Change of brand

[Mostew]

I was given aristo. Vecamil levo instead of usual Teva.As they couldn't get Teva.

Anyone noticed feeling better after a couple of days on Aristo

.? Might be my imagination.?

[helvella Administrator]

I prefer Aristo Vencamil to any other UK levothyroxine I have tried (most of them).

Not everyone agrees - for example:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

But I get the impression that it is generally well-tolerated and preferred by many.

When it first became available, I collected links to posts and created a blog page. Gave up as the numbers grew but still available here:

helvella - Aristo Levothyroxine Posts

Experiences of taking Aristo levothyroxine as posted on HealthUnlocked.

No longer being updated - since 2023.

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

[Mostew in reply to helvella]

I'll have a read later. Thanks for link...

[Sparklingsunshine]

I'm nor lactose intolerant as far as I'm aware so never needed to try either Teva or Vencamil, I get by on Accord. But we've heard many good things about Vencamil so it seems people like it. And of course its always nice to have a choice of brands.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I have no reason to think I am lactose intolerant, either.

I sum it up like this. When on Vencamil, I just take it and forget it. When on other makes, even when nothing obvious, there is just something which means I am aware in a different way.

Sometimes feels I am a sales rep for Aristo! But we have to speak as we find.

[Mostew in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thanks . It is nice to choose . But they ate saying it's more expensive and may not get it regularly. So I want to be able to say why I need it....

[Mostew]

We do indeed!!! Thank you for thoughts

[Jingley]

I now take Vencamil due to lactose intolerance.

Out of the different Levo's I've been on over the years, Vencamil is my choice. No side effects whatsoever for me.

[Mostew in reply to Jingley]

Glad it suits you. Long may it continue .What ibreally want to know is if I could feel effect of different brand do quickly.

[Jingley in reply to Mostew]

It's possible. I had removed all dairy from my diet after my lactose intolerance diagnosis but was still taking Accord Levo which contains lactose. I was having some slight aching and bloating but as soon as I switched to Vencamil these symptoms started to reduce. By about day 4 they had totally gone.

[Jo5454 in reply to Jingley]

That's good...can I deviate a little and possibly ask how you got yr lactose intolerance diagnosed please?I had a milk intolerance show up.on a York pinprick test many years ago & think it'd be useful to at least narrow/rule out or in lactose due to it often being in meds.

Have mentioned to Drs before but they've not shown much interest, was yours via the NHS test please?

I've found a breath test online for about £70, not sure of its accuracy?

Many thanks...

[Jingley in reply to Jo5454]

Hi JoIt was my GP who spotted it. I think I had been suffering for a few years and I'd got used to the abdominal aching, constipation and bloating. I had a GP appointment and coincidentally had eaten a dairy heavy meal the night before and was feeling really bad. I just mentioned it in passing as I was there for something else but he wanted to follow up.

After chatting it through, he ordered a fit test, a ca125 and a faecal calprotectin test (poop on a scoop 💩). He said it all pointed to dairy and to stop consuming it.

The calprotectin came back sky high. GP called me and said to retest calprotectin after a couple of weeks dairy free and that would confirm. The 2nd one came back well within limits and that's how I got my diagnosis.

I've not heard of a breath test for lactose.

[Jo5454 in reply to Jingley]

Thanks very much, that's really interesting, will read up about those. Thats a very interested gp you've got there. Guess you need to be eating dairy for all of them to work?As soon as I retry milk within few days I get a temperature, feel unwell, gurgly stomach, etc.I tried goats milk and it took longer, prob couple weeks before that happened. That's lower in lactose isn't it, so wonder if lactose is my prob, rather than the entire milk, which could open me up to trying few more foods in lactose range.

Thank you again...

[Jingley in reply to Jo5454]

I think my GP was glad to have an issue to discuss that he knew about 🤣

Bless him. I do like my GP but he's useless at thyroid stuff.

[Jo5454 in reply to Jingley]

Lol, know the feeling! My new ones admitted he doesn't know much about b12 or iron, which inwas grateful to hear as he seems willing to learn. I've mentioned with help from you guys in here that thyroid only 30% through range, but he says that's all good. I've mentioned milk issues in a letter, but will have to bring it up again I guess! Thank you...

[Mostew in reply to Jo5454]

Try lactose free milk ?

[Jo5454 in reply to Mostew]

Yes, that is an option thankyou. I've just had a fair few years of health probs and trying to get to bottom of things, I don't feel like trying something that could add to it. That's why I wondered about a reliable test, as at least I'd know I could have meds with lactose in...thank you

[Mostew in reply to Jo5454]

I have found I can tolerate live yoghurt , kefir and butter well. Not milk . Trial and error . No tests .

[Jo5454 in reply to Mostew]

I'd like to trial and error, but due to feeling so generally unwell with b12, folate, ferritin, & potential thyroid issues I'm reluctant to make it worse and notvsure if id notice...thank you, glad you can manage some things, it feels such a big win to get something back in your diet doesn't it.

[Mostew in reply to Jingley]

I'm pleased to hear you reacted positively so quickly to. Not my imagination!!

[Mostew]

What I did at first was stop ALL dairy . Carefully looking at ingredients and asking in cafe s if any hidden ingredients. Felt better so

Knew I was on the right track

Then after a few months had a small amount of yoghurt to test reaction and waited 5 days.(

It can take that long for reaaction)

Also have found eggs and gluten a definite no.

[crimple]

Mostew, I did an elimination diet over 20 years ago and then avoided chicken, eggs and gluten. Over the last 12 years I have avoided lactose. I am fine with yoghurt, butter and hard cheese but have lactose free milk and cream.

[goingholiday]

Hi Mostew

I had exactly the same experience as yourself. Changed from Teva to vencamil and thought wow! The effect was almost immediate and I felt like pre-diagnosis me. I have to say though, that was a couple of months ago and I’m not feeling quite as wonderful more. Still better than when I was on Teva though. Slight relapse could be due to so many other things, the possibilities of a fluctuation in symptoms are endless ! However, it’s probably time I addressed the needing T3 issue..,… but that’s another post for another day ! Anyway, if you feel better on vencamil that’s enough reason for your pharmacy to keep providing you regularly with what you need 😀

[Mostew in reply to goingholiday]

Great to hear you have had same response. Do hope you find out what you need to do to feel better soonIt's like a jigsaw with a piece that often goes missing .