Changing medication

[angie-2020]

I don't know how f anyone can advise but I recently changed from 50mcg Teva to Accord Northstar. After a week I've started getting pins and needles in hands and feet and have just read it can be a reaction to change in meds. Should I stop taking? I don't know if it'll just settle down. I stopped taking Teva as it was making my mouth so dry I couldn't open it in the morning (due to mannitol?)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post you were taking 100mcg levothyroxine

Are you still on 100mcg or did you really mean you’re now only on 50mcg

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

Always test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Pins and needles is frequently linked to low B12

Extremely common when under medicated

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once a year

When were these last tested

Please add most recent results

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[angie-2020 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry I was taking 50mcg not 100! I shall go to Medichecks and get all levels checked properly as my doctor doesn't seem to do this. I'm currently taking only D3 supplements as you said not to take multivitamins. Maybe since stopping these my B12 has dropped? A full test is needed for clarity.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to angie-2020]

50mcg is only a starter dose

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any brand change in levothyroxine

What were most recent thyroid and vitamin results from GP

Come back with new post once you get full results

[angie-2020 in reply to SlowDragon]

Will do shall arrange tomorrow. Thanks again.

[radd]

angie-2020,

It's a mine field, isn't it.

It could be disagreeable fillers or that new meds are actually working better for you and so exposing other deficiencies such as Vit B12 that is a classic deficiency in people with pins and needles.

For instance some people tick over on a certain iron level for years but introduce Levothyroxine to replace missing thyroid hormones and suddenly more iron is required for the increase in metabolism and the making of RBC & haemoglobin.

However, it could also be because you have not only changed meds but appear to have reduced your dose by 50%!? Why has this happened?

[angie-2020 in reply to radd]

Thank you for your reply, very useful. Apologies for my previous post I thought I was on 100mcg but it was 50 so haven't halved my dose.I had my B12 tested a year ago and it was fine. I'm going to go to Medichecks to get a private test very soon as my doctor never gives me full results. I was just concerned that the pins and needles were a reaction but appears other levels need testing. It is a minefield you are right! Maybe a full test of all levels will help with more information which is clearly needed.