Levothyroxine problems

[tarzana]

One and a half years ago, at 61 years old, I was started on generic levothyroxine 50 mcg.  Since then, I have had very loose BMs several times each day with occasional diarrhea.  For the first 61 years of my life I had one regular BM once a day or every other day and, if anything, tended toward occasional constipation.  I have never taken Synthroid, only the generic.  I recently had a colonoscopy, biopsy, blood work, and stool testing done by a Gastroenterologist and all tests were negative--not even any polyps found.  Has anyone else suffered from this problem with the generic?  If so, was the problem solved by switching to Synthroid?
Jane    

[tarzana]

Thank you all for your responses.  I was tested for FT3 and FT4 as well as TSH every time.  The last labs were in October 09, but I don't have the results.  I will call to get them this week.  I have not been told that I have Hashimoto's.
  
I never had any symptoms of hypothyroidism, and was shocked when I was told I had it.  I asked the FNP to show me the results!  I am a retired RN, and have a wonderful relationship with my FNP.
  
I was initially given 25 mcg of levothyroxine.  Then had a repeat lab test after 8 weeks.  The levothyroxine was increased to 50 mcg.  Then a repeat lab test again after 8 weeks.  I have remained on 50 mcg for one and a half years now.

I also have been very tempted to go off the med to see what happens!

[Barb135]

I agree with Sally, that we will need to know your actual thyroid levels in order to fully comment on your problem.  

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's.  Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US; it's an autoimmune disease in which antibodies gradually destroy the thyroid until it can no longer produce the hormones necessary.  

Do you have any other symptoms?  It's possible that you are being given too high a dose of levo, but without actual test results, we can't know that.  

Please post whatever labs you have, along with the reference ranges as listed on the lab report, since these ranges are lab specific.  If you don't have a copy of your report, your doctor is required by law to give you one, if you request it.  It's always wise to get a copy of every report for your records.  

[annamae26]

sorry my hand slipped-- so whether its synthroid or levo the generic it won t matter.   i would love to go off the med for a month and see what happens   i will bet i would be back to normal in the GI department!

[annamae26]

hi  yes same problem.  never had any problems and was hypo and untreated for years and never had a problem. less than a week after i started synthroid i had major problems and then i switched to levothyroxine the generic and still have problems. everyone says its not the med but i was hypo for years untreated and never had any problems and as soon as i started the meds i had problems and still do.  my problems are the opposite of yours.

[Super_sally888]

Hi Tarzana,

In order to help you we'll need a bit more information.

Generally people have trouble with thyroid meds if they are under or over medicated, or if the med they have been given doesn't treat the problem properly.

Very rarely there is an allergy to the filler, but I don't want to consider this for now, and instead would like to focus on your actual thyroid levels.

Can you please tell us the results of your most recent thyroid blood tests, giving the date tested, the result, and the reference range.

I hope that they tested FT3 and FT4, as well as TSH.  If they only tested TSH, please tell us that results, but please request a full thyroid pannel from your doctor (must include FT3 and FT4, not just TSH and not T3 and T4, which are outdated).