Here we go again.

[Angel48]

I highlighted last year that I was experiencing problems with the teva new formula levothyroxine. I had a conversation with my doctor and pharmacy and expressed my concerns and I asked for mercury pharmaceutical brand.

This was great for the duration. However, my pharmacy then gave me actavis and again I feel awful. All the classic symptoms of low thyroid.

I have a phone consultation with my pharmacist to raise my concerns.

So please can someone explain why these drug companies are able to provide low grade drugs.

My health is not something to mess around with.

I hope you get some help but I am not going to let my health suffer to save money.

It is not good practice. I feel unwell and I can't afford to take time off work. I just hope that I can get a new prescription and get back on track again.

[shaws Administrator]

If you've found a thyroid hormone that suits, your chemist will source the one you want and I always checked before I left the shop. Sometimes if others make up the prescriptions which will probably state levothyroxine, they will give you any levo they have in their stores.

Ask GP if he will state the make on the prescription. If not double check when you pick up prescription.

It is the fillers/binders in the products that affect us and there will be different ones in different makes (not brands as there is no brands any longer).

[MaisieGray]

They are not low grade drugs, and many people will be very happy and well taking the brands that may be upsetting you, it's a very individual thing. Sometimes it is simply a reaction to one of the excipients that is in one brand but not in another. For instance, Teva has no lactose whilst others do, so might be more suitable for those who are lactose-intolerant, but it nevertheless doesn't suit those who react to acacia, another excipient. It doesn't mean though, that the active ingredient is of a lesser quality. If you've identified one brand that suits you best, you need to ask your GP to specify it on your prescription and then you should check what has been dispensed before leaving the pharmacy. Often what is dispensed is a function of what the pharmacy's wholesaler has sourced and/or is offering a price deal on; so checking our meds each time is a necessary safeguard.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

So please can someone explain why these drug companies are able to provide low grade drugs.

It's not "low grade drugs". The active ingredient is the same, it's the fillers/excipients that differ and can cause problems.

You can compare the full list of ingredients of the different makes here

thyroiduk.org/tuk/treatment...

Teva

Levothyroxine Sodium, Maize Starch, Mannitol (E421), Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Citrate, Acacia, Magnesium Stearate

Actavis/Northstar/Almus (all the same)

Anhydrous Levothyroxine Sodium, Lactose, Magnesium Stearate, Maize Starch, Stearic Acid, Pre-gelatinised Maize Starch

Mercury Pharma

Anhydrous Levothyroxine Sodium, Sodium Citrate, Lactose, Maize Starch, Acacia Powder, Magnesium Stearate

They all cost the same. Perhaps you can ring round the local pharmacies and see who can provide you with Mercury Pharma, or ask your local one to only dispense the MP brand.

[silverfox7 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for that! Someone was

Insisting that Mercury Pharma had Mannitol in it as well so weren't getting it mixed up with TEVA. Not sure were I read it though, maybe not on here.

[penstemon]

I also had a problem with Actavis. It gave me diarrhoea so like you I now ask for Mercury Pharma, which seems to suit me. Sometimes my surgery's dispensary can't supply it so I take the paper prescription to another chemist who always seems to be able to get it. It's something to do with prices from wholesalers as MaisieGray has said. I don't think any are lower grade, just that different formulations suit different people.

[Angel48 in reply to penstemon]

It could be either, the ingredients or the grade. I was informed that Teva had their licence revoked at one point.For producing a low grade of levothyroxine. Due to brain fog I can't recall the exact details.

I just find it strange that every time I take Teva/Actavis levothyroxine after a period of 6 weeks I start to experience all the signs, cramp predominantly in my thigh and down my hamstring, feeling really low and tired. Feeling the cold, Brain fog poor concentration and just for fun a very low libido. Lucky me.

When I take mercury I feel how I should.

I now have to get my levels right again. I've had my condition since birth. So it's been under control for a long time.

What ever the cause I value my health and do not wish to gamble with it.

Sorry I feel frustrated I just want to feel like me again.