Thyroid drug reactions?

B

Bunbun

Cathlete
It must be the day for drug reactions. Does anyone know if thyroid drugs can cause a migraine? I've searched and can only find 'headache,' but not migraine. My BF is on the couch, with an aura like you get for a migraine (pattern of flashing lights) and feeling nauseous. He's only been on levoxyl for about two weeks. Never had a migraine in his life before. We're wondering if it's from the drug.

Thanks for any help!

Bunbun

Oh, I should add that this is the second time he's tried to start levoxyl. He was on it last month and had a really odd emotional reaction. Doctor said to not take it for a week and then try again. Of course, we'll call the dr tomorrow, but was just wondering if anyone has ever experienced anything like this.
 
Hi Bunbun,

I probably won't be a lot of help but I get migraines and I am on synthroid, but there is no connection that I know of. I've had migraines since birth and only taken Synthroid since age 34.
I do know there is a very small percentage of people who cannot take the drug and have to use something else, but I've never heard of getting a migraine from the medicine. I would definitely check with his doctor in the morning.
Sorry I was not much help. But I hope you figure it out soon and your b/f feels much better.
 
Thanks, Becky. He's feeling better now, but we'll call in the morning. Just a strange coincidence that it happened now.
 
Hi Bunbun,

I'm sorry your BF developed a migraine. I get them periodically and they're just terrible;( .

I take thyroid (not levoxyl, though) and yes, you can potentially get a migraine from it. I think whenever you see HEADACHE listed as a side effect, it basically means you can develop any type of vascular headache--migraine, tension, etc. If it continues to be a problem I would definitely call the doctor. It's possible that it's just a fluke or that he's just in a period of adjustment to the drug. It could also mean that his thyroid level is too high and he's becoming hyperthyroid, but I'm not sure how long you would need to be on it before you would have that kind of an increase in your thyroid level.

HTH and I wish him well. Take care.

Michele
 
Just another thing to watch with thyroid meds is the brand. I have seen MDs write orders for brand name only because of inconsistencies with the generics. Did he change doeses recently or just get his prescription refilled?
 
Marie: This is the first and only thyroid med that he's tried, so it's not a new brand. I wonder if different brands are less likely to cause side effects. So far, he's had nothing but freaky effects on this drug.

Michele: Thanks for the info on headaches! I wasn't sure if 'headaches' also meant migraines, or if migraines would be listed separately.
 
Hi Bunbun,

When I was very young (and stupid), I went to a "diet doctor" who gave me drugs to help me lose weight. Turns out, one of them was thyroid medication. I literally thought I had a brain tumor. I had tremendous migraines with fabulously beautiful auras -- flashing lights, even colors. Along with the pain and the usual vision disturbances, though, these headaches were attended by some even more bizarre vision problems -- blind spots in my vision and, after the headache had really set in, perfect double vision. One image right on top of the other.

I had to go through CAT scans and tons of other tests before finding out I had done this to myself with my own stupidity. As soon as I got off the thyroid meds that, at the time, I didn't need, the problems disappeared like magic.

I take thyroid meds now, but I actually need them now, and I have no problems whatsoever with migraines. Maybe his doctor simply gave your BF too high a dose??? Or maybe he just needs time to adjust to the meds? I'd definitely talk to the doctor about it, if I were him.

Shari
 
That's very true about generics. My md will NOT approve generic synthroid for me, he said it is NOT that same as getting a generic in most other types of drugs.
And too high of a dose WILL cause headaches. I just never heard that included migraines. I am always kept slightly on the "hyper" side , since I am on it due to thyroid cancer but have never had a migraine from it. That's just my experience though.
Good luck and let us know what the dr. says. :)
 
Bunbun,
I agree with Michele that "headache" could conceivably include a migraine. I would call the dr's emergency number to find out if he should stop immediately, and if something else needs to be substituted. The doc can call it in to your drugstore. As you know, I have learned my lesson with drug side effects!
-Nancy
 
Thank you, all. We called the dr's number and are waiting to hear back from her.

Shari: It's really a relief to hear that. I'm sorry that you had to experience it (!), but it's a big relief to know that someone else has suffered a crazy side effect and we're not just imagining things.

BF is on the lowest possible dose, so it may mean switching to a different brand. (I checked--he's on Levoxyl...I'm assuming that's not a generic?)
 
Did you hear back?

You're right - Levoxyl is not a generic. They started me on .25mg or 25mcg. I prefer synthroid.
 
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