Levothyroxine symptoms

[Cablogin]

Sorry I'm asking again about my symptoms

I'll keep it short so on 75mcg I felt awful tired weak but I wasn't constipated

Now on 100mcg I'm feeling so much better but I'm constipated?? No diet change and exercising much more

I know from my results it seemed like my dose is still too low anyway..

[Philsy1946]

Try a glass of fruit juice with your pills in the morning. Apple and Elderflower nice too! May help and a good drink of water before sleep. You may have to go in the night worth it to be regular and not feel sick!

[Cablogin in reply to Philsy1946]

I'll try eating kiwis and more fibre maybe and see how it goes

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Was 75mcg same brand

How long have you been on 100mcg levothyroxine

All levothyroxine must be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. No other medications or supplements within 2 hours. Some like iron, vitamin D, magnesium not within 4 hours

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Magnesium citrate can be helpful with constipation

Calm vitality magnesium powder is cheap and easy to use. Best taken afternoon or evening (depending when you take your Levo)

[Cablogin in reply to SlowDragon]

I was on teva? At 75 no issue with constipation now on northstar and constipation and 2 weeks now

I've spoken to you about my vitamins before all seem okay but no idea on levels rn

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cablogin]

Are you lactose intolerant?

Teva is lactose free

Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg are Accord brand

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.

Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems.

But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)

Teva, or Aristo (100mcg only) are the only lactose free tablets

Most easily available are Mercury Pharma or Accord

Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets

Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but Accord doesn’t make 25mcg tablets

beware 25mcg Northstar is Teva

List of different brands available in U.K.

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

Posts that mention Teva

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

New guidelines for GP if you find it difficult/impossible to change brands

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. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[Cablogin in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm not sure as I do drink milk, eat eggs, cheese and have chocolate and never had issues till I started northstar my bowel movements where basically very regularly on teva but no longer on northstar

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cablogin]

So Teva maybe suits you better

Request Teva at next prescription

[Cablogin in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm on 100mcg, and teva don't do 100?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cablogin]

Teva make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets

Teva is the ONLY brand to also make 75mcg tablets

[Cablogin in reply to SlowDragon]

Okay great thank you