Levothyroxine (change of manufacturer) reactions; and interactions, or not, with experience of P.A. and thyroid condition.

[Forest1000]

Hi everyone,

I'd welcome any help with the following.

I take Levothyroxine, usual dose for may years, 200mgs per day. Generally, no real problems, until about a week ago. Some time ago, possibly 3 months ago, the manufacture of my Levothyroxine changed, and is now produced by Northstar. I noticed straight away, that the new tablets were much harder, more difficult to crunch up, which I had become used to doing, previously, to gain the most benefit. I felt that these new tablets wear 'more efficient.' About a week ago I noticed that my hands would start to tremble shortly after taking the tablets, and indeed, I was trembling when I went to my doctor to discuss the results of my latest 'thyroid screening' blood test. Usually, my doctor says that I am having too much thyroxine. I ask him what the implications of this might be. He tells me that I'll be suffering from high blood pressure and elevated heart rate. I ask him to take my blood pressure, and my pulse rate, which he does, and the results are normal for someone who is my age, 5'1, and weighing between 61/2 and 7 stone., which was true a few days ago, as they have always been. I have agreed to lower my thyroid dose voluntarily. I am loath to change the dose 'officially' until I am happy with it, as I know it will be impossible to revert, if that should not be the case. I also have Pernicious Anaemia, and now inject B12, every 5 days, necessary to insure symptom free existence. (no mind fog, no double vision, no loss of balance, no dropping things - I could go on.) I've been injecting every five days for nearly two years (except for about 2, 1/2weeks return to loading dose regime to rid me of double vision, and incidentally, migraine headaches which I had no idea were linked to P.A., that was last August). Please help. So my questions are:

1. Has anyone else noticed any difference with Levothyroxine produced by Northstar compared to that produced by any other manufacturer?

2. Has anyone else who has both Pernicious Anaemia and autoimmune thyroid disease, noticed similar symptoms on decreasing the gap between B12 injections, regardless the company of manufacture of thyroxine?

3. Any other ideas as to what might be going on. By the way, I am 66, thyroid condition diagnosed at age 19. P.A. diagnosed (finally) February 2014. I am vegan, and gluten free, due to an arthritic reaction to gluten. Many thanks for any answers.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

What was the brand of Levo before it was changed to Northstar?

[helvella Administrator]

Northstar levothyroxine is Actavis levothyroxine packaged in a different card sleeve. Look on the lower packet edge and it identifies the Product Licence and says Actavis. (This is also the case for Almus.)

Some time ago there was reported to be a minor change to Actavis levothyroxine as the tablets had been too soft. (I used to find about one tablet per blister failed to be released without breaking.)

[Forest1000 in reply to helvella]

Hi Helvella, yes the tablets were often crumbly and I had wondered for quite a long time, if they were not as strong as they used to be. On the other hand, perhaps my body is now better at absorbing thyroxine now that the B12 has been sorted out. I am just surprised that I'm having such a strong, sudden reaction after at least 30+ years without any variation. Many thanks, and best wishes

[helvella Administrator in reply to Forest1000]

I have not noticed any change in the potency of Actavis (even if packaged as Almus or Northstar!).

[bantam12 in reply to helvella]

Me neither.