Change to Levo brand - would that cause these s... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,892 members166,004 posts

Change to Levo brand - would that cause these side effects?

Didntexpectthis profile image
9 Replies

hi,

I am on 75mg of Levothyroxine. I don’t want to give a whole back storey so will try to brief with the context but my need for levo is following thyroid cancer & removal of my thyroid, 2 parathyroid glands & lymph nodes almost 2 years ago. I have recovered exceptionally well and tbh I have felt like a new woman since my op.

I was initially on 100mg of accord but I have been taking 50mg of accord which seems to agree with me & 25mg of wockhardt for quite a while now. I see my consultant once a year & in her view the dose was fine. My pharmacist tries really hard to make no change to brands, but this time the 25mg has been replaced with Hillcross. I have been taking now for 2 weeks. I have noticed I am quite shakey, can feel my heart racing and have a hugely increased appetite. I just wondered if these could be as a result of the change in brand of my levo?

I don’t feel unwell at all but have noticed my hand shaking holding my glass or cup when drinking.

I lost a very close friend in Jan & I have sort of hibernated as part of my way of dealing with my grief as a result I stopped exercising & ate lots putting on 7lbs so I don’t think my dose needs reducing. I am entering a new phase of grief and beginning to be able resume ‘normal’ activities so not sure if these effects are just getting back to normality.

Written by
Didntexpectthis profile image
Didntexpectthis
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador

Hillcross is actually Teva which many people can't tolerate so you are probably right that this is the issue 😕

Probably better to ask for more Accord and split a 50mcg if Wockhardt is in short supply

Didntexpectthis profile image
Didntexpectthis in reply toTiggerMe

thank you that’s really helpful.

Didntexpectthis profile image
Didntexpectthis in reply toDidntexpectthis

Do you think I need to speak to my gp (he is useless in terms of thyroid understanding) or just speak to my pharmacist? I get 2 months supply at a time so not sure if these symptoms will abate or get worse.

SmallBlueThing profile image
SmallBlueThing in reply toDidntexpectthis

The practice you use may have its own pharmacist, but they can be more obstructive than GPs. You may have a prescriptions option in the menu when you phone up.

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust

I have noticed I am quite shakey, can feel my heart racing and have a hugely increased appetite. I just wondered if these could be as a result of the change in brand of my levo?

Yes. Change in brand also should prompt thyroid blood tests. Call GP.

DaisyTed profile image
DaisyTed

There’s an interesting podcast I’m in the middle of listening to about why the different brand names make a difference (mostly to do with the fillers) medscape.com/viewarticle/99...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Get new prescription asap and get note added to all future prescriptions “No Teva”

Didntexpectthis profile image
Didntexpectthis in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks I will try and speak to them this week. I will also speak to my pharmacist.

In reflection I think I was on this brand when I first started my meds in hospital and it changed in the autumn to accord. I think I put the side effects down to being on a higher dose. I was clueless at the time , more focused on my vocal cords as one hadn’t closed , having speech therapy to regain my voice and trying to source my calcium pills which no-one had anywhere!

Odd isn’t it that different brands have such a significant effect!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toDidntexpectthis

Thousands of thyroid patients can’t change brand easily

Teva is particularly difficult. A Marmite brand for many……intolerable for some, dreadful for others or by far best option for some

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Change of levo brand to Aristo any problems anyone?

Hi, I have found that I'm sensitive to a change of brand and Aristo is now the only brand of...
emcbutterfly profile image

Change of Levo brand??

I've been taking Levo by Mercury Pharma since August (from Asda pharmacy) but yesterday went to...
infomaniac profile image

MERCURY PHARMA LEVO, changes? dodgy batches?

Hi Everyone, has anyone who takes Mercury Pharma Levo noticed any changes at all in symptoms or...
SPD1 profile image

Anyone change back to levo. from NDT.

Hi I have not posted for a while but have been popping in to read posts. Last year my G.P. reduced...
lucylocks profile image

change of Levo brand causing problems

I have seen several Posts about this and wonder if the same thing is happening to me. I’ve had no...
smwdorset profile image

Moderation team

See all
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.