Re: What causes differences in generic levothyroxine?

[Guest guest]

I think what is being referred to Tracey is the 'potency' difference between different brands of thyroxine - not a difference in potency of one particular brand. It is well known that different brands of thyroxine should be avoided and you should make your doctor write the particular brand name of the thyroxine that is best for you. Your pharmacist should give you the brand on the prescription and should not change this for any other brand.

Luv - Sheila

But I don't understand how the potency of levothyroxine can vary from batch to batch. It is synthetic so I would have thought its potency would be controllable. I also don't understand how the inconsistent-potency argument is used against prescribing animal-sourced thyoxine but NOT against synthetic levothyroxine. What causes the potency variations anyway?TraceyNo virus found in this incoming message.

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[Guest guest]

Oh blimey...I just checked mine...I have 3 different brands!

>

> I think what is being referred to Tracey is the 'potency'

difference between different brands of thyroxine - not a difference

in potency of one particular brand. It is well known that different

brands of thyroxine should be avoided and you should make your doctor

write the particular brand name of the thyroxine that is best for

you. Your pharmacist should give you the brand on the prescription

and should not change this for any other brand.

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

>

>

> But I don't understand how the potency of levothyroxine can vary

> from batch to batch. It is synthetic so I would have thought its

> potency would be controllable. I also don't understand how the

> inconsistent-potency argument is used against prescribing animal-

> sourced thyoxine but NOT against synthetic levothyroxine. What

> causes the potency variations anyway?

>

> Tracey

>

>

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

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10/07/2008 18:43

>

[Guest guest]

I recall a problem with the new Eltroxin, but only in some parts of

the world. There is a definate difference in ingredients with that one

and other Eltroxin, but it does cause nasty gritty sore eyes.

Wondering if you are suffering from a similar scenario albeit a

different manufacturere..

Just a thought.

lotsa luv

Dawnx

[Guest guest]

How do you know which brand of thyroxine suits you best? None of them have made me feel that great and really wouldnt know which brand was better for me or not. I have been given several different brands since I was first diagnosed. I think my time for armour is fast approaching

From: cassiecfc <cassiecfc@...>Subject: Re: What causes differences in generic levothyroxine?thyroid treatment Date: Friday, 11 July, 2008, 1:50 PM

Oh blimey...I just checked mine...I have 3 different brands!>> I think what is being referred to Tracey is the 'potency' difference between different brands of thyroxine - not a difference in potency of one particular brand. It is well known that different brands of thyroxine should be avoided and you should make your doctor write the particular brand name of the thyroxine that is best for you. Your pharmacist should give you the brand on the prescription and should not change this for any other brand.> > Luv - Sheila> > > > > But I don't understand how the potency of levothyroxine can vary > from batch to batch. It is synthetic so I would have thought its >

potency would be controllable. I also don't understand how the > inconsistent- potency argument is used against prescribing animal-> sourced thyoxine but NOT against synthetic levothyroxine. What > causes the potency variations anyway?> > Tracey> > > > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. com > Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.4.7/1545 - Release Date: 10/07/2008 18:43>

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[Guest guest]



Hi

You really have not been long enough on levothyroxine yet to establish whether or not you are on the right 'brand' or on the right dose - which you will not be. If, when you pick up a new prescription from your pharmacy and you feel that you are suddenly having an adverse reaction, look at the brand and see if it is the same one that you were taking before. There is a difference between brands - mainly in the fillers, but they can affect you. It is always best to ask your doctor to write the brand of thyroxine on the prescription, rather than just thyroxine or levothyroxine which means the pharmacist will give you any brand that he has in stock. Many people have said they prefer the brand Eltroxin, and they get their doctors to write 'Eltroxin' on the prescription.

Anyway, whatever you are taking, always ensure it is the same brand all the time.

Luv - Sheila

How do you know which brand of thyroxine suits you best? None of them have made me feel that great and really wouldnt know which brand was better for me or not. I have been given several different brands since I was first diagnosed. I think my time for armour is fast approaching

From: cassiecfc <cassiecfc (DOT) co.uk>Subject: Re: What causes differences in generic levothyroxine?thyroid treatment Date: Friday, 11 July, 2008, 1:50 PM

Oh blimey...I just checked mine...I have 3 different brands!>> I think what is being referred to Tracey is the 'potency' difference between different brands of thyroxine - not a difference in potency of one particular brand. It is well known that different brands of thyroxine should be avoided and you should make your doctor write the particular brand name of the thyroxine that is best for you. Your pharmacist should give you the brand on the prescription and should not change this for any other brand.> > Luv - Sheila> > > > > But I don't understand how the potency of levothyroxine can vary > from batch to batch. It is synthetic so I would have thought its > potency would be controllable. I also don't understand how the > inconsistent- potency argument is used against prescribing animal-> sourced thyoxine but NOT against synthetic levothyroxine. What > causes the potency variations anyway?> > Tracey> > > > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. com > Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.4.7/1545 - Release Date: 10/07/2008 18:43>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Shelia,

I am sincerly hoping that my latest increase to 150mcg, 4 weeks now, will be the last one for me, but who knows, I do know that my T4 will be very near the top of the range at next blood test so doubt I will have another increase there, it was 16.2 last test and it seems to go up 2 points with each increase which will make it 18ish and the ref range is 19.1. My TSH is another problem though as if didnt move last 2 tests and stayed at 3.6, so dont know I would get that down anymore, but I do have Hashismotots

I have been given Actavis on the last 2/3 prescriptions so will try and stick to that on if I can

From: cassiecfc <cassiecfc (DOT) co.uk>Subject: [thyroidpatientadvo cacy] Re: What causes differences in generic levothyroxine?thyroidpatientadvoc acygroups (DOT) comDate: Friday, 11 July, 2008, 1:50 PM

Oh blimey...I just checked mine...I have 3 different brands!>> I think what is being referred to Tracey is the 'potency' difference between different brands of thyroxine - not a difference in potency of one particular brand. It is well known that different brands of thyroxine should be avoided and you should make your doctor write the particular brand name of the thyroxine that is best for you. Your pharmacist should give you the brand on the prescription and should not change this for any other brand.> > Luv - Sheila> > > > > But I don't understand how the potency of levothyroxine can vary > from batch to batch. It is synthetic so I would have thought its >

potency would be controllable. I also don't understand how the > inconsistent- potency argument is used against prescribing animal-> sourced thyoxine but NOT against synthetic levothyroxine. What > causes the potency variations anyway?> > Tracey> > > > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. com > Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.4.7/1545 - Release Date: 10/07/2008 18:43>

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[Guest guest]

I have been to the hospital and he said we should try a combination of T4 and T3

to see how that works with me, anyone on that? or tried it? if that doesnt work

he will try a different brand of Levo? just waiting for my blood results before

he decides how much of each to give..

Michele

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[Guest guest]



Michele, what area is this hospital in? If he is a new doctor to Sheila's list could you please send her a private email letting her know who he is and if on NHS etc. so that she can add him to her list of doctors who are prepared to prescribe T3 or Armour.

Lilian

[Guest guest]



Hi Michele

I would have thought he would have looked at your blood results first to see if you needed T3/T4 combination or not, but what the heck - this is goiong down the right road as many people are unable to tolerate T4 only. Keep us informed and let us know what dose he starts you on, and with the T3, be sure to take this in a split dose. Many people do well taking their thyroxine at night instead of during the day, you might want to try that. A small study was done to show that this worked better than daytime dosing.

luv - Sheila

I have been to the hospital and he said we should try a combination of T4 and T3 to see how that works with me, anyone on that? or tried it? if that doesnt work he will try a different brand of Levo? just waiting for my blood results before he decides how much of each to give..Michele__________________________________________________________Not happy with your email address?.Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at http://uk.docs./ymail/new.htmlNo virus found in this incoming message.

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[Guest guest]



...absolutely Lilian, and many thanks for remembering this. I would love the names and hospital address please of ANY doctors who prescribe T4.T3 combination, T3 alone or Armour thyroid. I will add them to my list of 'doctors who will'

luv - Sheila

 Michele, what area is this hospital in? If he is a new doctor to Sheila's list could you please send her a private email letting her know who he is and if on NHS etc. so that she can add him to her list of doctors who are prepared to prescribe T3 or Armour.

Lilian

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[Guest guest]

Hi

Yes I am now on a combination of T4 and T3. The T3 does help

especially with mood. I hope it goes okay for you.

Love Lizzie

>

> I have been to the hospital and he said we should try a combination

of T4 and T3 to see how that works with me, anyone on that?

[Guest guest]

Hi Lizzie

Are things settling down for you since you altered your dose. What are you taking now and what changes are you experiencing - all for the better I hope.

Luv - Sheila

Hi Yes I am now on a combination of T4 and T3. The T3 does helpespecially with mood. I hope it goes okay for you.Love Lizzie>> I have been to the hospital and he said we should try a combinationof T4 and T3 to see how that works with me, anyone on that? No virus found in this incoming message.

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[Guest guest]

Hi Michele, have you given shelia details of the health professional

(endo) that you are seeing for her list? Seems that the vast majority

of the NHS don't even entertain the idea of using a T3/T4 combination.

Ruth x

>

> I have been to the hospital and he said we should try a combination

of T4 and T3 to see how that works with me, anyone on that? or tried

it? if that doesnt work he will try a different brand of Levo? just

waiting for my blood results before he decides how much of each to

give..

> Michele

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila

I am still waiting for a response to my email from Dr B. However, last

week for the first night I stopped the T3 20mcg and just took T4

100mcg instead of 125mcg and felt a little better. The following night

I took T3 10mcg and T4 100mcg but felt jittery again. So I cut the T3

out for the next night and then I have introduced T3 5mcg for the last

3 nights and had felt better until today. Now I feel leg achy and my

temp during the day is down to 36.8. So I think tonight I may put the

T3 up to 10 mcg and see how I go with an aim to getting back up to

20mcg as the T4 starts to reduce. The thing is I am going on holiday a

week today and was hoping to be feeling more stable. I suppose though

I can go on my symptoms if I have not heard from Dr B and always

increase the T4 to 112.5mcg if I feel I need it.

will let you know when i get a response from Dr B fingers crossed for

the Armour!

Love Lizzie

> Are things settling down for you since you altered your dose. What

are you taking now and what changes are you experiencing - all for the

better I hope.

>

> Luv - Sheila

[Guest guest]

Hi Lizzie

If you were prescribed T3 because you were not converting the inactive l-thyroxine (T4) then it would make sense (to me anyway) to stop the T4 altogether and just try the T3 on its own, but work up to the dose you need gradually. Better still, of course, would be to take Armour, because of the other 'goodies' and the calcitonin it contains, but your body needs T3 to make it function and not T4. Taking T4 in such a high dose, if it is not converting, could be causing a toxic effect as it is not doing what it is supposed to and as it may not be necessary, is going absolutely nowhere.

Luv - Sheila

Hi SheilaI am still waiting for a response to my email from Dr B. However, lastweek for the first night I stopped the T3 20mcg and just took T4100mcg instead of 125mcg and felt a little better. The following nightI took T3 10mcg and T4 100mcg but felt jittery again. So I cut the T3out for the next night and then I have introduced T3 5mcg for the last3 nights and had felt better until today. Now I feel leg achy and mytemp during the day is down to 36.8. So I think tonight I may put theT3 up to 10 mcg and see how I go with an aim to getting back up to20mcg as the T4 starts to reduce. The thing is I am going on holiday aweek today and was hoping to be feeling more stable. I suppose thoughI can go on my symptoms if I have not heard from Dr B and alwaysincrease the T4 to 112.5mcg if I feel I need it.will let you know when i get a response from Dr B fingers crossed forthe Armour!Love Lizzie> Are things settling down for you since you altered your dose. Whatare you taking now and what changes are you experiencing - all for thebetter I hope.> > Luv - SheilaNo virus found in this incoming message.

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[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila

When Dr B first put me on T3 my T4 was 11.2 and T3 was 4.3 that was 12

hours after taking tabs. He said that I was converting ok but gave me

the T3 to see if it stopped the leg cramps. So I think I can convert

because when my Gp initially had me on 100mcg I did lose weight. I

just hope I get a response to my email soon.

Love Lizzie

> If you were prescribed T3 because you were not converting the

inactive l-thyroxine (T4) then it would make sense (to me anyway) to

stop the T4 altogether and just try the T3 on its own, but work up to

the dose you need gradually. Better still, of course, would be to take

Armour, because of the other 'goodies' and the calcitonin it contains,

but your body needs T3 to make it function and not T4. Taking T4 in

such a high dose, if it is not converting, could be causing a toxic

effect as it is not doing what it is supposed to and as it may not be

necessary, is going absolutely nowhere.

[Guest guest]

Hi yes I will e mail Sheila, he is wating for the results before I cash in on

the prescription although he has already given it to me 50 mcg of Levo and 5mcg

of the t3 stuff which I cant read on the prescription, I have to phone for the

results and get the go ahead but he didnt say how best to take them, when Im

sure I have to take them I will write again

Thanks

Michele

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[Guest guest]

Keep battling on Lizzie, and inundate the secretary with emails until you DO get a response. This is YOUR life and Dr B not responding is just not helping you enjoy it at all. I would also keep trying to telephone, there must be a time when he is in his office, able to take calls.

Luv - Sheila

Hi SheilaWhen Dr B first put me on T3 my T4 was 11.2 and T3 was 4.3 that was 12hours after taking tabs. He said that I was converting ok but gave methe T3 to see if it stopped the leg cramps. So I think I can convertbecause when my Gp initially had me on 100mcg I did lose weight. Ijust hope I get a response to my email soon.Love Lizzie>

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[Guest guest]



Hi Michele

It has usually been recommended to take your thyroxine and T3 before breakfast, but there has been a story done fairly recently (only a small study) that shows greater benefits by taking the L-thyroxine at night. This might be something that those of you on levothyroxine might want to try.

Luv - Sheila

Hi yes I will e mail Sheila, he is wating for the results before I cash in on the prescription although he has already given it to me 50 mcg of Levo and 5mcg of the t3 stuff which I cant read on the prescription, I have to phone for the results and get the go ahead but he didnt say how best to take them, when Im sure I have to take them I will write againThanksMichele__________________________________________________________Not happy with your email address?.Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at http://uk.docs./ymail/new.htmlNo virus found in this incoming message.

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[Guest guest]

Ok the doctor phoned he said the results were very low and to start taking the

meds immediately so off I went out of work to go get them and not one place

stocked the T3 it had to be ordered in so I still havent got them even the

hospital said they had not stocked them in 3 years? its called tri-ido something

or other? and he said he wanted me to take them in the morning and both

together, so what one do you think I should take at night?

Michele

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[Guest guest]



Triiodothyronine (T3) but the NHS T3 is called Lyothyronine. I cannot believe that your hospital or local pharmacy doesn't have this in stock. All I can think is that your surgery must be full of some very poorly undiagnosed hypothyroid sufferers, or they have been diagnosed but given levothyroxine only. What an appalling state of affairs! When I die, somebody will write these words on my tomb stone (if one can be afforded). Have they told you how long it will be before they get T3 in stock.

It's probably OK to take them both at night, but I would take the Levothyroxine at night and if the dose of T3 is only small, then it should be OK to take it in the morning in one dose. However, if the T3 dose is increased at a later date, then split the dose and take half the dose in the morning and half in the afternoon. This is because the half life of T3 is short - the effects only lasting between 6 to 8 hours and taking it twice daily stops you having a 'slump' in the afternoon. Not all doctors agree with this, but not all doctors really know the effect of T3 anyway.

Luv - Sheila

Ok the doctor phoned he said the results were very low and to start taking the meds immediately so off I went out of work to go get them and not one place stocked the T3 it had to be ordered in so I still havent got them even the hospital said they had not stocked them in 3 years? its called tri-ido something or other? and he said he wanted me to take them in the morning and both together, so what one do you think I should take at night?Michele__________________________________________________________Not happy with your email address?.Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at http://uk.docs./ymail/new.htmlNo virus found in this incoming message.

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[Guest guest]

Hello Michele, I know the feeling, when I first started taking T3

with my T4 the chemist hadn't got any. I overheard one of the women

who worked there read the prescription and say to one of the

others " T3 what's that? Is it another sort of thyroxine " ! I'm on

Armour now by the way but I buy this myself :0(

Louise.

>

> Ok the doctor phoned he said the results were very low and to start

taking the meds immediately so off I went out of work to go get them

and not one place stocked the T3 it had to be ordered in so I still

havent got them even the hospital said they had not stocked them in 3

years? its called tri-ido something or other? and he said he wanted

me to take them in the morning and both together, so what one do you

think I should take at night?

> Michele

>

>

> __________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Oh ok, Thanks Sheila I now have in my possesion Liothyronine sodium? 20 mcg, I

have 20 because the chemist that got it said it did not come in any smaller dose

and that I had to cut it into 4, what!!!! have you seen how small this tablet

is? so off to get back to work I rang the hospital and spoke to the doctors

secretary who took all the details and rang me later and said the doctor said to

up the dose and now take 10mcg which means cutting the pill in half, (what a

farce eh?) and I also have 50 mcg of the levo I dont exactly understand what any

of them do but will try the levo at night and the lio in the morning maybe when

I get to work?

Michele

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[Guest guest]

Hi Tracey

My FT4 is consistently 32.6 on 200 mcg Activis/Alpharma, but on

Eltroxin it was 30.8, only a drop of less than 2 but by golly did I

feel it even though it turned out that FT3 was exactly the same at 7.

According to the chemist the only Brand name is Eltroxin and this is

the only one allowed to be named on a prescription, otherwise it is

levothyroxine of whatever they have in at the time.

Chris

> Well, I don't get a say in what brand is prescribed, they ONLY do

> generic here. My 1st and current pills are actavis branded. In

> between I was prescribed Teva brand and coincidentally developed

> sore itchy swollen eyes and burning skin plus allergic sneezing.

> This appeared to improve with the actavis (which I started, having

> set aside the last pills in my teva pack). Yesterday I took the

last

> teva pills to see whether I genuinely had a problem with them.

My

> eyes are VERY itchy this morning and my skin hurts. I'm going to

> avoid that brand in future, travelling from chemist to chemist if

I

> have to - so a result of sorts! Strange thing is the filler

> ingredients are the same for both brands.

>

> But I don't understand how the potency of levothyroxine can vary

> from batch to batch. It is synthetic so I would have thought its

> potency would be controllable. I also don't understand how the

> inconsistent-potency argument is used against prescribing animal-

> sourced thyoxine but NOT against synthetic levothyroxine. What

> causes the potency variations anyway?

>

> Tracey

>

[Guest guest]



I would buy a pill cutter from your local pharmacy and cut that 10 mcgs T3 into two. Taking too much T3 altogether can cause you to have palpitations and generally feeling spaced out. It might nOT happen to you, but starting to medicate with t3 is something your body hasn't had for a while, and if you are also converting the T4 into more T3, you should take care. Take half yhour dose of T3 before breakfast, and the other half a couple of hours after your lunch. You don't have to be that precise with cutting the tablet, after all, we are putting out different amounts of thyroid hormones throughout the day, so don't concern yourself with that.

Hope all goes OK now for you. Let us know how you get on

Luv - Sheila

Oh ok, Thanks Sheila I now have in my possesion Liothyronine sodium? 20 mcg, I have 20 because the chemist that got it said it did not come in any smaller dose and that I had to cut it into 4, what!!!! have you seen how small this tablet is? so off to get back to work I rang the hospital and spoke to the doctors secretary who took all the details and rang me later and said the doctor said to up the dose and now take 10mcg which means cutting the pill in half, (what a farce eh?) and I also have 50 mcg of the levo I dont exactly understand what any of them do but will try the levo at night and the lio in the morning maybe when I get to work? Michele__________________________________________________________Not happy with your email address?.Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at http://uk.docs./ymail/new.htmlNo virus found in this incoming message.

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