Lactose and gluten free levothyroxine

[HazelD]

Hello

I have seem a couple of posts on here for lactose and gluten free levothyroxine and I am seeing my GP about it in a couple of weeks.

I have asked my GP in the past and she says there is no lactose and gluten free levothyroxine, but I have seen people post on here about liquid levothyroxine but I was wondering if anyone knows a brand or name I could suggest?

I was also thinking about taking lactase enzyme to process the levothyroxine tablets and was wondering if anyone has any experience with this or tried it themselves.

Many thanks

Hazel

[MidnightBlue]

Hi, eltroxin liquid levo is lactose and gluten free, but it is really expensive and I doubt your GP will prescribe it unless you are diagnosed lactose intolerant.

[HazelD]

That's brilliant, thank you

[Clutter]

HazelD, UK medicines and UK Levothyroxine are gluten-free. Your GP can prescribe lactose-free Levothyroxine which your pharmacist can order from Aliud or Henning in Germany thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[helvella Administrator in reply to Clutter]

Completely agree with Clutter.

The Coeliac Society say this about gluten and UK medicines:

🔴 The vast majority of medicines prescribed by your GP are gluten-free

🔴 A very small number of medicines contain wheat starch which contains low levels of gluten. Wheat starch is one of many ingredients so even when wheat starch is used, the overall gluten content of the medicine is very low.

🔴 For medicines which contain wheat starch in almost all cases, an alternative medicinal product can be prescribed, containing the same active ingredient, and which does not contain wheat starch.

🔴 Sometimes medications can cause side effects that are similar to symptoms that occur after eating gluten. Speak to your GP if you have any unexpected side effects.

🔴 Where wheat starch has not been used in a medicinal product, the product can be regarded as gluten-free

coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...

I have read of some people who find lactase helps - can't remember who or where though.

[RedApple Administrator]

For brand names of liquid levothyroxine, and lactose free tablets, look on the medicines page of the main Thyoid UK website

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[margielaine]

Just this week I pointed out to my GP that all 4 of my medications had lactose in them. I am dairy milk sensitive and when I consume cow dairy products I get a chest congestion issue. I have gone to goat's milk and other nondairy milk products. But now that I have added 2 new lactose-containing meds, the problem is back. He suggested that I solve it by taking Lactaid. Just trying to sort out how to use it. But would just prefer to find meds not containing gluten and lactose.

[helvella Administrator in reply to margielaine]

You could try looking for lactose-free formulations of the medicines that you need on this site:

medicines.org.uk/emc/

They might not say "LACTOSE FREE" - but they do list ingredients. Many medicines are available from several different manufacturers - you might strike lucky and identify one that would be OK for you.

You might need to speak with GP and pharmacists - especially if a dose has to change, or even a product.

(For levothyroxine, Teva is lactose-free. Seems to suit some very well, but many find it intolerable.)

You might do better writing a new post. Responses on old threads, however relevant, tend to get missed.