Levothyroxine and age?

[Vrboska]

In Levothyroxine instruction leaflet it says not to take it if over 50 years age?! I was never told about it by GP, Endo private and NHS. What am I missing here? Any more info about this please?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

The patient information leaflet by Actavis (the brand I use) can be seen online here medicines.org.uk/emc/medici... and it says "Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are over 50" not that you must not take it. Your GP will know your age so if there were any concerns he should have brought them up.

It does mention that for patients over 50 the starting dose will be no more than 50mcg daily. Is that what you saw?

[spongecat]

Aye, I was started on 25mcg. I think for 2 weeks and then upped to 50mcg. I think it's a standard procedure if you are over 50 or if you have cardiac issues.

My ticker is fine.

I guess if it was not recommended for over 50's it would be off limits for practically everyone in this community who takes levo!

[faith63 in reply to spongecat]

unfortunately, low thyroid causes heart disease and arrythmias.

[Hidden]

Which Levo brand are you looking at, Vrboska?

This is hilarious. What are middle-aged and older thyroid sufferers supposed to be treated with, then? Can't be NDT ... or T3 ...

[Vrboska in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, it's ACTAVIS.

[Hidden in reply to Vrboska]

That is the weirdest contra-indication I've ever heard of.

And, sadly, it doesn't surprise me at all.

[Eddie83]

I can't believe that's what it said! Are you sure?

[Vrboska in reply to Eddie83]

Sorry for confusion, turned out to be as explained kindly by other members.

[bantam12]

Ok I have the Actavis information leaflet right in front of me now and nowhere does it say DO NOT TAKE if over 50 years of age.

The only reference to age is in the How to Take section 3 and it says "

Patients over 50 years : Initially no more than 50mcg a day should be taken and

Patients over 50 with heart disease : 25mcg a day or 50mcg every other day, this may be increased by 25mcg a day every 4 weeks.

Vrboska this applies to initial starting doses only it doesn't mean people over 50 must not take it.

Hope that clears it up.

[Vrboska in reply to bantam12]

Thank you for clarification although I still wonder how long " Initially" lasts? The only part I managed to understand is that if older than 50 you start with 50 mcg, no more? Thanks anyway.

[bantam12 in reply to Vrboska]

The advice is start on 50mcg then increase according to blood test results at 6-8 weeks. Everyone is different and some will find their ideal dose quicker than others.

[Vrboska]

Thank you.

[Klagh]

I have never seen that, but I would GUESS the reason would be that because over 50 many, if not most women, will have difficulty converting levo (men also). Amazing the drug manufacturer would have realized it, if that is the reason! The reason for inability to convert will be lower or imbalanced sex hormones due to menopause (or manopause). My progesterone level has dropped to almost nothing, but I still have estrogen levels in the "normal" range, due to menopause. Such a dramatic hormone imbalance makes it almost impossible to convert the levo to T3. UNLESS I were to take progesterone. But I was advised not to take progesterone due to a genetic clotting disorder. That is why you see so many adverts for bioidentical hormones.

[Vrboska in reply to Klagh]

It's so complicated to put it all together.

Having had a total hysterectomy I have hardly any hormones produced.

Last year I saw Dr Peatfield and only after tests, including sex hormones, he decided to reduce Levoth. from 75 to 50 and add Nutri Thyroid, a combination which works very well as confirmed by subsequent tests.

It also helped that I started taking Leth. in the evening instead in the morning, thanks to an advice from a member of this forum.

Thank you all.