Liquid Levothyroxine

[Odinil]

Has anyone else had trouble with liquid thyroxine.

I was taking Zentiva brand for about four months it was ok at first but started to burn my throat and neck. I had a bad cough and lost my voice. The burning continued. I have changed to Wockharte liquid Levothyroxine and the same is starting to happen again after two weeks.

Ive tried drinking water straight after to help and having some honey in hot water. My throat feels sore and the only way i can describe it is like when your teeth are on edge but its in my throat and makes me cough. Also a flutter in my chest.

I'm also on 5mcg of T3 twice a day since 1st February.

Could it be the liothyronine.

My consultant said my tsh was too low so needed to reduce my dosage from 6.5 ml every day to 5ml 5 days and 3.5ml 2 days that was but since then i have felt terrible.

My results on the 4.5.22

TSH 0.06 0.35 -5.50 mU/L

FREE T4 15.1 10.5 - 21.0 pmol/L

FREE T3 4.9 3.5-6.5 pmol/L

My next blood test is on the 20th June 22

I can't go back on tablets ive tried all brands and they all cause me terrible side effects.

Ive also developed a swelling and painful ankle and lower part of my leg. Never had it before. Gp sent me to A and E last week to rule out a blood clot. The blood test result was positive but after a scan and x ray on my leg they confirmed there wasnt a clot. Theres something wrong otherwise my blood test would have been negative. My gp is ringing me tomorrow to discuss it.

This is worrying me now.

Any help would be appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

My results on the 4.5.22

TSH 0.06 0.35 -5.50 mU/L

FREE T4 15.1 10.5 - 21.0 pmol/L

FREE T3 4.9 3.5-6.5 pmol/L

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Day before test did you split T3 taking last 5mcg T3 approx 8-12 hours before test

Do you normally split your liquid levothyroxine into 2 doses too

TSH is almost always low on T3

FT4: 15.1 pmol/l (Range 10.5 - 21)

Ft4 is only 43.81% through range

FT3: 4.9 pmol/l (Range 3.5 - 6.5)

FT3 is only 46.67% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

thyroid.dopiaza.org

Many people on levothyroxine plus T3 would find that far too low for Ft4 and Ft3

Suggest you request adding 3rd 5mcg dose T3 and retest in 6-8 weeks

You may then need dose increase in levothyroxine

But we should only increase one or the other at any one time

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[Odinil in reply to SlowDragon]

I had my blood taken at 11am i asked if it could be done earlier but no its always 11am at Addensbrooke Hospital. Yes i took last T3 18 hours before blood test also i take last levo the day before test in the morning.

I tried splitting my levo into two doses but it didnt help with the burning in my throat.

My consultant said she wouldnt increase T3 not while my tsh is so low.

I felt ok before she reduced my levo dosage.

I mentioned that T3 can make tsh go down she replied no thats not true 🙄

Im trying to work out if i feel better by taking T3.

Her main aim is increasing my tsh i can't see her increasing my levo.

I want to get my vitamin and minerals sorted. No joy with gp.

Im going to see if my consultant will agree to do it.

To be honest i have been neglecting myself regarding taking vitamins.

My mum passed away suddenly in February and at the same time dad was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. Ive stayed with him to help him get through chemo and now he has to have a major op on the 14th. Life has been terrible since February as you can imagine so my dad has been my main priority but i need to look after myself too but its so hard when im staying strong for everyone else.

I did have a blood test via Medicheck some time ago. Trouble is what ever their results says gp doesnt want to know.

Have you ever heard this, when i take B12 or B vitamin complex and vitamin D i get joint pain. If i stop the joint pain goes away.

What magnesium is best and recommended dosage?

Is Biotin ok to take with meds and what dosage?

Thanks for taking the time to help

[ShibdenLeo]

Hi, sorry you’re feeling so awful!

I am in a similar situation to you. I can’t take the pills as I’m lactose and maize intolerant, but the liquid burns and itches my throat.

I started it in 2021 and thought it was manageable but since Feb 2022 I’ve been feeling appalling on it. Constant stomach problems and I don’t think it even works - my TSH has been higher than ever at 8.8 mU/L.

I want to try Tirosint but it’s not licensed in the UK…

No solutions here but hopefully we can both find one soon!

[sarahstevenson]

Hi Odinil,

Tricky isn't it!

Check out Paul Robinson Suppressed TSH ...paulrobinsonthyroid....is it OK for TSH to be suppressed.

He gives an explanation of how readings will be different for T4/T3 and T3 treated patients as opposed to the normal reference ranges.

Might help you when discussing with doctors.

Best wishes...

[Odinil in reply to sarahstevenson]

Thank you x

[PolyannaYorkshire]

Do hope you get relief soon. I have never had liquid levo.so cannot help I'm afraid.

[dizzy864]

Hi, I am currently taking Zentiva. I've been on it since July - I wasn't absorbing tablets properly. I now have a constant headache and runny nose which I think is down to the Zentiva. I have problems swallowing it sometimes. It's really odd, most times I have no problem at all but sometimes, it really burns the back of my throat. I retch for ages and it leaves my throat sore for hours. It seems to be when I take it in large gulps rather than really slowly. Today, I've asked my gp for a switch to Wockhardt. I'm really hoping that will be better.Good luck

[Odinil in reply to dizzy864]

Yes i switched to Wockhardt on the 15th May. I actually felt good on Zentiva but i couldnt cope with the burning in my throat. I also had a bad cough and lost my voice back in December. I believe it was Zentiva that caused it. My throat has never fully recovered since. I went back on tablets but i felt awful so now on liquid Wockhardt. I also take T3 5mcg twice a day since 1st Feb but Since my consultant reduced my dosage of levo because my tsh was far too low i feel awful, ive got aches and joint pains, eye sight not as good, water retention in my legs and generally feeling unwell. My consultant is calling me on monday so i'll wait to see what she suggests. Im not sure if T3 is working for me or not to be honest. Thats the trouble when you have to change brands working out what med is causing the problems. I hope you get what you want i had to try at so many pharmacies to get liquid Wockhardt i was told they couldnt order it as out of stock. I called Wockhardt they told me there was no trouble with stock. So if you are given that excuse it's not true for some reason they dont want to order it. Good luck

[dizzy864 in reply to Odinil]

Thanks for your reply. Personally, I believe that T3 will work when the dose is s high enough for you! Problem is, I think endos give a very small amount to show it won't work! May be I'm being cynical.

[Odinil in reply to dizzy864]

Thanks for replying.No maybe you are right.I was prescribed T3 only when i went to see a private consultant not my nhs consultant.

My nhs consultant agreed to monitor me with blood tests but not prescribe it although in between me seeing the private consultant and my nhs consultant getting approval from my gp that if T3 proved to work for me that they would prescribe it.

I still have T3 tablets that i paid for so i will need to sort it out when i need more tablets.

I'll see what my nhs consultant says when she calls me on monday.

If im still not happy i will have to see the private consultant again.

I wish all gps and consultants private or nhs thought alike it would make it so much easier for all us members who are suffering.

[dizzy864 in reply to Odinil]

I ve learnt over the years that endos and most GPS don't have the training necessary to keep us well. Most are not interested in researching it either. It's too costly!!Most that want to help are stopped by more senior endos, unfortunately.