- Stopping thyroid medication suddenly is dangerous and can trigger myxedema coma (a life-threatening condition) if your thyroid was removed or destroyed, making medical supervision essential.
- Your body develops physical dependence on thyroid medication, so abrupt cessation causes immediate rebound symptoms like severe fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, depression, and cardiac problems.
- Taper thyroid medication gradually under your doctor's guidance, reducing by 12.5-25 micrograms every 2-4 weeks rather than stopping cold turkey to allow your body to adjust.
- Never stop thyroid medication because you believe you're healed or because you want to test if you 'still need it'—only reduce under physician supervision after addressing underlying thyroid causes like autoimmunity or iodine deficiency.
Is it safe to stop taking thyroid medication?
In most cases, if you stop taking your medication cold turkey, you will experience many negative side effects.
In this post you will learn more about why you shouldn’t stop taking your thyroid medication (without physician supervision), the side effects of stopping thyroid medication abruptly, reasons why it isn’t safe and what to do instead.
Let’s jump in:
Is it Safe to Stop Taking Thyroid Medication?
The answer is no, in many cases it is not safe to stop taking your thyroid medication (at least not without physician supervision).
In some cases, it’s actually incredibly risky to stop taking your medication, especially if you have had your thyroid removed or destroyed from radioactive iodine ablation.
It may surprise you that your thyroid is responsible for some very important functions inside your body.
And when I say important, that’s really an understatement.
Thyroid hormone is required to function optimally, but it’s also required for you to be alive.
Fortunately, there are VERY few deaths from these conditions due to the ability to catch and diagnose thyroid dysfunction.
The problem does not occur with the diagnosis of thyroid function, instead, it occurs with the MANAGEMENT of thyroid disease via thyroid hormone (2).
Most doctors can easily and readily diagnose thyroid dysfunction, but the way that they treat thyroid dysfunction has led to many disgruntled thyroid patients.
These patients then go out and seek alternative therapies to try and feel better.
But make no mistake, the problem is not necessarily the medication (you probably need thyroid medication), instead, the problem has more to do with dosing, the type of thyroid medication you are taking, etc.
If you were put on thyroid medication then there is probably a good reason that you need it.
The problem with stopping your medication (abruptly or otherwise) has to do with how thyroid hormone impacts your body.
When you take exogenous thyroid medication (like levothyroxine or Synthroid) you are basically shutting down the ability of your own body to produce thyroid hormone naturally.
Your body then becomes reliant upon the medication that you are putting into your body each and every day.
If you suddenly stop taking that medication your body will not be able to produce its own thyroid hormone (usually for days to weeks) and during this time period, you will most likely feel terrible.
The symptoms that you will experience tend to mimic the symptoms of hypothyroidism (which probably lead you to your Doctor, to begin with) but may even be worse.
Symptoms associated with stopping thyroid medication include:
- Worsening of brain fog
- Increased fatigue
- Increased weight gain
- Increased menstrual irregularity
- Increased hair loss
- Worsening of constipation or GI issues
- Worsening memory function
- Increased pain
- And other symptoms of hypothyroidism
These side effects usually mimic the side effects of hypothyroidism, because if you stop taking your medication your body will not be able to produce it naturally for some time.
This may sound depressing, but it doesn’t have to be.
Instead of stopping your medication, there is another approach.
We will discuss more about that below (you can skip there if you want to now), but first I want to discuss some basics about how thyroid medication is impacting your body.
4 Reasons You’ll Probably get Worse If you Stop Taking your Medication
There will always be exceptions to these reasons, but most of you will probably feel worse if you stop taking your thyroid medication for the following reasons:
#1. Your Body May be Reliant upon the Medication
The first group of patients that should never stop taking thyroid medication includes those who do not have a thyroid or those who have had their thyroid removed.
This typically stems from conditions such as hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer.
If you don’t have a thyroid (or if it’s destroyed) then you are REQUIRED to supplement with thyroid hormone indefinitely (3)!
That means you will NEED to take thyroid medication for the rest of your life.
Remember, we said that thyroid hormone is required for you to function and for you to live.
If you can’t produce it naturally then you have to take it in some other way.
This group of people should never make changes to their thyroid medication without physician supervision as it can be very dangerous.
Does that mean that you need to suffer from any existing symptoms?
No, but it does mean that you should be very thoughtful about any changes you make to your thyroid medication and dosing.
In many cases, adding some T3 to your current medication regimen is enough to improve your symptoms dramatically.
I’ve discussed various options for patients post-thyroidectomy in this post here.
This information is also relevant if you have had your thyroid damaged or destroyed via RAI.
#2. Your HPT Axis is Blunted
When you take thyroid hormone it causes a feedback loop that inhibits the natural production of TSH from your pituitary gland.
The more thyroid hormone you take, the lower your TSH will go (4).
TSH stands for ‘thyroid stimulating hormone’ because it stimulates the production and release of thyroid hormone from your thyroid gland.
The lower your TSH goes the more your body is reliant upon thyroid medication for thyroid hormone.
TSH is part of an important axis known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (5).
In this axis, your body produces TRH which stimulates TSH which stimulates thyroid hormone production.
This normal axis is disrupted when you take any sort of thyroid medication (T4 or T3 or otherwise).
Even some supplements, such as iodine, can alter this axis.
It’s important to realize that this axis is altered when you take thyroid function because it impacts your body’s ability to produce thyroid hormone if you stop or alter your medication.
This axis is very sensitive and it can take weeks to months for it to come back to normal.
Consider cases of HPA suppression from cortisol (which can take 6-12 months to recover) (6) or cases of HPO suppression from birth control medication.
While your body is trying to heal you will be left with an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone and you will most likely feel worse.
#3. Your Body may NOT be able to Produce Thyroid Hormone by itself at 100%
People may assume that when they stop taking thyroid medication their bodies will be able to start producing it on their own.
This should happen eventually, but you also have to consider the fact that your body may not be able to even produce a normal amount by itself (thus the requirement for additional thyroid hormone through medication).
Imagine this scenario:
If you have Hashimoto’s, and you’ve had it for many years, there is a good chance that you have some element of permanent thyroid damage to your gland.
The autoimmune component of Hashimoto’s may lead to the eventual destruction of your entire thyroid gland which means it can no longer produce thyroid hormone by itself.
Even though this process can take years or decades before you lose 100% of function you will lose 50% of function and so on.
So, if you decide to stop taking your medication your body can only produce the amount that it is capable of producing.
If your body is capable of producing less than the amount that you are taking then you will be at an even worse deficit!
In some cases, you may be able to improve the amount that your body produces naturally, but you won’t be able to determine how much this is unless you go off your medication.
This may be an option for some people, but again, it should not be done without physician supervision.
The last thing you want to have happened when you alter your medication is that you feel worse.
#4. Thyroid Supplements do not Replace Thyroid Hormone (They aren’t as powerful as medications)
Lastly, some people make the assumption that taking thyroid supplements (such as those available over the counter) may allow them to stop taking their thyroid medication.
I am a big fan of thyroid supplementation and recommend that many of my patients use very specific and powerful supplements.
But it’s not safe to assume that supplements have the ability to replace thyroid medication.
Thyroid medication is always more potent and more powerful than any supplement (available over the counter).
Thyroid hormones are regulated by the FDA which means that they require a prescription medication.
The only exception is T2, which is available in some over-the-counter supplements.
T3 and T4 will require a physician’s supervision.
It is possible to purchase T3 and T4 via online pharmacies, but these pharmacies may not supply you with the correct dose or medication and they are not worth the risk (in my opinion).
Why do Some People Feel Better when they Stop Taking their Medication?
If you spend any time researching on the internet you will always find someone who has a positive experience when they stop taking their medication.
But you have to ask yourself a very important question:
Are their experiences, medical conditions, circumstances, etc. the exact same as mine?
In most cases, you will find the answer to that question is no.
It’s very possible that these patients may have been incorrectly placed on thyroid hormones, to begin with.
If you are taking thyroid medication, especially T4, and your body didn’t actually need it, then stopping the medication may actually make you feel better.
This likely has to do with thyroid hormone conversion and metabolism in your body.
But, let’s go back to the idea of incorrectly taking thyroid medication for a minute.
It’s possible, that through incorrect testing of an isolated TSH test, patients can be placed on thyroid medication inappropriately.
Your TSH can fluctuate on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and is sensitive to factors such as stress, supplements, sleep, and so on.
In addition, it’s estimated that up to 5% of lab tests are inaccurate (just from the standard error of measurement).
Either of these conditions can set the stage for improper management in a patient with normal thyroid function.
The chances of this happening are slim, but the chances of stopping thyroid medication and feeling better are also slim.
Just realize that some people may feel better when they stop the medication, but the exact reason should be evaluated on the individual level.
Never make any assumptions about your body or your thyroid function based on someone else’s experience.
What to do Instead of Stopping your Thyroid Medication
If you feel like you are stuck with your current thyroid medication and aren’t sure what to do then this is the section for you.
Before you consider stopping your thyroid medication make sure you at least look at these potential options which tend to help MOST people.
#1. Get a Complete Thyroid Lab Panel
The first step is to get a complete thyroid lab panel.
I’ve discussed, at length, what is included in this panel, and you can find more information in this post.
The reason that this is so important is that, without it, you are really flying blind.
Ordering and obtaining all of the thyroid lab tests will help give you information about how well you are absorbing thyroid medication, how well you are utilizing it in your body, how your body is metabolizing/converting it, and so on.
This step is the MOST important (well, second to only #5) for ensuring that you feel better because you can’t treat without it.
If your current doctor is unwilling to order these tests then you may need to seek out a second opinion and look for someone who specializes in thyroid care.
This lab panel includes the following tests: TSH, free t3, free t4, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies, and sex hormone-binding globulin.
You can read more about what each test tells you, including optimal ranges, in this post.
#2. Consider Altering your Medication or Dose
The next step, which hopefully follows #1, is to take a hard look at which medication you are currently using.
Most patients, especially those who feel terrible, all find themselves taking the same medication: levothyroxine or Synthroid.
This T4-only thyroid medication may be one of the reasons that you aren’t feeling well.
In order for your body to activate this medication, it must convert it into T3 (through thyroid conversion) and not everyone does this at the same rate.
This means that there are some people (up to 15% of the population based on genetic studies) who simply don’t do well on T4-only thyroid medication.
In a great many cases, feeling better can be as easy as switching up the type of medication you are taking.
Medications like NDT (Armour thyroid and WP thyroid) or Cytomel/liothyronine, contain T3 and can be added to your current thyroid regimen.
In other cases, it may not be that you are on the wrong medication, but that you are taking an insufficient dose.
The answer to people in this category may be as easy as increasing your medication.
#3. Consider adding Thyroid Supplements to Compliment your Medication
Another surprisingly effective strategy for improving your thyroid is through the use of targeted supplements.
Some patients may be able to dramatically improve their symptoms (reduce their symptoms) with the use of these high-quality supplements.
I have several supplements that I have used on hundreds of patients which you can find more about here.
When you use supplements make sure that you find very high-quality supplements, and make sure that you are using it for your desired outcome.
Not all supplements are created equal and not all thyroid patients will need the exact same supplements.
If you know that you have low T3 or have a problem converting thyroid hormone, then taking a supplement designed for improving T3 conversion is probably ideal.
If you know that you have low energy from adrenal issues, then taking an adrenal/thyroid supplement is probably ideal.
If you know that you have gut issues that may be contributing to your Hashimoto’s, then taking a probiotic may be ideal.
These supplements can be used in conjunction with your existing thyroid medication and with other therapies, which makes them great for “layering” therapies on top of each other.
You’ll often find, and this is the case in my practice, that those people who do more than one thing at a time often have more improvement than those who do one thing.
Supplements also have the advantage of being available over the counter, which means that they are easy to get (much easier than thyroid medication).
Whenever possible, it’s always a great idea to take your health into your own hands, do your own research, and make informed decisions about your body and health.
Supplements allow you to do just that.
#4. Improve your lifestyle (Diet + Exercise + Stress Reduction)
In case you aren’t already aware, another very important factor that is within your control is the food that you put into your body and how much you exercise.
If you aren’t doing these two things then you are potentially missing out on an improvement in your symptoms.
Diet and exercise by themselves are probably not enough to “cure” your condition (though they may for some) but they will allow you to feel better, help maintains your weight, and improves thyroid function.
Included with diet and exercise should be stress reduction techniques.
Techniques such as meditation are also incredibly powerful at reducing stress and helping you cope with difficult situations.
Stress may not always be within your control, but what you can control is how well you cope with it by adding certain techniques.
I’ve written extensively about diet, exercise, and thyroid function on this blog before so I won’t go deep into it now.
Just realize this is something you should be doing.
#5. Find a New Doctor (or get a second opinion)
Lastly, and perhaps the most important thing you can do is to try and find a physician or Doctor who is willing and able to help you with your condition.
Doctors such as endocrinologists and PCPs may, surprisingly, not be best suited to help you.
These physicians tend to be engrained in their logic and thought patterns and are not really interested in newer or alternative therapies (even though these therapies are well-studied and proven to be effective).
In most cases, it’s not worth the energy to fight with your Doctor for tests or medications.
The chances you of convincing your doctor to do this are slim to none.
A better approach, however, is to find a Doctor who is already knowledgeable and understands how to help.
This can definitely but difficult, but I’ve put together some resources to help.
You can find more information about how to find a thyroid doctor here.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line?
In most cases, discontinuing your thyroid medication (abruptly or otherwise) is not a wise decision.
The exception would be if you are starting a new medication, altering your dose or if you are doing it with physician supervision.
It’s far better, instead, to try other therapies (which are proven to be effective) with a knowledgeable physician.
Now I want to hear from you:
Are you struggling with getting proper thyroid care?
Is your current physician unwilling to work with you to try something new?
Have you thought about discontinuing your medication?
Leave your comments below!
Hello
I have had Hashi for approx 10 years and have been on Thyroxine for approx 6 of those years. At the beginning of this year my GP reduced my meds and then had me stop them altogether as I was showing signs of Graves. After seeing an Endo he has told me to stay off the meds as coming off them has balanced my levels however it is too early to say if I will stay hypo or go hyper. My issue is it is approx 8 months off my meds and I feel absolutely terrible. Weight gain, fatigue, memory fog, muscle aches and have also found out I have bursitis in both shoulders but the ache in my arms and joints since stopping my meds has been unbearable. Both my GP and endo are telling me that these symptoms are not related and I should be feeling fine because my levels are normal. Thoughts? Thank you.
I am 65. Need to lose weight. Diagnosed as hypothyroid & I started taking ndt in 2013. Currently, I was on 1 grain Naturethroid or WP Thyroid daily. Last tested, My Tsh was high & t3 & t4 in range. However, with the latest recall, there is no naturethroid available. I took my last pill yesterday. I am allergic to milk, corn, gluten, eggs. In the past, when I tried the np thyroid or armour, I had allergic reaction. I take Suzy cohen’s thyroid script & hashi script supplements. I also take rhodiola & Adrenal Logic supplements for adrenal gland support. I’ll call my doc after the weekend for his recommendations. Meanwhile, any suggestions about getting off rx or what rx will actually work? Your articles are giving me hope & helping me see outside of the box. I did have allergic reaction to ct scan radioactive dye a couple of times about 20 years ago. I also took cipro for 28 days & then for 52 days about 10 years ago. Thanks.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s last fall. My antibodies were around 30, so not terrible, and I was able to stave off medications for a while by adopting a really clean plant-based diet. Still, my doc suggested I go on meds to “optimize” my numbers because they were still a bit off. She put me on 75mcg of Levo and 15mcg of Lio. I started have a lot of hair thinning, and I didn’t think it was the meds – just assumed it was stress and the harsh water in LA. Well I got my numbers tested a few months ago, and my TSH was 0.2 (she hadn’t been checking my TSH until I checked it on the lab form myself…). This past August she brought my Lio down to 5mcg, so I’m taking that every day with the 75mcg Levo still. The hair thinning/loss has gotten worse over the last 6 or so months, and it’s really stressing me out. I have about half the hair I used to have, and it’s so brittle now. I’m wondering if you all have had success coming off of Lio, as I read online that that could be causing the hair thinning/loss. I am also searching for a new endo, as she is technically a gastroenterologist. 5mcg seems like a small dose, and the half-life is only a day, so I’m almost tempted to just stop taking it and keep with the Levo only – it seems that taking both Levo and Lio is actually quite controversial and not recommended by doctors (not something I knew until today). If you have any recommendations, I’m all ears! It’s really stressful to have issues with weight loss on top of being afraid to shower due to seeing how much hair I’ll lose each time. Greatly appreciate the help.
I’ve been on thyroxine (50mcg x3 a week) for 3 years. IMy doctor has taken me off thyroxine now to try and stop my recent onstart of excessive sweating. Sweating is so excessive impossible to live and work with. Do I need to supplement with some iodine? (No disease or operations on my thryroid)
I am 63 years old and had been on 4 grains (240mg) of Armour Thyroid for 30+years. Since then I have gone through menopause (which I have read Estrogen binds some Thyroid meds) and have progressively gotten more and more tired. I started having heart palpations several years ago and when my Dr decided it was Afib, he immediately cut my dosage in half. Following that I became increasing worse, gained 20 lbs, my hair started falling out, my blood sugar became increasingly unstable (tend towards hypoglycemia) EXTREME fatigue and my everyday body temp is somewhere between 95 and 96. 5 degrees. He sent me to an Endocrinologist who declared that my TSH was nonexistent (and had been since before I started on Thyroid) and my T3 and T4 were in the normal range I should keep reducing my dosage until the TSH raises up to a “normal” range. (She also was positive that I was a diabetic and that Thyroid has nothing to do with blood sugar levels. A1C, insulin and daily blood tests show me NOT Diabetic, in fact my blood sugar goes DOWN many times after eating instead of up)
My Doctor decided she did not know what she was talking about and asked my to try upping my dosage by taking 1 grain every other day. He asked if she had considered that I might have a pituitary issue instead. He has since retired and I have been managing by symptom. Irregular heartbeats + too high, multiple charlie horses per day with no reason + not enough. I did lose the 20 lbs at about the same rate that I gained it in 6 months to a year, when I stabilized my dosage at about 135mg per day.
Any new doctor is going to take one look at my TSH and reduce or take me off the medication entirely. Cutting in half could turkey is not an experience that I want to go through again.
On top of this my husband has been taking 120 mgs of Armour Thyroid for about the same period of time. He just started seeing a VA Dr who saw that HE has low TSH and wants him to cut the Thyroid medication completely, cold turkey. He is 77 years old, very active and has what they now call Afib for years since BEFORE he took any Thyroid meds. I am VERY concerned and do not want his health to go downhill like mine did when we cut my dosage in half cold turkey.
What do we do??!!
Hi Deb,
It is HIGHLY likely that if you cut your dose down (or your husband) that you will feel terrible. Your best option is to find a new doctor, unfortunately.
There was a question about an inverse relationship on BP that didn’t appear to have an answer. I switched from 100 mcg of levothyroxine to 90 of Armor 1 month ago. All the typical symptoms of over medication including increased pulse (70 to 90+) with an alarming drop in BP 70/50) with fluctuations from normal to low throughout the day. I did several EKG’s and have normal sinus rhythm. I stopped armor for 1 week; pulse is still high with BP returning to normal. However, taking a 1/2 dose of Armor to keep it from going to low drops my BP again. When would you typically resume a 1/2 dose of Armor and when would you typically expect this to level out? I realize you do not provide medical advice, I’m only looking for what you’ve witnessed in the past with other patients.
I had my thyroid out many years ago and have been on Thyroid meds ever since. I’m 78 and my wife left me for no apparent reason two years ago and since then I’ve lost 58 pounds. After 2 mos. I found out that she inherited a half million dollars and didn’t want to share it w/me. I also have 3 disintegrated disks, severe neck pain, ringing in my ears so loud, $4,000 hearing aids do not help! I’m extremely miserable, lonely and I have no money, so I’m about to be homeless. I stopped taking my Meds 9 days ago and was wondering how long do you think I have to live. I don’t want to shoot myself in the head or crash into a concrete wall at 130 mph so I thought this would be the best way to go without causing a mess or having my family think I committed suicide!
Hi William,
I am not sure how long you have left to live based on this information but I would strongly recommend that you seek help for your depression! It may seem hopeless right now but I can assure you that it will get better. Please seek out help if you are feeling this way!
Hi, Dr. Childs – I took myself off of my Armour thyroid (2 grains per day) cold turkey on 8/17/18. (I was 56, and I’d been on daily thyroid replacement since the age of 27.) I felt GREAT for about 4 weeks. Then symptoms hit me like a Mack truck: rapid weight gain, very puffy face, and other things that I wouldn’t have associated with hypothyroidism, mainly: I would see flashing lights in the dark; my arms would suddenly go heavy and tingly. I fought the symptoms for two weeks, then went back on my 2 grains Armour thyroid (titrated up over the course of two weeks). The arm thing resolved and the eye symptoms resolved about 90%. The face puffiness resolved–all but my very puffy eyes. And the weight (15 lbs), sadly, has never resolved. Any advice? (I am concerned that I have Thyroid Eye Disease, even though I’m hypo.) Please share your thoughts … thank you so much!!! – PJ
Dear Dr
I have recently been diagnosed with overactive thyroid after having underactive for many years. My daily dose of Eltroxin 0.05mg has been stopped for 6 days now and I feel horrible. Tremors, anxiety, up and down BP, extremely cold and on and off hot flashes, I’m using Estrogen gel 3x a week for a perimenopause diagnosis. I’m having very strange experience in my body. How long can this take and what can I do?
Thank you kindly Andrea Jacobs
Hi Andrea,
I’m not really sure what you are referring to when you say how long can I take this?
Hi Dr Childs!
I’m 47 years old, been hypothyroid with Hashimotos for about 12 years now. Had a nodule on my right side that was being watched for about 5 years. Last year it grew rapidly, more than doubled in size and showed as more dense on ultrasound (which was done in June of this year). I also all of a sudden became hyperthyroid (was on 120 levothyroxine and 5mcg liothyronine). Dr decreased levothyroxine to 100 to bring my TSH back up to normal. Before that I was doing well on naturethroid but had to be switched to synthetic 10/2020 when it kept going on recall/backorder. Anyhow, The decision to remove right side of thyroid was made due to it having grown so quickly. 4 days after speaking with ENT and deciding to remove, I woke up feeling horrible. Neck was swollen, lymph nodes in neck and various places throughout body were swollen, my blood pressure started going high and I started getting painful lumps in my fatty tissue areas and just a general unwell feeling (I believe it to be panniculitis but I’ve seen 3 doctors that haven’t seemed concerned). Prior to this I had started having hot flashes, sweats and insomnia. One doctor switched me to Armour since it’s natural and we wanted to see if Levothyroxine and/or liothyronine were causing my issues. No improvement. I had to be put on propranolol to bring down BP since Lisinipril (later changed to Losartan) wasn’t doing it alone( and I hadn’t had to take BP meds fir 6 months because of a successful weight loss and workout routine). Pulse started being high too (95-100. When it was normally about 75).
So, I had my right side of thyroid removed on 7/28. Dr said there was tons of inflammation, “definitely thyroiditis”. Since then my blood pressure has been all over the place. I asked to go back to synthetic since Armour seemed to make it worse. I started back on the Levothyroxine 100 about a week ago and was feeling pretty decent with normal BP. Four days ago I tried to start Liothyronine 5mcg back up and 2 days later my neck once again felt like it was starting to swell, lymph nodes painful, blood pressure raised etc. so I’m pretty convinced that the Liothyronine is the problem. I didn’t take it yesterday or today. Today I’m feeling light headed/dizzy, headache. Could it be from the two days I tried to take Liothyronine and then stopped? I’m wondering if I have thyroid toxicity. All of the endocrinologist around here are booked 3 months out and primary doctors don’t seem to know anything. Even though I don’t feel well today, my BP and pulse are back to normal but still have tightness in throat and chest. I’m at a loss and don’t know what to do.
Hi there. Thank you for this article. I am one of “those” who responded very well when I quit taking Synthroid cold turkey after taking it for 10 years! I was over-prescribed and still wonder if I even needed it in the first place as my TSH was just outside the high range of normal. The first week I stopped taking Synthroid, no joke, my bench pressed increased by 20lbs, I felt relaxed and calm, I could sleep and I felt…well…happy, which was a very odd feeling for me. For ten years I would have one good day every 10 to 20 days. Typically I felt nauseous, headaches, anxiety, nervousness and eventually develped persucatory delusional disorder (I believed people were trying to kill me, my wife and my children – seriously!) I was actually overwhelmed with joy. However, I continued to see doctors who tried me on WP Thyroid (my eyes swelled shut as it turned out I am allergic to pork), then a compounded T3/T4 medication. I started to struggle again and eventually stopped taking that as well. I am not on 5mcg of Cytomel, which I only take once per week – every Sunday morning around 7a to 9a. I am wondering if I even need to take that now? I typically feel tired, lethargic, have a headache and a bad attitude on Mondays. I don’t believe it is just because it is Monday, but I believe it is due to Cytomel. Good sir, do you have any advice for me on this? Finding and working with a good Endocrinologist is NOT easy these days!!!
Hi Brian,
5 mcg taken once per week is such a small dose that it’s likely that it’s probably not doing much for you at this point.
Hi Dr. Childs,
Recently I started weaning off of my synthroid medication by dropping 10% every two weeks as suggested in one of your YouTube videos. My TSH was low (0.6) and my T3 & T4 were quite high. However, every time I drop my dose my blood pressure rises to hypotension levels for about 4-5 days before normalizing. I have no other symptoms and actually feel quite refreshed after the hypotension subsides.
I’m discussing this with my G.P. on Tuesday but my functional doctor couldn’t figure out why this could be happening. Would you happen to have any idea what would cause this? I’ve always felt like I was unnecessarily on Synthroid, so that’s my only speculation.
Thanks!
Dear Dr. Childs, 8 years ago I retired to Mexico. I had been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and had taken levothyroxine when I was 30, 37 years ago.
6 months after retirement to Mexico I started getting rashes that worsened with each flare up.
I saw many doctors who contributed my problem to allergies, although none of the tests concluded that.
The rashes and all other symptoms continued to worsen. Doing my own research I discovered your website and others that led me to believe I had a very bad case of drug induced cutaneous lupus which also became photosensitivity with much scarring.
I tried my best to find a doctor to help me wean off the thyroid drug, no luck there. As a matter of fact they would no longer accept me as their patient.
I was at the stage that I felt my only option was to cold turkey stop the med alone.
Yes, there were some very scary results of that. But imo stopping may have killed me, but not stopping definitely would.
The rash stopped itching in just a few days.
Fortunately in Mexico one can order lab tests independently of a doctor. After 9 weeks without the thyroid med I tested (with the help of your site as to what tests were necessary).
Sure enough the test results showed my thyroid was indeed active.
It’s now been over a year since I discontinued levothyroxine. I’m now working on lessening the scars, although I’ve lost quite a bit of pigmentation that appears will be permanent.
Yes, I know what I did was risky and I would not advise others to follow my lead. But I sure am very grateful to you for having info to aid in my decision. As well as Jama posting that levothyroxine was added to the list of drugs that can cause drug induced cutaneous lupus.
Now I can only believe that my body was telling me to stop the drug. Did my thyroid become active with less stress because of retirement? Did my diet change because of the fresh foods available here? I’ll never be certain.
But I do believe the internet saved my life and the info you provide was crucial. Thank you doctor!
PS I have many pics I’d be happy to send to you if you’re interested in seeing what happened to my body.
Hi Ingrid,
Thanks for sharing! It’s hard to know for sure why that happened but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was due to stress. Stress is such a powerful modulator of thyroid function that it probably played some role.
My name is Kathy Mills, I live in Mississippi. I quit taking my synthroid because I have acid reflux when I take it with my nexium. Now I feel like death. I’m hurting all over and want to sleep all the time. I started taking my synthroid back today. How long will I feel like this?
Hi Kathy,
It’s hard to say for sure without a lot more information but I would never recommend quitting thyroid medication cold turkey for the reasons listed here: https://www.restartmed.com/side-effects-of-stopping-thyroid-medication/
Dear Dr. Child,
I used to have hypothyroidism and took doses up to 125 Eltroxin then it altered to hyperthyroidism after having an adenoma then my doctor stopped my medications however my TSH level returned to be border lines and I began to gain weight so I began to take Eltroxin 100 again so should I stop it, or can I wait 4 weeks and test my TSH levels again?
Dear Dr. Child
I am 75 and have been taking Armour Thyroid for many years and my endo reduced the dose of 45 mg down to 30 mg. I see him every 6 months. My question is this: Can my medication cause me to shake?
This has come on quite suddenly.
Hi Carol,
Yes, it is certainly possible but shaking is very nonspecific so I wouldn’t be able to say for sure if it came from your medication or note.
Hi Dr Childs,
I quit my LevoThyroxine cold turkey 6 weeks (only just found your article). I have been on 125mg for the last 15 years, i decided I’d test what happens after such a long period of time.. I know I defo shouldn’t be doing stuff like this.
After 6 weeks, I still feel pretty normal, a get a little more tired easier, take a nap and feel ok, I do not feel cold, or yet to have any constipation.
Could I ask, am I yet out of the woods, or is 6 weeks not yet long enough to consider this my new normal?
Extra info if it helps: UK based, 41 yo male, 86kg, 6’3″, plant based, GF, regular fasting, exercise 5 days a week.
Many thanks, Lloyd.
Hi Lloyd,
It takes a good 4-6 weeks for the levothyroxine to completely be out of your system based on its half-life and probably another 3-6 months for your thyroid to get to whatever level it can in terms of thyroid hormone production.
I would say it’s a pretty good sign that you aren’t feeling much worse at the 6-week mark. Hopefully, from here you will continue to see minor improvements over the coming months as your body attempts to re-regulate itself.
Hi Dr Childs- I have been dx with hypothyroidism for 25 years. Currently being treated with 100mcg of Levothyroxine. I have maintained good thyroid levels according to lab work. My last Rx was Levothyroxine 100 and pharmacist noted it may look different and different replacement. Prior it always listed as substitute for Synthyroid, and this time it noted substitute for Euthyroid. I didn’t really acknowledge that until two weeks in I started not feeling myself at all, shakey, anxious, diarrhea, racing heart just unsettled. I went to the PCP and she felt was anxiety with stress I am under and we very briefly discussed the med. She did note that some of her patients do request only levothyroxine-Synthroid. I went to the pharmacist who argued with me about there being any difference. I quit taking the levothyroxine until I get an answer. Have you heard of this before? How long would almost two weeks of the Euthyroid levothyroxine is out of my system? Thank you
Hi Mary Ann,
Pharmacists have some theoretical knowledge but their practical knowledge is usually lacking. There is absolutely a difference between Synthroid and levothyroxine in terms of how it impacts certain patients which your doctor would be aware of because he/she treats patients (whereas the pharmacist does not). There are also some studies that show that these medications are not bioequivalent. I’ve written about this topic before and this article includes some tips to make sure you can get Synthroid over levothyroxine if that’s your goal: https://www.restartmed.com/synthroid-vs-levothyroxine/
Hello!
I’m taking .5 mcg of levothyroxine and have been for about 10 months. I was prescribed it by my obgyn when my thyroid went slightly hypo during pregnancy. My baby is now 5 months old and I’m still taking it. I gained about 30lbs during my pregnancy. I am very active and mindful of my diet. I lost most of the weight right away but have been holding onto 10 lbs for nearly 5 months! It’s crazy. I workout daily, nurse, and watch what I eat but these 10lbs are NOT budging. Lately I’ve noticed more headaches and generally not feeling all that great. I had my thyroid tested thinking maybe that was issue and all they said was that’s it’s normal. Mind you, I’m still on the levothyroxine. I’ve never had thyroid issues in the past, only during pregnancy.
Well, it occurred to me yesterday that maybe it’s the medication that’s screwing with my thyroid and the way I feel. I’ve always been sensitive to medication so this would NOT surprise me. I asked my dr about going off of it and he suggested a slow weaning and then retesting. So that’s my current plan. I’m wondering how plausible my theory is that these last 10lbs and general crappiness feeling is related to taking the levothyroxine unnecessarily, and perhaps, I have the reverse T3 process occurring? What are your thoughts?
Thanks!
Katie
Hi Katie,
It’s possible it could be contributing and I’ve seen things like this before but I would say it’s not very common. Pregnancy seems to have an impact on hormone balance which frequently leads to weight gain after giving birth.
Hi Doc-
In reading through all of your posts it is evident you have extensive expertise in this area! I am a 55 year old male who is a six year survivor of H&N cancer. SCC in the throat. 35 radiation and 7 chemo treatments over 7 weeks. Started Levothyroxine about 4 or so years ago as thyroid was in radiation path and is slowing. Sometimes it seems to make me have a rapid heart rate at rest. The last prescription I just started 2 weeks ago shot my resting heart rate up to 115-118. Stopped taking it after 5 days then split my pills for another 5 days before I could get in to my oncologist just today. TSH and T3 numbers were worse as expected. Surprising to me was my cholesterol and triglycerides spiked up significantly. Is this common? Also, it doesn’t seem that Levothyroxine is the right med for low T3?
I appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks for all you do!
Hi Paul,
Yes, there is a strong correlation between thyroid function and cholesterol and you can learn more about that here: https://www.restartmed.com/hypothyroid-and-high-cholesterol/
In regards to thyroid medication, levothyroxine can work for low T3 for sure, but it’s more about the individual and how well they can convert T4 to T3.
My TSH is in the 9 range. All other thyroid labs are in the normal range. Doctor just raised my Tirosint from 75mcg to 100 mcg and keep taking T3 2.5 mcg because I’m sensitive to it. I have icy cold hands, horrible menstrual cramping, and occasional irregular heartbeat and dizziness. Your suggestions? Does it sound like we’re on the right track, or do I need to go a different route? Doctor always asks what I want to do, but I’m not the expert and am lost. My heart rate is typically 60 BPM but has been above 70 resting, which I’ve never had in my life. I’ve been on thyroid meds for over 20 years.
Hi Liz,
You will want to continually adjust your thyroid medication until you reach the optimal ranges found here: https://www.restartmed.com/normal-thyroid-levels/
How much you need of any given thyroid medication and which type varies from person to person which is why the values found in the article above are helpful.
What are side effects of coming off thyroid medication
Hi Kelsey,
Please check out the article above as it outlines all of those side effects in detail!
I was on 150mcg of levo for 20 years. One day out of nowhere my legs and arms started going numb and had constant panic attacks for months. They upped me to 250mcg and switched to synthroid. My tsh went down to 8.9. Was on it for a year and all I did was shake sweat, couldn’t sleep more thsn 3-5hrs a night, panic attacks, numbness. I couldn’t afford the medicine, so I took half the dose for 2 weeks, then 50mcg for a week. I haven’t taken it in days and I feel better. What the heck? I’m sleeping through the night. I can eat now. My body doesn’t ache. My heart rate lowered 15bpm down to 78 instead of 90-100. BP is 130/80. I now take probiotic 3x a day, i’m doing a liver cleanse, I’ve cut out preservatives and 85%of seed oils and gluten. I eat meat, vegetables, potatoes, butter salt. Could I have been taxing my system with terrible food and the stress of my divorce cause my tsh to explode like it did? All of those symptoms are gone and I probably only have about 25% of my original 250mcg dose in my bloodstream, at the moment.
Hi Tim,
Those factors could certainly contribute to your TSH, yes.
Hey Dr Childs – I was put on thyroid meds despite a normal thyroid panel before meds. TSH was 1, free T4 was high in range. The only issue for me, was rT3 – which was above range at 33 (8-32). My T3 was on the low side at 3.9 (3.1-6.8). The idea was to help me clear the rT3.
I have worked hard on my metabolism, stopped fasting, done a reverse diet and fixed things. It has been 9 months. And now I need to come off my thyroid meds to see if I can rock this. I’m on 50mcg T4 and 45mcg T3. My doctor is not much help, I don’t think he has much experience taking people *off* meds…
My current plan is to stop the T4 first and allow it to reduce in my blood for 2-3wks. And then to cut the T3 to 15mcg, which a previous lab result shows my TSH is not suppressed at – and which will hopefully give me something whilst my thyroid kicks back in… (At 30mcg, my TSH was suppressed so my thyroid is not going to be working again and I will just be hypo for no reason.)
If I reduce the T3 to 15mcg but I still have the T4 at 50mcg, my TSH is again suppressed and I will just be needlessly hypo… and it could take weeks for that to fade down… So I thought that allowing the T4 to reduce first and then coming down on the T3 to where I know my TSH will kick in, is the best idea…? I know I will be hypo for a while, just trying to make this quick. Any thoughts? Many thanks.