I've been on thyroid meds for 13 years now. I had a TSH of 8 but my lipids were way out of whack and i actually went to the doc because of so many weird symptoms that i couldn't put my finger on.
THIS! "hyperactive/restless mentally and a hopeless insominac".
i also felt like a snake where i was cold all the time and i had raynauds.
After 6 weeks of taking meds, symptoms went away that i never even knew i had. I had a skin discoloration on my back (tinea - treated with stuff several times but was still there) that went away, my numb toes (from a mountain climb) came back to life, and i started sleeping better.
I guess my message is that i really didn't know that i felt lousy until i felt good again. I'm fine with taking the pill every day. The only side effects have been good ones.