TEVA Levothyroxine HELP

[paul1978]

Hi. New member going out of my mind

After my TT and Rad I was on Northstar tables

In November I was given Teva

On the Teva I have had the following

Headaches

Nausea

Chronic pain in my right navel all day every day

Constipated every day

Depression and mad thoughts

Forgetfulness

Any advice please

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

paul1978

Many members have reported severe side effects from Teva levothyroxine (lots of posts if you want to do a search on the forum). It would seem that it also doesn't suit you.

You should make a yellow card report

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/down...

and ask your pharmacist for your original brand.

Northstar is actually Actavis which is rebranded for Lloyds pharmacy (also Sainsburys I believe). Actavis is also rebranded as Almus for Boots. So you could take Activis, Almus or Northstar and you will be taking the same brand.

[shaws Administrator]

For goodness sake. I have my thyroid gland and my experience of levothyroxine of any make was traumatic. Many people who take it seem to have no problem but some of us suffer.

I believe that if someone has had a TT, the very least they should be given is a combination of T4/T3.

The healthy thyroid gland provides T4/T3. When we're hypothyroid we are prescribed T4 alone.

T4 is an inactive hormone which has to convert to T3. Doctors rarely test patients' Free T4 and Free T3 and seem to know little more than the TSH and some don't permit the TSH to be 1 or lower as their assumption is the patient is a very low TSH is hyper-thyroid but that is not the case.

I'd ask GP to test TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3. TSH - the aim is 1 or lower, Free T4 and Free T3 should be in the upper part of the ranges.

He should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate - all have to be optimal.

All blood tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a 24 hour gap between dose and test and take it afterwards. This helps keep the TSH at its highest as doctors are apt to adjust dose according to the TSH which is detrimental to us.

Look on the 'pinned post' on the right-hand side 'A suggested gift to a doctor etc' and read.

[Nanaedake]

It's very likely the TEVA. I had terrible symptoms with TEVA but fine on ACTAVIS which I believe is what Northstar package. Change brands immediately and do a yellow card report.

[Kazbe]

Hi Paula 1978

Sorry to hear your having side effects from Teva !!! Many people on here will tell you the effects of Teva are awful I tried it had headaches itching heartburn palpitations just felt dreadful so I tried Actavis then MercuryPharma and I felt better on the Mercury Pharma so I asked the chemist to order the same one in every time because it definitely makes a difference .

In the UK Boots pharmacy can order whichever brand suits you best 😀

Good luck hope you soon feel much better

Kazbe

[Pascha1]

I was very ill on Teva Levothyroxine but took me months on it to realise it was that causing really bad problems, stop taking it , tell GP you now want what Levothyroxine you get on with on your prescriptions, , definitely report yellow card it,

I think if on any thyroid meds as the thyroid is very sensitive to any small changes they should not risk your health by changing brands, it’s negligent to put anyone’s health at risk, some people are not so sensitive , I don’t think pharmacists realise how ill we can become with the smallest of change that goes to T4 and T3.

I agree with what Shaws has said that anyone with TT thyroidectomy but also think sub thyroidectomy [ I had one of those and didn’t feel the same after it till 35 years later when I had T3 added )so destroying the thyroid they should give T3 and Same as RAI should have T3 added .

Get referred to an Endocrinologist and research a good Endo in the areas you are willing to travel to to try to get T3 added

please do not suffer like I have all these years

,Ask on here new OST for a sympathetic Endocrinologists in your Area and surrounding areas you are willing to travel to , To private message you or for the list of NHS Endos who prescribe T3..

Good luck x

[paul1978 in reply to Pascha1]

Please do send me the list. Thanks you

[Giraffes in reply to Pascha1]

Hi Pashas 1,

You have made me realise what is going on as been on Teva for since last year, as I am on a very low lose of 50mg to 75mg.

Had blood test showing levels at 2018 at 3.35mlU/L change to Teva 0.09mlU/L as lactose allergy.

Is that why I am feeling so unwell cold temperature of 34.4, tired, lethargic, constipation and brain fog.

Thanks for all the help will be back to GP for advice.

[Pascha1 in reply to Giraffes]

My body temp went down really low on Teva,, if its the Teva causing you problems yellow card it, or what ever one is causing you the problems , let me know how you get on,, if they change brands you should really always have a blood test 6 weeks after change , it states that in the Americam Thyroid Assocation ATA so keep that in mind in future or get the GP to write what brand you do well on , on the prescription,, Let me know how everything goes I will follow you to see if you write anything if you dont mind. Good Luck xx

[Pascha1]

Sorry just seen this post, I think you have to start a new post to ask for the list so sorry Ive just not been on here much lately.. someone will point you in the right direction if they have not done so already , good luck