I'm currently taking 100mcg levo on four days and 75mcg on three days a week. My doctor (for reasons I don't understand) specifies that the 75mcg dose must be a single tablet (so not 50mcg and 25mcg), which I think means either Teva or Crescent. Nearly 4 weeks ago I was given Crescent Levo for the first time. Since then I've had a stiff neck and shoulders (finding it hard to turn my head). Could this be a side effect? The Crescent leaflet lists so many possible side effects, it's hard for me to judge. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
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slblue7629
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Could be or it could be your dose needs fine tuning
How long have you been on this dose
Which brand are your 100mcg tablets
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
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
I've been on this dose for the past 7 weeks. I was taking 100mcg daily but it felt like too much, and my FT4 reached 21.8 (12 - 22), so I've been slowly reducing in the hope of finding some kind of sweet spot. The 100 mcg tablets are Accord. I also supplement vitamin D and take a B complex. When last tested, all vitamins were good.
'(for reasons I don't understand) specifies that the 75mcg dose must be a single tablet '
Quite likely because they think that one tablet is cheaper than two. You could ask your GP to prescribe only 50s (i.e. not 100s or 75s). That would allow you to have all the same brand, and to alternate your doses by taking two tablets on one day, and one and a half tablets the next.
i hadn't realised how much the NHS are prepared to pay for 75's.... i shall henceforth stop feeling mildly guilty about costing them £14 a year rather than £7 (by having 2 x50mcg prescribed rather than 1 x 100mcg)
Thanks for this suggestion. My GP isn't keen for me to split tablets. However, I wonder - must we take levo every day, or is it ever OK to take it 6 days out of 7, for example?
Some people have been told to skip a day. It is not unknown.
But, for me, I preferred taking 112.5 every day to 100 one day, 125 the next. Somehow, I felt always very slightly wrong.
(I now take 125 every day!)
If we had fully working thyroids, we'd get a very similar amount every day. Seems likely that getting as close to the same dose every day might be the best approach.
Good question. I don't think there's a definitive answer though. Some people insist we must do our absolute best to take the same amount every day. But as we're talking about levo, which is T4, which can be 'stored' for use as we need it, I think it's not unreasonable to have one day off per week. No harm in trying it. Do whatever works for you is my thinking. 😊
There is also a 75 microgram tablet available from Aristo.
I think you will find that all the Patient Information Leaflets are increasing the number of side effects, etc., that are listed. But it appears to take around two years from the MHRA starting a change to it being implemented across the board. On top of that, there is the time from manufacture/packing to you getting the product which could add another year or more.
I've never taken Crescent and many of the side effect issues are based on assumptions - that one or other excipient is a cause. So it is very difficult to be sure of anything.
My document lists all UK levothyroxine products and includes links to the latest MHRA approved documents for every product.
I urge you to put in a Yellow Card report. And go to your pharmacist to ask for another product urgently.
And I would do whatever was required to NOT take Crescent - whether breaking your 100 tablets or even taking a 100 instead of a 75 for a day - or two. (I haven't checked through your history - obviously don't do this if you have a high FT4 already.)
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.
Now also includes latest pricing information from dm+d..
Also includes links for anti-thyroid medicines (but not product details).
I’m so glad I found your post. I’ve recently switched to Crescent 75mg and I’ve the most awful pain in my neck that runs down my right shoulder and through my arm to my fingers. I’ve tired exercises, Ibruprofen, heat and nothing is helping. How is your neck and shoulders now?
Hi - I'm glad to see your reply too. I've had this pain since early December when I started the Crescent levo. I stopped taking it in late December. The pain has eased but hasn't gone entirely. And it doesn't respond to heat, ibuprofen, etc. I held off making a Yellow Card report because I convinced myself there must be another cause (it seemed too specific to one part of my body) but I will raise a report now that you've reported the same problem.
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