Different brands of Levothyroxine.: I have been... - Thyroid UK

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Different brands of Levothyroxine.

delboy25 profile image
7 Replies

I have been on Thyroxine since 1994 after receiving RAI but the whole experience has made me worse.

Endo now has me on 75mcg but brain fatigue is a lot worse and my legs lack power. No matter what dosage I take , there is no improvement. I have now increased dosage to 100mcg- stopped taking all supplements B12 Vit D Folate and Ferritin. I started taking 6.25ug of Unipharma T3 from Greece quite recently but even stopped taking that,

What exactly are the symptoms if the brand does not suit me or T4 does not agree with me.

With the most recent prescription, pharmacist has given me 50mcg of Avtavis and 25mcg of Wockhardt.

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7 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Have you ever had a brand where you feel well. If so it's best not to change brands and if your pharmacy does then ask for your prescription back and ring round other pharmacies to see who can dispense your favoured brand.

It's not a good idea to stop supplementing if you have low levels or deficiencies. What are your current levels of Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin?

Also, post your latest thyroid test results, with reference ranges, and we can see if there are any obvious problems.

delboy25 profile image
delboy25 in reply to SeasideSusie

Hello ,

Thank you for your reply.

Last blood test was done on 28th Feb 2018- I have just updated my profile but I will list results here .

Serum TSH <0.05 range 0.30 to 5.00

Serum free T4 7.4 range 11.00 to 22.00

Serum free T3 4.7 range 3.10 to 6.80 note on lab report ? patient on T3 -answer is yes.

B12 1037 range 181 to 910

Serum folate >24 range >5.40

Serum cortisol 307 range 145 to 619

DHEA - lab refused to test stating of limited clinical utility in males . I will have this done privately through Medichecks

Ferritin 79 range 22.00 to 322. To me this needs supplementation.

delboy25 profile image
delboy25 in reply to SeasideSusie

In addition to my reply just sent , to answer your initial question I have never felt better on any of the brands supplied. Ferritin needs attention. I started to take Unipharma T3 recently then swopped over to NDT Thyroid -S from Thailand but I have stopped taking everything. Beginning to have doubts that physical and mental tiredness have anything to do with Thyroid , but I suppose most people on this forum have had similar thoughts.

,

Thank you for your time.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to delboy25

Sorry delboy, I missed your replies.

Although not dire, I think your ferritin needs supplementing, that will be part of your problem. Mid range is best, which would be just about right for what I have read is best for men ie around150. Are you supplementing? If you don't already then I would start eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week, and include lots of iron rich foods in your diet

apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...

This article about low ferritin is interesting restartmed.com/low-ferritin/

Your B12 and folate are good, what about Vit D? If not already tested then I would get that done, privately if necessary with a home fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/

Because of your under range FT4 and low FT3, I agree with SlowDragon that you should be on Levo plus some T3.

jgelliss profile image
jgelliss in reply to SeasideSusie

CONGRADULATIONS !!!!!! I"M SO EXCITED !!!! SeasideSusie for this VERY WELL EARNED AND DESERVED POSITION !!!!!

MAY YOUR LEADERSHIP CONTINUE TO GUIDE US TO EVER LASTING HEALTH AND LONGEVETY !!!!!!!

MAY YOUR NEW POSITION MERIT YOU WITH GREAT HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME !!!!!!

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to jgelliss

Thank you jgellis, you're very kind :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Well on you last test results your FT4 was very low. You may have needed to increase Levo dose slowly and stay on small dose of T3

75mcg was only a small dose. After RAI you need full replacement dose. Likely to also need some T3 as well

Always try to get the same brand of Levothyroxine. Can you get enough of just one brand to be on 100mcg

Suggest you retest in full privately after 6-8 weeks on 100mcg

Likely to need to stay on maintenance dose supplements otherwise levels may fall

Have you considered trying strictly gluten free diet. Several members after RAI say it has helped. Might be worth a try

You still have raised antibodies

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