Mercury Pharma Brand

[Munroedundee1]

On most occasions when I get my prescription from the pharmacy I usually get the Phama Mercury brand of thyroxine. I have noticed that when I have had my bloods checked after taking a different brand my T4 has dropped considerably. I assume that perhaps it is something to do with fillers that perhaps effect my absorption of the medication. I mentioned to my local pharmacist who has told me that providing I give them 24hrs notice they will accommodate me by ordering my specific request...they couldn't be more helpful. My latest dose of Levothyroxine 50mcg from Mercury Pharma has Eltroxin written on the box. Have PM gone back to using this trade mark in their packaging,? I appreciate it's the same drug. Has anyone else noticed this?

Thanks in advance.

[Munroedundee1]

Not PM...MP! 🙂

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

We do not, so far as I am aware, know why we see the odd person dispensed Eltroxin-branded product.

I suspect that they have to produce some in order for other makes to be compared against it (as the official "brand"). Maybe what we see is whatever is leftover from such batches?

Could also be if they have had to shuffle stocks around and issue product that was intended for somewhere else.

If anyone does really know the story, now would be a good time to tell us!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post you said you were on 75mcg levothyroxine

Results showed under medicated and in need of dose increase

Are you sure you are only on 50mcg?

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range

Your Ft4 and Ft3 were low

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

NICE guidelines

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

The initial recommended dose is:

For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.

This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.

[Munroedundee1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi

75 micrograms X 3 days per week

100 micrograms X 4 days per week

Last results show

T4 had dropped to 12.6

TSH 1.8

T3 4.4 (same as previous)

Bloods due check around 4 more weeks.

Taking medication at least 3 hours prior to breakfast.

Was told results were normal when bi rang re. results!!

Apparently being .6 over 12 threshold is normal! Thank goodness I get printouts of my results.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Munroedundee1]

Come back with new post once you get results on new dose

[Munroedundee1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Will do thanks.