What Are The Repercussions Of Overdosing On Synthroid?

Posted on Mon, 2 May 2016

Question: Hi; long story short I've been taking Synthroid for the past 8 months now. I started off with 50 Mcg, then 75, then 88, then 100... 88 was perfect; but about a week and a half after taking 100; my stress and anxiety levels went up, numerous times my face and body were warm (not room temperature), and at least twice though out the week I would wake up hungry an hour or 2 before I have to get out of bed. 3 days after that I stepped down to 75Mcg and it worked well for the first 3 days. My stress and anxiety levels are much better than before, but for the next 2 mornings after that I wake up hungry again and I can't fall back asleep until I eat breakfast! My hunger is nothing significant; but it's still enough to wake me up and to not allow me to fall back asleep. Should I skip my Medication for at least a few days? Cause the lower dosages never me these problems.

Thanks,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Why was the dose of synthroid increased?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about these symptoms that you have reported. They are suggestive of over treatment with synthroid. i think it is reasonable to have reduced the dose. However, I will like to know why this was increased? Also, what is the las value of your TSH control? Were symptoms of low thyroid persistent before the dosage was increased?

I will like to hear back from you before concluding on these. Until next, I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (33 minutes later)

Hi;

The reason is that I thought 100 Mcg was going to be the best for me because my Dad was on it for 10 years with no side effects. The last value of my TSH was 1.24 and that was with 88 Mcg. Yes at least one mild symptom of low thyroid were persistent before the increase. To be more specific while on 50 and then 75 I didn't feel as wide awake through out the day as I did compared to 88. While taking the lower dosages I was also on L- Methionine just to help me not wake up hungry in the morning and it helped allot. While on 88 I chose try sleeping without L-Methionine and I slept solid. That's why I feel like 88 is should be just the right amount; but on the 3rd and 4th day after taking 75 my appettite/sleeping patterns are still not fully under control... It makes no sense! Could you please explain this!

Thanks,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The dosage for each person is different!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

With a TSH of 1.25, there was just no son to increase this drug. What most people fail to understand is that the dosage for each person is different. Others need more and others simply do not need that much. I will suggest you go back to 75mcg, if this fails to fully regulate the symptoms after 4weeks, then we can switch. Avoid changing the dosages too soon after starting the drugs because this will certainly not allow for proper evaluation and lead to errors.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Keep me updated.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar