Levoxyl and Tirosint

[VitaminB12]

I'm gathering info on the various conventional medications available for treating hypothyroidism. My doctor recommends Synthroid. I see people posting info about Tirosint being costly, but not having fillers and dye. Is it the same case with Levoxyl? I would have to pay for any prescription drugs myself so price is a consideration.

[VitaminB12]

Hi, I am reposting my lab results from May 2, 2014 because I finally received the Free T3 figure.

TSH 4.97 Reference range 0.35 – 5.00 miU/L

Free T4 14 Reference range 12 – 22 pmol/L

Free T3 3.7 Reference range 2.6 – 5.7 pmol/L

Vitamin B12 555 Reference range >220 pmol/L

I'm hoping to book an appointment with the doctor or nurse practitioner this summer to request a ferretin test after I've been to the specialist about the tendinitis in both forearms on June 26.Someone from WSIB's hand & wrist clinic visited my workplace recently and was talking about the concept of "maximum medical recovery." Some permanent work restrictions might be in order.

[sam_ttc]

For all of you who have hypothyroid or syptoms like that, i want to say that there is a new expert forum with the name "Hypothyroid-Hashimoto" where an expert doctor can answer your queries. I posted there twice and got answered promptly.Check it out

[Barb135]

I was, originally, started out on Synthroid and didn't do well on it, but I really believe that had as much (or more) to do with the prescribing doctor as it had to do with the medication.  Once I began going to my endo, I was switched over to generic levothyroxine for cost effectiveness.  I did fine on levo, but when Tirosint came on the market, I chose to try it (and pay the extra cost), since I do have known absorption issues.  

I've done very well on Tirosint, but due to the high cost, I will be going back to either generic levo (for cost effectiveness) or Levoxyl - I'll pay more than for levo, but less than for Synthroid.  Since my thyroid no longer produces anything at all, I can't live without a thyroid replacement hormone, of some type; I'd go back on Synthroid, without any qualms.

Your thyroid and B-12 levels were just tested in May, so you can see what they've done since Dec. Perhaps if you call your doctor and explain about the ferritin test, he would agree to test that in 3 months?  

[VitaminB12]

Please note my doctor neglected to inform me about my reduced iron stores. Iron is important to thyroid function. Thank goodness I get my lab results so I found out and starting to attempt to address it through diet. I had asked for a ferretin (iron) level test with the latest bloodwork to determine whether increasing my intake was having a positive effect and he did not include it. I don't wish to have to wait 6 months to know if what I've been doing since mid December 2013 is helping. Thanks.

It is interesting to note that you choose not to use synthroid yourself.

[Barb135]

Your lab and your doctors aren't any different from those most of us deal with on a daily basis; we learn to, either, work with them, or work around them.

I think you said when you first began posting that your doctor had offered you a dosage of synthroid and you had refused it, in favor of trying to improve your health through diet, so perhaps that's why your doctor has chosen to wait 6 months to retest.  

I'm not sure what you're expecting, at this point.  Testing every 3 months is redundant if you chose not to take the medication offered.

The options I see are to increase your dietary levels of B-12 and iron, along with other nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, etc.  

If your symptoms worsen, within the 6 month period, I'm sure your doctor would be willing to revisit the issue of testing once more to see if your levels have gotten lower, thus making thyroid replacement a necessity.

[VitaminB12]

Thanks for the reminder about your thoughts on my most recent lab results. I am aware that the lab is using an outdated reference range for TSH and seems to have a Vitamin B12 reference range that isn't good either. And then people wonder why I don't have care for Western medicine. I have a doctor who won't test me again re: my thyroid for 6 months instead of the usual 3 even though it's a long-standing issue because my TSH is considered normal.
I just don't like the way conventional MDs approach health issues. They're too quick to recommend pills rather than look at the big picture (overall health not individual problem) and they often old school. At least this is my experience with a GP as well as a specialist. And the ND harmed rather than helped.  

[Barb135]

Even though your TSH is "technically" in range, it's higher than the recommended range of 0.3-3.0.  Your FT4 is actually on the floor, at only 20% of the range.  I'd think you could benefit from a small dosage of levo, now.

Your B-12 is still too low in the range.  Just being < 220 isn't enough.  Anything under 500 is suspect, so you can see yours isn't much more than that. I think I've mentioned that I have to keep mine at the very top of the range (the range my lab uses is 200-1100).

[VitaminB12]

Thank you everyone for all of the info/advice. I don't know yet just how many options are available in Canada. I'm vegetarian so I am not considering desiccated animal hormones.My doctor won't test my underactive thyroid again for 6 months instead of the usual 3. Here are my previously posted last lab results for bloodwork. Free T3 was tested according to requisition, but the doctor's staff said over the phone she didn't have a number for it. I'll ask him next time I'm in to the office which won't be until after my next specialist appointment about the chronic tendinitis in both forearms (occupational injury) on June 26.

May 2, 2014

TSH 4.97 Reference range 0.35 – 5.00 miU/L

Free T4 14 Reference range 12 – 22 pmol/L

Free T3 ? Reference range 2.6 – 5.7 pmol/L

Vitamin B12 555 Reference range >220 pmol/L

[Red_Star]

I wasn't sure about Levothroid actually but kept it listed just in case.

[Barb135]

I agree with trying the generic levo or synthroid first. The majority of people who take them don't have reactions, as long as they start at low doses and work up slowly.  Generic levo is, by far, the least expensive.  I actually did better on levo than I did Synthroid.  

Because of the cost of Tirosint, I'm planning to ask my doctor for Levoxyl.

[ahmee]

If you are looking for hypoallergenic meds, Tirosint (T4-only) and Westhroid-P (desiccated, T4/T3 combo) are the only two I know. However, you may want to try generic levothyroxine or synthroid first and see if you have any reaction. Who knows, you may not have any reaction at all.

[Barb135]

Levothyroid has been discontinued; I'm not sure about Unithroid, because I know they were sued by Synthroid some years ago; Alara may have been involved in that law suit.  Levo-T is Levothyroxine Sodium, which is the active ingredient in all synthetic thyroid replacement hormones and aside from the brand names, there are several manufacturers who produce them - these are the generics.

Many doctors refuse to prescribe the desiccated hormones and if your doctor is pushing Synthroid, I'd guess he might be one of those.  

[Red_Star]

I'm not sure if you have access to all of these products in Canada. Efra is the Canadian brand of prescription natural desiccated thyroid.

Manufacturers of approved levothyroxine sodium (tablet or capsule) in the United States:

Abbott - Synthroid
Alara - Levo-T
Jerome Stevens - Unithroid
Jones Pharma/King - Levoxyl
Lloyd (distributed by Forest) - Levothroid
Genpharm
Mylan
Institute Biochimique - Tirosint
Vintage - Levolet (not marketed in the US)

Brands of desiccated natural thyroid available for use in the United States:

Forest Pharmaceuticals - Armour
RLC Labs - Nature-throid, Westhroid
Acella Pharmaceuticals - NP Thyroid
Erfa - Thyroid (available outside of Canada)

[shennigan]

I went back on levoxyl  because for me with my insurance plan it  $10 dollars cheaper. Like you I have a limited income. Do you research. Also look into the makers of the drugs and look at the programs they have people who do not have insurance or who have limited income.

[VitaminB12]

Thank you very much for the information. I wish Tirosint wasn't so expensive as I would prefer hypoallergenic since I have a sensitive system. I certainly can't afford that since I work part time. Plus I am paying considerably more for rent since my May 1, 2013 move to another apartment. My quality of life has improved so it's worth the money.

[Barb135]

Tirosint is considered hypoallergenic, because the only ingredients it contains are gelatin, glycerin, distilled water and levothyroxine (the active ingredient).

Being a pill type medication, Levoxyl does have fillers/binders, but most people seem to do very well on it.

When Tirosint first came on the market in 2009, the price was equivalent to Synthroid; in Aug of last year, when I got my refill, the price doubled, it's continued to increase with each refill I've gotten and is now over $300/for a 3 month supply ($100/mo).  While I've done well on it, I find that I can no longer justify paying that much for a medication that I'll be on for the rest of my life.  I did talk to Akrimax, who manufactures it and all indications are that the price will probably continue to increase.

From what I understand, Levoxyl is equivalent to Synthroid, though it may be a little cheaper.