Hi,I have taken Armour Thyroid for 12 years as I was unwell on levo following thyroidectomy. I am seeing a new endo as have calcium problems which he thinks caused the difficulties post op & wants me to try Levo again. I am not opposed to this so tried in June & was dispensed Mercury Pharma. I had an allergic reaction - rash, diarrhoea, puffy lips, breathing difficulties & stridor which required A&E treatment & a week of steroids, so went back to Armour.
Recently saw the registrar at clinic appointment who said people aren't allergic to Levo so it's probably the fillers & wants me to try Teva as he said most people can take this. However comparing the info leaflets it seems both contain the same fillers bar one which is in Armour so that can't be the problem. Has anyone else had an allergy problem?
Written by
debjs
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If there is any UK licensed levothyroxine which everyone can tolerate, it's probably Aristo Vencamil!
Even with that, I'm quite sure some people cannot tolerate it - but I know I am exaggerating for effect. Your registrar was being serious.
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines - UK
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK. Includes injectables and descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK-licensed products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), British National Formulary, NHS Drug Tariff, etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.
Also includes links for anti-thyroid medicines (but not product details).
Before trying Levo again……make sure you have GOOD vitamin levels
What were most recent vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin results
Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking
How much Armour are you taking
Adding in Levo SLOWLY…..and reducing Armour SLOWLY…..might be more successful
And you may need addition of SMALL Doses of T3 (liothyronine ) alongside levothyroxine
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change
what was reason for thyroidectomy
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common on replacement thyroid hormones ,
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Armour or T3 ….day before test split Armour/T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Vitamin levels are all good. Have long followed the excellent advice here. I was swapping slowly & had only taken a few doses when the allergy kicked in. Didn't change anything else so it must have been the Levo.
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