CAN SYNTHROID CAUSE CONSTIPATION AS A SIDE EFFECT ???

[oscar999]

Have been taking SYNTHROID 50 micrograms for 3 weeks . Mostly the experience has been positive EXCEPT the severe constipation
My endocrinologist said this is not the side effect of SYNTHROID .
Is there a better alternative ?

[Barb135]

It's not unusual when starting/changing a med or dose, for symptoms to get worse for a while, as your body adjusts to the new med/dosage. Sometimes, we have to "ride it out" until our body adjusts to having the hormones.

Is TSH the only test that's being done?  You need to have Free T3 and Free T4 done as well.  Those are the actual thyroid hormones and will give you a much better picture of what's going on.  TSH is a pituitary hormone and can fluctuate greatly, even intraday.  It does not adequately, reflect actual thyroid hormone levels.

Talk to your doctor about getting the FT3 and FT4 tests and if s/he refuses, you might want to start looking for another doctor, as this one will, very likely, keep you ill, and you will be continuously, going up and down on your medications.  It can become quite a roller coaster ride.

[steved123]

I was diagnosed with hypothroid about 6 months ago. I started out with 50mcg of Synthroid for one month and the generic Levothuroxin 50 for two more months with no problem.  I had my blood tested with no change to my TSH so my PCP uped my dose to 75mcg of Synthroid.  Within a week I had mild to severe stomach cramps and severe constipation.  I stopped taking the meds for a week and called my PCP, they reduced me back to 50 Levothyroxin and in a few days the severe stomach cramps  and constipation started again.
Then they put me on Armour 15mg with the same side effects starting again. I am afraid of taking any medication for hypo anymore.  Whats a person to do???

[kayjon67]

Thanks so much; I'll make note of these suggestions and take them with me for my appointment!

[goolarra]

It might have been the brand name "Synthroid" that you reacted to.  Different manufacturers use different binders or fillers, so often an atypical reaction to thyroid meds can be countered by changing brands.  The active ingredient in all thyroid meds is the same and identical to the hormones our bodies produce.  Increased thyroid hormone levels increase metabolism and relieve constipation.  If I were you, I'd try a diffent brand of levo (Levoxyl or generic) or try a desiccated product (like Armour, NatureThroid, ERFA, etc.).  Also, Tirosint is a T4-only (like Synthroid, Levoxyl, etc.) med that is a gelcap and contains very little filler and is hypoallergenic.    

[kayjon67]

I have had IBS with constipation for years.  Three months ago, my doctor put me on a generic Sythroid RX for low thryroid and it totally messed up my system.  My gastroenterologist has me on Miralax that really changed my life.  With the thyroid RX, the Miralax stopped working completely, which of course had me on the verge of a really bad situation.  I stopped taking the RX; my doctor suggested I try a half dose.  Didn't work.  I'm no longer taking the RX and see my doctor next week.  I will NOT risk another digestive disaster and hope she can come up with something else.  So, YES....thryroid meds CAN cause constipation.  If anyone thinks otherwise, they haven't been through what some of us have.  

[oscar999]

I do see a report on the web showing CONSTIPATION as one of the minor side effects for taking Synthroid.   http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/synthroid/constipation
I don't know how true it is .
However, I do have severe constipation flares up when taking SYNTHROID .