7 Thyroid Medication Side Effects That Signal Your Dose Could Be Dangerously High
Your meds may be harming your heart and bones—especially if you're stressed or on a GLP-1
Are you or someone you love among the 23 million Americans who take meds to treat hypothyroidism? Then we’re here with a public service announcement. More than ever before, women are experiencing thyroid medication side effects—signs that their dose is too high, perhaps even dangerously so, says functional practitioner Amie Hornaman, DCN, CFMP, who specializes in thyroid and hormone health and has been dubbed “the Thyroid Fixer.”
The main culprit: GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound, which can trigger changes in biochemistry directly impacting optimal thyroid medication dosage. This happened to Hornaman personally. “I needed to decrease my own thyroid medication for the first time in 30 years while microdosing on a GLP-1,” shares the expert, known as Dr. Amie. She adds that GLP-1s aren’t the only cause for concern. Periods of high stress are another common reason thyroid patients may end up overmedicated. Keep scrolling to learn what to watch for—and when to seek medical help immediately.
How the right dose of thyroid medication can transform your life
“Your thyroid is the master gland that controls metabolism in every cell of your body,” explains Hornaman of the small, butterfly-shaped gland on the front of your neck. When you have hypothyroidism—the scientific term for an underactive thyroid—your body isn’t making enough thyroid hormone to keep your brain, heart, muscles, gut and cells functioning properly. And because of the way our hormones work, women are up to eight times more likely than men to experience the problem. (See the sneaky signs of hypothyroidism.)
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“The right thyroid medication replaces what your body is not making so you can think clearly, burn fat, regulate your cholesterol, protect your bones and heart and actually feel like yourself again,” says Dr. Amie. “Without adequate thyroid hormone, every system slows down.” Thyroid medication is essential and, for most people with hypothyroidism, something they’ll need to take forever. “Thyroid medication is not a vanity medication. It is life support.”
All of that said, our bodies change constantly throughout our lives. While hypothyroidism rarely goes away entirely, thyroid gland function can change over time.
How GLP-1s and stress impact your thyroid
“GLP-1s often lead to rapid weight loss and improved blood sugar control, which can change how the body uses and clears thyroid hormone,” notes Dr. Amie. So for a growing number of women, “the dose they once needed becomes too much, and they shift into an overmedicated state.” She adds that most prescribers of GLP-1 medications, particularly online weight-loss telehealth companies, do not monitor thyroid levels. Unless your lab work is being checked regularly, you need to be extra vigilant about watching for the side effects of too much thyroid medication.
Outside of GLP-1 use, “I usually see dose changes driven by stress,” she reveals. When a woman goes through a period of high stress, a combination of high stress hormones and a T3-containing medication such as Thyrolar or Armour Thyroid can lead to overstimulation.
In the short term, being overmedicated is mostly just uncomfortable. But long term, “remaining on too much thyroid hormone can put strain on the heart and bones,” Dr. Amie cautions. “It increases the risk of heart rhythm abnormalities like tachycardia or atrial fibrillation [AFib]. And bone density can decline.” So it’s something you want to address immediately.
Thyroid medication side effects: 7 signs your dose is too high
Some of the most common medications used to treat an underactive thyroid include levothyroxine (a synthetic thyroid hormone), liothyronine (a synthetic T3 hormone) and desiccated thyroid extract or DTE (derived from animal thyroid). When starting any new thyroid medication, you may experience temporary side effects such as changes in appetite, headaches, GI upset and even hair loss as your body adjusts.
That said, the side effects of too much thyroid medication “are typically sudden and very noticeable,” says Dr. Amie. Talk to your doctor if you’re taking thyroid hormone replacement medication and notice any or all of the following side effects:
• A sense of being amped up or overstimulated
• New or worsening anxiety
• Irritability
• Increased sweating
• A faster heart rate
• Feeling shaky
• Difficulty sleeping
Thyroid medication side effects that require immediate attention
If, for any reason, you don’t catch early signs that you’re taking too much thyroid medication, it can lead to a health emergency. Get help right away if you experience any of the following:
• Significant or sudden changes in heart rhythm
• Severe anxiety or a feeling of panic
• Shortness of breath
• Significant dizziness or lightheadedness
Should I stop taking my thyroid meds if they seem too high?
Definitely not. “Your thyroid hormone is like oxygen for your cells, so it should never be stopped suddenly,” says Dr. Amie. Going cold turkey can intensify side effects or create new ones. Dr. Amie urges you to listen to your body and communicate with your healthcare provider right away. “Adjustments should be made with a clinician who understands thyroid physiology and can guide you through labs and symptoms.”
If I need less medication, does that mean my thyroid is healing?
Unless related to a virus or pregnancy, hypothyroidism usually cannot be cured. But your thyroid health can improve. “For some women, the dose they once needed becomes too much even though their underlying thyroid condition does not change,” says Dr. Amie.
One last possibility to consider: Some women are misdiagnosed with hypothyroidism. If your medication never really improved hypothyroid symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, brain fog, dry skin and/or depression, and then you experience side effects of overmedication (anxiety, fast heart rate, heat sensitivity), talk to your doctor or an endocrinologist about being re-evaluated. You may be able to wean off your thyroid meds altogether.
The bottom line on thyroid medication side effects
Treatment should make you feel better. “Too many women are dismissed, told their labs are fine or encouraged to blame aging when what they are experiencing is a hormone problem that can absolutely be fixed,” says Dr. Amie. So don’t be shy about advocating for yourself. Adds Dr. Amie: “Women should never settle.”
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