Does Eltroxin linger in your body?

[Gerispice]

Hi everyone,

I have been well in the UK for 7 years on combination T4/T3. I’ve moved to New Zealand where Activis T4 is not licenced. So when my UK supply ran out I got a prescription from my GP. The pharmacy gave me Eltroxin, which I took for 10 days only, after which I could no longer tolerate the strength of the non-stop palpitations. It felt like someone was kicking my chest from the inside, day and night. I have looked up Eltroxin and have discovered that this is a common side effect.

After I stopped taking it I thought that would be the end of the problem, but no. I have since tried 2 additional brands of T4 licenced in NZ; Synthroid and Mercury Pharma. Both of these have me the palpitations also, which I thought strange. I managed for 2 weeks on T3 only, but my supply ran very low as I was taking 60 much/day. I have since ordered Uni Pharma T4 and T3 on the internet. I have taken this brand before without any issues. However, they only sent the T4 so I am having to take it and I am still experiencing the palpitations exactly the same as whilst taking the Eltroxin.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Where do I go from here? Am I never going to be able to take T4 again?

[jimh111]

Kia Ora! Different brands can have different filers which make a difference to some people. I wonder how long you have been in NZ. I'm interested in the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). NZ is likely to have a much lower burden of EDCs and it's quite possible they contributed to your need for high doses of thyroid hormones. Do you think you could now be OK on a lower dose? It may be you don't need so much hormone in NZ.

[Gerispice in reply to jimh111]

Hi Jimh,

Thanks for the interesting reply. I don’t know what you mean by endocrine disrupting chemicals. Are you referring to atmospheric pollution? Back in the UK I lived and worked by the sea in the Lake District, an area of outstanding natural beauty, mountains, lakes and trees. Here in NZ I’m living in Manukau City, where I’ve noticed disturbingly the high amount of pollution. So if I’m correct in assuming your line of thought, I can’t see it as a viable answer, sorry. I’ve actually increased my T4 now and the palpitations have subsided. It’s a puzzle. If only we all knew how to cure ourselves eh? Best regards, Geri

[jimh111 in reply to Gerispice]

I was specifically thinking of flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs) which can disrupt the binding of thyroid hormone. I noticed I felt better on a holiday in NZ. PBDEs levels are a combination of local fire retardant regulations and population density. Whilst you may be in a populated area it is small by UK standards and surrounded by a lot of low population density and sea. So, NZ will probably have low levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals which come from food and environment. My comments would only apply if you were showing signs of thyrotoxicity on the same dose as in the UK.

[Gerispice in reply to jimh111]

I see. Thanks for clarifying that. I came to NZ in December with just over 3 months supply of T4 and T3 from my UK GP. I had no issues at all until it ran out in April. That’s when the NZ GP put me on Eltroxin, which started a whole rollercoaster of issues. I’m pretty sure the Eltroxin was to blame. But very interesting theory nonetheless and could reasonably apply in some situations.