So I have been on Synthroid (0.50mcg daily) for approximately four weeks now, and I am coming up on having to refill my second month on this medication. My originally TSH level was at a 3.8 when I had blood work done at the gyno a month ago. For the first two weeks or so, I woke up faithfully to take my medicine at the same time every day, waited approximately the same time to eat breakfast, and I experienced no side effects.
I have noticed in the past week or so that I am feeling like I have more energy, but I have noticed some strange "symptoms," which may or may not be associated with taking the medication. I sometimes feel shaky or "jittery" throughout the day, and I have been feeling like my heart is racing, or almost like a dull chest pain at times. I am young (24), so these symptoms can be a little confusing to me, as I am not on any other medication. These symptoms do not last all day every day and seem to come and go. The only thing I have been doing differently is that I have been taking my Synthroid at different times of the day the past week or so, and not been taking it faithfully in the morning, around the same time every day.
My questions are, will taking my Synthroid at all different times cause my levels to be off, or cause these side effects? Do I need to monitor these and consider giving my doctor a call next week about these symptoms and possibly having me on too high of a dose? Again, these symptoms are not constant or severe, but I do notice a difference, and it strikes me as odd because I have not had them before. Any insight anyone has would be wonderful and comforting!
You have the classic signs of hyperthyroidism, which most likely means that your dose is a bit too high.
You didn't have these side effects immediately upon starting your Synthroid regime four weeks ago because it takes time for the body to absorb/process/distribute thyroid hormone. 4-6 weeks after starting a thyroid supplement (or changing a dose) is the best time to evaluate if your dosage is appropriate.
If you doctor orders a blood test to determine if your TSH is indeed too low (signalling hyperthyroidism), and if the results come back showing your TSH within normal ranges, you still have the right to have your Synthroid dosage lowered slightly. This is called "clinical treatment": treating the patient based on how they feel, NOT based blanket value numbers of a lab report.
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Whew! Glad to know I'm not alone. I've been experiencing the same symptoms, and just posted on it.
My TSH was originally 6.88 back in October. I went on 50 mcg of Synthroid and in November had my labs drawn again, my TSH was a 2.4 so my Doc was happy with where things were at and kept me on same dosage. By January I was starting to feel tired and exhausted again, but new I had labs coming in February so I didn't go see the doc. They got my labs back and my TSH was back up to 5.8. So I made an appt. and saw the Doc. She said she didn't want to increase my dosage but she did want to have my labs drawn again. I just had them drawn last week and my TSH is a 1. But I feel the same way, sometimes jittery, but mostly I can just feel my heart racing, and I just had an appointment a few days ago. I wasn't sure what it was. I get anxiety before goin to the Doctor, so I thought it was just that, but I'm still feeling it every day, so it can't be just anxiety. I thought maybe it might be combo of the increase of Metformin, she increased me from 1000 mg a day to 2000 mg a day. I just know that how I'm feeling doesn't feel right. Has anyone else ever experienced these same things?
__________________ LaDonna
LaDonna (33) John (30)
Dx: PCOS (17 Jul 08), Obesity, HBP, Migraines, Anxiety, Dx: Hypothyroidism (28 Oct) 08, High Triglycerides (243)-no meds 6 months to control on my own.
Rx: Metformin XR - 500 mg - 2 tabs 2 x per day (2000 mg), Synthroid - 50 mcg-1 x per day, Fioricet, Prenatal vitamin - daily, Acidophilus - every other day
Weight Control - Weight Watchers Exercise - Walking, Treadmill, Incline Bike, Yoga for help with anxiety, free weights for muscle building.
I have been on Synthyroid for 7 years and didn't have too many troubles with it at first. But once I had my thyroid removed 3 years ago then I found that I was much more sensitive to it and had a lot of the same issues as you with the heart racing, jitteryness etc. I found that splitting my pill and taking half in the morning and half at night helped. My body seems to absorb it better and since I've started doing that I haven't had troubles with my TSH levels like I did before and all those other bad symptoms disappeared. Also making sure you take it on an empty stomach is really important.
I hope it gets better for you!
Synthroid Concern 
