Reaction to Levo made by Teva???

[ajw38]

Hi, I had a TT two months ago. I have had problems with racing heart and palpatations since surgery but whilst not perfect they had considerably improved since my levo was changed from 125mcg to 100mcg. My latest labs show I was still hyper (FT4 25.5 and I think range is 12.2-20.2) so I have reduced to 75mcg last couple of days .

Strangely since I have changed dose my resting heart rate has drastically increased. I’m so disappointed as surely it should be getting better. I don’t know if it’s just a conincidence but it’s such a drastic change I can’t help linking it to my dose change. The only thing I can think is that my 100mcg tablet was by mercury pharma and now I’m on 75 I have a 50 tablet from mercury PLUS a 25 much tablet from teva. Somebody on here mentioned to me before that teva doesn’t agree with some people but how could it differ that much? Could it really cause this reaction in me?

When I was on 125mcg that was also teva and when my palpatations were awful.

Thanks so much for reading my essay!

[DoeStewart]

Hi there. I normally take Mercury Pharma Levo and have no problems with it. I was given Teva new formulation earlier in the year and was really really ill with them. Took them for about 6 weeks, just getting worse all the time and then realised what was causing me to be unwell. Went to GP, got another script, told pharmacist I couldn't tolerate Teva, he has put that information on my records at pharmacy. I always get my old brand of Levo. I also filled in a yellow card on line to report my symptoms whilst taking Teva. Get another prescription and tell pharmacy Teva don't agree with you. I hope you recover soon and are healthy again. Good luck.

[ajw38 in reply to DoeStewart]

Hi,

Thanks so much for your reply.

It’s reassuring that maybe I’m not going crazy!

Please could I ask what symptoms you noticed ? And looking back do you think they started straight away? My heart started racing more the next day, I just don’t know if that’s too quick a reaction?

Many thanks!

[DoeStewart in reply to ajw38]

Hi - I also had palpitations,stomach upsets, so fatigued I couldn't get up, bad headaches. I felt totally wiped out. I actually ended up at hospital as my heart was pounding so much. Didn't realise at first that it was the change of manufacturer of my Levo and took me a few weeks on my old brand to feel well again. Lots of people on here had problems with the Teva brand.

[2leapittoo in reply to DoeStewart]

This is y symtoms too I dont ever have headaches, tummy upsets. high bpetc.

[Nanaedake]

I learned the hard way to never mix brands of tablets. Stick to the one that suits you. TEVA Levothyroxine made me very, very ill. different levothyroxines really can be that different. It's a little known fact by doctors and even some pharmacists. Point them to the 2013 review of Levothyroxine by the MHRA. Most doctors don't even know about the review but they should.

[ajw38 in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you!!! Have you ever got to the bottom of what ingredient makes it so bad??

I presume the fact that my teva 25mcg tablet is bigger than my mercury 50mcg tablet means there are a lot more fillers in the teva?

[Nanaedake in reply to ajw38]

A lot of how pharmaceuticals are produced is secret due to protecting patents etc. For example, the solvents used to convey the active ingredients into the excipients can vary and influence the efficacy but it's beyond my rudimentary science. It was reported as one of the findings in the New Zealand investigation into Levothyroxine. Presumably drug companies try to source the most cost effective ingredients but variations may have an impact and once a drug is generic, these factors do not have to be tested rigorously.

Levothyroxine is classified as an drug with an unstable profile. Heat, moisture and the excipients used can effect it's potency and dissolution rate.

The MHRA have said, in their report they will continue to monitor bioequivalence of Levothyroxine but there could be other factors that make some formulations unsuitable for some patients.

I would complete a yellow card report

Side effects are often under-reported and it's one way to maintain quality medicines for all and stop doctors and pharmacists from insisting they are all the same.

[ajw38 in reply to Nanaedake]

This is so interesting. I didn’t take my tablets today and my heart rate is so much better. I’m a bit stuck as actually on holiday so can’t get a new prescription and obviously can’t not take it for very long. I presume missing one day won’t do me any harm ?

[Nanaedake in reply to ajw38]

One day won't make a huge difference so long as you don't have to maintain a tight range of suppression. Even so. One day missed isn't going to be a disaster.

[silverfox7]

From what I've picked up from Patients comments TEVA does have different fillers in but it is aimed at people with Lactose intolerance so that may be the problem in that it's given to people who haven't that problem. Some get on with it fine and I've seen some of them have issues with it but also heard some of the fine ones did say they had a lactose problem. So part of me thinks it may be given to the wrong people. Apparently it is a cheaper brand so is flooding the market. If anyone out there is happy on it then it would be interesting to know if they have a know problem with Lactose.

[Auntyp62]

I love Teva, it’s the only one I can stay awake all day on! We are all different!

[Huddy1234 in reply to Auntyp62]

Hi Auntyp62,

Just doing some research on Teva brand and came across your comment.

I have just been given a 28 day trial of Teva - started yesterday. Seemed to have seen a lot more negative reviews on it then positive ones.

Do you not get any side effects on it then - my biggest symptom is tiredness/low energy/fatigue so was interested to read that you're seem to give you energy.

[Auntyp62 in reply to Huddy1234]

My biggest problem before I was given them was tiredness, I was even diagnosed with hypersomnia by a London hospital, I was sleeping 18 hours a day. I was given Teva as that was what the pharmacy had at the time. But noticed a big difference when the next moth I was given activas. Thought it coincidence but asked for Teva and again I could stay awake. My medicheck t3 is usually about 4 but with Teva it goes up to 5.5 so for me it’s a wonderful positive. Please let me know if it works for you.

[Huddy1234 in reply to Auntyp62]

Thanks for your reply - and really pleased they have had a positive outcome for you

I have been on Mercury Pharma for almost 3 years (25mcg) asked for an increase back in June as medication didn't seem to be helping and I was given Actavis 50mcg - I had horrible side effects (insomnia, hot sweats day and night, jittery, anxious, low mood, sensitive, tearful and emotional). So I reverted back to 25mcg and back to Mercury Pharma brand.

I then was referred to a private endo who ran lots of blood tests - he suggested I up my medication just twice weekly to 50mcg but on doing so the insomnia returned!!

On seeing my endo on Saturday he has now told me to trial Teva brand for 28 days (25mcg one day then 50mcg the next)...... I started yesterday.

Just quite nervous as read lots of negative reviews but told myself that everyone's body is different and to take a chance.