Hey, Sally.
Hypothyroid is a very complicated thing.
The thyroid gland is like the regulator on a car. It regulates everything in the car. You can diagnose a lot with this thing.
The thyroid gland is similar. Upping the med is something that should be done slowly. I would think That lower the dose should be done similarly. But, you need to continue to speak out...be your own advocate. No one knows your body as well as you. Don't even THINK the doctors know everything. They are not mind readers, either. They need to hear from you how things are going and how you feel. Question what they are doing...question them until they give a "layman's" explanation. I speak up...."Just a minuet....I don't understand that last thing!!!" They get to talking in "medical" terms and forget you don't always know those terms.
I have been hypo since I was 17...I am now 55!
It is good to have blood test every 3 months when they are changing dose. It is good to have those test every 6 months until everyone is happy with the results. Then, after that, every year to make sure meds are working correctly.
This is something I have learned the hard way. But, today, we now have google and other search engines. Find a reputable one. One you can trust. Research...ask questions...of your medical team....they are under rules and laws to answer you. Don't let them tell you different. It's called the "CYA" rule (cover your ass--before getting sued")
If you have any more questions, need any more support, just ask!!!

also, something you don't often hear from doctors...thyroid medication work best on empty stomach. and, it is best not to eat or drink anything for up to an hour after taking it, This is one reason I take it at 4:30 am. I have an alarm that wakes me. But, I also need to go to bathroom about that time.
a friend of mine takes it just before bedtime ... with a little water. This way she knows she will not be eating or drinking anything else.
Just a few hints!

You aren't alone albeit those without a thyroid condition know nothing of what you're facing. That being stated you've come to the right place.

There are a few good books on the subject which I recommend you take a look at, knowing myself when I was going through some troubles I thought I knew it all. Was I ever mistaken and it cost me quite a bit. The biggest thing is those around you who aren't familiar with the thyroid either offer advice that is not good or are un-sympathetic of what you're experiencing. I have a 'friend' who always told me; "do yoga!", "change your diet", etc. When someone is 'telling' you anything odds are you are never going to hear them.

That being stated, I will make a few suggestions based on your post and hope you find some relief. I have been doing yoga for some time on occasion even just some stretches. The key to thyroid management is removing things which trigger your issues. Diet is key. Eat foods rich in iodine first some will tell you not to.. A key element in thyroid medication is iodine. What is better, synthetic hormone medication or natural foods with iodine in them? Eliminate processed foods entirely.

This includes; elimination of; fast food, any processed meats, foods that come in a bag like chips, cookies, pretzels, pizza, etc. Thing is, when your thyroid is low, the fact of choosing salty foods seems REAL good, right? Well, what is the main ingredient in processed/bagged foods? Salt, (i.e. iodine). Also, gluten is a massive culprit for many with thyroid condition. Think of gluten as a bonding agent in processed foods which your body has first off, a hard time absorbing any so called nutrients in processed food and, the processed foods can only exasperate your symptoms.

I've spent the time this past year of reading just about every book I could find either in my local book store or library on the subject of thyroid management. I have made a post a while back of the books that I know helped me become more knowledgeable on the subject.

Two off the top of my head is by Dr. Ridha Arem called the "Thyroid solution diet" and another by pharmacist Izabella Wentz Pharmacist "Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause" who also is a recovering thyroid patient. There are many others and if you go to your library or search online for the book titles there are quite a few others. Those two spoke to me personally which was how I recalled them quickly.

Next is, letting go of things you cannot control. Trying to hold onto relationships with people who might not understand or, like in my case, many of my so-called former or old friends don't understand why I don't care to join them at certain events. Now that I've re-tooled my life I have learned to let a lot of things and people go for my benefit.

Last, rest. Get your rest. That doesn't mean to sleep an entire weekend either. That means, go to bed at a normal time. I used to stay up to watch the nightly news and for what? To become depressed due to the shootings, fires, bad political discussions, this and that. No thank you.

You will be surprised how many books you can read when you turn off the television. Not only that, when you turn in with a book and maybe a cup of hot tea (green preferably) that your mind and body know it is time to start getting ready to call it quits. I have found more books read and information actually retained when reading before bed being I am typically thinking about the information I read which stays with me the following day better and most times thereafter.

Good luck with your journey and know you are not alone. Don't look back, don't look too forward. Enjoy today and tomorrow will be here before you know it without having to worry too bad that things won't improve. They will. I and numerous others here are testament to that.

For me, no Thyroid medication worked till I had my OTHER hormones checked (progesterone, estrogen, testosterone) therein was the problem. I had to INSIST that the Endocrinologist check these because he said to me, I think they will come back normal. I said, I need to start doing process of elimination. When the results came back, he was in hiding, I had to see his other doc, hardly was producing any hormones. Once I stated the other hormones I began to feel better.

I also started taking the Levo at bedtime and began to feel 100% better. A lot of the symptoms cleared up over night -- circadian rhythm was balanced.

You could also be experiencing Adrenal Fatigue. Some of your symptoms that you speak of, especially insomnia, body aches sounds like AF. A lot of the symptoms seem to mimic Adrenal Fatigue.

Hi just wondering if you are feeling better? I think you should go back to MD and have them evaluate things. Once you have one autoimmune disease you open the door to others...it could be something else...I think they need to evaluate more I agree with energy lost...this is a replacement hormone and other things need to be checked too. I'm sure that is getting expensive going to ER.

Hi Guys,

I haven't been here for ages..due to the mix up after DS changed things around!
I was diagnosed 6 years with raging Hashi's, antibodies that literally are off the charts.. (not quantifiable, as over limits) in my tests.. I just wanted to say, back 4 yrs ago when I was taking Synthroid ( I now take Armour) when my endo lowered my dose, I started to have very bad heart palps. I went to a cardiologist and I was diagnosed as having a mitral valve problem, and a leaky valve. I had never had palps before the taking of thyroid meds..so I do believe it was induced by them..then got worse mysteriously on a lowering of the dose? I still have palpitations especially bad at night in bed. I do think that unfortunately T meds and heart issues are linked, definitely in my case anyway..