Wean off synthroid

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TheAnayalator
TheAnayalator Posts: 41 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Anyone who has hypothyroidism, can you please tell me if you were able to wean yourself off of the synthetic drug synthroid? I have had hypothyroidism for about 4 years and I have decreased my dosage from 100mg to 50 mg. I am praying that there is hope that I will never have to take this drug again once I'm healthy.
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  • abatonfan
    abatonfan Posts: 1,123 Member
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    Unfortunately, not many of us are doctors or know your entire situation (and cannot offer a ton of advice). Personally, I would take the amount of Synthroid your doctor/endo prescribed and to discuss it with them if you want to lower the dose or stop taking it.
  • Sean_TheITGuy
    Sean_TheITGuy Posts: 67 Member
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    Being a healthy weight doesn't mean your thyroid is ok. If your thyroid is severely damaged by an autoimmune disorder (hashimotos, etc) then it's like trying to expect a car engine with three blown cylinders to work like new if you touch up the paint.

    Get your TSH/T4 levels checked regularly as your doctor recommends and stay on synthroid. If you're worried about the synthetic nature, ask your Dr for Armor instead. It's a natural thyroid hormone made from, appropriately enough, dried pig thyroid glands.
  • TheAnayalator
    TheAnayalator Posts: 41 Member
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    Pawsforme wrote: »
    My understanding is that once you go on thyroid medication you're on it for life. It's not like blood pressure or cholesterol where one can get it under control. When your thyroid stops working there's no getting it started again. Stay on your medication.
    That's very depressing -_-
  • kellystuart11
    kellystuart11 Posts: 11 Member
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    I am also on synthroid for hypo. I've lost around 7% body fat and am still taking the same dosage. I expect to take it the rest of my life, if I lose 20 lbs and am super thin or gain 100 lbs. It sucks taking a pill every day, but rather than being disappointed by it, just accept that you most likely will take this your whole life and get it checked every 6 months.
  • TheAnayalator
    TheAnayalator Posts: 41 Member
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    jgnatca wrote: »
    Awww, honey. I have been on medications for decades. I've replaced many of those with vitamins after my recent weight loss, but it's not so bad, really. Chronic conditions are just like that. Chronic is not a bad word either. It just means a condition that won't go away.

    Anyone who wears glasses is dealing with a chronic condition.

    Anyone with a life-threatening allergy will be carrying an epi-pen. It's just something they need to do.

    I understand.. I just feel like I'm only 22 I shouldn't have to be on medications for the rest of my life. I know there are people who are younger who have it way worse than me but it just sucks. Synthroid costs about $90 a month for me because the generic levothyroxine doesn't work for me.. and I hate having to remember to take it.

    On top of that, I feel like I was Miss diagnosed from the beginning. I went to the doctor for a routine check up and she said my thyroid levels were a bit off. Then she immediately put me on synthroid without testing again... I've been on it ever since. I feel like maybe she should have tested me a few times before giving me the drug, but I was only around 18 years old so I didn't really think about what it was. I didn't know it was going to be long term either.
  • QuietInkedOne
    QuietInkedOne Posts: 15 Member
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    Hi there. I am in the process of this now. I have been on Synthroid for 10 years and started working with a naturopathic doctor to try to get off of it. When my ND got my bloodwork from my MD, my levels sat at around 3. In the middle of the range by old standards. My ND thought that because my levels were at that while ON meds, I would probably not be able to go off of it. Despite their advice, I took my natural supplements and weaned myself from half dose of Synthroid over 6 weeks, then no Synthroid for 6 weeks. New bloodwork showed my levels were over 8. I am now back on the meds but only because I am terrified of gaining more weight. No matter what I do, no exercise & eating what I want or 6 day a week workouts and 1400 calories/ day, the scale does not budge more than 1 pound up or down. If my options are staying at this weight or risking gaining even more, I'll stay put I guess. I am not happy about it but this much weight has already seriously impacted my quality of life.
    I am now back on my gluten & dairy free diet, walking, doing yoga, and kickboxing and hoping for the best but I am extremely discouraged.
  • Pawsforme
    Pawsforme Posts: 645 Member
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    anayapaya wrote: »
    That's very depressing -_-

    Maybe it is depressing in a way.

    But I prefer to focus on feeling very, very thankful that taking one little pill every day makes me feel SO much better than I was feeling, and keeps me healthy. In the scheme of things taking a little pill once a day isn't much of a big deal at all.

  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
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    Young people with cystic fibrosis are on medications for life. Similarly children born HIV positive, and type 1 diabetics. It is annoying to be young and on medication for a chronic condition. I get that. It is what it is, though. Those who love you would rather you stay on your meds and be healthy, though.

    I used these examples to reconcile myself to my son's diagnosis of Schizophrenia, who similarly will be on mood-altering drugs for life.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
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    I have a friend that had his thyroid "killed" and will take synthroid the rest of his life. Its not the worst thing that can happen to you & certainly not something to get depressed over. He leads a normal healthy life and is in great physical shape
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,626 Member
    edited August 2015
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    I don't have any thyroid hormone naturally, so I'm on it for life, as most people are.

    I don't know and have not met anyone who was being weaned off of thyroid medication. That's not to say it's never happened, but it's not a common thing.

    I hate taking pills and I hate timing all the different pills and timing food eating around them. It's highly annoying. But it is what I have to do, so I do it. There are worse fates.
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
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    anayapaya wrote: »
    Anyone who has hypothyroidism, can you please tell me if you were able to wean yourself off of the synthetic drug synthroid? I have had hypothyroidism for about 4 years and I have decreased my dosage from 100mg to 50 mg. I am praying that there is hope that I will never have to take this drug again once I'm healthy.

    Years ago I was put on this medication and had no idea I even had hypothryoidism. I was younger and I did take synthroid as prescribed for awhile but honestly I was lazy and eventually just stopped filling my scrip and I never had any symptoms that I noticed anyways. Obviously, I would never suggest doing that but when I got more serious with my health and started getting regular blood work again and check ups I showed no signs of hypothroidsim and haven't taken the medication again.

    I can understand the frustration as $90 a month is expensive but if you feel that you should be retested why don't you see another doctor and go from there because it doesn't sound you have confidence in your doctor's diagnosis.

  • danapotter16
    danapotter16 Posts: 1 Member
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    I have been on Synthroid for 9 years and I have only heard one person being weaned off but they were only on it for 6 months. I think you should get a second opinion to see if you really need Synthroid but do not try to wean off of it yourself as it can cause severe reactions. It really is not that bad of a medication as it rarely does any bad while you are on it. The reason I am even typing right now is because of Synthroid. Good luck!
  • RLeighP
    RLeighP Posts: 232 Member
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    Go back to your MD, request labs done. You need to have regular labs done to check thyroid. Thyroid meds are needed if yours isn't functioning properly. Don't wean yourself off by yourself, that's very dangerous to do with any med. Adjustment of any prescribed med needs to be done by an MD only.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
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    If you need Synthroid - you need that for life. Thyroid glands do not increase output. Don't think of this as a negative - think about how lucky you are to live in a time where this is treatable by taking a pill daily!

    Go to your physician, endocrinologist hopefully, and request a full thyroid panel: TSH, Total T4, Free T4, Total T3, Free T3, and RT3.

    Never alter your Synthroid dose without specific direction from your physician. Decreasing this dosage can cause a myriad of other medical consequences, particularly to your pituitary gland.
  • Talan79
    Talan79 Posts: 782 Member
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    Get more blood work done. Maybe see an endocrinologist. My mom has been on synthroid since she was 27, now 65. My sister also has the same issue, and medicated since the age of 25, now 40. I also have never heard about being taken off. The drug is used to regulate a imbalance. My sister had had to also get adjustments on the dose a few times. I would have more blood work done if you don't think you need it. But I don't think it's something you could choose not to take. Good luck.
  • chantelleburbine
    chantelleburbine Posts: 5 Member
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    Ive never heard of weaning yourself off of synthroid. I only have half a thyroid so its synthroid for life. Best of luck though if its doable to get off of it!
  • NJGamerChick
    NJGamerChick Posts: 467 Member
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    I've been on thyroid medication for years. I've made it a little routine now where I get up and make my coffee and take my little thyroid pills with my coffee (not recommended for most unless you know what you're doing). My mom, who recently started taking it in low doses takes it when she wakes up with water and then dozes back to sleep until it's time to get up. We both found ways around having to deal with taking it. It works well for both of us. The alternative of not being medicated properly really isn't an option for me. We're talking fatigue, hair thinning and falling out, dry skin, weight gain, carpal tunnel, depression, etc. to go along with everything else.

    I second with the comments above about not being confident in your doctor and looking at seeing an endocrinologist. A person can learn a lot by going to a good specialist.

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