Hi-could anyone tell me.Is there an online way of checking which chemists stock a certain brand of levothyroxine?or is it a case of calling each pharmacy to ask them?I'm finding that every month I get a different brand of levothyroxine and I really do well on the teva brand but the accord brand gives me all sorts of issues,so I'm trying to figure out a way to always get the teva brand.
Thank you for all your help.
To put it simply, no. 
It used to be the case that Boots almost always supplied Almus in 50 and 100. But since Boots sold off Almus, that appears to have changed. One member said their branch was now mainly handling Crescent.
It used to be the case that Lloyds pharmacies, including Sainsbury, usually supplied Northstar in 50 and 100. When they sold off their pharmacies they also ended Northstar. But more recently they introduced AAH Hillcross. But I do not know how consistent that is.
There might be some other links and most often supplied products.
But whatever they supply today could change tomorrow for numerous reasons.
The single best predictor is likely price. The least expensive for the pharmacy to supply will be the most likely.
Other than that, the only real answers are:
Get a pharmacy to commit to supplying a particular product for as long as you can.
Or get your prescriber to specify the product properly on the prescription.
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...
Thank you for all the info.Its so annoying when you know something definitely works better for you but you cannot have it every time you get your prescription.If I did manage to get my surgery to put on my prescription (Teva Only) then what would my chemist do?as in would they make sure they have it in stock for me each month?you see I use the same chemist every time but one month they give me Teva the next month it's accord and it just carries on like that,I don't think I've ever been prescribed the Teva or account twice in a row,but I do know how my body reacts to each and it sure does not like accord (i feel back at square one when taking accord but great on Teva).Im going to speak to my surgery about putting in on my prescription Teva only(i do hope they say yes or else I will just be up and down each month).
Should work but it must be properly written on the TOP line.
Teva is the best levo for me too.
When you collect your prescription make sure that you open the bag before you leave the pharmacy, so then you can check that you've been given Teva. I they can't get it ask for a copy of the prescription so that you can try somewhere else.
I couldn't get it recently so I rang all the local pharmacies and had to drive about 5 miles to get it.
Be definite! It's your health!
Good luck.
I will be checking next time.I have a phone consultation on Monday to discuss my concerns and ask that Teva be written on my prescription - I'm just hoping they agree to do that, otherwise like yourself I will be calling different pharmacies to ask if the have Teva.Seriously taking accord and Teva is like night and day,I'm surprised I react this way but I do.
Just a thought, have you taken any other levothyroxine products?
Can you pin down something that is common across the products?
We see quite a number suspecting lactose, mannitol or acacia. (Ironically - I am aware that Teva contains mannitol.) Despite having no known lactose issue, I have preferred lactose-free - but not Teva!
In the past when on only 25mg I was given something like wocherte(sorry can't remember the name)and thinking back yes I did have tummy issues with this but I didn't put it down to the tablets(I don't know if that one contains the same as accord).Ive only realised recently that my medication is giving me unwanted symptoms because it's so obvious when I change each month.Nothing else changes,I eat the same thing for breakfast every single day,I eat exactly the same foods each week,I do not deviate in my diet at all ever,it's just the way i am.
You may find this chart helpful. I did it just over a year ago, so may not be completely up to date, but shows you the differences.
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Details taken from the patient information sheet which comes in every pack of pills.
You'll see that there are a lot of differences between Teva and Accord.
Government guidelines for GP in support of patients if you find it difficult/impossible to change brands
gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.
academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
And here
pharmacymagazine.co.uk/clin...
Discussed here too
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
if local pharmacies unhelpful try specialist ones
thyroiduk.org/get-support/t...
Thank you slow dragon.I am going to read all your info so I'm at least armed with something to say if my request is declined.I wish it wasn't this difficult just to be understood and listened to, sometimes I feel like I'm being talked down to(like a child) kind of dismissing my own thoughts and feelings.True I am no doctor but surely our reactions to medications should at least count for something .
Levothyroxine 
Actavis v Accord levothyroxine
Teva Levothyroxine and Acne/Anixety
What brand of levothyroxine? 
Lactose free brands of Levo
