Synthroid Vs. levothyroxine

[bet643]

How many of you out there are taking Synthroid everyday for their thyroid disorders? How many on Levothyroxine? Notice any difference between the two?  

[Barb135]

Hmmm - I wrote another comment that didn't post... so I'll do this and we'll see if the first one shows up, somewhere along the line...

If you're constantly adjusting your medication, it's not because of the medication; it's because you're trying to adjust based only on the TSH, which is very volatile and is affected by many variables, other than TSH.  

Your doctor should also be testing Free T3 and Free T4, which are the actual thyroid hormones.   Your dosage should be based on your actual thyroid hormone levels vs your TSH level.

[Barb135]

Synthroid is the brand name of the drug and most doctors consider it the "gold standard" in treating hypothyroidism.  Many will not prescribe anything else.  On the other hand, it's more expensive than the generic levothyroxine, so most insurance companies want their clients to take the generic...

The only difference between the medications are the manufacturers and the fillers and dyes.  Some people, including doctors or pharmacists will tell you that generic are inconsistent between batches and that you won't do well on them... The fact is, there have been more recalls for Synthroid than there have been for any generics over the years...

Some people do very well on generics, some people do best on Synthroid.  We've had some people who have reactions to the fillers/binders or dye in the medications from one manufacturer, but if they switch to that of another manufacturer, they won't have the issue.

We find that many of our members do very well on Levoxyl, which is another brand of levothyroxine.  Some also do well on Tirosint, which is a gel cap and is hypoallergenic as it has no fillers/binders or dyes.  From my experience, having been on Tirosint for 5 yrs, many/most insurance companies will not cover Tirosint, but they do (or at least did - you'd have to check it out) have a program in which med could be gotten for free for qualifying patients.  If you don't qualify for the free med, which I did not, you may be able to get a $10 off coupon from the company.

[Bojana1]

I had thyroid removed and was put on levothyroxine. Hard time getting right TSH levels to stay consistent. Constantly changing dosage. Is it due to generic? I do have problems with some generics, I guess due to the binders?

[bowace]

Got the diagnosis that I had an underactive thyroid.  2nd opinion confirmed and prescription was given.  Had it filled a Walmart and they gave me a generic for Synthroid just called levothyroxine 25mcg TAB SAN.  Didn't like the smell or taste but it worked and my thyroid levels returned to normal.  Now my insurance says that I need to have the prescription sent in to them for filling and they will no longer approve the local pharmacy filling.  Ok, so I had my MD send the script to them and they send me Synthroid which is different from what I have been taking for 3 months. I'm concerned about the differences in the 2 and not sure I want to change.  

[Barb135]

What thyroid level has dropped below the low end of normal?  Are you referring to TSH?  That's not a thyroid level... that's a pituitary hormone.  You should also be getting tested for Free T3 and Free T4 whenever you have a TSH... Free T3 and Free T4 are the actual thyroid hormones.

My TSH stays very low all the time; it's not a problem.  It shouldn't be for you, either, unless you have symptoms of over medication.

[Mairzydoats]

Levothyroxine has caused my thyroid level to drop below the low end of normal. We have switched to Synthroid it is starting to come up.