struggling with fatigue

[malohant]

Hi folks

Looking for advice. I was diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism in Feb, don't know if it is Hashimoto's but I'm assuming. Have been taking 100micrograms Levothyroxin since mid May, the lift from 75 to 100 on the brand I was on then (Actavis) seemed to really lift my energy, but when I got the new prescription it was different (Custom Pharmaceuticals/Mercury Pharma) and my energy has been slowly sliding down since. I've been making changes to my diet (no caffeine/gluten/alcohol) to try and get to a maintainable level - taking out the sugar/caffeine spikes and crashes - but its not getting much better. Just got my latest prescription, which is Teva (largely similar inactive ingredients to Custom; it was the first Levo I was prescribed and I spent a week on the sofa unable to move) and am worried its not going to get better - I've asked both my GP and the pharmacist about the difference between brands, my GP said I am biochemically back to normal, that 'all levo is the same' and to come back in another 6 weeks if it doesn't improve (when I voiced my concern at not having the energy to potentially go back to work in a restaurant in the next few weeks, he suggested 'going for walks' to improve my energy levels), and the pharmacist said they were unable to stock any particular brands and what I get is what I get. I see from looking through the forums that other people have issues with Teva; how do I move forward? Do all pharmacies have no consistency with brands? Is there anything I should be saying to the GP to make him understand that I'm still exhausted after even the lightest exercise, and I can't afford to not work if I'm un-furloughed? And how do I regularly get a brand of Levo that works for me?

Sorry for the long whingey post, and many thanks in advance for any thoughts, tips or advice you may have

Px

[malohant]

Sorry what's PA?

[fuchsia-pink]

All levo is not the same! Read diogenes reply to this post ( posted a little after yours) - and bear in mind that he is a leading research scientist, not an amateur like most of us

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

As you suggest, lots of people have problems with Teva [see poll] - although others swear by it (it's lactose-free) and others don't mind it. Suggest you "yellow card" it as it clearly doesn't suit you.

It's possible to have the brand you want putting on the prescription - but still worth checking you get the right brand before leaving the pharmacy. It's also good if you can get a rapport with your pharmacy - my local Superdrug is excellent - and a bigger one may find it easier to stock "your" brand rather than just getting whatever is cheapest that week - so sticking to Actavis may be a good idea. Good luck x

[malohant in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thanks, that's much appreciated - my partner has found several medical journal articles similarly saying that because levothyroxine has a narrow therapeutic index (as I understand it, that means small changes make big differences) it's really counter-productive to change brands. Just frustrating that neither GP nor pharmacist is willing to do anything about it. I usually use a smaller independent pharmacist, but will try switching to a larger one - thanks for the tip!

[malohant]

Ah thanks. Well when my blood was tested initially (from which I was diagnosed hypo, back in Feb) my B12 was well within normal levels (465 ng/L [>180]) so I don't think it's that...?