Thryroid

[Stefe]

I was given Synthroid but now the doctors think that I didn't have anything wrong with my thyroid. Can the medicine hurt my thyroid? Will it cause my thyroid to not function properly? What are the consequences of this medicine if you do not have a thyroid condition but was still given the drug?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

No, it cannot hurt the thyroid or cause it to stop functioning.  Potential problems with the medication would be causing hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) - would rediscuss with your doctor to determine the best course of action.

[borninquisitive]

Perhaps it would be helpful to know why you were given thyroid medication? What were your labs (including reference range), that determined you needed thryoid medication?

[popokinui]

I was put on thyroid medication recently.

I was experiencing foggy headedness, cold, itchy dry skin,  and a bunch of other symptoms that I can now attribute to the thyroid.  At first, I thought is was maybe pre menopause. (I'm only 44)

My test was low....just a tiny bit.  The next one went down a "bit" more.  My doctor put me on levoxyl 25mcg.  The foggy headedness was worse for the first 2 weeks.  Whe I told my Dr this, she said it shouldn't do that, as the dose was so low (homeopathic dose...her words.) that there wouldn't be side effects. (Made me wonder.......).  I am over-all feeling much better now after being on the medication for about 5 weeks.

The other day I called to have the medication refilled, she asked again how I thought it was making me feel.  I told her much better.  She then made a comment like "or maybe your "allergies" are going away now.  Made me wonder if she thought I was a hypocondriac and threw me a bone (Like the sugar pill thing) just to see what I would say.

I am unnerved by the fact that if she thought It was allergies then why did she put me on thyroid meds.  Has anyone ever had this happen?  

Since I feel so good now, I don't want to have to stop the meds.

Any opinions or advice?

[jd2]

i was taking 12.5mcg of thyroxine for a year. without it i felt really terrible, and my TSH would go up and i'd get hypothyroid.
some of my previous docs told me it was a homeopathic dose, but i really needed it! originally they put me on 50mcg, which  made me really hyperthyroid, then tried to tell me because i couldnt stand being on 50 i didnt have a thyroid problem (although all the tests said i did)
i got a new gp and she is great, and believed me and let me keep taking the 12.5.
eventually i went to a new endocrinologist, and they tested my free t4 and tsh when i felt a bit hypo, and agreed that i was a bit hypo and needed the dose.
if you think the meds make you feel better, speak to your doc about it or get a new one!
ps what was your tsh before treatment?

[popokinui]

Update....

My doctor decided to keep me on the levoxyl.  She refilled my prescription yesterday.

My next question is....

The pharmacy gave me the generic of levoxyl.  I have read not to change to generic, that they may affect a person differently.  I questioned the pharmacist about it and he said that it was the same, and that the pills would look exactly the same.  They don't.  They are the same color, and the same general shape...but not exactly.

I'm not sure whether to take them or not.  I will go and question the pharmacist today, but because they don't open until later, I will have to miss my dose today because I only have 1 of the old ones left to compare to.

Does anyone know if it is true that you shouldn't change to generic if you have already been on a regimen of the original levoxyl?

[popokinui]

FYI...

These were my last 2 thyroid levels:

December 2006
TSH          1.83          (0.49-4.6  uIU/ml)
Free T4       0.7          (0.71-1.85 ng/dL)

January 2008
TSH          2.32          (0.49-4.6  uIU/ml)
Free T4       0.5          (0.71-1.85 ng/dL)

I had some tests on Tuesday....results were in yesterday.  I forgot to have them fax them to me......as soon as I know, I will post them.

[jd2]

thats great your doc said to keep taking it. as for missing  a dose, i'd try not to. as for generic vs brand name, im sorry i dont know much about that, so for more info i'd suggest posting on the patient to patient thyroid forum on here, but from what ive read some people dont like the generics because they find that they feel better on the brand name (i dont know why though sorry).

[GravesLady]

Yes there can be a differences or variances in all brands and type of medication, even from batch to batch from the same brand and manufacturer.
Levothyroxine (T4), does vary in terms of potency from manufacturer to manufacturer. Generic and branded tablets of levothyroxine (T4) may differ in the amount of levothyroxine (T4) they contain, as well as in the absorption rate and distribution of the drug throughout the body, so one generic or branded levothyroxine (T4) may not have the same effect on the body as another generic or branded drug.

I believe here in my state pharmacies are not to change brands unless stated on the prescription. Although, I a pretty sure my doc writes down no subs.

A Florida State judge in an order signed January 28, 2008, ordered levothyroxine sodium off of the negative formulary list. That means pharmacists in Florida now have the ability to substitute generic levothyroxine sodium without  patients' or doctors consent.  The only way to ensure your prescription or refill order is honored to your specifications is to write "Medically Necessary" on the prescription.

I don't know about other states.

If you change brands or type of meds. such as natural, synthetic or generic, you should go for thyroid test within 6 to 8 weeks after starting the new brand or type, because it could change your levels and dose might need adjustment.  However, once on the new brand or type, you should be fine thereafter, for your system will adjust.  

GL,
Just my personal opinion and experience as a 12 year thyroid patient.