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What Causes Severe Lethargy After Resuming Dosage Of Levothyroxine For Hyperthyroidism?
Posted on
Fri, 20 Jan 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 20 Jan 2017
Answered on
Tue, 14 Feb 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi Doctor,
I have diagnosed of hyperthyrodism 7-8 years back and consuming tablet Tyroxine 100 mg on daily basis.
Although sometime i forgot talking the medicine for months or as irregular periods.
Usually if i am not taking meds i feel very lathargic , sleeping all the times and tired and then i have stared the medication of 100 mg tyroxine again.
From Nov 16 onwards i have stopped the medicines and from Dec onwards i again started feeling low energy, blurr vision , full time sleepiness ( even diffult to drive due to such sensation) burning eyes etc.
To recover fast , i took doses 200 mg for 3 consecutive days from 9 XXXXXXX till 12 XXXXXXX 2017 and usual 100 mg everyday after 12th.
Now from last 5 days , i am feeling very strange sessions in my body
- Feeling fever all time ( if checking i found my temp always in between 36.8 to 37.4)
- Feeling my entire body is burning
- Constipations
- lazyness
- Night sweats
Can you please help and guide me , why i am geeting such starange symptoms
Its first time i am
Experiencing such physical discomfort and my mind is full of anxiety due to this burning feelings.
Pls suggest what to do and how to avoid this burning and constipation feelings
I have diagnosed of hyperthyrodism 7-8 years back and consuming tablet Tyroxine 100 mg on daily basis.
Although sometime i forgot talking the medicine for months or as irregular periods.
Usually if i am not taking meds i feel very lathargic , sleeping all the times and tired and then i have stared the medication of 100 mg tyroxine again.
From Nov 16 onwards i have stopped the medicines and from Dec onwards i again started feeling low energy, blurr vision , full time sleepiness ( even diffult to drive due to such sensation) burning eyes etc.
To recover fast , i took doses 200 mg for 3 consecutive days from 9 XXXXXXX till 12 XXXXXXX 2017 and usual 100 mg everyday after 12th.
Now from last 5 days , i am feeling very strange sessions in my body
- Feeling fever all time ( if checking i found my temp always in between 36.8 to 37.4)
- Feeling my entire body is burning
- Constipations
- lazyness
- Night sweats
Can you please help and guide me , why i am geeting such starange symptoms
Its first time i am
Experiencing such physical discomfort and my mind is full of anxiety due to this burning feelings.
Pls suggest what to do and how to avoid this burning and constipation feelings
Brief Answer:
You must reduce the dosage of thyroxine immediatelly.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for using HCM for your health queries.
I read carefully your question and understood your concern.
Tyroxine or Levothyroxine is a thyroid medicine that replaces a hormone normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothyroxine is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.
Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). It is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which can be caused by hormone imbalances, radiation treatment and surgery.
Levothyroxine works best if you take it on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast, at the same time each day.
I want to explain that Doses 200 mcg/day or greater, orally are seldom required.
In your case,you have not taken this hormone regularly and it is logical that when you do not take meds ,you feel very lathargic , sleeping all the times, tired and full time sleepiness.
These are all symptoms of hypothyroidism.
At the other side when you take 200 mcg/day Thyroxine you feel your entire body burning and Night sweats.These are symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Very probably these condition can be attributed to overdose and it is called Factitious hyperthyroidism.
All you need to do now, is to reduce the dose and to take 100 mvg/day and after some days your symptoms will disappear.
You should be re-checked in 2 - 4 weeks to be sure that the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are gone. This also helps to confirm the diagnosis.
Constipation is not a sign of hyperthyroidism. It can be a symptom of hypothyroidism or can be caused by other factors.
Anyway I'd recommend the following changes to relieve your constipation:
- Increase your fiber intake.( Slowly begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals.)
- Exercise most days of the week. Physical activity increases muscle activity in your intestines.
- Don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Take your time in the bathroom, allowing
yourself enough time to have a bowel movement without distractions and without feeling rushed.
Hope this information is helpful for you.
If you have other questions,feel free and ask. I will be happy to help.
Take care
You must reduce the dosage of thyroxine immediatelly.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for using HCM for your health queries.
I read carefully your question and understood your concern.
Tyroxine or Levothyroxine is a thyroid medicine that replaces a hormone normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothyroxine is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.
Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). It is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which can be caused by hormone imbalances, radiation treatment and surgery.
Levothyroxine works best if you take it on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast, at the same time each day.
I want to explain that Doses 200 mcg/day or greater, orally are seldom required.
In your case,you have not taken this hormone regularly and it is logical that when you do not take meds ,you feel very lathargic , sleeping all the times, tired and full time sleepiness.
These are all symptoms of hypothyroidism.
At the other side when you take 200 mcg/day Thyroxine you feel your entire body burning and Night sweats.These are symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Very probably these condition can be attributed to overdose and it is called Factitious hyperthyroidism.
All you need to do now, is to reduce the dose and to take 100 mvg/day and after some days your symptoms will disappear.
You should be re-checked in 2 - 4 weeks to be sure that the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism are gone. This also helps to confirm the diagnosis.
Constipation is not a sign of hyperthyroidism. It can be a symptom of hypothyroidism or can be caused by other factors.
Anyway I'd recommend the following changes to relieve your constipation:
- Increase your fiber intake.( Slowly begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals.)
- Exercise most days of the week. Physical activity increases muscle activity in your intestines.
- Don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Take your time in the bathroom, allowing
yourself enough time to have a bowel movement without distractions and without feeling rushed.
Hope this information is helpful for you.
If you have other questions,feel free and ask. I will be happy to help.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi Doctor,
Thnks for the detailed analysis, i would like to seek for your help on few below points.
1- I am not experiencing loose bowel moments but always feeling that its about to happen , would lt be possible due to overdose?
2- When this feeling hot and burning feeling will go down? How much time it will take to resolve this discomfort?
3- Can just 2- 3 days dose of Tyroximine 200 mg are able to create such panic situvations?
4- Along with burning hot , sweating and stomach discomfort ... i am expriencing shortness of Breath , not much hungry , tiredness and uneasiness in chest ( like shallow inside chest and body).
What is the reason of so much of discomfort and uneasiness?i am dead scared and anxious due to so much of these symptoms?
Pls help with your suggestions doctor?
Thnks for the detailed analysis, i would like to seek for your help on few below points.
1- I am not experiencing loose bowel moments but always feeling that its about to happen , would lt be possible due to overdose?
2- When this feeling hot and burning feeling will go down? How much time it will take to resolve this discomfort?
3- Can just 2- 3 days dose of Tyroximine 200 mg are able to create such panic situvations?
4- Along with burning hot , sweating and stomach discomfort ... i am expriencing shortness of Breath , not much hungry , tiredness and uneasiness in chest ( like shallow inside chest and body).
What is the reason of so much of discomfort and uneasiness?i am dead scared and anxious due to so much of these symptoms?
Pls help with your suggestions doctor?
Brief Answer:
Don't be scared because these symptoms will go away soon.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I read carefully all your questions and i understand your anxiousness.
1.Yes, loose bowel movements can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism,so,it is due to overdose.
2.Yes,Of course your symptoms will disappear gradually with the elimination of the excess of thyroid hormone from your body.Generally it is necessary some days to a couple of weeks to resolve the situation.
3.If you have take 200mcg for 2-3 days and you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism,this means that this is enough to cause overdose.
4.Shortness of Breath,discomfort and uneasiness in chest ,anxiousness are symptoms of thyroxine Overdose.Don't worry all these problems will gradually go away on it's own some days after you decrese the dose of thyroxine.
Hope i have clarified your doubts.If you have other queries,feel free and ask.
You can contact me every time you have a health related query me at HealthCareMagic at my private link: bit.do/hcm-Dr-Xhardo.
I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Don't be scared because these symptoms will go away soon.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I read carefully all your questions and i understand your anxiousness.
1.Yes, loose bowel movements can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism,so,it is due to overdose.
2.Yes,Of course your symptoms will disappear gradually with the elimination of the excess of thyroid hormone from your body.Generally it is necessary some days to a couple of weeks to resolve the situation.
3.If you have take 200mcg for 2-3 days and you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism,this means that this is enough to cause overdose.
4.Shortness of Breath,discomfort and uneasiness in chest ,anxiousness are symptoms of thyroxine Overdose.Don't worry all these problems will gradually go away on it's own some days after you decrese the dose of thyroxine.
Hope i have clarified your doubts.If you have other queries,feel free and ask.
You can contact me every time you have a health related query me at HealthCareMagic at my private link: bit.do/hcm-Dr-Xhardo.
I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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