Levothyroxine brands.

[NickP1]

Haven't posted on here for a while but feel this is important. Doctors and pharmacist will tell you all brands of levo are the same, not the case. I've been taking Mercury Pharma levo for the last couple of years, a few months ago there seemed to be a shortage of this particular brand. I switched to Tiva. Felt ok to begin with. For the last month have been waking feeling anxious and had my first panic attack in years. 2 weeks ago during a GP appointment my BP was showing 230/100, GP assumed faulty equipment, new equipment showed 230/104. Subsequent tests at home showing 180/100.

Beginning of last week I went back to Mercury Pharma, it is now available again, my morning BP the last 2 days 130/80, morning anxiety gone.

Thought this was worth posting.

[helvella]

Many find differences. Especially with Teva.

Some find Teva the best they have ever had. But all too many find issues that they do not like.

The suspicion is that the replacement of lactose by mannitol in that product is behind the problem.

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.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Hedgeree]

Hi NickP1,

I'm still under the care of an endocrine surgeon after having partial thyroidectomy last year.

She's brilliant and actually wrote to my gp to confirm my need for a particular brand of levo. At the same time she did say all brands aren't equal and important to stick to the same one. She's going by patient experience and does actually listen.

[Alanna012]

Is it worth doing a yellow card report?

Some doctors say there is no difference so it's good to report them if you can

[helvella in reply to Alanna012]

I suggest that if there is any doubt whether or not to do a Yellow Card - DO IT!

[Buddy195 Administrator]

For the very same reason, I have persuaded my GP to state on my Levothyroxine prescription’No Teva. Only Mercury Pharma/Almus/ Accord’.

I also had similar adverse symptoms (massive anxiety) when changed to Roma on my Liothyronine prescription, so now have ‘Morningside only’ on that one.

I filled in yellow cards in both instances. As  @Alanna012 and   helvella have noted, it’s definitely worth doing!

[DandyButch]

Hello, sorry about the delay in responding. I came off levothyroxine because it made me feel really unwell. Luckily I am now on liothyronine only. Early days (months), but seems to agree with me much better. Currently on increasing doses until optimum levels obtained. I hope you get the answers you need.

[Fluffywardrobe]

Teva brand contains mannitol as part of the ingredients. This has been making some people very ill