Having to mix levo brands.: This is a rant, so... - Thyroid UK

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Having to mix levo brands.

sobs1962 profile image
7 Replies

This is a rant, so you have been warned.

I managed to convince my doctor to allow me to take 75mcg and 100mcg on alternate days, when I went to pick up prescription, low and behold Teva 75mcg, which I've told them don't agree with me. The lady in Boots said she's never heard of anyone having a problem with any brand and went on to tell me that Almus is Teva, having read posts about this on here, I am very sure, this is NOT the case.

I now have to mix 50mcg Almus, with 25mcg Mercury Pharma but I haven't had a problem with either brand, so hopefully should be OK.

I am just sick of doctors and others not listening to anything I say or just completely ignoring me.

On top of this,they have put me on Metropolol 50 mg 3x daily and having read information leaflet it says is also prescribed for thyrotoxicosis, so God knows what the result of all this will be in 8 weeks time when bloods are re-checked.

As you can tell, I'm very angry and frustrated and it's taking a toll on my already very fragile mental health.

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sobs1962
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helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

This document should help you in checking for yourself! :-)

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

I have created, and try to maintain, a document containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

dropbox.com/s/shcwdwpedzr93...

She just had to look at the long bottom edge of the Almus packet to see. I think you'll be able to see exactly what I mean by flicking through the document below:

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Packaging

Some images of the packaging of several thyroid hormone medicines from various countries including the UK.

dropbox.com/s/7tte490umnz6s...

elwins profile image
elwins

Boots have been very good to me, I cannot take Teva brand, I am on 75 mcg a day. They have noted my records no Teva, they give me 50 mcg and 25 mcg but not Teva. I have same brands every month. My records at doctors also say no Teva, have reported it on a yellow card. Best of luck getting same brands every month.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Metropolol Might not affect thyroid levels

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/286...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Keep a printed copy of Government guidelines to hand for snotty pharmacists or GP’s

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

On top of this,they have put me on Metropolol 50 mg 3x daily and having read information leaflet it says is also prescribed for thyrotoxicosis

Metropolol is usually prescribed for people with hyperthyroidism because they usually have palpitations, high blood pressure, etc. Not because they are hyperthyroid. It's not an anti-thyroid drug. Presumably you also have palpitations or high blood pressure, and that's why your doctor prescribed it. But palps and high BP can also be symptoms of hypothyroidism/under-medication. But, I don't suppose your doctor knows that. Do you feel you are over-medicated? Or under-medicated? Or optimal?

In any case, just because your doctor 'puts you on' something - i.e. prescribes it - doesn't mean you have to take it if you don't want to or don't feel it's the right thing to take. You can always say to the pharmacist 'no, I don't want that', and just take your thyroid hormone. :)

sobs1962 profile image
sobs1962 in reply togreygoose

I have a constant high heart rate between 80 and 120 although, I've read that, that is normal for some people, but having spoken to the doctor about this weeks ecg, it would appear it showed something of concern. If I do now have mild heart problems, this doesn't surprise me as I have been constantly stressed since being a small child and I know that stress can cause inflammation in the body, hence potentially my Hashimotos and eventually it will affect the heart. In therapy for mental health, so maybe over time my stress levels will get lower.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply tosobs1962

Well, you're not on a very high dose of levo, so you could be under-medicated. And, if you are, that could be the reason for a lot of your symptoms. Getting on the right dose of levo could also reduce your stress levels. But, what I said above still stands. :)

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