Synthroid to Levoxyl switch-opinions please

[kitty9309]

I am switching from Synthroid to Levoxyl because:

A.) I am hoping my big, fat tongue is due to something in the Synthroid and

B.) It is cheaper and I have no Rx insurance.

I saw another thread about a Medication Rant and was curious. I saw at least a couple of people say they like Lexoyxl better.

What about it did you like better?

Is your dose of Levoxyl equivalent to the dose of Synthroid you were taking? I read on another forum that Levoxyl is better absorbed and I wonder if this means a dose adjustment.

[Liz94]

I switched from Levoxyl to Synthroid a few months ago for a couple of reasons. I had been on Levoxyl for 14 years because I was hypo. Then after my thyroidectomy my doc put me back on the Levoxyl.  I wasn't having any problems on the Levoxyl but I was having serious dry mouth and my tsh wasn't budging. My doc switched me to see if it made a difference. The dry mouth continued but my tsh finally took a nose dive and got where it was supposed to. I don't feel any different on synthroid than I did on the levoxyl.

[Squirley777]

I switched from the generic to synthroid and I had a lot of problems with it. I now take Levoxyl and am doing alot better on it.  My tsh has dropped from 100 to 6 on 62.5 mcg where it didn't budge much with the synthroid or the generic.  I found that the Levoxyl is better for me.  I wasn't on synthroid long since after the first week it gave me severe muscle pain. I have to also add that my endo only writes perscriptions for synthroid and it was my internist that I had change me to Levoxyl.  Are you lactose intolerant?  Synthroid does have lactose in it.

[kitty9309]

I am not lactose intolerant.

I have no issues with Synthroid except for the fact my my tongue is very fat. (see my photos)
I do not know if the Synthroid is the cause, but I won't know unless I switch.

62.5 Synthroid took my TSH from a high of only 5.96 down to 1.4.  It looks like the same dose of 62.5 of Levoxyl for you has dropped your TSH from 100 to 6!!!

I wonder why the same dose can cause such a hugh drop for one, but not for the other?

My endo has always thought that I would wind up on 75 mcg.

Have you increased your dose again?

[pep88]

I just started the Levoxyl today.  It was my "rant" you read.  I'll keep you updated on how it goes, but already today, my hands are feeling better (maybe it's just my imagination?)   They don't feel nearly as puffy and arthritic though.  I think I have a bit of a lactose problem, but I don't eat a lot of dairy except cheese and the little milk I have is steamed in a latte.  So I'm not sure if that little amount from a pill, could give such a severe reaction.  I'm sure I'll have to wait and see about the pain in my hip joint, but already I don't feel quite so bloated.  And I'll see about my feet and ankles tonight...

The history of these meds seems totally convoluted to me.  Synthroid was the only synthetic thyroid med, and was not regulated forever.  It was the last to become "regulated" and the others are "generic"... huh?  I don't have hours to spend on the internet a day researching these things and I'm sure I don't have the entire picture right, but anything with that sketchy of a past causes me to think twice, especially after the reactin I've had...

[kitty9309]

Thanks. I will be curious to see how be both fare.

The whole regulation thing was really just on paper. It was originally granfathered in and had to resubmit to the FDA for approval. The maunfacturer didn't change anything.

Did your dose of Levoxyl stay the same? (so far)

[pep88]

Yes, same dose.  But they said I was a tad hyper so they want me to split the Sunday dose in half.  I'm going to see how I feel and start that next sunday...    

Thanks for the info.  I started reading up on Synthroid when I was switching to it.  Tons of people suggested going to the "name" brand here on the forum.  All that I could find about the differences was the filler stuff and that the "generics" could have some potiency variations with batches...  I'm starting to think that each person needs to try and see what works for their own individual body and chemical makeup.  I've never had a reaction to anything really, except pain meds... Don't like them AND they make me itch!  So I expected my reactions to the any of the thyroid meds to be heart palps and shakes... not bloating and arthritis! :O  Perpetual period-type puffiness, while feeling like an 80 year old... gee fun....  

I guess I don't like taking any meds, period!   Unfortunately this one keeps me alive...

[purrballs]

Why not try armour?  Seriously it was the best thing I ever did.  It sure wasn't my docs idea but he let me try it and even he was amazed at the difference.  Synthroid didn't work for me for 25 yrs. but that doesn't mean it won't work for you.

[Squirley777]

Sorry about the typo. My tsh went from 100 to 17 on 62.5 and then I went up to 69 mcg and it went down to 6. I just 2 weeks ago upped to 75 so I am hoping the tsh will be within range and I start to get back to my old self.  2 years on this roller coaster ride is really getting old. I did have to go back to square 1 after the synthroid but when I switched to levoyxl I just started at 50 and over 4 months worked up to the 75. The Levoxyl seems to be working better for me. I started getting the muscle spasams and pain when I was switched to synthroid and going back to the generic didn't change a thing. My endo is letting me adjust as to how I feel. It also helps that I can count on my internist because my endo in the past has been a real jerk.  I think he is on an ego trip.

[sunshine41]

I have  just found this forum, how wonderful it is.
I have been t taking Eltroxin for 25 years with no problems . I have now been  given Levothroxin , it has been a nightmare. It affected my eyes , my joints , racing heart bloating weight gain. I am going back on Eltoxin . I hope things will return to normal.
I guess everyone reacts differently to certain meds.
I am also looking a Whole Thryroid as an option.Has anyone tried these ?

[2wonderfulboys]

My endo won't even prescribe levothrothyn, it isn't regulated well enough when they make it and the dosage is never right... And she also advises against the Armour too because it comes from animals and it isn't regulated because you never know which animal you are getting it from and then it will always be different/...... stick to the synthroid it 's the safest and the best for thyroid problems.

[pep88]

Except if you can't tolerate it....  I was on Levothyroxine and Cytomel since TT in Sept '07...(several dosage changes and timing changes for the Cytomel, couldn't sleep normally, no matter what...as it's a combo of T3 and T4), and then just Synthroid to see if my own conversion T4 to tT3 worked... (two dosage changes, mega-onset of bloating and arthritis), And then I SCREAMED to get off of Synthroid and onto Levoxyl.  I almost went to Armour, but I'm holding out for a fairy tale ending without going to pigs...LOL !!!  To each their own...

[shauneegirl]

Hey whats Eltoxin?  I have been on Armour - because its natural and has both t3 and t4 - but I still have weight problems.  

[stella5349]

Shauneegirl

Eltoxin is the Canadian brand of Levo.

2wonderfulboys-

Armour is derived from pig thyroid and only that. It's not a roll of the dice to see what the pharmacutical company decides to throw in there on the next patch. It is strictly monitored and had been the drug of choice for over 60 yrs - before symthetics were created. and because of the natural hormones used - it is as close of a natural homone to humans as possible.

[AR-10]

Armour is organic, not natural.

Levothyroxine, at the molecular level, is IDENTICAL in cellular structure to the hormone T4. It is "bio-identical", for people who like the sound of that term.

So if you want to get technical, Synthroid or Levo or Levoxyl is closer to your body's T4 than Armour as far as what is natural.

Nothing against Armour. Just trying to keep the facts straight.

[kitty9309]

Yes, that is true.

Levothroxine is the chemical "mirror image" of thyroxine. The "levo" prefix means "mirror image".

If you look in all prescription product inserts, the little chemical structure picture shows you the composition of the molecule.

Levothyroxine and thyroxine are identical except for the fact the the levo is flipped to the left in the mirror, so to speak.

[Thypatient]

Good luck with trying this med (make sure you take it with a lot of water).

I’ve been on Levoxyl for about 15 mths now and have been doing pretty well on it.  I went from the generics to Synthroid to Levoxyl.

I hope your tongue issues get relieved some by making this switch.  However, I must admit my tongue has some very slight swelling and very slight scalloping.  So I wonder if it has more to do with just having a thyroid problem than anything else.  But also, I never noticed anything like that before being on ‘any’ thyroid med so maybe it’s that (just my theories).

This was the only med my insurance covered and I’ve always wondered why.  After hearing it’s cheaper – well, it figures.

I switched only because of the insurance but like I’ve shared before, after starting it I noticed some things I’d been experiencing subsided.  One was itching on the top of my head.  Another was sprain-like pain, especially in my hands.  I once went into a walk-in clinic with a painful hand that was a bit swollen and had bruising, convinced I must somehow have injured it.  I was surprised when after an exam and an x-ray the dr said he couldn’t see anything.

The dose I take is equivalent… .

This isn’t a miracle drug, but it’s worth a try (I agree with not liking to take anything, but have to - to live).

As I’ve shared before my biggest complaint about this drug is the confusion over its name.  The brand name Levoxyl sounds too close to its generic name, levothyroxine.  (Some comments above are yet another example of that confusion).  Because of that you really have to monitor what you’re getting when you pick-up your meds, etc.

About Armour, if it works for some – great!  It’s the drug I wanted to be on but my dr advised against, in my case.  I had loved the idea, 1.) because it’s all natural; and, 2.) because I got a kick out of being told it’s the same company as Armour Hot Dogs.  I loved that!

[shauneegirl]

Oh thanks Stella - I only knew it as Levo.... Pharmaceutical name.  I already tried it, Armour works alittle better on me, but only sometimes - its like a roll of the dice.  I use it because of the T3 - T4 combo, I need both, but I know there is another prescription (sythetic) out there.  I have to look up the name of it.

AR-10 - by the way, the insert of the armour meds, and the actual manufactures website states "It is a natural product—not a synthetic compound". Your not correct, everywhere shows its naturual, I dont know about the "organic" thing, so dont correct me, and please stop responding to me on these sites.

[Thypatient]

Perhaps I should've said 'all natural.'  ☺

[kitty9309]

Thanks for your experience with Levoxyl.

You are right about the name. Many people think it is generic.

I will swallow it with lots of water.

I am glad to know that your dose is equivalent to the others.

I hope to do well on it. I realize switching may not do anything except save me money.

The tongue is not a physical bother to me. It just started around the time of starting Synthroid, but I really can't say it is related unless I get off of it.

To all:

All I was looking for was information from those who switched to Levoxyl.

Armour is natural . It comes from pigs. It just doesn't have the same ratio of t3/t4 as humans need.  It's great that some people do better on it.

99% of all people convert t4 (levothyroxine) to t3. Conversion problems are very rare, but they do exist.

[shauneegirl]

Hi Kitty 9309.  I was just curious, you mentioned Armour doesnt have the right ratio of t3/t4 as we need.  I still dont feel right, and that may be why.  But where did you find this?  My endo feels I have a total t-1 through t4 issue, but my meds really aren't helping as much as I feel they should.  Although my symptoms are better, I think its the other things I do to support my thyriod, not the so much the meds.  I am still cold all the time, still fighting my weight, and it sucks..... I so wish I was normal again.  I cant lose weight to save my life!
Oh and I stand corrected, I didnt take  Levoxyl, I took Synthoid.  Sorry - I had to look it up on my logs......

[AR-10]

Well, maybe I jumped the gun on natural/organic.
Does Armour contain fillers?

The point I was making was made quite clearly. I will refrain from calling Armour organic, as natural seems apropriate if it contains no fillers at all.

shauneegirl, unless I am banned from the site, I will respond to whomever I wish, and I will ignore whomever I wish. We try to get along here. I've had enough of your attitude already, so I will only respond to your posts when they need correcting and nobody else steps up.

I wasn't talking to you up there anyway. I was talking to Stella. I can do that, can't I? I have been for months, and she hasn't objected yet.

Kitty, I am sorry that this has drug your question off topic.

Thypatient, where did you get the smiley? :o)

[kitty9309]

Hi. Here is a link to one reference about it:

BTA Statement
A. Armour Thyroid contains both thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) extracted from the thyroid gland of pigs. One grain, about 60 mg, of desiccated pig thyroid extract contains about 38mcg of T4 and 9mcg of T3, a ratio of around 4 to 1. The normal concentration of these hormones in the human thyroid is, however, at a ratio of 14 to 1. In other words, Armour thyroid extract contains excessive amounts of T3 relative to T4 when used to replace thyroid hormone in man. Moreover, as pig thyroid contains other substances apart from T4 and T3, Armour Thyroid is not a pure preparation of thyroid hormones. Historically, extracts of animal thyroid glands were the only way to treat thyroid underactivity, but since the 1950s pure synthetic thyroid hormones have been available in tablet form (thyroxine sodium [T4] and liothyronine [T3]).

This is from this site:

http://www.british-thyroid-association.org/bta_Armour_T4_T3.pdf

No problem on the Levoxyl. I just saw a conflict brewing and wanted to get back to my original question.

[kitty9309]

I'm still searching for more on the ratios.

I did find this which may contradict the above:

"Thyroid gland produces all of body’s T4 (about 80-90 mcg/d), but only 20% of body’s T3 (~8 mcg). 80% of T3 is produced by peripheral deiodination of outer ring of T4 (by type I 5’-deiodinase, mainly in liver and kidney, little in heart). Total production of T3 is about 32-35 mcg/day."

http://www.endocrinology.med.ucla.edu/Thyroid.htm

Now I am getting confused.....

[Squirley777]

I got this from the health line web site.  This hypothyroidism business is so confusing and  know from asking my endo questions even they aren't sure of the effects it has on us. They are the so called experts and we are their lab rats. Thanks to others here I have learned more about this thing than my endo knows.


Possible causes of tongue swelling:

Acromegaly
Allergic reaction to food or medicine
Amyloidosis
Angioedema
Beckwith syndrome
Cancer of the tongue
Congenital micrognathia
Down syndrome
Hypothyroidism
Infection
Leukemia
Lymphangioma
Neurofibromatosis
Pellagra
Pernicious anemia
Strep infection
Tumor of the pituitary gland