I take Nature-throid, which is a natural dessicated thyroid. I never had any reaction to it personally, but I also wasn't switching from the synthetics to it. I also wonder if perhaps you're having a withdrawal reaction from the switch as headache and nausea are pretty common withdrawal symptoms in other contexts. Since I was starting from zero, I slowly worked my way up to my current dose at 16.25 (1/4 grain) increments for 2 weeks at a time.

When I went over from synthroid to naturethroid my endo said I would feel a little weird for the first few days. I had like heart racing the first few days right after my dose but after a few days i was ok. You could try to do your dose half in morning and half in afternoon (dr has me do that). Ask your dr if that's OK to do. Feel better soon

FoxyMoxi wrote: »

I have a similar problem with no dr's ever helping me for years. I saw an Endo last week and she right away put me on T4t3 combo, I was taking OTC natural thyroid. She felt I needed a higher t3 to T4 ratio and so wants me to try the synthetic for 3 months to see if she can dial it in better. I am on a much lower dose than I was with the natural and am feeling it, but she says give it some time. She says she will be happy to put me back on the natural in about 3 months if I don't feel as well on the synthetic. I keep pinching myself.

That said, I personally haven't had any sympotoms on the natural like you had. I just felt really giddy and excited the first day it kicked in, like I had a 5 hour energy drink or something. I'm glad you are starting to sort out a better routine to keep your body happier while you switch! Hugs! xoxo

Just a point of clarification, if you were taking OTC natural thyroid, it likely wasn't the natural thyroid that the rest of us refer to -- natural dessicated thyroid. At least in the US, you need a prescription for natural dessicated thyroid just as you need for the synthetic meds. I'm not sure what OTC natural thyroid is (as I see you live in CA). What were you taking OTC?

For a while several yrs ago I was on a synthetic thyroid med, but it didn't seem to help me one bit with how I was feeling. I changed over to Armour after several people mentioned how successful they have been on it. My Rx change over dosage needed just a bit of tweaking and then I have been on it for about 3 yrs now. I was feeling quite good, but my test results were border hyperthyroidism. My new dr (mine retired) upped my dosage just a bit which gave me some strange issues going on in my head. Another dr put me back on my old dosage and I have been fine since and have not slipped over to hyperthyroidism. As for wt loss I joined MFP along with purchasing a Fitbit One and I started counting my calories and walking about 30-45 min 5 days a week. End result over a yrs worth of eating only healthy food and eliminating processed foods and most sugars and carefully watching my carbs I lost 20 lbs. I did put 5 back, but I am stabilized now. With nicer weather, lots of fresh veggies and fruits and getting more active again I hope to finally reach my goal...another 15 lbs, but time will tell. Hang in there. Sometimes finding a different dr makes a big difference. I have dealt with thyroid issues since my childhood and I have experienced all kinds. Good luck on this.