Louisa

[Macca1]

My dosage of levo has been reduced from x100 daily to x100 and x75 alternate days. The brands of x75 have recently changed again!! I have now been dispensed Vencamil. Has anyone else had an adverse reaction to this brand. I’ve had a facial rash ( thought this might be caused by cosmetics) but now think is due to this medicine and also continual stomach ache especially on the x75 days. I’ve read that brand changes are insignificant apparently …. so am I imagining these symptoms?? Or could they be as a result of my reflux/hiatus hernia? Any thoughts would be gratefully appreciated.

[helvella Administrator]

That is a great big shame. Some find it the best so far!

Am adding some information below in the hope it might help a bit.

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).

Direct link to PDF:

📄 dropbox.com/s/bo2jzxucgp9hl...

Blog last updated 28/12/2024 - documents are regularly updated

Link to blog:

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

Excipients:

helvella - Excipients

Details of excipients are in my Excipients document. This includes all excipients identified in UK-licensed thyroid hormone medicines.

Direct link to PDF:

📄 dropbox.com/scl/fi/tud6r8f5...

If the last updated date of a copy your have downloaded isn’t very recent, please download a new copy!

Blog last updated 28/12/2024 - documents are regularly updated

Link to blog:

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

I did create a blog of links to posts discussing Aristo levothyroxine but gave up once it became better known.

helvella - Aristo Levothyroxine Posts

Experiences of taking Aristo levothyroxine as posted on HealthUnlocked.

No longer being updated - since 2023.

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

[Macca1 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for this info. Have had a Quick Look. Think I might have to monitor for test of month and then try and get an elusive Drs appointment. In the meantime will note my symptoms.

[RedApple Administrator]

'I’ve read that brand changes are insignificant apparently'

This is certainly not true for everyone. Many people are very sensitive to the ingredients in the different brands of levothyroxine.

Do you know which brand you felt best on? If so, you can request that the pharmacy only supplies you with that particular brand, every time.

Of course, it is also possible that the symptoms are related to the change in dose. Did you feel well on the previous dose, before your GP changed it?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

More likely symptoms due to dose reduction

Get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing 8-10 weeks after any dose reduction

Or 6-8 weeks after any brand change

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Are you taking any other medications

why was dose reduced

What were results on 100mcg daily

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

Test day after 75mcg dose

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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

If you can get GP to test vitamin levels this Randox is cheap test of thyroid levels

Randox FULL thyroid test including both thyroid antibodies just £29

Test at home or in clinic

randoxhealth.com/en-GB/at-h...

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70:

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Acid reflux is very common HYPO symptom