I have been on levothyroxine for 10 weeks 25mcg my TSH has come down from 22 to 4 on Wockhardt, but I am extremely lactose tolerant and have had awful side effects, sickness, upset stomack, anxiety, depression, dizziness, insomnia etc. I have seen that Teva do a lactose free tablet with Mannitol but I have only seen terrible report s on this.
Has anyone got a positive story on this as I don't know how much longer I can deal with the other tablets.
Thank you
Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey. Click on your image icon to start.
It may well be that the low starting dose of 25mcgs has increased your symptoms alone. This is quite common as it is not enough to replace what the body needs. Usual starting dose in a healthy person is 50mcgs.
Bloods should be done every 6-8 weeks and dose increased each time until TSH is at or just under 1. You need to push for a dose increase now.
People who do well on Teva have no need to complain and boards like this are over populated with the people who suffer from Teva. I would try it and see how you go. It's a very 'Marmite' type brand, you either love it or hate it.
When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well.
Did you do the test as per the protocol recommended here? Test at 9am, fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw (if you’re taking Levo) & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)?
What supplements are you taking?
I have just recently had a sensitivity test due to feeling so bad. I eat very healthy and dairy and lactose was a vast no no. My supplement levels were checked and am only deficient in B9 and vit c so am sorting this.
I've obviously cut out all lactose and other foods I was intolerant to but only this weekend so am waiting a while to see what happens.
I just feel so bad and am getting worse instead of better.
I think I'm going to try Teva to see as I really don't know what else to do. I seem to be having the reaction that many have experienced with Teva so I'm definitely having some of reaction.
I will complete my profile and as you say, anyone happy on their medication wouldn't be seeking help.
Thank you
Vitamin levels just within the normal range are not good enough for hypo people. We need OPTIMAL results. That means that the level is towards the top of the range between 50 and 75% generally speaking. GPs will say your level is correct even if its right at the bottom of the range and 1 point from being deficient.
Exactly what were your other vitamin results?
What folate supplement are you taking and how much?
A good probiotic may help your gut.
Some members do very well on Teva and prefer it to any other UK make.
It is, like so much, highly individual.
There is another product, Aristo levothyroxine (also supplied as Aristo Vencamil - it is the same thing) which contains neither lactose nor mannitol. Unfortunately, at present, it is only available in 100 microgram tablets.
(Hopefully, later in the year, additional dosages will become available.)
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.
With TSH over 2 you are ready for next dose increase in levothyroxine to 50mcg daily and retest in another 6-8 weeks
Teva brand suits many people who are lactose intolerant …… Teva may by the best option for you
The other alternative is
Aristo (currently 100mcg only)
Aristo is lactose free and mannitol free.
March 2023 - Aristo now also listed at Vencamil
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Posts that mention Teva
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Teva poll
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Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.
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