I have this month Yellow Carded two lot numbers of Accord 50mcg tablets because I found them to be severely sub potent.
Lot ATA52 - Expiry 05/24
Lot TA2093 - Expiry 09/24
If you also have had recent issues with Accord 50mcg tablets, please use the Yellow Card reporting system. yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
Could I ask if you are considering changing brands due to this?
I have been taking 50 mcg of Accord (75/100 dose), and had a blood test today following reduction (8 weeks ago), but I am struggling with symptoms that seem to be due to the effects of this brand and its potency.
I was going to try Mercury Pharma but I was waiting for my test results. I may have to book earlier with the Endocrinologist I see due to this and see what he advises. I wanted to trial liquid, as I do not want to have to search round for other brands, but I know liquid is difficult to obtain also.
Thank you
Other dosages of this brand might be absolutely fine, so I certainly wouldn't rush to change brand if you aren't taking the Accord 50mcg tabs.
As you've just had a blood test, wait and see what the results are before making any decisions (post on here for opinions on your results if you need to).
But if you are taking Accord 50mcg tabs, do you still have any of them right now? If yes, can you check the details on the end of the box to see if they match those that I've posted here.
I am taking the 50 mcgs as I take two one day and 1.5 the next (75/100).
The batch I am currently taking is ATA64 expires 07/24. But I have had problems on other batches too (Almus from Boots and Accord boxed white and orange).
I will wait for the test results but would you advise on trying another brand even if results are normal? I can’t have the 100s as I would have to break it down too much for the 75 dose.
Thank you
Sailing14 'would you advise on trying another brand even if results are normal?'
At this point, there's no easy answer to your question 
Firstly, 'normal' results do not mean you are on the right dose, despite what your GP might say (or that the tablets are ok!).
Let's compare the results of todays test with your previous test result and see how much difference there is. Then we can consider whether changing brand is a good idea
In the meantime, you could maybe check with your pharmacy to see what other brand/s of 50s they have in stock so that you know what your options are if needed.
I have my results now following reduction from 100 a day to 75/100 and they are:
TSH 0.21 (0.4-4.9)
T3 4.4 (2-4.6)
T4 15.7 (9-19)
Previous results in Nov 22:
TSH 0.03 (0.4-4.9)
T3 4.9 (2.4 -6)
T4 16.3 (9-19)
I have the same batch as quoted on here but have opened a new box yesterday. I find over the last few days I have received some effect but it does not last until late afternoon/evening and wondered if it is the 50 mcg potency. I was going to try Eltroxin /Mercury Pharma, as the chemist can order that one, but wondered what advice you may be able to give.
I am awaiting an Endocrinologist appointment privately, but I am concerned he will reduce further when it is the effects of the tablet that seem the problem not being slightly over medicated.
Thank you
Thank you. That is all true about right dose and brand. I will call the chemist today but it seems there are only a few available as we know.
I will post back with blood tests soon and would value advice on this as it is affecting quality of my health greatly.
RedApple, could you explain how you became aware of the sub-potency? Thank you.
Various hypo symptoms were gradually creeping in, both physical and mental. I kept trying to convince myself it was 'just me'. But as each day passed, I became more and more suspicious of the medication. Then a friend who takes 100mcg of the same brand, offered to try my 50s. Friend noticed the difference within 24hours.
Fortunately I had some of a different brand in reserve, so I changed over to those and felt the difference very quickly. Ideally, I would have done a self test but didn't have one to hand and didn't want to wait for one to arrive before changing over.
So, I have no actual proof of sub-potency, I only know how the tablets affected me. And the fact that I feel so much better now that I'm not taking them.
Thank you so much. I've been taking Eltroxin....and feeling anxious and panicky.... and wondering why? as they are meant to be the same as my preferred MercuryPharma. Thankfully the pharmacy has delivered MercuryPharma this week, so I shall hope....and pray... they make the difference.
It's true that MPharma and Eltroxin are supposed to be the exact same formulation, and only the packaging is different. But they probably won't be from the same batch. So, make a note of the batch details of your Eltroxin (and/or keep the box), as it might be useful if you decide to do a yellow card report.
Bless you for your Post and replies. This thyroid medication business has the potential to cause lots of problems, doesn't it? It's taken me over a year so far to try and get back to my "normal", which despite low in range T3, had me coping pretty well...death of husband, house sale, moving to a new area, buying a new home after renting for a year, etc etc.
Before your Post I was seriously wondering if I needed anti-anxiety medication.... which would have meant even longer before finding a stable place of health again. I've been prescribed NDT by the private endo I saw at the beginning of November last year...... and since then I've been trying to get my thyroid meds back to stability, before I can start to take them. Unless I feel stable, how will I know if they suit me?
Again, thank you.
And now I've just found this comment by Gingerandautoimmune ( on your post!), which adds more weight to my theory healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Interesting, I take the 50mcg and a blood test 2 weeks ago showed T3 has gone down to 3.9 which the very bottom of the range given, I normally run about 5 or higher. I’ll check the numbers.
Ohh! This explains why I feel un medicated when I take Accord. Just did and ‘search’ here and this post came up.
I was on Aristo 100mcg for my last prescription and felt good. Having tried Accord before and felt awful. I asked my GP to add Aristo only to my notes.
But now no pharmacy within reasonable driving distance has Aristo. I rung many yesterday. A local pharmacist said they had the ‘Almus’ brand. Would I try those. Collected them and then when I opened the packet this morning I discovered they’re actually Accord.
I still have the previous packets of Accord.
Is it all packets of Accord that are low potency (did you call it?) or just some?
No, very definitely not all packets of Accord. For me, it may have just been the batches and dose I had at the time, which was several months ago now. I no longer take this brand as it really did not suit me.
Almus is Boots own label. The pharmacist should know that the tablets inside the box are Accord. I suggest you try taking the Almus back to Boots and say you don't want them. They have effectively mislead you by not telling you what's inside the box.
Calling helvella who has the up to date info on Aristo availability.
Aristo levothyroxine might well be listed and available under its branded name - Vencamil. My document has the PIP codes for both Aristo levothyroxine and Vencamil which just might help when calling pharmacies. (The tablets are 100% identical whichever name is on the packets!)
I know my next lot are already on the shelf at my pharmacy! So I won't even find out for myself. Will have to rely on other members, I'm afraid.
helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.
This link takes you to a page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and Google Drive, and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones.
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrix for tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK.
Could I ask what brand you are on now after not getting on well with Accord and also what were your symptoms?
Sorry to ask but I am having difficulties with Accord 50 mcgs at present )or maybe longer than I realise).
Sailing14, I yellow carded two different Accord batches. Accord asked me to send them some tablets from each batch for testing. I did that and eventually after several months, the emailed me to say both batches were ok.
Symptoms I experienced were typical under-medication symptoms. I think it's quite possible that there was nothing wrong with their tablets, but they just didn't suit me. We are all different and what works well for some doesn't work well for others.
thank you both. Helpful information
Anyone experiencing issues with Accord levothyroxine?
Is anyone taking 25mg Actavis (now known as accord)?
Found a pill cutting gadget...
Compounding pharmacies. 
