What Causes Muscle Pain And Dizziness After Having Levothyroxine?

Posted on Mon, 19 Jan 2015

Question: I am 40 years old and was diagnosed with hypothyroid in April of this year. My lab results were 4.99ug/dl at the highest , the dr put me on 50mg of levothyroxine and it only improved to 2.9 in XXXXXXX they updated it to 75 mg and my numbers improved to 1.32. the side effects from the medication were so bad, muscle pain, dizziness, passing out, nausea, insomnia, positively it stopped my weight gain but I never lost a pound. I complained to the dr about the side effects and he told me to stop taking the medicine 3 weeks ago...so I did, just didn't take anymore. I am now gaining weight at a rate of 2-3 lbs a week, exhausted, irritable. My last lab in 10/13 said 1.32 ug/dl I just feel like something isn't right and my dr is wrong. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The drug probably has nothing to do with the symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

levothyroxine is just a hormone, like the natural hormone that the thyroid produces. Side effects are only expected when TSH is abnormal. Since you mentioned 2.9 and 1.32 (which I suspect is the TSH value, although you haven't made that clear) no symptoms are justified. Also please note that 4.99 is not that high to justify gaining 2-3 lbs/week or generally having intense symptoms.
I would suggest giving levothyroxine another chance if the symptoms you mentioned have fully subsided. Have you done other lab tests besides thyroid hormones? Are you taking other drugs? Your medical history? Are you under psychological stress?

If you'd like further details, please use your follow-up questions to provide answers to the questions I've asked.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (15 hours later)

So the dr. has tested my rheumatoid factor (which came back negative) and lyme disease, also negative. I am still having symptoms and I am under the care of a psychoparachologist and counselor. They have me on 75mg of Venflaxine twice a day and lorazepam 5mg at bed for anxiety and depression. I was on the Vennflaxine long before I was diagnosed with hypothyroid. But after sending this message yesterday I started reading about that and wondering if I am targeting the wrong drug. Also the dr said that hypo is caused by a autoimmune disease so I am seeing a Rheumatologist Jan21.

To answer your other question 2.9ug/dl & 1.32 ug/dl were my levels while on the levothyroxine. I don't know what my levels are now. They haven't tested since 10/13. I have been off the Levothyroxine for almost 1 month.

thank you

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I still believe that you should give thyroxine a chance

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

thanks for the input!
Autoimmune thyroiditis causing hypothyroidism is a very common condition, particularly in women. You don't have to see a rheumatologist for that. An appointment with an endocrinologist would be more appropriate.

The symptoms you've mentioned on your first text, are probably due to depression, anxiety and medications other than levothyroxine. Venlafaxine for example causes insomnia in 18% of patients and nervousness in 13%.

Your TSH levels would be higher now, no doubt, because the high TSH level before treatment implied that your thyroid is a little lazy! You may try lower dose of levothyroxine.

I believe that you should discuss the symptoms with the treating psychiatrist. He/she may want to try some changes in either dosage or regimen.
And a visit to the endocrinologist would help to get your thyroid back to work.

I hope I've helped!
If you still have unanswered questions, please contact me again.

Kind Regards!

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj