Eltroxin?

[PirateQueen]

Hi,

I’ve been on Levo for 3 years. Actavis just worked for me. I tried Mercury Pharma and Teva but neither of those agreed with me. MP made me feel incredibly tired and under medicated.

Since the awful change from Actavis to Accord, like many others here, I’ve been experiencing many horrible side effects. Some batches seemed to be ok, one month last summer gave me an upset stomach from hell for the month and last month I had constant heart palpitations which really scared me.

Of course, I spoke to a doctor (one of the random ones you get given for same day phone appts) and he was very dismissive. Got a blood test - TSH was at 1.75 in Oct 2020, TSH now is 2.13. The next doctor I spoke to said she wasn’t prepared to change my dose because it might affect bone density (I’ve had no complaints about that before). I told her of my issues with all the brands I’ve tried and now she’s prescribed me Eltroxin, which I have to pick up later. I don’t know what brand it is, but after reading here, I expect it’ll be MP again, which seems to be the same as their Levo?!

Pulling my hair out. I suggested Aristo as I’ve read about that here too but it clearly fell on deaf ears. If I get given MP today, do I tell the pharmacy that this ‘Eltroxin’ is exactly the same as MP Levo and see if they can find me something else? I’m aware I’m running out of options here and I’m just feeling beaten down by it all. I’ve been off Levo now for 2 weeks and feeling so much better for some reason but I know that won’t last. Arghhh

[SlowDragon Administrator]

TSH of 2.13 shows you were under medicated

Symptoms might be more to do with under medication. Either Accord is less effective than Activis or your need has increased coincidentally

Why not contact Accord direct and explain your issues since name change

Obviously if you have been off levothyroxine 2 weeks, vitamin levels will drop dramatically as you become increasingly hypothyroid

Eltroxin and Mercury Pharma are identical tablets

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine were you taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[PirateQueen in reply to SlowDragon]

I agree I’m undermedicated - this is what I said to the doctor but she didn’t agree! I was taking 50/75mcg alternate days. Vits tested a good year ago or more, they won’t test them again it seems. I’m taking iron (containing vit c, folic acid and b12), but admittedly haven’t been so great at remembering to take the proper b12 and Vit D!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PirateQueen]

How much do you weigh in kilo approx

guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight

Even if we frequently don’t start on full replacement dose, most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until eventually on, or near full replacement dose

NICE guidelines on full replacement dose

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...

1.3.6

Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.

Also here

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

gp-update.co.uk/Latest-Upda...

Traditionally we have tended to start patients on a low dose of levothyroxine and titrate it up over a period of months. RCT evidence suggests that for the majority of patients this is not necessary and may waste resources.

For patients aged >60y or with ischaemic heart disease, start levothyroxine at 25–50μg daily and titrate up every 3 to 6 weeks as tolerated.

For ALL other patients start at full replacement dose. For most this will equate to 1.6 μg/kg/day (approximately 100μg for a 60kg woman and 125μg for a 75kg man).

If you are starting treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, this article advises starting at a dose close to the full treatment dose on the basis that it is difficult to assess symptom response unless a therapeutic dose has been trialled.

BMJ also clear on dose required

bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m41

bestpractice.bmj.com/topics...

[helvella]

🟨 I strongly urge you, if you have not already done so, to report all medicines side effects through the Yellow Card system. 🟨

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[PirateQueen in reply to helvella]

I have I hope something comes of it because it seems many people feel ill on Accord!

[ianessex in reply to PirateQueen]

Finally,, someone else who thinks accord has changed. I've been asking this for while.every batch is diff, I've had terrible probs lately. Glad I'm not alone in my thinking.