Levothyroxine and other meds

[dizzyarmadillo]

Have finally managed to convince the GPs to trial me on Levothyroxine (25mg per day), but can anyone advise how it would interact with my daily anti-histamine and mini pill (progesterone only)?

Thank you!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Taking levothyroxine at bedtime and the others morning (or vice versa)

ie as far away from levothyroxine as possible

Always take levothyroxine on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

25mcg is only half the standard starter dose, so it might make symptoms worse…..just to be aware

But ….at least you are getting started

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

Which brand of levothyroxine have you been started on?

Have you got vitamin levels tested yet?

[dizzyarmadillo in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon, I did figure it would be like that but wanted to check!

I've got a bloods retest already booked in 6 weeks, so hopefully should be able to push for an increase then.

I've been started on Teva 25mg tablets. I haven't had vitamins tested yet, got a FBC with iron and B12 booked for tomorrow.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dizzyarmadillo]

In case you are not aware…..

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.

So there are other options if you find it doesn’t suit you

Mercury Pharma make 25mcg tablets

Wockhardt only make 25mcg

Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems.

But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)

Aristo (currently 100mcg only) is lactose free and mannitol free.

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...

Posts that mention Teva

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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.

[crimple]

Teva levothyroxine also contains acacia powder as filler. I cannot tolerate acacia powder but have no issue with mannitol.