mercury levothyroxine 50mg

[AHPH1]

HI new to this site, have been on mercury levothyroxine 50mg for years, and was ok on it. My pharmacy and others in the area cannot supply it anymore. I am now on accord 50mg. But feeling off on it. Boots can supply mercury 25mg. Does anyone take two tablets and feel ok. I seem to have reaction headaches to the fillers when taking two tablets. Don't no which to carry on with thankyou in advance

.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

50mcg levothyroxine is only the standard STARTER dose

Yes many people take levothyroxine as smaller doses….either because they only take Wockhardt brand (only makes 25mcg tablets

or

Some members find it better to split dose

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low vitamins very common if left on inadequate dose levothyroxine

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[AHPH1 in reply to SlowDragon]

HI thankyou for your response. I have been on mercury 50mg for over 5 years and doing well. My last blood test showed approx 2, which my gp said was fine. Its just the supplier has now been changed to accord. I wondered how people get on the this. Or should I take two mercury 25mg as this is available, but not available in the mercury 50mg. I think I have an allergy to the fillers in the tabs if I have to take two . Wondered what supplier is best. Thankyou

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AHPH1]

Ring around different pharmacies

Mercury Pharma customer care phone number 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

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)

Glenmark or Aristo (100mcg only) are lactose free and mannitol free. May be difficult to track down Glenmark, not been available very long 

Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord

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

Accord only make 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...

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.

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...

markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...

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

Similarly if normally splitting your levothyroxine, take whole daily dose 24 hours before test 

REMEMBER.....very important....stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results - eg vitamin B complex

I

[Madge72]

I always take 2 Mercury from boots...its just the same as1 5

[AHPH1 in reply to Madge72]

HI thank you for your response. I tried taking two 25mg mercury from bootsa and got a different kind of headache, I wondered if it is the fillers in the tablets , as doubling the filler instead of 1 50mg tablet. I am still struggling to find any Mercury's 50mg. I am on accord at mo, have had taking for approx 10 days. Not perfect I do better on mercury. At a loss at mo which to ask for when my next prescription is due. Just wish I could get mercury 50mg, had been on those for 5 years.

[Madge72 in reply to AHPH1]

i take 2 25mg and have no problems......i would stick to Mercury and take 2....its definitely a better ta

[AHPH1 in reply to Madge72]

HI,do you think Mercury is a better tablet/ supplier. Didn't realise how much different the tablet change can make you feel. I was taking mercury for 5 years and had been fine with it. Just pharmacy cannot get in 50mg. I wish speak with my gp again and explain. Thankyou for your

[Madge72 in reply to AHPH1]

it is definitely a better tablet just take 2.....my boots chemist tried to put me on a cheaper one but I refused....I now have it printed on my prescription.2 is the same as 150mg

[Madge72 in reply to Madge72]

that is 50mg

[AHPH1 in reply to Madge72]

HI I am going to contact my gp tomorrow and ask for 2 x 25mg mercury. Thankyou for your

[Madge72 in reply to AHPH1]

im sure you will feel better...you are