Conversion from 75mic tablets to ml.liquid thyroxine equivalent

[Hurtlocker]

Have just come off tablet form of levo 75mic tablets and now taking 1 spoonful of 50ml and one spoonful of 25ml per day of the liquid (50mic strength bottle) but feel a bit shaky and small palpatations and wondered if this was the correct conversion as the pharmacy were not sure either!@@ but thats the dose written on the box by my doctor ..but they can make mistakes too and dont want to rock the boat and take incorrect dose maybe it takes a while to settle down after taking tablet form!!@ HELP

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

There is something wrong there - if you have posted the right numbers!

I assume you have got a bottle of 50 microgram per 5 millilitre (might be written 50 mcg / 5 mL) oral solution?

In which case, to get the same dose, you would need to take one 5 millilitre spoonful, plus one 2.5 millilitre spoonful. That is, in everyday terms, one and a half teaspoonsful.

What you have posted is TEN TIMES that! So I am wondering if you just didn't type the decimal points?

I'd also point out that there has been discussion about how best to measure thick liquid medicines. Some suggest an oral syringe. That is probably most accurate but can be a bit messy and awkward. Others suggest a standard 5 millilitre medicine spoon. But with a thick liquid it is very easy to pour out more than the exact amount.

With something like cough syrup, a bit of inaccuracy doesn't matter much. But with levothyroxine, you really need to get it as accurate as you can.

This is a little piece on using an oral syringe:

resources.amh.net.au/public...

A little bit about working out doses, etc.:

rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/...

Finally, one of the reasons for people being dispensed with levothyroxine oral solution is to improve absorption. Even if you are measuring exactly, the simple factis that that you might be absorbing it better - resulting in a slightly higher effective dose.

[Hurtlocker in reply to helvella]

You are wonderful...I am taking exactly what you said..one 5ml spoonful and one 2.5ml per day..have not tried syringe method yet!!what you say about absorption may be right on the money!!!i.e I am absorbing better as this would

Explain odd syptoms.. will keep watching it and see doc if it continues...thanks again...regards

June

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Hurtlocker]

Pleased to see that!

Oral syringes are readily available - some medicines come with them in the pack. Any pharmacy should be able to supply, or (of course) there are numerous online suppliers.

The other advantage is that if you needed 60, or 65, or 80 micrograms or any other dose, these are all easy to achieve using the scale on the side of an oral syringe. Not really feasible with spoons.

[Hurtlocker in reply to helvella]

Have you any idea how long it takes for tablet form of levo to be eliminated from my system..started taking liquid form of levo over a week ago and not noticed any difference in syptoms yet...am I being Impatient...I was back if the queue when patience was dished out!!! Thank you...regards..