syntriod vs levothyroxine

[kl42]

is there any difference between syntroid and levotyroxine?

[leo72]

My wife is 15 months pregnant.  She had a blood test early March and her TSH was low, then again mid-March it was low again.  The third test came back with TSH high this time in May.  She was prescribed generic synthroid.

First - what is going on because nothing was explained to us except "this sometimes happens during pregnancy"

Second - are the drugs necessary and safe for her during pregnancy?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.  

[Smilerdeb]

Most Docotrs here in Australia will not prescribe the generic T4 med.
They prescribe Eutroxig which is the brand name for Thyroxin Sodium.
Eltroxin is a generic brand which is used in the UK and New Zealand.
I have been on Eutroxig since the time I started a T4 med and am doing great.
I would never change to a generic brand as I have been told by my Doctor that the generic contains a lot of fillers, the main one being talcum powder.

[Jacqui62]

I've been on varying dosages of Synthroid ever since my first Thyroid Ablation in 1980 following a Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Cancer in 1979.

Both my former and present Endos insist that Synthroid is one of the few drugs in which the generic is not as good as the brand. I'm on SSI and Medicaid and never had any problem getting my Synthroid until last year. When I wanted to switch to the generic, my Endo said if I didn't have a history of Thyroid Cancer she would agree. But since I do, I guess I'll be sticking with Synthroid for life.

[goolarra]

Many endos prefer brand names over generic.  The reason given is that the actual amount of T4 in generic varies by as much as 10-15%.  I don't know if there's a real difference or if the drug manufacturers have run a really good propaganda campaign to push their products.  I was switched from generic to Levoxyl by my endo.  My labs were actually worse after the switch (same dose).  I've been on generic, Synthroid and Levoxyl, and I see no difference at all.  However, many members report having much better results with one or the other.

[Leigh1234]

I'm so glad you asked this question. I just started meeting with a new Endo who increased my dose but switched me from Synthroid to Levo, and I just don't feel right. It's only been 2 days, but already I'm feeling a little "down" again...was wondering if it was the switch.

Have you had better luck with Synthroid too?

[kl42]

thanks for info

[FTB4]

There was in my case, I was on Levo for  4 months, 1st 25, 50 75 and 100 mg, and my Tsh (6.0) never came down, When I started being treated by an Endo he explained that Levothyroxine ( A Generic) was not as consistant as a Name Brand (Synthroid) he put me on Synthroid 100 mg and within 6 weeks my Tsh dropped to 0.078, now I am on 75 mg and due back at the end of May for another blood work. Although everyone is different, some do better on some drugs and some do not. Good Luck FTB4