wait a certain amount of hours before taking certain vitamins. Does anyone know the vitamins and/or how long you have to wait?
A: Synthroid interacts with certain minerals and nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and especially calcium. These can make the Synthroid less effective, so you are better off waiting at least 4 hours after taking Synthroid to take your multivitamin.
Q: How do you know if your body needs the medication synthroid?
I have Graves disease. My doctor has taken me off of methimazole and has said if I should experience any symptoms for me to start taking synthroid. I have been feeling well but some days I feel different. I don't know if it's a mind over matter kindof thing. I have to go and take a blood test in about 2 weeks.
A: You need to have a TSH and free T4 checked by your physician.
Q: Is there a natural replacement for Synthroid and how do you regulate the dose?
Several yrs ago, I had Radioactive Iodine Therapy and no longer have a Thyroid. The Synthroid that I have been taking for replacement therapy does not always agree with my system. Is there a natural replacement? If so, how does one regulate the dosage?
A: Yes, there is and it is called Armour thyroid. It is regulated by the free t4 and free t3 blood tests. The price depends on the dosage. I pay about $20 a month for a month's supply of 180mg. I saw a huge difference when I switched from Levoxyl to Armour. Below are links relating to the use of Armour.
Q: Is it normal to feel worse before feeling better after starting Synthroid for treatment of hypothyroidism?
I have been on Synthroid a little over a week, and it has been exacerbating my symptoms -- headaches, fatigue, constipation, etc. Also I've been experiencing a lot of ambiet nervous anxiety since I started. Will things even out? Can I expect to start feeling better?
A: No you wont start feeling better. Any T4 thyroid meds don't work at all, they make you worse and will make your life hell. You need to be on T3 only or a T4/T3 combination in order to feel good again. You could get these compounded at a compounding pharmacy or you could look into brand names like Cytomel, Thyrolar, or Armour.