Thank you for accepting me on your Community... I have just re-located from South Africa and registered with a new Doctor... Does anyone have any idea of serious side effects that Euthyrox is causing them?
HYPOTHYROIDISM: Thank you for accepting me on... - Thyroid UK
HYPOTHYROIDISM
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30 Replies
•
Hi and welcome 
I'm assuming Euthyrox is the same as Levothyroxine. I've been taking Levothyroxine and have felt worse since doing so. I've just posted this: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... which you are welcome to take a look at. I'm on a learning curve myself.
• in reply toShinyB
Yes it is... Thank you for the link... Will have a look and revert... Keep well.
shawsAdministrator
Welcome to our forum,
The method for getting the best from blood tests for thyroid hormones, is to always have the test at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of thyroid hormones (be it levo or others).
This keeps our TSH at its highest as it drops throughout the day and may mean preventing an unnecessary adjustment.
It is recommended that we ask for/or private TSH, T4, T3, free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies (if you've not had antibodies tested)
and B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.
Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges and put them on a new post.
Side effects of Euthyrox is below and in the UK it is levothyroxine.
webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4695...
Some of us, no matter what brand/make of levothyroxine we take we don't improve. Some do when T3 is added to levo and if they still don't improve have to look at some alternative options.
• in reply toshaws
Thank you for all the information... Medication is known as Euthyrox in South Africa... Levothyroxine here in UK... Will follow the link and see more. I have epilepsy at the same time (44 years) so medication and hormones plays a big part.
Clutter• in reply to
LDonnelly,
There are 4 makes of Levothyroxine in the UK. If one doesn't suit ask your pharmacist to dispense an alternative. If the pharmacist isn't prepared to order you an alternative ask for your prescription form back and take it to another pharmacist.
Brands and doses:
Mercury Pharma 25mcg, 50mcg & 100mcg
Actavis (also known as Almus and NorthStarr) 50mcg & 100mcg
Wockhardt 25mcg
Teva 12.5mcg, 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg & 100mcg
• in reply toClutter
Thank you, Clutter... Appears to be Actavis 50mcg. Will discuss with doctor when next visiting... Am still a new patient at the practice and happy to receive any advice. I was on 75mcg in South Africa and doctor told me they do 50 only. Will query again.
Clutter• in reply to
LDonnelly,
No excuse to undermedicate you. GP could prescribe 1.5 x 50mcg Actavis or could prescribe 75mcg Levothyroxine and pharmacist will add 25mcg Mercury Pharma or Wockhardt.
• in reply toClutter
Thank you... Have requested to change over to a 'woman GP' as I have found them easier to talk to regarding our problems. Have had insomnia, sweating/hot flushes and am sure this is related. Will keep you updated.
Get your vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested.
These are often too low, especially if you have Hashimoto's (high thyroid antibodies)
drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...
• in reply toSlowDragon
Thank you... I was on Vitamin B, folic acid etc. when I arrived. Doctor took me off them then did blood levels after. Will request when I next see the doctor what is going on.
Most have to self supplement
NHS won't prescribe
• in reply toSlowDragon
Yes, the same in South Africa. What I don't understand is why the doctor took me off the vitamins anyway.
They seem to know little about the connection between gut and low vitamins with thyroid.
Especially Hashimoto's
Read on here, you will see UK treatment of thyroid is definitely not brilliant
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email dionne.fulcher@thyroidUK.org. print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.
Prof Toft - article just published now saying T3 is likely essential for many
I think I'd ask for them to be tested again, i.e. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. All have to be optimum but I doubt doctors are aware of this.
I also believe if anything is 'somewhere' in the range they think that's fine, even at the bottom when everything should be optimum if hypo.
• in reply toshaws
I agree too... It seemed the Doctor was too busy to talk about it and hasn't given me a good impression. Thank you.
Unbelievably, many GP's seem to think nutrition and vitamins are entirely irrelevant.
Mary-intussuception• in reply to
There could be a problem with your Epilepsy medication and Levothyroxine. Study the Patient information leaflet. If you can't find full information on there then Google search both meds.
• in reply toMary-intussuception
Thank you Mary... Am on Carbamazepine and Phenytoin for epilepsy... Will do a Google search.
Angel_of_the_North• in reply to
Looking at a friend of mine who used to be really skinny, I'd say that Carbamazepine causes weight gain (but I don't know the mechanism behind it)
• in reply toAngel_of_the_North
I've been on it for over 20 years now and weigh in at about 60kgs. Phenytoin is another drug I've been on for years. Levothyroxine also can cause weight gain.
Angel_of_the_North• in reply to
Levo only causes weight gain if you are undermedicated and/or a poor converter (same thing really)
• in reply toAngel_of_the_North
Which I think is happening... I have noticed slight weight gain since being on the 50mcg. Thank you for advice. Will speak to doctor next week.
Mary-intussuception• in reply to
I think they are all mentioned on my Levothyroxine leaflet.
Are you in touch with Epilepsy Action?
• in reply toMary-intussuception
Have been in touch with them on email. Thank you.
Mary-intussuception• in reply to
Epilepsy Action Freephone Advice and Information line :
0808 800 5050
• in reply toMary-intussuception
Thank you, Mary... Have put their number now in my mobile phone.
Thank you all for your advice, information and suggestions... Will discuss this issue with the Doctor on my next visit and keep you all posted.
Had dosage increased back to 75mcg but only been on new dosage for 2 days... How long will it take before dosage starts to 'kick in' to the body or work? Any ideas or answers? Thank you... Will be buying Vitamin D this week.
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