What Causes Chest Discomfort While Taking Levothyroxine?

Posted on Fri, 30 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 30 May 2014 Answered on

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am currently taking levothyroxine since February and have been experiencing chest discomfort and sometimes have to take deep breaths.

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Likely Anxiety? / get investigated

Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Your symptoms do not suggest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – pain from the heart is oppressing, in central chest (and left), worse on effort, relieved by rest, may radiate to shoulders and arms, associated with sweating and so on. Your age also is not in favour…

See your doctor / ECG is done routinely to exclude…
If in doubt, ECHOcardiogram / TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG) / LABORATORY work-up – are done at times, mostly for reassurance
Also, check thyroid function to titrate the dose
The treating doctor may suggest them depending on need, based on his assessment of the situation.

Take care
God bless

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar