Synthroid - Hypothyroid ?

After visiting the endocrinoligist and his looking at the thyroid blood result numbers aynd discussing my stiffining joints he suggested Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium tablets). I am considering taking them - starting with the sample pack - to see if it helps alleviate stiff joints and spaciness I have been noticing. Does anyone have any experience or insight with this? What I can find on line is all over the place with more negative things. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

When I was first put on Synthroid, I went from feeling like I would trip on the cracks in the sidewalk, to feeling like I could jump over parked cars.

I have tried the generic twice (not by choice) and is is really inconsistant in delivery, I highly suggest not using the generic.

I've been on Synthroid for 28 years.

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-Lloyd

To philyphil,

Maybe there is something I don't understand by your post but you did not mention that you were being put on synthroid because of having a high TSH test results. I have never heard of being put on synthroid to treat physical symptoms. This concerns me and I'll tell you why. I recently had two TIA's (mini storkes) within a month of each other. After all kinds of testing and being in the ICU for a couple of days and nights it has been determined that an over dose of synthroid caused the TIA's. The lower dose that I have been put on has made a world of difference in how I feel and so far there has not been any reoccuring TIA's. I never realized how bad I felt until I finely felt good. The only problem now is that my TSH is going the other way and my dose will have to soon be upped again. This is real serious business and I hope you have more reasons than just some physical symptoms as to taking the synthroid and by no means am I minimizing your symptoms, just do not want what happened to me happen to someone else.

Ginny

Thanks Ginny,

My TSH was boarderline high. It was like 5.0 and my endocrynoligist has been watching that TSH # for over 3 years now. So I am doing it for the physical symptoms but the doctor is doing it as he sees the potential benifit for me. I go back in to get another TSH level in 8 weeks and then he will adjust the dosage from the 50mg I am now on. I really appreciate your feedback as I am trying to learn as much as possible about this med and it's effects.

Different labs have different values however the American Endo Assoc gives the ranges of 0.03 to 3.0. My lab gives the ranges at 0.34 to 5.60 which is a huge range and I would not trust it, I trust the AEA range. After seeing what you test at, I think you are wise to be on replacement. I was .026 and on .112 of Levothroid in November and December. I had the 2 TIA's almost exactly one month apart from each other. After the second one the doctor that was in charge of me at the hospital lowered my dose to .88. In 6 weeks time I am back up to 3.97, no increase yet but I will be retested in April and we know that an increase will be warranted then, should have probably been now but we are exerising on the side of caution because of what happened a couple of months ago. Just let me suggest that you be tested often and if you should get resistence to this remember this is your body and you HAVE to be the responsible person for its treatment.

Thank You Ginny. That is very good advice. I am so glad to learn from your insights. I will keep a close watch on it and am hopeful the sythroid makes a reliable improvement rather than some of the negatives I have heard. I like my Dr. as he has a good perspective on it and really listens to me. I did read some people have better luck with Armour. I will just wait and see how I do on this for now. Thanks again and have a great day.