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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Levothyroxine?

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Posted on Wed, 6 May 2015
Question: I have been on Levothyroxine 1/2 pill 75 mg for several months. My doctor told me yesterday to stop taken it, because my blood test was normal. I am recently experiencing weakness, restlessness and shaking of my right arm and some lightheadedness at times. Could that have been caused by Levothyroxine? And if, what kind of withdrawal symptoms can I expect now?
Thank you
Zuzana
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thyroid

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your symptoms.

Stopping levothyroxine for one day generally does not result in such problems. Because the medication gradually disappears from the body over a period of weeks after stopping it.

So your current symptoms need to be thoroughly evaluated. This will require an in-person examination in addition to laboratory testing such as

CBC
CMP
and further tests deemed necessary by your health care provider, such as CT scan of the brain or a Neurology/ Cardiology referral.

Whether or your not your body can do without the levo thyroxine can be easily determined by doing a blood test for TSH and Free T4 after 6 weeks of not having taken the medication. If the TSH rises then it suggest that your body is not making enough thyroid hormone.
Sometimes, blood tests called thyroid auto antibodies (anti TPO and anti Thyroglobulin) are helpful in this matter.


Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Levothyroxine?

Brief Answer: Thyroid Detailed Answer: Sorry to note your symptoms. Stopping levothyroxine for one day generally does not result in such problems. Because the medication gradually disappears from the body over a period of weeks after stopping it. So your current symptoms need to be thoroughly evaluated. This will require an in-person examination in addition to laboratory testing such as CBC CMP and further tests deemed necessary by your health care provider, such as CT scan of the brain or a Neurology/ Cardiology referral. Whether or your not your body can do without the levo thyroxine can be easily determined by doing a blood test for TSH and Free T4 after 6 weeks of not having taken the medication. If the TSH rises then it suggest that your body is not making enough thyroid hormone. Sometimes, blood tests called thyroid auto antibodies (anti TPO and anti Thyroglobulin) are helpful in this matter.