difference levothyroxine vs. synthroid

[framer]

My internist says that the generic form of Synthroid is exactly the same. I have heard from several medical friends that this is no so.  My Levothyroxine seems to not be making a difference.

[goolarra]

You might want to post your recent labs with reference ranges.  Often doctors don't pay attention to the really important tests and make meds adjustments based on inappropriate or insufficient testing.  If you want to post those, we can help you interpret them.

[Clarkbar1952]

I was glad to find your note. I have been so sick for a month with the same symptoms that you listed along with elevations in my BP and pulse.I had been on 75 mcgs of Synthroid for several yrs and a month ago my PCP must have forgot that my endo. had originally stated Synthroid only. I got my meds for the month and there was levothyroxine 50 instead of Synthroid. My PCP said that my labs were too high so he wanted me on 50. I just decided not to fight it and took the Levo. I am having difficulty functioning because of the severe headaches, dry heaves, dizziness, shortness of breath and vomiting. I decided not to take the levo for 3 days now and I seem like I feel a little better. The headache is still there but not migraine level. I have had several tests trying to determine the cause of the symptoms and have docs stumped. I am going to request the Synthroid back and hope that this resolves itself.  Thanks for sharing.

[ChubbyTO]

I went to the dr for bloodwork prior to surgery and found I was hypothyroid. For the last 18 months, I have gone every 3 for testing to see where my levels are at. I started at .25 and after a year I hit 112 mcg all the while being rx'd levo. My test in Mar showed my level was at 6.4 and I was again increased to 125. The pharmacy was out of levo and gave me synthroid. I just went last week for blood and my level was now over 9. Either they gave me a placebo, or some other phenomenon happened. Needless to say, I feel like I'm sleep walking everyday and have been upped to 150mcg. Lucky enough I was rx'd levo and got levo this time so we shall see in three months. Hope all is well on your end.

[gimel]

No, your doctor was not correct.  Why would a change be necessary if you were feeling good?   Just because TSH is suppressed does not mean that you have become hyper, unless you do have hyper symptoms due to excessive levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.  

TSH is frequently suppressed when taking significant doses of thyroid meds.  For example, my TSH has been about .05 for well over 25 years without ever having hyper symptoms.  In fact, even with a high T4 level,  I continued to have hypo symptoms until I learned about the importance of FT3 and got my meds changed to add a source of T3.  Now I feel best ever.  And I am not the only one on the Forum with that experience.

This is a good link for you to discuss with your doctor.  It is written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he is consulting with from a distance.   The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient, to help guide treatment.  Note his advice about TSH.

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

[Lynn0610]

My Thyroid was removed about 30 years ago because of a goiter. For years I was taking Thyrolar II. My original doctor retired, which meant I started seeing a new doctor. The new doctor immediately took me off of the Thyrolar II and placed me on Synthroid.

Recently, my PCP lowered my Synthroid medication from 100mcg to 88mcg. He said my TSH was to low. My TSH level is 0.039, T4 is 10.7, T3 Uptake 32, and Free Thyroxine Index is 3.4.
Will someone tell me if my doctor was correct in lowering my medication?
I do not have any problems and I feel great, which is why I begged him not to change the level of the medication. About 10 years ago, I was taking synthroid 88mcg, but I was extremely fatigue and did not feel well. I do not want to feel that way again.

[juliva]

I've been on Levothyroxine 8-9 years. My Endo told me he wanted me to take Levoxyl because he felt it was more of a reliable drug/dosing. I have made the change 3 times and each time within 3 days I have ended up with a serve stomach ache non stop. My Endo and Pharmacist tell me this can't be... That its the VERY SAME medicine. Hmmm... Tell my stomach that! I once rode it out for 2 weeks and I thought I was going to die with the pain. I told my daughter who is a dentist about this and she said she see's this happen with her patients all the time.. Same drug different companies different fillers causing re actions. Not sure why my Endo and Pharmacist keep telling me this. I'm sure I'm not the only one this has ever happened to! It can be frustrating to think how much they really don't know about a drug especially when my Edno comes highly recommended in the Thy community for my area.