Hi
This is a long shot!
Just wondering if anybody takes wockhardt brand thyroxine. My son started it and ever since he’s had a terribly flare up of his eczema. Not had a flare since he was 8 years old he’s 18 now.
I’m playing detective and just trying to eliminate all possibilities? X
It is unusual for someone to get only 25 microgram tablets (and that is the only dosage available from Wockhardt in the UK). I assume he is not on just 25 micrograms?
Was this a specific choice?
Yes that’s what he’s been prescribed 25mcg!
I am surprised that 25 micrograms has been an appropriate dose for ten years through, pretty much, from childhood to adulthood!
Makes me wonder if he is properly dosed?
Sorry, he’s not been on thyroxine for 10 years just 3 month’s. He was diagnosed with Hashimotos and stated on thyroxine in November.
Ah! Right. I was visting Assumption Alley. 
Very likely, he really needs an increase now. Has he been re-tested since starting?
The Gp said she would retest at 6 months, she’s playing it cautiously!!
That is not cautious. It is utterly ignoring the Patient Information Leaflet, which says:
Adults
The recommended starting dose is 50 – 100 micrograms daily.
Your doctor may increase the dose you take every 3 – 4 weeks by 50 micrograms until your thyroxine levels are correct. Your final daily dose may be up to 100 – 200 micrograms daily.
medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...
And the Summary of Product Characteristics, which says:
Adults: Initially, 50 to 100 micrograms daily (two to four tablets daily), preferably taken before breakfast or your first meal of the day. Adjust at three to four week intervals by 50 micrograms until normal metabolism is steadily maintained. The final dose may be up to 100 to 200 micrograms.
medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...
(Mind, increasing the dose by 50 micrograms is not what I would choose. I'd usually increase by 12.5 or 25 micrograms rather than 50.)
Even the poor NICE guidelines say:
Adults
1.4.3 For adults who are taking levothyroxine for primary hypothyroidism, consider measuring TSH every 3 months until the level has stabilised (2 similar measurements within the reference range 3 months apart), and then once a year.
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...
So just where does this GP get six months from?
Again, it isn't cautious, it is, well, take your pick of the following: foolish, incautious, negligent, rash, reckless, thoughtless, unwise and imprudent.
It could be that he’s not on enough levothyroxine (quite likely to be part of the problem). Or that there’s something in the Wockhardt brand that he’s reacting to. Per the PIL, the excipients are: lactose, sucrose fine powder, maize starch and Magnesium stearate.
There are other makes - summarised below.
A significant number of people find that the Teva formulation causes them problems. But some find that Teva is the best for them!
UK Levothyroxine Tablets
Last updated 05/02/2020.
This is a list of currently marketed levothyroxine tablets in the UK.
🔹 Accord – formerly Actavis (manufacturer)
50
100
🔸 Almus (brand owned by Walgreen Boots Alliance – Boots and Alliance distributor)
50 – This is repackaged Accord – formerly Actavis.
100 – This is repackaged Accord – formerly Actavis.
🔹 Mercury Pharma (manufacturer – part of Advanz) includes both “Levothyroxine” and “Eltroxin” which are identical.
25
50
100
🔹 Teva (manufacturer)
12.5
25
50
75
100
🔸 Northstar (brand owned by McKesson – Lloyds pharmacy and AAH distributor)
25 – This is repackaged Teva. ❗
50 – This is repackaged Accord - formerly Actavis. ❗
100 – This is repackaged Accord - formerly Actavis. ❗
🔹 Wockhardt (manufacturer)
25
🔹 – identifies manufacturers.
🔸 – identifies repackaged products.
❗ – Take particular note of the actual product which varies by dosage.
Numbers refer to tablet dosages in micrograms.
I was on 25 mcg for 7 years (I didn't know my levels, didn't know I was allowed to see them) and every brand was fine except Wockhardt - every time I was dispensed it by the chemist all my symptoms returned with a vengeance. It took a while to realise the cause, but once I did and started refusing Wockhardt I didn't have any return of my symptoms until every chemist in the area stocked Wockhardt only.
Hi and Thanks for replying.
Interesting how the wockhardt affected you so badly. I’m wondering if the same is causing my sons eczema to flare. I guess unless I ask for a brand change we won’t really know.
Take care
Which Thyroid Brand
Thyroid poisoning 
My ongoing thyroid….
Confused 
Blood tests and antibiotics / steroids will they affect a thyroid test 
