Confusion

[Jake123-]

Don't know if mess different wen I started on medication I was getting boxes with thyroxine only on them now they both levo thyroxine is this same

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The name "levothyroxine" is used now simply to avoid a possible confusion. It is absolutely 100% exactly the same as "thyroxine". It is only that the word that has a few letters added to it.

Rod

[Jake123- in reply to helvella]

Thanks just I've read a few bad things lately bout levo thyroxine

[galathea in reply to Jake123-]

What bad things?

[Jake123-]

Few posts on here saying it's no good and stuff about researching it really don't understand any of it

[Heloise]

jake, many of us who have not been successfully treated with thyroxine (T4 only) have blamed the T4 though sometimes it doesn't work well because of low ferritin, folate, iron and B12. Those levels have to be in a good range to make the thyroxine more effective.

There is another percentage of people that just don't get symptom relief on T4 and they need to add T3 or change to natural thyroid like they used for decades in the past. If you are doing well with thyroxine and are getting the right dose, there is no reason to worry.

[shaws Administrator]

Make sure you get the same make of levothyroxine each time from the chemist. There are a few different manufacturers and sometimes the fillers/binders in one may not make you feel much better but switching can. Keep to the same one for several months and if new symptoms arise ask chemist if he can source another for you.

Thousands do well on levothyroxine but sometimes it's just finding the one that works for you and you have to have a high enough dose (done very gradually) until the symptoms go and you feel better. Some doctor's think it's o.k. to stop increasing when your TSH is in the normal range, but it's not correct and you should have sufficient.

It seems that most of the members on this site have had problems with their medication. People who do well get on with their lives.

Take levothyroxine first thing with a glass of water and wait about 1 hour before eating. Leave 4 hours between levo and other supplements/medications.

When you go for a blood test for thyroid hormones, do not take your medication until afterwards and have it as early as possible If you haven't had a Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate ask for these. Always get a copy of your blood tests from the surgery and make sure the ranges are stated, for your own records and so that you can post if you have a query.

[stewart1964]

i took 150mg a day for 15 years,was ok,but still only 9 stone yet 6 foot tall in shoes (thats for 35 years age15-50 with no change ) stoped taking it (hoping id die) 8-9 months now and i feel no worse,def low thyriod so a few symtoms,but i always had bits of fast or slow symtoms anyway,the differance without is no head aches and i have put a quater of a stone on,but at age 50 maybe thats normal,,still rather be dead,but lifes always been like that for me

[Heloise in reply to stewart1964]

Oh stewart, this isn't right and 50 is still young enough to do almost anything. Low thyroid can also give dark thoughts. This is really a new day for thyroid sufferers I feel. If you didn't do well with thyroxine, why not give natural thyroid a try. It's possible it will make a difference. I realize you may have other issues like adrenal problems but you could give natural a try and perhaps it will work for you. It could be life changing.

[Heloise in reply to stewart1964]

tiredthyroid.com/blog/2014/...

[Jake123-]

Sorry to hear u feel that way I've never felt 100 percent docs always just say normal results