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.

[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...

[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.

[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 ?

[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.

[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.

[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...