Strength of Teva levothyroxine

[Gillybabe48]

Does anyone know if Teva levothyroxine is weaker than other brands.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I don't think there is any evidence to suggest one UK make of levothyroxine has more, or less, levothyroxine than any other.

They all have to conform to the same technical standards. These allow some variation but the tolerance would be the same from one tablet (or batch) to another by one maker as much as between makes.

Of course, people vary. It seems possible that one person absorbs one make better (or faster or slower) than another.

Is there something behind this question?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

Teva and Aristo are the only lactose free tablets

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap. Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

[Because12]

This was actually my preferred brand before moving to NDT. I had very slight hyper like symptoms when it was first dispensed for a few days. Then when the pharmacy subsequently dispensed ANOTHER brand my hypo symptoms came back! I called my doc and requested a new prescription and only used Teva thereafter. Hope this helps.

[posthinking01]

Hi there I am lactose intolerant so take the liquid but can't speak for the tablets which I believe are awful as they contain a sweetener which does not agree with most of us.

I found I had to reduce my dose of liquid down from 100 mcg to 85 mcg as I could feel it was too strong. Mercury Pharma was the previous product I was on.

[klr31]

I didn't get on at all well with Teva brand and I've read that some people don't. Can you try to return to your usual brand?

Karen

[Lovecake]

I’ve just changed my pharmacy due to the Lloyds one closing locally. I am not able to speak to a GP, so looked up who else gives out Activas (or same under different name). Turns out Boots do 50mcg tablets in Activas but the 25mcg is Mercury.

I was taking Teva 25mcg before.

I didn’t have a reaction to the tablet change, which I was nervous about.

BUT, I’m really tired at the moment. I’m sleeping fairly well (considering the heat) and I’m not over doing it due to the lockdown.

So either one of my vits or mineral levels has dropped, or the Mercury tablet is not being absorbed as much as Teva? Or they really are slightly less potent? 🤷‍♀️

It’s only been 2 weeks, so I will see how I am after another 3or4.

But I thought I’d read on here at some point that Teva seem weaker.

I was hoping that it might be the Teva adding to my migraines, but it hasn’t changed as yet........

It’s all a puzzle. We’re all different and react differently to different things.

May I ask why your question in the first place?

[posthinking01 in reply to Lovecake]

Hi there it's funny you should talk about Mercury Pharma because having changed to Teva liquid I can actually feel the medication working - it is so much better that I am beginning to wonder if MP had something wrong with it - I am losing weight gradually - my skin is better and other symptoms such as exhaustion have almost gone. MP is unlicensed now so makes you wonder.

I looked at the ingredients and they are exactly the same. So why should I feel such a difference is beyond me. Could be the MP. Not sure you should be taking two different products anyway - the chemist should know that - but I bet they don't - I had a heated discussion with a chemist who was angry with me for insisting I always had the same product and said it made no difference - I said I'm afraid it does and took along a document showing that you should stick with the same product. She was amazed and said she had learned something and apologised and is a lot more helpful in getting the same product each time. Hope this helps.

[Lovecake in reply to posthinking01]

Totally baffling.

Activas don’t do a 25mcg tablet. I’ve always had 2 different brands of tablets when on 75mcg. And I’ve moved house and doctors during that too.

I take 10mcg T3 too.

But if I carry on feeling extra tired I will get bloods done and see if it’s the thyroxine issue.

Hope you continue to improve. 🙂