Different brands of Levothyroxine?

[Loobs39]

I am currently in France and have been for 3 months. I bought enough Levo with me (or so I thought) but I am now staying 2 weeks longer than anticipated and therefore would run out before returning to the UK. I went to the local chemist and lo and behold, was able to purchase Levothyroxine over the counter ( 30 x 50mcg for £1.30). My concern is that it is a different brand (the type I get from UK are from Almus and these French ones are from Biogaran) - do you think this will make much difference??

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Do let us know how you get on with it! Could be interesting in the future for anyone who ends up treading the same path for whatever reason.

Rod

[SAMBS]

Hi Loobs, I'm living in France also, Hypothroide since 2003 diag in UK [don't remember manufacturer of tabs there now, took 100mg daily from 2003-08, 1 blood test a year, never saw doc, only nurse for blood pressure/resps] meds never altered. Prescription renewed quarterly.

Once over here, in Herault Dept., after blood test (quarterly bloods since arrival) I was put on 125mg and later altered to 100mg-then 100mg for 2 days and 75mg for 3rd day and was on Biogaran brand when living there from Jan 2008 - now in Sarthe since Nov '13 same regime till Jan '14 then 100mg daily till June. Now on 87.5mg daily (75+ 1.2 25mg) both Merck Levo brand.

For the thyroid my blood is only tested for TSH 3 ieme (3rd) Generation. There are also now other health issues since 2013 and don't know if its a meds-related problem! Neither do the specialists! I feel well - just want to get to bottom of it all.

Sorry reply has been complicated - but not easy to separate one health issue from another at present. Welcome to France - happy new year.