Levo dissolved on my tongue?...

[App1]

this morning took my levo as usual, washed down with water. Later, found part of the “coating/cover” stuck to my tooth when I went to brush my teeth. My tongue was white covered too. Does this mean it was a wasted dose or would it have been absorbed? I ate nothing for 4 hours and drank only water. Sorry if this sounds absurd.

[RedApple Administrator]

App1, what brand of levothyroxine did this happen with?

[App1 in reply to RedApple]

Accord 50

[RedApple Administrator in reply to App1]

'found part of the “coating/cover” stuck to my tooth '

I'm not aware that any UK levothyroxine brand has a 'coating or cover'.

Was this tablet from a new pack or have you been using this pack previously?

White coating on tongue can be caused by oral thrush. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_...

[helvella Administrator in reply to RedApple]

I don't think any UK levothyroxine has a coating. (The surface which is in contact with the mould used for tablet pressing can produce a harder, shiny surface, and could mislead us into thinking there is a coating.)

If App1 is having any problem, even if it just *thinking* that they are somehow different, I encourage doing a Yellow Card report:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[App1]

I think I’m describing the hard shell part which stops any tablet from crumbling open. My tongue colouring is near normal and white has faded away as the day has gone on. Oh the joys of hypo.......

[RedApple Administrator in reply to App1]

There is no hard shell part See helvella comment above. he is our levo expert!

[bantam12 in reply to App1]

I take Accord 50 and there is no “coating or hard shell” on the tablets, I break mine for 25 dose and this wouldn’t be possible if they had a hard coating.

[App1 in reply to bantam12]

I’m trying to describe the part which makes it a tablet as opposed to loose powder! Maybe what I had stuck to my tooth wasn’t part of the tablet? That would be the best outcome. It’s the usual Accord tab from local pharmacy.

[helvella Administrator in reply to App1]

Tablets such as levothyroxine (at least, those in the UK) are formed from a granulated powder, a measured amount placed in a mould, and pressure applied.

The granulation process distributes active pharmaceutical ingredient (levothyroxine) and the excipients evenly.

The pressure should be sufficient to make the granules stick together.

There is no coating. Nothing extra to make the tablets hold together.

You could experiment yourself with various substances in a kitchen. Press flour, icing sugar, or other powdery or granular substances, into a small cavity. And press hard. Some will stick together quite well. Flour isn't too bad (which is why we are told to sieve it before making a cake). Salt hardly at all (unless a tiny bit moisture/humidity is introduced).

[App1]

Thanks for all the observations, however on basis of maybe not swallowing the Accord levo would I have got any benefit from it or not?

[Pixielula in reply to App1]

Yes you would still have absorbed the full dose, wether it dissolves in your mouth it will still end up in your stomach unless you rinsed out the residue and spat it out!

[App1 in reply to Pixielula]

Thanks so so much for that! I’ve got my vitamin D etc test and also my sore eyes appointments early next week and wanted to be able to say I’d been following my treatment without fail and eating properly etc. Ta.