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Experiences of thyroiditis flare-ups and temporarily stopping levothyroxine

3 replies

Sleepy21 · 11/07/2026 23:24

Wondered if I got get peoples thoughts/experiences if they have been in a similar situation. When I was pregnant in 2021 I tested positive for thyroid antibodies but TSH, T4 etc were ok. About 6 months postpartum I had my thyroid tested and was hypothyroid with a TSH of 11 so I was put on 75mcg and then an extra 12.5mcg a few months later. I was fine on this dose always with a TSH of 2-3 which I felt good on until last year. My TSH went up to 4.9 so I started taking 100mcg - at the same time as that I got a virus and during that time started having very bad hyper symptoms (tremors, weight loss, insomnia, increased bowel movements) and it was only when my TSH went down to 1ish that I realised it was thyroid related. I have to say, that was the worst period of my life as I thought I was losing my mind, I ended up in A&E as I felt so terrible. This lasted about 6 weeks. Then about 3 months later, I got a very minor cold, and a few weeks after felt like I had something stuck in my throat and neck felt tender - went to A&E and TSH was 0.19 and was diagnosed with sub acute thyroiditis - they told me to stop thyroxine for 2 weeks to avoid becoming symptomatic and come back to be retested. I went back and TSH was 22 so went back on my normal dose but TSH has not managed to get below 4 in the last 7 months.

Fast forward to now, I had an illness about a week ago and a half ago and the same thing has happened again - thyroid area started feeling inflamed (this now has subsided) but I am now getting the hyper symptoms - increased bowel movements, anxiety feelings, palpitations, bad sleep - all the ones that I had before during that awful episode. I spoke to my GP and said I would stop my medication for a fortnight and then have a thyroid test and see where my levels are at - they seemed happy with that approach, although I know GPs are not great with thyroid related issues. I noticed, just like last time, every morning when I took my thyroxine. I would then have this awful head feeling like my head is floating away. I had such a bad time a year ago when I had those hyper symptoms and my TSH went down so dramatically - I am terrified of it happening again. I have young children and just cannot afford to go to that place again. Has anyone had anything similar? Can any major harm come from stopping for 2 weeks - it didn't last time. I feel like I can't do much else other than stop for fortnight as I don't want to keep adding thyroxine if my body is going through a phase of leaking too much. I can cope much better with hypothyroid symptoms than I can with hyper ones. Any advice/input really much appreciated as feeling a bit lost with what to do. Have an endocrinologist appt but it's not until September unfortunately. Sorry for the super long post and thank you for reading! x

OP posts:
GentleSheep · 11/07/2026 23:35

Not had that experience (I have autoimmune hypothyroidism, though) but my Mum had Graves so an overactive thyroid. Overactive is pure hell, seen that in action and it's not pretty, so I totally get you would not want to go there again.

In your case, having a virus has triggered inflammation in your thyroid which then dumps hormone and that combined with taking levo means you go overactive for a period of time. So yes, I would stop the levo for a couple of weeks if I were you. Doctors aren't very well-informed re thyroid matters, as you know.

If you want more advice you can try the HealthUnlocked forum for thyroid matters which is very good.

Sleepy21 · 11/07/2026 23:55

GentleSheep · 11/07/2026 23:35

Not had that experience (I have autoimmune hypothyroidism, though) but my Mum had Graves so an overactive thyroid. Overactive is pure hell, seen that in action and it's not pretty, so I totally get you would not want to go there again.

In your case, having a virus has triggered inflammation in your thyroid which then dumps hormone and that combined with taking levo means you go overactive for a period of time. So yes, I would stop the levo for a couple of weeks if I were you. Doctors aren't very well-informed re thyroid matters, as you know.

If you want more advice you can try the HealthUnlocked forum for thyroid matters which is very good.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply - yes, I am of course no doctor but we know our bodies and common sense says to me that adding more thyroid hormone when you are temporarily producing too much is just going to add to the problem - I can cope with some sluggishness afterwards when the hypo phase comes in!

OP posts:
GentleSheep · 12/07/2026 00:10

Sleepy21 · 11/07/2026 23:55

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply - yes, I am of course no doctor but we know our bodies and common sense says to me that adding more thyroid hormone when you are temporarily producing too much is just going to add to the problem - I can cope with some sluggishness afterwards when the hypo phase comes in!

Yes, well we are all different and unfortunately your thyroid is getting inflamed whenever you get ill so I guess now you know that, you can 'be prepared' as it were! Levo has quite a long half life so the sooner you know that will happen the better!

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