Thyroid Med

Updated on May 25, 2011
R.M. asks from Evanston, IL
19 answers

Has anyone been on the thyroid med called Synthroid? If so can you share your experience? Ive just been prescribed 50mcg per day and I am very nervous about starting it... and I freak out about the listed side effects in the booklet.

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C.A.

answers from New York on

I have been on it for about 13 years now and never had any side affects. I have been on .88 since I started and it hasn't changed. When I started taking it I started to loose weight. I lost 70 lbs. But unfortunatly I gained it all back. Don't be scared. Everything will be fine as long as you take it everyday like clockwork. Good Luck!

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

I took Synthroid for around 10 years for Hashimoto's. I'm very sensitive to meds but didn't have any side effects from the Synthroid. Weird thing is I recently went from hypo to hyper, was diagnosed with Graves and just had the radiation so in a few months I'll probably be hypo on Synthroid again.

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C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I was on it for about 3 years and just recently switched to nature thyroid. On synthroid, I will still very tired, and kept gaining weight. Also synthroid doesn't have the T3 hormone that you NEED. I would ask for a more natural med for it. I feel a MILLION times better since I switched

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N.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi Robyn,

I have been taking Synthroid for the past 16 years! I have not had any side effects. The only thing that you need to know (and unfortunately not all doctors give you these instructions)....you need to take it first thing in the morning, around the same time and you should not eat anything for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour. Otherwise, medication might not be absorbed into your bloodstream. It might take about 6 weeks to figure out whether this is a therapeutic dosage for you. If you take other supplements, read instructions before hand to make sure that it does not effect medication's efficacy (i.e, iron supplements) - wait 4 hours after you take your Synthoid medication.
You will get more energy once you start taking it. Good luck.

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S.F.

answers from Reno on

I was on Synthroid for several years with no side effects. It worked exactly as intended!

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C.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

I hAve been taking it for 6 years. I have not experienced side effects

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

I've been taking it for about 3-4 years now. I haven't noticed any side effects. But, boy do I know when it's time to increase my dosage! Sleep City....all the time! Good Luck!

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J.F.

answers from Milwaukee on

I have been on that med for over 20 years and know MANY others as well, and I don't know of any side effect that anyone has! At first, it may upset your stomach, if that's the case have a couple crackers with it! It should be taken on an empty stomach but, if needed you can take w/handful of crackers! Be sure, to remember, no vitamins esp. calcium within atleast 3 hours! I wasn't told that for years, and it affected me alot! That is a very low dose, I wouldn't worry! It is better to have a fully functioning thyroid, than a low/high level! You will feel much better.
Best of luck to you.

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T.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Just started it on Saturday after being diagnosed with Hashimoto's. Haven't noticed any side effects yet. Taking 37.5mcg per day.

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J.R.

answers from Glens Falls on

I've been on it for over 15 years - 112mcg. Take first thing on an empty stomach. If you forget to take it, wait till the next dose because if you take this med in the afternoon, you will be awake all night. Also, my doctor advises that you do NOT take the generic for this drug. I was switched back to synthroid from the generic a few years ago, and almostly immediately lost 15 lbs. So ask the doctor to write DAW (dispense as written) on your Rx. It does interact with a lot of other drugs, so take anything else about an hour later, especially iron and antibiotics. I love my synthroid!

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have been taking Synthroid 88 for 7 years now and have had no negative side effects. Lots of positive effects though including a nice amount of weight loss and way more energy! I also know a few other people on it and all are happy. They will probably need to adjust yours as you go though to get your levels right.
Best of luck!

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R.D.

answers from San Antonio on

Been on the same dose as you for 2 yrs now. No side effects but so ready for them to up the amount! I still have side effects of hypo-extreme fatique, hair loss, dry skin, low sex drive and more. The med has been around very long and has a good rep-I would trust it more than newer ones on the market.
If you are having thyroid symptoms, I went to a site called Stop the Thyroid Madness. They have lots of detailed info but opposes medication. Might be helpful for you to read up on it.
One thing I would tell you is to watch your Thyroid levels and remember, "normal" levels are no such thing in this disease. If your symptoms don't get better, see your dr. again. (I have an appt this summer)

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I was on Synthroid for 10 years at 125mcg daily and it was ok.
But in my case I still had persistent symptoms that did not go away even though my blood tests said my TSH level was then in the higher end of the normal range.
I decided I wanted to try Armour Thyroid (which has both T4 and T3, Synthroid only has T4) and I asked my Dr to adjust me to the lower end of the TSH normal range and those persistent symptoms finally were resolved.
I'm one of those people who don't convert T4 to T3 very well so a medication which has both in it helps me a lot.
I've been with Armour Thyroid 150mcg daily for 7 years now and I feel great!
I wouldn't want to go back to using Synthroid because it doesn't work as well for me.
But many people do very well on it because everyone is different and there is no one size fits all solution for all people.

A.C.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I've been on it for almost 5 years and never had a problem with it. I take 200 mcg. I just read that Julie R said that her dr said to not take the generic and I'd never heard that before so I'm gonna ask my dr to make sure I get synthroid from now on! :o)
Good Luck! I hope it makes you feel a LOT better! I know it's helped me! I couldn't even sit down without falling asleep! :o)

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S.T.

answers from New York on

my M. is 81 and she's been on synthroid for more than 50 yrs. it will be helpful for you if you need it - it's one of the oldest and safest drugs around.

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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Hubby calls them my stupid pills. If I don;t have them for a while, like when we moved I am a basket case. I do not mess with my Synthroid. I am on 100mcg, and doing just fine. Have been for 10 years.
THe generic does not work for me.
Always take it in the morning on an empty stomach. Wait about 1/2 hour to an hour to eat breakfast.
The doctor should monitor you every 6 weeks for a while to seee how you are adjusting, the dose may need to be changed and tweeked.
Mine sees me every 6 months.
I have no side effects, and If I do they are minimized by the fact that if I am not on the Synthroid or the dose is wrong I become a basket case.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

My daughter just started Synthroid and she gained thirty pounds in three months. I took Armor natural thyroid for a while until my insurance ran out and I loved it. Now I take a potassium and iodine supplement from the health food store and do not feel a big difference.

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

I have been on at the same dose you have for 7 or 8 years, and I have never had a side effect from it that I know of. You should be fine. But, if you don't like it after you try it, then let your doctor know, I'm sure they will help you find the right one. But, really, I don't even notice that I take it. Good luck!! Remember they have to list everything that could happen to cover their own butts, it doesn't mean its likely to happen.

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C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi

Ive been on it for over 20 years and it has made a tremendous difference. Not having the thyroid hormone in your body will do considerable harm, much more than any side effects. I had no side effects, but all my ills went away. I stayed on it throughout my pregnancy, and have had my dose change over the years to fit my needs. Not having the hormone in your body can also shorten your life...the benefits far outweigh the risk of side effects.

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