Switching from Levothyroxine 50mcg to Thiroyd .... - Thyroid UK

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Switching from Levothyroxine 50mcg to Thiroyd .Anyone with expierence what is the best and safest way to switch and any other expierence?

Ari3 profile image
Ari3
37 Replies

I have decided to start different thyroid medication called Thiroyd from GreaterPharma as had enough from this Levothyroxine -my bones are just cracking and muscle pains are getting worse and I have been on it two months and feel so bad everyday the painful grinding sensation is there and what worries me is electrical sensations in my spine now.i have also developed breathing difficulties so scary I have hives rush all over body different places everyday .iam so emotional and I cry so often I don’t feel good at all on it.i also have Hashimoto.

Please could u explain how can I introduce this medication .I am currently on Levothyroxine 50mcg (that is not final dose) and I know the new Thiroyd 1 grain is 60 or 65mcg.I haven’t tried t3 yet ever.So how could I introduce it ?Should I decrease my 50mcg Levothyroxine to 25mcg and have it in the morning and cut 1/2 of grain Thiroyd and have it in the evening for couple of weeks and than cut off Levothyroxine completely and have 1/2 Thiroyd in the morning and half 1/4 in the evening and have it with levo for couple of weeks and than stop Levothyroxine and drink 1/2 grain or should I just stop Levothyroxine And start next day 1/2 Thiroyd and evening 1/4 for couple of weeks and than slowly increase by 1/4 .What are the best ways ?I just would like to know from people from their own expierences! Sorry about my long and complicated post again ! thank you 😊

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Ari3
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37 Replies
jan1780 profile image
jan1780

Wow

I am having exactly the same problems, grinding around the hip area and horrendous muscle aches. I too am on 50mcg Levo.

Although I have no advice for You, I would like to follow your progress if I may as I am also keen to sort this problem

Best wishes

Jan

X

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tojan1780

Did the pain started once u started Levothyroxine?

jan1780 profile image
jan1780 in reply toAri3

Yes in fact some days I cannot function untill I have taken painkillers.

My doctor is going to have a word with the chemist to change the brand, so I am going to try that first.

Need to contact him though and that is so difficult as he is very popular.

Will let you know how I get on

Take care

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tojan1780

Please keep in touch and let me know are u optimally dosed have u found ur dose yet ? Wishing u the best of luck please let me know what they said !

jan1780 profile image
jan1780 in reply toAri3

The doctor usually gets in touch after a blood test if I need my dose changing but he hasn't this time so I assume I am ok.

But I am going to drop in to the surgery at some point and get a copy of my blood results to check myself.

Will definatly keep in touch and let you know

Wishing you the best of luck too,

Xx

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tojan1780

Yes def get bloods I will get my copy hopefully tomorrow n let u know on here or we can private message each other .Have u thought about Tirosint liquid form it has lesser binders n fillers in it?

jan1780 profile image
jan1780 in reply toAri3

To be honest I've never heard of it.

That gives me more to go on down the line if changing manufacturer doesn't make any difference.

To be honest I have slackened a lot and burying my head in the sand because I felt it was consuming my life. Got to get back to it though. Gets me so down at times

You can private message me or message me on here, your call. I need a kick up the backside lol

Take care

X

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tojan1780

Have u got your blood results yet if u could post it here or pm me! U don’t have to feel like this if this medication doesn’t suit u or u don’t feel alright u could switch brands yes !!!

I am seeing private endo on 7th March and will not leave the office till I haven’t seen the changes in my medication I can’t do with Levothyroxine anymore it makes me sick so sick physically and mentally!

jan1780 profile image
jan1780 in reply toAri3

I haven't got my blood results yet I have been so busy playing nurse to my husband who has had surgery on his knee.

I think i feel bad as I should be dropping gluten due to my antibody count which suggests hashimoto. I have been finding it really difficult, just haven't had the dedication.

My body is crying out and all I keep doing is ignoring it, need to pull myself together.

Hope all goes well for you when you visit the endo, you seem to be in a positive frame of mind, so I am sure it will.

Thankyou for taking time and showing interest, it is very much appreciated. If you need to sound off, always here, I am a very good listener.

Take care and best wishes

X

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tojan1780

Aww bless u hope his knee will heal very soon!

Yes yes I have Hashimoto also and yes it’s not easy to cut the gluten or go gluten free it is so difficult but it really helps -trust me ! just one step at a time and motivation!If u want to feel a bit better I have to go one step ahead!

My body is also crying out iam in so much pain u won’t believe now breathing difficulties n heavy chest...so iam waiting for Thiroyd medication to arrive which has got t3 to start Meanwhile I will see my Gp and will complain about it!

Have u checked ur vitamins and minerals? Any clues?

How do u feel at the moment emotionally? Do u have energy?are ur hair falling? Anything which makes u really sick and depressed?

jan1780 profile image
jan1780 in reply toAri3

Sorry for the late reply only been really busy.

Hope your day has been a little easier and your pain hasn't ruined your day.

I have been for a lovely walk in the woods with my dog, I love the peace and quiet up there, gives me time to look at myself for a while and try to sort out my jumbled mind lol

Seriously I forget about myself most of the time because I take everyone' problems on board.

Let me know how you get on with your new t3, hope it gives you some life back, bless You, you are so young to be going through all of this. I thank God that I was blessed with mountains of energy at your age. You will be soon once you start your t3.

Enjoy your evening

Best wishes

X

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tojan1780

Thank u so much yes once I will find my right dose and medication also I will be fine :) I have a very strong believe!

My pains and all is there iam very constipated and gaining weight stomach pain and so on u name it!

Yes my medication should arrive sooner and can’t wait to start it! I don’t know if I need t3 or not just want to stop Levothyroxine as per pain in joints and muscle pain breathing difficulties .

I love dogs I have a cat at home :) hope u had a lovely walk.dont forget to pick up ur bloods pls !!!keep in touch and try to cut gluten please -small steps :) for betterment

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tojan1780

Just to let you know I have started Thiroyd today xxx and left Levothyroxine.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3

Oh God thank you for listening my prayers at least I have someone who is going through exactly the same thing !!!How long have u been on this medication?Have you thought to switch to something else and try?My Thiroyd medications are on its way so hopefully I will start them soon.I know I don’t have yet the final dose but I know that my body is giving me signs that hey listen ,something is wrong and I don’t like it-I also have hives like a red rush on my chest mainly and it’s more or less everyday and these joint n bone pains grinding literally I have a feeling iam falling apart and iam only 31 .i didn’t have this pain before I started this medication!!!!!Everything started after a week or so and gradually getting worse till the point that so hard to walk.They have helped me with few hypo symptoms but to have these kind of side effects isn’t right for sure!

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7 in reply toAri3

Please read what I've written below. It will help you as well. I would also try and take an antihistamine one hour before your medication and see if the hives clear up. You may be allergic to one or more of the fillers so need to change brands till you find one that suits you

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tosilverfox7

I have tried Almus than tried Wochradt (sorry if I don’t spell it right) -I broke with rash and hives like raised pimples on my chest after two days of using it so stopped it right away.Than came back again to MP and having my everyday usual rush with red spots nearly everyday now it appears and disappears.So iam nowhere now basically drinking medication iam allergic to dont even talk about other side effects which make my life miserable:( I also can’t stop this medication on my own as hypo symptoms will appear again n I don’t want to start everything from 0

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7 in reply toAri3

There is a illiquid form but I think you have to fight for it but I understand that is filler free. May be someone on that can advise.

There is also Teva but you may have read complaints about it but that is lactose free and suits those who need that so don't dismiss it without trying as you need to get something you are suited to

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tosilverfox7

So does nhs prescribe that liquid one?if I have private endo and I will mention him this if I pay my own money on private prescription do you think he will be fine with it and my gp too? It’s called Tirosint I know have heard has nearly not manyfillers at all.What is the best possible way to get it?

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7 in reply toAri3

I've only read about it but if you start a new thread with that then hopefully you will get some informed info. I understand not easy to get ashore expensive but my arguement would be you can't continue with allergies may bextalkbto your pharmacy as they may know more or can advise.

StarFlower2 profile image
StarFlower2 in reply toAri3

I take Teva liquid levothyroxine on prescription from my GP. My private endo sent a letter to my gp saying I need this type of levothyroxine as I had a reaction to the tablet form.

It took a day for the pharmacist to order it in but the whole process of getting this was easy for me. I take 25mcg daily but add in 2 doses of 6.25mcg T3 daily. Only been on this for 3 weeks but so far so good.

saritadelmar profile image
saritadelmar in reply toAri3

I have taken Tirosint and it had the same effect as Synthroid. It is not the fillers I am reacting to, it is levothyroxine itself. I have palpitations and dizziness from it and when I stop taking it for a few days all my symptoms decrease. But like you I cannot stop entirely, because when I did, I felt like I was dying.

I am in the process of asking my Endo to help with adding T3 or taking it alone as some on this forum have suggested. My Endo is hesitant to give T3 as she thinks it causes palpitations, but some on this forum have had their severe palpitations lesson or completely resolve with T3.

My Endo said that rashes are a reaction to fillers. In the US .50 has no color. I've tried that and still have problems. I'm hoping T3 will help me.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tosaritadelmar

This is what iam going to do I can’t just handle Levothyroxine just now I can’t breath properly so hard to inhale the air :( plus red spots itchy and joint muscle pain.What should I do now as my endo appoitment is on 7th March only still two weeks to go .Should I go to my Gp and speak to him ? Iam so worid now .

thyroidnodules profile image
thyroidnodules in reply toAri3

I changed from levo to thiroyd nearly two years ago and have never looked back. just hope I can keep on getting it - good luck. I just did a straight changeover by the way

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tothyroidnodules

Iam happy u r getting well on Thiroyd :) what made u to change on this medication and did u do it on ur own ?How did u swop from Levothyroxine to Thiroyd? Any side effects?thank you so much for reply

thyroidnodules profile image
thyroidnodules in reply toAri3

levo made me put on weight and I had a swollen left leg. I started thiroyd straight away but with a slightly lower dose and built it up. I am now on 1 1/2 grains and I seem to be ok with that for me. I get my blood tested every few months and so far so good. I started thiroyd in may 22016

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tothyroidnodules

Did u do it on ur own or with endocrinologist help?

thyroidnodules profile image
thyroidnodules in reply toAri3

on my own

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7

I would get your Levo dose sorted first. When you do you may not need NDT. I realise it's a slow process but it can't be speeded up and you shouldn't try as could get into a mess and start again. But why am I saying this, well cheaper for a start and a lot easier but mostly you need to know that you are converting the inactive T4 into the active T3 and you can only see this when on Levo as you compare the FT4 reading with FT3 one. You can't do this taking any form of T3 as the results are read very differently and the only reliable accurate one is FT3 so you cannot look for a comparison for checking conversion at all.

I'm hoping that you have only been on 50mcgd and your doctor has told you to have a retest after 6-8 weeks as 50 is only a starting dose. It takes 6 weeks for each new dose to get fully into the system so each dose increase needs to be tested after 6-8 weeks to see if you need another increase and so on until you stecin the correct dose for you.

We start low to get our bodies used to it as we can have reactions over loading so better to start low and titrate up. Also too much at a time you can miss your sweet spot and start with hyperlike symptoms which isn't pleasant either sobi know slow is lengthy but more accurate and you will probably get sorted more quickly in the long run.

So get to you special ode first and be stable on it and then repost and we can then advise on conversion and treat that or you may well be fine and on the best medication for you.

The thing that helps our thyroid the most and conversation is getting other things optimum as well so you can check these now. Ask your doctor to test Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin and post those when you have then along with their ranges and ask for guidance. That with speed up your progress if you are found to be deficient in any of those and ifcthstviscthe case you will be improving your convsion rate as you go along. Lots of things to do and consider butcwell worth the effort.

Lots of other good info on the Thyroid U.K. sitexas well to take on board.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply tosilverfox7

I do understand you and I also don’t want to get in mess again.the thing is what I will never get my head around is that how become one week after starting Levothyroxine my joints started to ache and muscles started to be in pain and the pain never persisted?How become I have red spots and itchy which comes and goes on my throat and neck?sometimes I get electrical painful sensations in my spine and it’s hard to move?i can hear my spine inside that back bone grinding inside my neck also arms and all joints like cracking sound :( I have never had this before I started Levothyroxine .I am not optimally dosed yet as seeing endo on 7th March .i did my bloods yesterday so tomorrow should have results.i have buzzing in my ears nearly all the time feeling tired heavy periods and painful falling hairs .some symptoms have improved yes but iam scared of my joint pain which is there and muscle pain since I started Levothyroxine

ShinyB profile image
ShinyB in reply toAri3

Hi Ari3, I didn't have the same awful effects that you're describing, but I definitely felt a lot worse too on levothyroxine - the main effects for me were horrendous brain fog, complete lack of enthusiasm about anything, and much reduced energy.

I kept increasing it, as advised, but just felt worse. I got up to 100mcg.

I added in some T3 and felt some tiny improvements but still felt pretty dreadful.

I then reduced my levo dose to 50 and then to 25. So I was then on 25mcg of Levo and 25mcg of T3. Within a week I noticed a huge improvement. I'm now planning to come off levo completely for a short time - perhaps a couple of months - and then try reintroducing a small dose.

I don't necessarily think the problem is the levothyroxine itself. I think it's probably down to poor conversion to T3, and increased production of rT3 (reverse T3) - the body converts T4 to both T3 and rT3. I think what was happening with me was that I wasn't converting T4 to T3 too well, so it was being converted to rT3 instead.

There's some information in this link: restartmed.com/reverse-t3/

I could be wrong, this is just my understanding. But it's working well for me.

Do you have any rest results that simultaneously show your fT4 and fT3?

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply toShinyB

Thank u for ur reply . Yes my test was taken on 8th of this month and it was

Tsh 6.3

T4 13.9

T3 4.5

ShinyB profile image
ShinyB in reply toAri3

I'm not an expert at all but to me that sounds like you are converting well from T4 to T3. I think anything above 4 can be a problem, but your T4:T3 conversion is 3.08.

Have you tried taking an antihistamine before taking your levo? I've seen Clutter suggest this - it's possibly the fillers in the tablet that you're reacting too. If you take an antihistamine and it improves, then that's probably the problem. There are various different brands of levothyroxine, so you could perhaps try different ones to see if that helps?

1dolly profile image
1dolly

Hi, I changed from 50mcg levothyroxine to Thiroyd in January. I had been on levo for two years and had terrible pains in my joints especially hips, brain fog, night sweats and I put on a lot of weight. I just had no motivation or drive to do anything. I stopped my levo straight away and started cautiously on thiroyd with a quarter of a tablet a day, then upped to a half after around 10 days. I keep a journal to record how I feel, temperature etc. You still have to get all your 'ducks in a row' with regards to iron/vit d/vit B12 and I have had great advice on here. I am now taken I tablet in the morning and 1 and a half at night - I feel so much better - the pains have all gone, my head is clear and the sweats have gone - I'm working on the weight part but feeling positive. You take the tablets sublingually (under the tongue) - nobody told me that so I was swallowing with water for a while! Good luck!

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to1dolly

Thank u for ur reply and taking ur time to write on here.

Did u start to self medicate or u me endo told u to switch to Thiroyd? Did u also have breathing difficulties or any rash? How did u introduce Thiroyd and how did u leave Levothyroxine ?so I have to keep them under tongue?

1dolly profile image
1dolly

I self medicate - had great advice from my cousin who had same issue. My GP refused to refer me to an endo. I just stopped levothyroxine one day and stated Thiroyd the next. Stated slowly as I said and be aware of symptoms. I was always breathless on levo too and partner was always moaning that I was breathing very heavily in my sleep! Yes they just melt under your tongue - better absorbed that way. I didn't have a rash - sounds horrible.

NtombiSA profile image
NtombiSA

Hi Ari3......I had problems with all synthetic thyroxine tablets and after trying Armour with not much improvement, I ordered Thiryoid from Greater Pharma in Thailand. I was nervous at the idea of using a product from Thailand, but have never looked back.

It has been several years since I changed to Thiryoid, and can't remember how I made the transition. I would perhaps try half/half for two weeks to a month, and then make the jump to Thiryoid. Natural Porcine Thyroxine (Thiryoid) is the way to go if you are having problems with other products, it has worked best for me. Listen to your body and adjust your dosage accordingly. I'm not a doctor so these are only suggestions. Good luck.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply toNtombiSA

Thank you very much for your answer it really makes me positive to try this medication .My husband found me exactly where u found it so the actual person is flying from thailand itself and will post us this medication tomorrow.Hopefully I will start on Monday or Tuesday .I have been on levothyroxine for too long to suffer like I do.I know 50mcg is not my final dose but with Thiroyd I will adjust in Meanwhile!Do you think it’s ok to start for me on my own and than on 7th March to tell my private endo I started this medication!?really thank you for reply it really helps me

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