Levothyroxine versus synthroid

[firefightingmedic]

My Doctor prescribes synthroid to treat my hypothyroid. My insurance company has it changed to levothyroxine, because it covers genrics if available.  I seem to do fine on levothyroxine.

My sister is being treated for hypothyroid also. Her husband is a pharmacist, and he says their is a difference between synthroid and levothyroxine, and insists that she stay on levothyroxine.

Is there that much difference between the two? I would think that if you are on one or the other nad stay with it, it shouldn't matter.

[AR-10]

If you are doing well on generics, then stay with it.

The difference between Synthroid and Levothyroxine is mainly the fillers they use to make the pill.

The problem with generics is the pharmacy may change suppliers from time to time. Different companies make Levothyroxine using different fillers, so you may not be taking the same medication every time your perscription is filled.

That causes problems for some people. Who needs problems with thyroid meds?

I've only ever been on Synthroid.
My doctor will not allow substitutes.
From what I've read, I don't want a generic thyroid med.

Still, some people do poorly on Synthroid and do better on Levothyroxine. Depends on how you react to the fillers.

[maz135]

I tried the generic brands and they are not as good as Synthyroid; However everyone is different

[chigirl29]

I'm on levothyroxine and it works great for me--never had to tweak--just right:)