Advice please

[Ann-Simpson]

I would be grateful if anyone has experienced having two kinds of Mercury pharma thyroxine. I started having some 25mcg out of a big bottle that I was told was Mercury pharma and then given 25mcg in a blister pack with eltroxin on the box. I have been experiencing acute diarrhoea and at times complete loss of my bowel which is not a pleasant experience. I am on a totally gluten free diet, and am wondering if the pills are constitutionally different causing the problems. The two coincided time wise. Any insight wouLd D be much appreciated

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Eltroxin is Mercury Pharma brand (now called Advanz)

The 25mcg pills in bottle, pharmacy should have given you a leaflet with brand info etc at same time. Did they?

[Ann-Simpson in reply to SlowDragon]

No they didn’t. And I do take T3 also which I source myself as I was very unwell with the one they prescribed here.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts….you take T3 as well?

Just double checking….. you are talking about levothyroxine (not T3)

[Ann-Simpson in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I take T3 also but am referring to levothyroxime at the moment

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Advanz own Mercury Pharma.

Many years ago, Mercury Pharma owned the Eltroxin product. And they also produced levothyroxine not branded Eltroxin. There was one tiny difference, in one dosage (50 microgram, I think) but other than that they were the same. Then they adjusted things (it was only a difference in a quantity - not different ingredients) so that they they are identical and have been for quite a number of years. Before that, there was confusion as to whether they were the same - or not.

If you look at the product licence numbers - they are exactly the same.

You can look at the tablets and see markings: LT on one side and 25, 50 or 100 on the other side.

(Outside the UK, you will more often come across Eltroxin made by Aspen - with an entirely different formulation.)

If you are having problems (adverse drug events/reactions) please put in a Yellow Card report.

This post explains more about Yellow Card reports:

🟨 Making Yellow Card Reports 🟨

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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...

And though it is so easy for me to say now, always ask for the Patient Information Leaflet whatever medicines you get. Also ask for the batch number and expiry date - preferably written by them.

[posthinking01]

Hi how long have you been taking these tablets before this happened - i.e. trying to identify if the product is the problem or the new ones given to you - are you sure you are not Lactose intolerant as I was - I now have liquid - if you are getting 'dire rear' then you will be losing your medication down the loo - so be careful as you will be feeling awful shortly. I switched from Mercury liquid to Teva (the hated one) but found it better and more potent.

[Ann-Simpson in reply to posthinking01]

Yes it all started when I was switched to eltroxin rather than another Mercury pharma and you are right I am feeling dreadful. Am going to the chemist today to see the Pharmasist and then might source some Mercury pharma myself and see if I am better again. I have to source my own T3 as became very ill on what I was given here in the UK thank you for your thoughts

[posthinking01 in reply to Ann-Simpson]

I wonder if you ARE lactose intolerant - if you say T3 tablets also didn't agree with you - try to get a test as crucial you know - I was having terrible trouble and looked so ill and WAS ill - I had completely forgotten that in the mid 80's I had had a lactose test and when I found the piece of paper - marched off to the GP and got liquid - although it took a bit of convincing due to cost. But it works well now. Worth whatever it costs to get one done. Just like the tiniest amount of alcohol I couldn't tolerate since aged 22 (now 73) even in a trifle etc. and same with lactose - tiny amount sets me off - but it is linked to progesterone - thought you might be interested to know. So mine gets worse dependent on what that hormone is doing at the time.

[Ann-Simpson in reply to posthinking01]

Thank you that is all so interesting and I will certainly pursue the test and see how it goes. Ann

[Ann-Simpson]

Thank you so much for your reply and I am firstly going to ask to be put back on the previous manufacturer and if that doesn’t work will go down your route. Just funny it all started when the medication was changed. But thank you for your good advice. Ann