I went to my GP and it was no issue at all to get increased dose. I’m on 75mg now.
The only problem was when I asked about brands. She said she doesn’t decide what brand I get, she just puts levo on the form and it’s whatever the pharmacy give me.
I spoke to the pharmacist and they said that they can never guarantee because they change what they get in, so it’s whatever they have. This time my GP prescribed 25mg tablets to add to my existing 50mg so I’ve now got different brands. The 25mg is Mercury. (Original 50mg are accord/almus) I’ve got this dose and combo for another two months until I go back for a blood test.
I’ve been feeling more tired for the last 3-4 weeks, so not sure how long it will take to get back to feeling good again. It took two months of meds the first time but that was starting from nothing, so hopefully not too long . Right now I’m feeling rubbish again, haven’t got the energy to do any exercise (I’m normally really active) and it’s just so depressing I wish I’d gone back at the very first sign of symptoms coming back
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Loopnova
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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. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
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
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
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.
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
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
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