Tirosint, what are you doing to me?

[librarygirl2]

I have been on Tirosint since November but I could not last longer than 10 days in a row on it.  Why? Because it gave me the following side effects:

- Intense sleepiness after taking it
- Hair falling out everywhere I go like it's supposed to be a sweater
- Anxiousness
- Heart beating rapidly
- Sweats and increased body odor
- Buzzing inside body like being really wired
- Teeth pain and dry mouth
- Anger issues
- Muscle pain
- No period

I was taking 50 mcg after being switched over from Synthroid 50 mcg. Not sure why my body reacts so weird to it but I couldn't even take it long enough  (6 weeks) to get a TSH, FT3, and FT4 test.   The sleeps and the hair loss was too much to deal with.

Anyone else have reviews with Tirosint?  I really was hoping that it would work for me but it was not the miracle treatment at all.

Thanks!

Can anybody else

[redheadaussie]

The thing is with some people just starting on Tirosent, they find the exact same dose as the previous synthetic too high. The body seems to absorb far more readily the gel capsule rather than the powdery filler and gum encapsulated little tablet, and you end up hyper! The synthetic tablet jsut doesn't absorb as well and you need more to obtain what you need, so going to Tirosent which is basically pure and easily digested means you are getting too much!

  Some of your symptoms do sound hyper, have you had blood tests recently? You might have to drop down the dose for a short while till you get used to taking something that actually in fact will work!

Many many people swear by Tirosent and I am sure your issue is just a matter of rearranging the dose.

[stella5349]

Absolutely. Usually this T4 med should be half the dosage of what you were taking to start out.

Did you have labs doen while still on it? I'd be curious to see if you went hyper.

[librarygirl2]

I wish I knew that!  Since Tirosint is so new, docs probably aren't aware of Tirosint being so strong.  I couldn't even pass the 10 day mark since I was feeling like I was going 1000 miles an hour.  

I may just take the 50 mcg every other day but since I am trying to conceive, not having a period due to the med is a real issue at this moment.  I may go to Synthroid for now.

[librarygirl2]

Couldn't get far enough to even get near the lab mark.  This drug was making me go crazy! Sweating, heart palps, hair falling out, had to take naps, buzzing in my body, irritability (felt bad for my husband), and just not myself.  It was unbelievable how I felt.

[laura1967]

It definately sounds like it made you go hyper. I am on Tirosint. This medicine is as hypoallergenic as it gets and is a lot more "pure" due to it not having all the fillers in it. It binds differently in your system, and is used more readily and quicker.
It would warrant seeing a Free T4 and a Total T4 to see the ratio of what is bound and what is free in your system.  I agree if you start out at a smaller amount and gradually increase it will work. You need to have labs done at the 6 week mark while starting this med.

[librarygirl2]

Hi Laura1967,
Thank you for the comment and experience.  Did you start out with the same dosage as your previous med?  Or did you start out a lower dosage?  Currently, have you increased or decreased since starting Tirosint?  I would love to give it another try but that would mean I would have to go to the doctor and ask for a 25 mcg and a 13 mcg prescription as the next lower dosage to the 50 mcg I was taking?

[rutkowski517]

I took only lasted 10 days on Tirosint. My issue was with muscle pain/cramps, so severe in my upper back that it was hard to breathe. I had them in my calves, neck, shoulders, upper back and then hands and fingers making it quite difficult to work daily, so I gave up. I am not sure why it did not agree with me, but the day after I stopped, it went away. I too wish it would have worked for me :(

[dasdeeboot]

Did you get chest pain too? felt bruised?

[librarygirl2]

Did you lower to the next dosage or were you on the same mcg as your previous med?

[Brucergoldberg]

Look at some of my posts.   Went through everything you are speaking of.  Some of my posts have been locked but you can still read.  Made it 6 weeks and had to stop.

[Barb135]

I totally agree with Laura, that Tirosint is about as hypoallergenic as you can get.  There are no common side effects; most side effects are the result of over or under medication.  

Being a gelcap, with no fillers, absorption is greater than with a pill. It's always best to start a new med on a lower dose and let your body adjust to it, before trying to get to the full therapeutic dosage.  

I actually *increased* my dosage when I went on Tirosint; went from 88 mcg levo to 100 mcg Tirosint and it's done awesomely for me.

[rutkowski517]

I actually changed from 100 of Synthroid to 100 of Tirosint along with no change in my cytomel. I could have been under or overdosed, but felt horrible and had a not so great endo, so I knew they might give me trouble. I may have given up too soon..but it was not fun at all. I also gained 5 lbs in 10 days on it....once I switched back to Synthroid, I have lost the weight and my muscles are fine now. I am not sure what happened, but I decided to switch back. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[laura1967]

I switched over at the same dosage...and have increased since. I had room to work with though....my t4 level was only in the low normal range.  But....I am also on Cytomel (T3) as well.  I feel great on Tirosint.
My next question to you is what was your last Free T3 level?  
You can have too much T4 and too little T3 in your system which will cause hypo and hyper symptoms both! It happened to me....I was a train wreck until i added the T3.

[librarygirl2]

Thanks Barb for sharing your experience. It is great that it worked out for you.  What are your labs like on tirosint?

[librarygirl2]

Thanks rutkowski517.  I need all the luck I can get.

[librarygirl2]

Hi laura1967,
My ft3 is usually touching the low end of the range on any t4 medication only.  Last year I was on 50 mcg levoxyl and half grain of natuethroid and my tsh was around .3 with frees in the upper middle ranges.  I was going hyper and getting heart palls while not being able to sleep.  I am back on synthroid 50 mcg just to be safe and get back to my original dose and brand.

[suzieq10665]

I have been on Tirosint for a month, and also having problems, I only have a partial Thyroid and take 100mcg, it is killing my spine and abdomin, plus insomnia,pain in my breast, the Dr. told me to miss one day as 75mcg is too low and 100mcg is too high, but it's not working, the day I take nothing all the pain almost goes away, so I know it's this meds, I want to try it but becoming very skeptical, I asked Dr. about cytomel and he said "you do not want to take it" but why. This is the worst thing to regulate and as the years go on the more problems there appears to be taking any of this meds, wish I never had my Thyroid removed, plus Dr's do not understand how awfull it is taking these meds, only the people taking them know. Any one out there taking something they are pleased with?

[gimel]

It's possible that some of your reactions are due to starting with too high a dose.  It may have worked far better if you had started on no more than 50 mcg for 6-8 weeks and let your body become acclimated to the med.  If that worked, then you could increase by maybe 25 mcg every 6 weeks and gradually build up to the level you finally need.  Slow and sure is by far the best approach.

Have you been tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and Total T4)?  If so, please post results and reference ranges.  If not, then you should make that a priority to get done every time you go in to the doctor for testing.

[Barb135]

I agree with gimel, that you should have started at a lower dosage and worked up slowly.  

Since Tirosint contains nothing but the T4 medication, glycerin and water, it is virtually hypoallergenic.  Your symptoms are most likely from being, either, over or under medicated.  

You should ask your doctor if you can drop back to 50 mcg for a few weeks, and even though you may go a bit hypo, you will give your body a chance to get used to the med, then go up by no more than 25 mcg at a time.  

I feel better than ever since I've been on it (currently at 88 mcg and holding), and I'd sure like to see you give it another try.

[adri326]

I'm so relieved to find this thread! I'm having similar issues with Tirosint. I thought I was losing my mind because I didn't have any of these problems on Synthroid and Tirosint has fewer ingredients! So I don't kno what I could possibly be reacting to.

I understand the theory of needing a lower dose because of the absorption efficiency but I went from 50mcg Synthroid (felt "ok" and lost 20lb in 6mos) to 30mg Armour (hypo symptoms returned, TSH tripled, gained 15lb in 6mos) to 50mcg Tirosint, which I've been on for 4 weeks and not only have my hypo symptoms remained if not worsened, but the depression/anxiety combo I've had the last 2 wks is devastating. I almost up and quit my job last week! Not at all like me. I've also gained 6-8lbs in the last 4 wks despite same exercise &diet I was doing while on Synthroid when I lost 20lbs.

How could I have done fine on Synthroid and be such a mess now?? I don't think I have any hyper symptoms. I thought my issues were due to adjustment of going off Armour (losing T3 input) but I've been off that for 7wks now, I should be feeling *some* improvement I would think, and certainly not worse! The depression and anxiety are killing me and I've been having stomach issues, not sure if that's related though.

I had blood drawn today so hopefully I'll know more in a few days, although my labs are almost always "normal" ugh. But I asked for Free T3 this time, she's never ordered that before...

[gimel]

The FT3 test will help a lot to understand your current status.  

By the way, are you sure the lab is going to test for Free T3 and not Total T3?  I ask this because so many times they operate on auto pilot and just mark down their usual tests and you find out a week later that you got the wrong test.  If you aren't sure, it might be worth a call to the lab to make sure.  

A good thyroid doctor will treat you clinically by testing and adjusting FT3 and FT4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  I think you might get some good insight about clinical treatment by reading this link to a letter written by a good thyroid doctor.  

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

[Linda105]

Hi gimel:

Sounds like you know a lot about thyroid conditions. I have Hashimoto's for 25 years now and my doctor very recently gave me 112mcg Tirosint to try, changing from 125mcg Synthroid.  I'm also taking 5mcg of Cytomel, down from 10mcg, due to severe hair loss.  After reading these posts, I'm concerned about trying it now, although I like the fact that it's more pure, not synthetic.  Should I try a lower dose than the 112mcg?  Other than the hair loss this August, I'm doing okay with Synthroid, although I don't convert to T3 very well.  Thanks, Linda

[gimel]

If you look through this listing of 26 typical hypo symptoms, how many would you say that you still have?

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

I don't understand the comment about Cytomel reduction, due to severe hair loss.  Hair loss is frequently associated with still being hypo due to inadequate/incorrect meds.  Have you ever been tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones, free T3 and Free T4?  If so, please post results, along with reference ranges shown on the lab report.  Also, please post any other thyroid related tests done for you.  

[Barb135]

Neither do I understand the comment about the hair loss.  That's usually a symptom of being hypo.  

I'd also like to clarify - Tirosint is not "pure; it *IS* synthetic; it's difference from other synthetics is the lack of fillers that many people have reactions to.  Besides the T4 medication it contains, the only other ingredients are water and glycerin, which is what makes it hypoallergenic.  

You should talk to your doctor if you think you need a lower dose; however, I actually started out higher with Tirosint, than I had been on my old levo.  I've since had to drop back down, and while I felt better at the higher levels, I was getting too close to hyper.

[Happygirl222]

I have hashimotos and was diagnosed in February..I was reluctant to go on meds as I don't even take Tylenol..but after my symptoms became terrible with the depression/anxiety combo and being constantly fatigued with no desire to do much of anything and my thyroid enlarged to the point that I constantly choke a little while eating I decided to take the plunge on tirosint because it was more pure and better regulated. Just a heads up the my endo is very holistic and told me that the generic Levo that they give instead of brand name synthroid is made in china, India and a variety

of countries and not regulated properly so the substance within your meds can vary dramatically depending on who made it..for the first week on the tiro I felt amazing and "normal" like I just awoke from a long standing bad dream and was like oh yeah this is what I used to feel like I remember now..however after that week I quickly went back to my version of hell I mean normalcy..I was only on 13mcg the smallest dose possible and after 6 weeks on it my tsh was 3.00 and my t4 was 1.0. They never tested my t3..they keep telling me I'm in the normal range so really don't want to do anything else and told me they would see me again in a year!!! but when I went in deb and they first diagnosed me my tsh was 2.47 and I felt terrible then so it's getting higher..

I do get really bad anxiety and night sweats and I feel as though my body is really sensitive to temp changes..does anyone else have this? My doc just upped me to 25mcg but I haven't started that dose yet..this is terrible..I just turned29 and don't want to keep feeling like crap! Help!