I have had Hypothoidism for a few years now without much ado except for a few issues with being palmed off with different brands of Levothyroxine that did me no favours. Particularly Teva . However i am now on 50mcg of Actavis / all has been well until 6 weeks ago when I was dispensed Mercury Pharma brand. I had no previous knowledge of the brand so decided to continue. Suddenly I have been bombarded with a number of unpleasant symptoms too many to mention, but for example; worse fatigue, hair loss, nausea , brain fog , itching, anxiety / panic attacks, uncomfortable chest pains ........... I didn't know what to think. Finally got an appointment with GP who thinks that I may need a higher dose of medication. She has prescribed. 25mcg on alternate days added to my usual daily dose of 50mcg. And until I get the results of a blood test and ECG which is not due until 10 days from now. I am torn between the reason for all this upset . Could it be what the GP suggests or the change in brand ? Either way I am not convinced that the Mercury Pharma brand is not in some way responsible, as I have just discovered, it contains Mannitol. What are the opinions out there on Mercury Pharma brand and should I continue taking it until advised to do otherwise?
Thank You.
Intouchable
PS I wish I could help other sufferers but I know so little about the disease.
Written by
Intouchable
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Are you able to revert to Accord? (The company Accord owned the Actavis product in the UK and switched branding to Accord last year.) Even if you have to split a 50 microgram Accord tablet to achieve a 75 microgram dose.
You could try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine about an hour before your next Mercury Pharma dose. If that is resolves the issues, it would appear to be something in the Mercury Pharma product - possibly acacia.
Although some are bound to exist, few do well on doses as low as 50 micrograms long term. Most need more.
My apologies for confusion over mannitol. My mistake. (brain fog) I've just re-checked my other med leaflets and I see that it is Lisinopril and Atorvastin that contain mannitol.
Sorry to anyone who read my post before you corrected me.
I think I will insist on being dispensed Accord, although the pharmacist already has this on record.
I have no idea why he should be dispensing me Mercury Pharma with no explanation.
It could be due to different brand, but could be because you need next dose increase in levothyroxine
Since 50mcg levothyroxine is only a starter dose, it’s extremely common for hypothyroid symptoms to return as body gets use to initial dose after 2-3 months
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
Hair loss and breathlessness - Likely low ferritin/iron
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.....and when under medicated
Ask GP to test vitamin levels NOW
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
She has prescribed. 25mcg on alternate days added to my usual daily dose of 50mcg. And until I get the results of a blood test and ECG which is not due until 10 days from now.
Are you saying thyroid levels were tested ....which is why dose was increased. If yes....Do you have the results ?
Or you are getting blood tested in 10 days time?
If not had bloods tested yet, you don’t want to increase dose until been tested
Many thanks for your valuable response. I wrote a longer post in reply but it has disappeared so I shall just do a condensed version and hope it is intelligible.
• I have been on 50mcg Levo for several years. Started off on 25mcg
• Had latest bloods tested in January this year . Wasn’t given results. Contacted the surgery when I began having the symptoms so asked them for results of blood tests including what conditions I am being tested for, because, coincidentally, the symptoms began after the last blood tests and since taking the Mercury Pharma for three months. Was given telephone appointment with GP who said that the January results were fine. This was when I discussed my unpleasant symptons.
• GP’s reason for increased dose by 25mcg alternate days was on her own assumption that the thyroid is causing the problems .
• Yes I am having bloods tested and ECG on Friday. Unfortunately the appointment they gave me is for mid afternoon. After waiting nearly 3 weeks for it I feel I can’t go changing it now. Will it make a huge difference to the results?
PS Thank you for all your valuable information especially the lists of vitamin testing options. I already self medicate with vitamins and minerals but I would really like to have a test to get the correct balance so thanks for that
"latest bloods tested in January this year . Wasn’t given results. Contacted the surgery when I began having the symptoms so asked them for results of blood tests including what conditions I am being tested for,"
What were January results?
Presumably you haven't started on higher dose yet?
TSH is lowest mid afternoon ...so definitely not ideal
Don't take levothyroxine until after blood test....this gives lowest FT4
I have been on levothyroxine for 26 years after a total thyroidectomy. When my tablets were increased by 25mcg chemist gave me Mercury Pharma and I was absolutely ill. My endo says it is best not to mix brands.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
TEVA + Mercury Pharma
Mercury Pharma: Allergy?
Changing thyroxine brands- Actavis to Mercury Pharma
Mercury Pharma Liothyronine 
