TEVA containing mannitol!

[Ccaarrllaa]

How can l obtain any meds that aren’t made by TEVA?

I’m feeling more and more I’ll as 2 of my prescribed meds are TEVA. Even though all my prescriptions state in capitals, DO NOT GIVE TEVA... the pharmacy still gives them.

Any advice please? I’m even prepared to pay!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

What country are you in?

Do both the medicines contain mannitol?

What happens in the pharmacy when you open the bag and find Teva products? I assume you point it out and ask for something else? Do they comply with that request?

[Zazbag]

What does mannitol do? I've only ever used Teva.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Zazbag]

We don't know.

Some people - including me - who have switched to levothyroxine tablets which contain mannitol (which in the UK is only Teva) have felt they get unpleasant effects. Including stomach discomfort.

There was a poll some months ago:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If you are OK on Teva (with its mannitol) then fine.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So you need to get paper prescription and take it/ring around all local pharmacies to find the brand you need

Refuse to accept Teva

[Ccaarrllaa in reply to SlowDragon]

I have 7 different items on each prescription... very difficult sourcing non TEVA on all

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ccaarrllaa]

It's only Teva levothyroxine that you need to avoid (assuming it doesn't agree with you)

Teva generally an ok brand

[Lalatoot]

It could be the dosage of the tablet at the pharmacy you go to. They have tried to give me TEVA for 25mcg tablets.

[Ccaarrllaa in reply to Lalatoot]

Same here

[Lalatoot in reply to Ccaarrllaa]

You could ask the surgery to give you prescription for 50mcg tablets and cut them.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

When were last thyroid and vitamin tests

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If/when also on T3 or NDT make sure to take last half or third of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays