Is different thyroxine brand giving me side effects?

[Tpdnotts]

I noticed that in the last few months my prescription for 100mcg thyroxine has changed from the Almus’ branding to Hillcross. In the last 3 months I’ve had consistent stomach issues which I’ve had endoscopy, ultrasound and blood tests. All normal. I put it down to having had flu and then the flu and Covid vaccine together but I wondered today if the change in brand of these thyroxine medicate could be a potential cause..? Has anyone experienced this? Thanks in advance …

[Obsdian]

Many members find that brands are not interchangeable for them. I have definitely read many times people recounting stomach issues after a change in brands.

So very possible!

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Hillcross brand

This is a box, rather than a brand. 50mcg and 100mcg are Accord brand….but beware 25mcg is Teva brand

Almus is also Accord brand

So it’s same brand

Perhaps your dose Levo needs adjusting

Poor gut function common when hypothyroid

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

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

What vitamin supplements are you taking

What is reason for your hypothyroidism

Autoimmune?

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)

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

[Tpdnotts in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I’m having blood tests for thyroid next week so shall do as you advise, and these are for the things you mention except for B12 which was tested in November and normal.

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Tpdnotts]

What was B12 and folate results and ranges in November?

[Tpdnotts in reply to SlowDragon]

Helvella. GP practice rang me today. Thyroid result is 0.26 so low. Seeing GP tomorrow morning.

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Tpdnotts]

NEVER agree to reduce dose levothyroxine without getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

And ALWAYS test early morning early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

What were folate and B12 results in November

What are vitamin D and ferritin levels

my prescription for 100mcg thyroxine has changed from the Almus’ branding to Hillcross

These are both ACCORD brand levothyroxine

[helvella Administrator]

Tpdnotts,

In the 50 and 100 microgram dosages, both Almus and AAH Hillcross have always been Accord product. That is, exactly the same product.

(This is NOT the case for 25 microgram dosages.)

Check the package - the PL number and licence holder will be on the outside of the box. And the Patient Information Leaflet will be from Accord.

In any case, PLEASE put in a Yellow Card report.

🟨 Making Yellow Card Reports 🟨

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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...

[Tpdnotts in reply to helvella]

Checked with pharmacist today and since 2022 up until Nov 24 I was prescribed Almus 100mcg. Since Nov 2025 I’ve been on Hillcross 100mcg which from what you say are the same. However my digestive problems/pain started in late Nov ‘2024. So merely a coincidence??

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Could it be the combination of things that have now made you more sensitive to lactose? I'd suggest requesting a trial of Vencamil which is lactose free and see if that does the trick