thyroid issues

amymeenieminymo · March 2009

I wasn't sure which board to put this under, but I've had an underactive thyroid for years and have taken medication on and off. Last summer I told my doctor that I hadn't taken my meds in quite a while because I just don't feel any difference between taking them and not, so I forgot to take them. She suggested I try a different pill so she gave me armour instead, I think I was taking levoxl (both generics).

I can't remember exactly when I started taking the armour, but I assume it was sometime last summer, like maybe june or july, and about back since then I noticed I am "shedding" more hairs than usual. I tend to shed a lot, but this is ridiculous. When I shower and run my hands through it, when I get to the bottom of my hair I am pulling out several hairs in a noticeable clump rather than the few wispy hairs that I used to lose in the shower. The drain always has a massive clump of hair in it and my clothes are always covered in stray hairs. Also when I am combing out my hair you can see several hairs that are hanging longer than my hair because they are loose hairs that are just stuck in there.

I've yet to notice any thinning spots and I still seem to have the same amount of hair as always, but then again it's hard to compare since it's happened gradually over the last several months. I thought at first that I was just nuts, that I wasn't really losing any since I don't see any thinning spots, but it's really starting to scare me now.

I read online about hair loss with this pill....it says hair loss can be a temporary side effect and should go away within the first couple months.....however it said if your dosage is too high hair loss could actually be the result of having an overactive thyroid from taking too high of a dosage.

So I am wondering, I started losing the weight in april-may, and I probably switched pills in june or july.....so as I have been losing weight, is it possible that my thyroid has gotten better and I am actually hyperthyroid from my pills?

I am going to the doctor in two weeks anyway, and I really can't afford to go again before then, so I think I will just stop taking them until then, but I was wondering what people thought until I can get to the doctor.

amymeenieminymo · March 2009

I wasn't sure which board to put this under, but I've had an underactive thyroid for years and have taken medication on and off. Last summer I told my doctor that I hadn't taken my meds in quite a while because I just don't feel any difference between taking them and not, so I forgot to take them. She suggested I try a different pill so she gave me armour instead, I think I was taking levoxl (both generics).

I can't remember exactly when I started taking the armour, but I assume it was sometime last summer, like maybe june or july, and about back since then I noticed I am "shedding" more hairs than usual. I tend to shed a lot, but this is ridiculous. When I shower and run my hands through it, when I get to the bottom of my hair I am pulling out several hairs in a noticeable clump rather than the few wispy hairs that I used to lose in the shower. The drain always has a massive clump of hair in it and my clothes are always covered in stray hairs. Also when I am combing out my hair you can see several hairs that are hanging longer than my hair because they are loose hairs that are just stuck in there.

I've yet to notice any thinning spots and I still seem to have the same amount of hair as always, but then again it's hard to compare since it's happened gradually over the last several months. I thought at first that I was just nuts, that I wasn't really losing any since I don't see any thinning spots, but it's really starting to scare me now.

I read online about hair loss with this pill....it says hair loss can be a temporary side effect and should go away within the first couple months.....however it said if your dosage is too high hair loss could actually be the result of having an overactive thyroid from taking too high of a dosage.

So I am wondering, I started losing the weight in april-may, and I probably switched pills in june or july.....so as I have been losing weight, is it possible that my thyroid has gotten better and I am actually hyperthyroid from my pills?

I am going to the doctor in two weeks anyway, and I really can't afford to go again before then, so I think I will just stop taking them until then, but I was wondering what people thought until I can get to the doctor.

nickybr38 · March 2009

Keep taking your meds. Unless you start experiencing some of the other symptoms of overactive thyroid (racing heart, inability to sleep, jittery, etc). It's only two weeks until you see your doctor so having an overactive thyroid until then (assuming that's what's happening) shouldn't be too big of a deal.

But seriously, do not stop your meds unless your doctor okays it, or you start having more serious issues.

nickybr38 · March 2009

PS: With underactive thyroid if you don't take your meds properly they won't actually help. Once a day, an hour before eating, and without milk. It's best to take them at the same time. If you miss even one dosage it can mess everything up and you're back to feeling worn out, tired, etc. The thyroid is a tricky thing. Although I'm sure you know that.

farmgirlh · March 2009

I am hypo too. Take your pills every other day until your appointment. Thyroid meds can build up in your system so it won't hurt you to go every other day. Besides having your TSH tested have them check your T4 and your T3 you might be having an issue with one of those. I had the hairloss issue when I was hypo but never when I have been hyper but I have also never taken what you are on. Good Luck!!

sltoye · March 2009

It is possible. I have an underactive thryoid also, and have had it go hyper through my pills. I'm in Canada and we have a 1-800 number to call for medical help. I'm not sure if you have something where you are but if you do, I would call. If your thyroid has gone hyper, there are more dangers then for under active. Also, Nicky is right about taking them every day, but not about when. That may depend on the pill, but my doctor told me to take them whenever is easiest for me. I take mine before bed. The only thing I was told about when not to take them is with an antacid, because the antacid can absorb some of the medication and make it less effective. I've never heard anything about not taking it with milk though, and my thyroid has been underactive for 18 years.

kimmekimme · March 2009

I am also hypo and i am on synthroid. i started taking them back in November and I was told that you should always take them at the same time every day and on an empty stomach and drink alot of water with them. i take mine first thing in the morning . I also have had shedding of my hair, but i had this before the medication. I too have very thick hair and really cant tell i have had any hairloss except i see it in my shower , in bathroom etc.... with the thyroid issues everyone has a different level to which there tsh should be for them. If i were i would keep taking them until your appointment -if hair shedding is your only negative symptom. i go about every 6 weeks or so and get my tsh, t3 and t4 checked.

debnu1 · March 2009

It takes 6 weeks for your thyroid level to even out with any changes, you need to continue taking them every day so that your doctor can see exactly what your thyroid level is, if you are missing doses there is no way to actually determine how high your level got or if the hair loss is due to the medication or not. My endocrinologist says that weight loss doesn't effect the level--there are many factors that are taken into consideration...please keep taking your pills so that you can get to a point where they will work for you and so if there needs to be an adjustment you will be able to get it.

Have you noticed more energy, not needing to sleep as much, more motivation?? If so that would be from the pill.

You can always call the office and tell them your concerns, that you can't come in until your appointment and see what they say.

angelinaz · March 2009

There is a natural way to start your thyroid. Ten days of 650 mg of Nature's Way Kelp capsules, 3 each day. Your hair will stop falling out. Your thyroid will work. Send me a message and I will find out more for you. It is a ten day cure that you only have to do for the ten days.

amymeenieminymo · March 2009

I am also hypo and i am on synthroid. i started taking them back in November and I was told that you should always take them at the same time every day and on an empty stomach and drink alot of water with them. i take mine first thing in the morning . I also have had shedding of my hair, but i had this before the medication. I too have very thick hair and really cant tell i have had any hairloss except i see it in my shower , in bathroom etc.... with the thyroid issues everyone has a different level to which there tsh should be for them. If i were i would keep taking them until your appointment -if hair shedding is your only negative symptom. i go about every 6 weeks or so and get my tsh, t3 and t4 checked.

Problem is, I have very fine straight hair....so even though I don't see any thin spots, I can't really tell if I have significant less hair since it has happaned over time. I am sure if I could stand next to myself from last summer, I could tell a difference. But I am worried that since I don't have all that much hair to begin with (in a fine, straight hair sence) that much more of this WILL cause bald or thinning spots.

sltoye · March 2009

I don't know if you know why the doctor tells you to take them on an empty stomach, with lots of water and the same time every day, but its because an empty stomach won't have anything to absorb the pill making it less effective, the water helps it dissolve and faster and the same time every day is just to get you into the routine so you remember. Routine can be important with an underactive thyroid because it can cause memory and concentration problems. I'm on levothyroxine, and before bed is the only time I remember to take it. It all depends on what works for people.

CKrasniqi · April 2009

I am on the same pill that you are and I also take it before bed for the same reason you stated: it's when I remember. But I have heard you should take it in the AM, have you also heard this?

thyroid issues

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