Sleep Issues and Thyroid Medication

[Treadmillwalker 486]

I've been having problems sleeping. My Internal Medicine physician suggested I see my Endocrinologist to have my thyroid retested. I currently take Synthroid (Levothyroxine) for my hypothyroidism. Due to my weight loss I found out that my dosage needs to be adjusted down and it is the cause of my sleep issues (I was waking up during the night and staying awake). I now need to have my blood tested every six weeks to see if the dosage needs to be adjusted. I currently take 3 mg. AND now skip taking a pill on Sunday each week. I'm now sleeping through the night again.

Another tip: If you take thyroid medication and the birth control pill take them 12 hours apart (one in the morning and one at night). The birth control pill will make the thyroid medication NOT as effective if taken at the same time. Based on instructions from my Endocrinologist (I'm am no longer on birth control.)

I thought I would share in case anyone else is on medication for their thyroid and having trouble sleeping or struggling with weight loss. You may need to have your dosage adjusted down during your weight loss phase and space your birth control and thyroid medication 12 hours apart.

Edited December 9, 2016 by Treadmillwalker

[genn 460]

That is a side effect of synthroid as well so you may want to talk to ur endocrinologist about a different thyroid medication I have seen many patients that had to stop taking that bc of insomnia. So if you continue to have problems it may be the medication itself!! Best of luck.

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[Djmohr 6,965]

@@Treadmillwalker

I had to have my synthroid adjusted 4 times as I went through the weight loss process.

It happens so fast too......it will make hair loss more significant.

I am now 24 months post op and recently was changed to two different doses. Speaking of which, I need to get my blood checked again to see if this is now the right dose.

[mrsNilla 304]

I take both T3 and T4 for my hypo and after the rny I have been waking up all the time during the night. I'm still cold and I haven't lost much weight either.

Nilla

[Treadmillwalker 486]

I take both T3 and T4 for my hypo and after the rny I have been waking up all the time during the night. I'm still cold and I haven't lost much weight either.

Nilla

It may be time for another thyroid blood test. I hate when I can't sleep.

Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

[Jdserra 78]

I'm 7 weeks out and requested to have blood work done since I've lost 35 lbs. I knew it would need to be changed. I was on two Levothyroxine pills (1-200mg and 1-25mg= 225mg a day). My labs came back high...doctor wants me on 200mg only. Which is fine but I think my weight loss will slow a bit. I'm ok with it.

[OzRoo 1,492]

I've had at least 4-5 Thyroxine adjustments since my surgery in March 2016.

Been suffering from insomnia ever since.

Still have regular, 6 weekly blood tests.

3 months ago, my Endo recommended halving my dose, from 100mcg to 50mcg.

I slept OK, but got very blah, no energy, loads of allergies and hay fever and bad headaches, plus my weight loss stopped.

I was told that my results were "normal", but I could see the "normal range is quite wide, and I was towards the top of the "normal" range.

So, I started on a mixed dose. Worked OK, really well for few weeks, had loads more energy, now I get hyper symptoms again, not as bad as many months ago, but my insomnia got worse again, and I have been getting hot again with racing pulse.

I was taking 50mcg for 4 days, then 100mcg for 3 days.

Waiting for results from my latest blood test.

I may need to take 50mcg for 5-6 days, and 100mcg for 1-2 days. I will know next week.

My hypo was created by having RAI mid last year, as I have Graves Disease and was very hyper-thyroid.

Been on Thyroxine since January 2016.

I have read a lot about other thyroid meds, more natural, NDTs, but at this stage I find them very expensive here, in Australia.

Hope this dose adjustment roller-coaster will stop soon, really over it by now.

Good luck and best wishes to us all!

[mylighthouse 782]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I have been on Synthroid for years for my hypothyroidism.

I have lost some weight and I am having trouble with waking up very early in the morning... like this morning, I have been up since 3 am. Wasn't sure what was going on with me the past couple of weeks, but now that you have brought this to my attention, it just might be the cause.

Appreciate your post a lot!

[genn 460]

I've had at least 4-5 Thyroxine adjustments since my surgery in March 2016.

Been suffering from insomnia ever since.

Still have regular, 6 weekly blood tests.

3 months ago, my Endo recommended halving my dose, from 100mcg to 50mcg.

I slept OK, but got very blah, no energy, loads of allergies and hay fever and bad headaches, plus my weight loss stopped.

I was told that my results were "normal", but I could see the "normal range is quite wide, and I was towards the top of the "normal" range.

So, I started on a mixed dose. Worked OK, really well for few weeks, had loads more energy, now I get hyper symptoms again, not as bad as many months ago, but my insomnia got worse again, and I have been getting hot again with racing pulse.

I was taking 50mcg for 4 days, then 100mcg for 3 days.

Waiting for results from my latest blood test.

I may need to take 50mcg for 5-6 days, and 100mcg for 1-2 days. I will know next week.

My hypo was created by having RAI mid last year, as I have Graves Disease and was very hyper-thyroid.

Been on Thyroxine since January 2016.

I have read a lot about other thyroid meds, more natural, NDTs, but at this stage I find them very expensive here, in Australia.

Hope this dose adjustment roller-coaster will stop soon, really over it by now.

Good luck and best wishes to us all!

headaches is another side effect of synthroid.

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Synthroid is also used for pituitary TSH suppression. Synthroid is available in generic form. Common side effects of Synthroid include:

fever,

hot flashes,

sensitivity to heat,

sweating,

headache,

nervousness,

irritability,

nausea,

sleep problems (insomnia),

changes in appetite or changes in weight,

changes in menstrual perdiods,

and temporary hair loss.

Notify your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Synthroid including rapid heartbeat, fluttering in your chest, or chest pain.

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[OzRoo 1,492]

@@genn

Thank you for the info:

headaches is another side effect of synthroid.



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Synthroid is also used for pituitary TSH suppression. Synthroid is available in generic form. Common side effects of Synthroid include:

fever,
hot flashes,
sensitivity to heat,
sweating,
headache,
nervousness,
irritability,
nausea,
sleep problems (insomnia),
changes in appetite or changes in weight,
changes in menstrual perdiods,
and temporary hair loss.
Notify your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Synthroid including rapid heartbeat, fluttering in your chest, or chest pain.


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I still have to use Atenolol at times (beta blocker), not as often as pre RAI.

Headaches got better with my Ear Daiths piercings in both ears, and no more Migraines for me. These acupressure points work for apparently 50% of people, and I am the lucky one in the 50%.

I was getting them daily before, awful! I was on very strong pain killers for my severe headaches and migraines. Now, I very rarely take them.

These days, occasional headache I get is due to my hay fever, mostly.

I have been using older styles anti-histamines, as the newer ones did not help me at all, with my constant runny nose, even cortisone did not help.

No Hair loss for me, thank goodness. My hair actually got healthier, so one plus here!

No more periods for me, had an earlier menopause years ago, and it is now settled/gone!

Funny though, after my WLS, I thought that my menopause came back! No, it didn't, those were due to my too high Thyroxine doses/levels.

Yes to heart symptoms, they do get worse with too much Thyroxine (our name for Synthroid in OZ).

Luckily my heart is OK, and Atenolol works, I only take it as needed these days, which is not that often.

I have a Bp/pulse measuring device at home, and this helps to give my readings to my Endo, and to notice if there are any significant changes.

My insomnia and irritability does get worse if Thyroxine is too high, together with heat intolerance.

We just started a hot summer recently, here in OZ, and Queensland is bad for heat and humidity.

I have had my air con running daily for the past 2-3 weeks.

@@genn

Thank you for the list of symptoms, even though I have them from my earlier days, it is good to see them in a simple list form.

Very helpful.

I belong to few Thyroid support forums, both American and Australian, and I get Mary Shomon's blogs and emailed newsletters.

If not for my thyroid issues, my recovery from WLS would have been quite smooth.

Having and autoimmune thyroid disease really sucks!

Hopefully, one day, it will all get better .....

I woke up at 4 am, my time today, hence I am having a quick look on this forum.

I either can't fall asleep for ages, or I fall asleep at 10-11pm, then wake up around 3-4 am .....

I am not depressed, but sleep deprived .....

[Isalithe 44]

Oh. This might be why I'm waking up after a couple hours of sleep. Thank you for sharing!

[genn 460]

Most likely is the reason!!!! Talk to ur dr about a change in meds!!! Good kuck

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Luck*

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[shedo82773 1,236]

I wake up off and on thru the night. I am also on Thyroid meds but haven't had them adjusted for years. I wonder if my odd sleeping patterns can be caused by them? I am always waking up and going to the kitchen to find a lil something to eat. BAD HABIT> I also sleep walk and eat. I don't even know I had gotten up at all. Scary stuff

[OzRoo 1,492]

I wake up off and on thru the night. I am also on Thyroid meds but haven't had them adjusted for years. I wonder if my odd sleeping patterns can be caused by them? I am always waking up and going to the kitchen to find a lil something to eat. BAD HABIT> I also sleep walk and eat. I don't even know I had gotten up at all. Scary stuff

To me this is a double edged sword: damn if I do and damn if I don't.

When I am experiencing insomnia, if I can't fall asleep till early morning hours, I get hungry .... dinner was at 8pm, and at 2-3am, if still awake, I get hungry, so I need to snack on something. I try to make it healthy, but still, it makes this an extra meal. So, too high a dose of Thyroxine is not good for me, even if it seems I keep losing weight or inches.

When I experienced hypo stage, after my med was reduced by 50%, I was hungry lot more, I slept better but my weight stayed the same .... So, no good either

I haven't sleep walked, but yes, it is scary stuff.

I keep having 6 weekly blood tests, at 9 months post op. I had them done monthly till about 4 months ago.

@@shedo82773

I would definitely have blood tests done again, since you said you have been on the same thyroid med dose for years.

Edited December 10, 2016 by OzRoo

[_Kate_ 2,224]

I take natural thyroid and haven't had to have the dose changed at all.

Synthroid/Thyroxine (as it is in the UK) never worked for me.

Thanks for an interesting post !