Becoming 'Immune' to Medication?

SarahHebert1

Hi there!

I was diagnosed in Nov 2012 as hypothyroid. Dr. started me on 25mcg of Synthroid and I am now up to 75mcg.

I have an appointment Monday and plan on asking him as well, but I don't believe that he is very good at treating me so not sure what kind of answer to expect. He has never tested T3/T4 and I doubt that he would.

The issue that I feel like I've run into is that about 2 weeks after beginning each higher dose, I am feeling great. My body temperature is up, I am sleeping better and feel much more rested, I have more energy and less fog, etc. But after about 5-6 weeks on each dose my symptoms seem to reappear - never as bad as they were before I started any medication, but I start to become much more fatigued, less energy, more cold.

Is it possible that my body is building up immunity to each new dosage? Has anyone else experienced this and what did you do to address the problem?

Thanks for your help,
Sarah

Side note about Dr:: I am basically staying with this Dr. for 2 reasons. In about 2 months I lose my parent's benefits so I am not sure whether I will have any medication coverage and thus may have to stop taking my medication (cost-related). Also, in about 4 months I am moving to a bigger city and hope to find someone there with more experience in helping thyroid conditions, so it's not worth trying to find someone else in my small city.

SarahHebert1

I know there were no replies, but I'm feeling very frustrated today so going to post an update.

At 50mcg level of Eltroxin I was getting very bad headaches frequently so asked when we increased dose to make sure it was Synthroid instead. The increase from 50 mcg Eltroxin to 75 mcg Synthroid actually increased my TSH from 4.4 to 4.9, despite the additional iodine in Synthroid and the fact that its generally higher dose of levothyroxine (according to pharmacist).

My Dr. upped the dose to 100 and I was kind of shocked today when I picked up the pills that he either forgot about the headaches or doesn't care, but switched me back to Eltroxin.

When I asked him about the wearing off effect of the medication he said it is likely just the 'high' response and then the downfall because we haven't found the right dosage.

I then also told him I was moving and he shook my hand and wished me good luck, which kind of makes me feel like I am no longer welcome at his office.

So frustrated. I feel like just giving up on medication altogether, though I'm sure that's not going to make me feel better either.

dancingdeer

Sorry you're going through this. It's hard enough, but to then have an unsupportive doctor makes it even worse!

That's odd that your TSH went up with the increase in meds. I don't have any experience with the one you are taking. I did take Synthroid for about 4 weeks when I first started, but switched over to Armour after reading so many things about the difference between the two.

I am on 30 mg of Armour - 1/2 grain, and have been for about 7 weeks now. My TSH has gone from 2.0 to 0.9. My T3 and T4 are still within range, but I'm concerned that they didn't go up at all, as I have read that the T3 and T4 should be in the middle to high end. I also am experiencing lower blood pressure - it's alway been low (110/70) but I just took it and it's 94/69. Looks like I need to have a conversation with my doctor, too.

I hope you can find a good and supportive doctor where you are moving. And that you start to feel better, too.

strawberrytoast

Your doctor is right that ur not on the right dose. When u first up the medication ur body gets a little boost from the rise but it takes a good few weeks to settle down.

tbetts23

Stopping your meds is not a solution. I don't know where you live buy here in Ontario it costs about $20 for a three month supply of eltroxin. If you are newly diagnosed it will take time to find the right dose. Hang in there!