Levothyroxine brands

[C1949K]

Can anyone advise on a brand of levo for sensitive people. I know what suits one might not suit another!

In May 2022 I had my thyroid removed after years being overactive with goitre on Carbimazole. At one point my weight dropped to 50kgs and it took many months before it returned to within normal range of 60 kgs. Since the thyroidectomy I just keep gaining weight and am now at 73kgs. I know I do not overeat and eat as healthily as possible and exercise.

Recent Medichecks showed all ok and that even my TSH had begun to register.

I am on Accord Levo alternating daily 75 and 100 . I cannot tolerate Teva. Dosage has been juggled since the thyroidectomy.

I am overweight, breathless (walking for a couple of hours without any problems to now struggling), being ‘depressed’ (struggling with all my activities which I love). Headaches, sensitivities to foods, blurry vision (eyes have been checked).

I am sure it is thyroid-related and one conversation with my pharmacist suggested a ?Mercury? Levo but it had to be especially approved by gp/consultant. I am going to the thyroid clinic in two weeks and want to have a sensible conversation about symptoms rather than only considering the test results. The recent Medichecks were for a full women’s health test.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. My own research shows weight gain with levo but not recognised b y the medical profession.

[helvella]

Well, I can point you at the products which are available and their excipients. But it is very difficult to do much more as you really need to read through and apply your experiences.

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. There is now a specific world desiccated thyroid document.

The link below takes you to a blog page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones. You will have to scroll down or up to find the link to the document you want.

The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and also liothyronine available in the UK. Includes descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, etc.

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

[C1949K in reply to helvella]

Thank You - this is a start. After the op I was told (by clinic) that until the numbers were within range they would not consider symptoms. After a bad reaction to Teva I was put on Accord - but ‘symptoms’ are endless. I guess ‘it is what it is’! But having more info when I go to the4 clinic is always helpful.

[PinkSkittles]

My thyroid Dr said that Vencamil is a well tolerated brand of t4 so he always suggests that first.

[birkie in reply to PinkSkittles]

Hi pinkSkittles❤️

I've been pushed form pillar to post with endocrinologists, I have ulcerative colitis and are lactose intolorent, the endocrinologists I've seen always put me on the thyroid medication I'm intolorent to hoping to get a different out come, I never do, its always the same bad gastric issues with headaches, bad metalic taste in mouth and awful body pain.

The endo on Dec 27th would not entertain any other thyroid medication even knowing my bloods will be awful, some members mentioned vencamil and my gp is calling me on the 4th March, I intend to ask to try this medication until I see the other endocrinologist in June, but for the life of me I couldn't work out why the endo didn't recommend the vencamil instead of the teva😡

[PinkSkittles in reply to birkie]

A private thyroid Dr wrote to my nhs gp and asked them to prescribe Vencamil for me.

If you cant tolerate vencamil the other option is t3 only or ndt.

0l

[birkie in reply to PinkSkittles]

I was on T3 but teva brand , I don't tolerate it, I've been on other T4, T3 but because I'm lactose intolorent the endo said teva is all she can prescribe, I asked about NDT and she refused that, she didn't even mention vencamil to me😡

[PinkSkittles in reply to birkie]

If you can afford it I recommend seeing a thyroid dr privately and getting them to write to your gp if you want vencamil. Or see a nhs endo who prescribes armour.

[C1949K]

Thank You for your suggestion. I will certainly look at this option. ;-0

[Hidden]

I was on Teva but couldnt tolerate it and switched to Vencamil and its much better. It only comes in 100mcgs so have been cutting it into the dose I need.

[helvella in reply to Hidden]

Hopefully the new dosages will launch in July and onward.

🤞

Aristo Vencamil - new dosages soon

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Thats good news - will make things easier

[birkie in reply to helvella]

Can I ask, do you need a private endo to pescribe vencamil?I've got a phone appointment with gp on 4th March, not taken any thyroid medication since January 31st full TT 2019 😔 I'm wanting to ask my gp to let me try vencamil until I see endo in June.

[helvella in reply to birkie]

No - I get mine as a regular GP surgery prescription. I did have to ask and explain but has been fine. Originally was Aristo levothyroxine but has been changed without me doing or saying anything.

[C1949K in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying. I am pleased to hear you are doing well on the Vencamil. ;-0

[McPammy]

what are your latest blood results. Are you under medicated. You can request liquid levothyroxine if you are sensitive or have an absorption issue.

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

Your last post here 10 months ago showed an over range T4 and it was suggested you drop your T4 from 100/150 mcg every other day to 112.50 mcg daily -

Do you have any current reading of your T3 and T4 at this or any other dose reduction in T4 as it reads as though you are now suffering symptoms of under medication.

Considering you do not have a thyroid I'm surprised to read you are now on just 75mcg / 100 mcg T4 every other day -

Any reduction in T4 will have reduced your T3 reading - and your metabolism - and although your core strength vitamins and minerals were all pretty much on point 10 months ago - these may have dropped and suggest you run a full thyroid panel once again (I run a yearly full panel every year ) to see where everything sits in relation to each other.

Without a thyroid you will likely feel better by adding in a little T3 - Liothyronine to your T4 prescription thereby replacing both T3 and T4 thyroid hormones to replicate as best one can that which your thyroid once supported you with.

[C1949K]

Thanks for your reply. I am just putting together questions for advice at my next consult. All Medichecks largest looked ok.

[C1949K]

The following are latest Medichecks - dosage on Accord is 75 and 100 alternating. I have seldom a registered TSH in years - since being overactive, then thyroidectomy in May 2022. So juggling dosage now sees a TSH!!

8.1.24. TSH 0.71 (0.27-4.2); T3 3.9 (3.1-6.8); T4 17.6 (12-22). Folate 16.9 (3.89-26.8); B12 148 (37.5-150); D 84 (50-175); Iron 26.8 (5.8-34.5); Ferritin 72.8 (13-150).

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to C1949K]

Free T4 (fT4) 17.6 pmol/L (12 - 22) 56.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 3.9 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 21.6%

Shows you are under medicated and very poor conversion rate

First step increase to 100mcg daily

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Retest in 8 weeks

Likely to need addition of T3 alongside levothyroxine after this

[pennyannie in reply to C1949K]

Once on any thyroid hormone medication the TSH is not a reliable measure of anything and especially so when you have not got a thyroid as your HPT axis - the Hypothalamus - Pituitary - Thyroid axis - on which the TSH relies - does not work well as there now is no thyroid to complete this circuit feedback loop.

You must be dosed and monitored on your Free T3 and Free t4 results / readings :

When on T4 monotherapy we generally feel at our best when our T4 is up in the top quadrant of its range with our T3 tracking slightly behind at around 60/70% through its range.

The accepted conversion ratio when taking T4 only medication is said to be 1 / 3.50 - 4.50 T3/T4 with most people feeling at their best when they come in this ratio at 4 or under.

So if we divide your T3 result into your T4 result we get 4.51 showing you struggling to convert well the T4 into T3 : which isn't surprising when you have no T3 of your own, as nature intended.

Your ferritin and vitamin D could each do with tipping over 100 -

Low stomach acid is a common problem when primary hypothyroid and why we need to continue supplements even when eating clean and cooking from scratch.

I take a teaspoon a Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother in a glass of warm water around 1/2 hour before I eat to try and stimulate / increase my own stomach acid so to start the process of digestion and extraction of nutrients from the food I eat.

[C1949K in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks for this reply - really helpos my own struggling thoughts churning around with details. I have used ACV before - so will give that a go again. ;-0

[C1949K]

I go up/down with dosage and was previously on 100/125 alternating. Yes I am sure there is poor absorption - stomach/acid problems and trying to get them resolved. I take a Jarrow B-Right, Liquid Vit D, Vit C, Iron and also a GB complex (no GB!)

I will ask at the next consult for their suggestions. I have looked at the previous posts/suggestions and that has been helpful. Also looking at ingredients in the different brands. I have lots of questions - just depends which doctor I see. I would love to feel better and the non-going weight gain and breathlessness is not helping mne to feel great. Thanks for replying.