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synthroid vs. generic
Just a note to support all those who have warned against generic vs. name brand thyroxine. I posted here a couple weeks ago thinking my dosage was off only to find out the generic substitute was the culprit all along. Back on Synthroid and, most important, back to normal.
Just to be prevent any confusion for anyone reading this thread: Synthroid is not different from levothyroxine. It is one of several "brand name" levothyroxine pills--I take Levothroid, which is another.
If a person is taking generic levothyroxine and doing well, the "doing well" situation may not last. It seems to be difficult to manufacture levothyroxine with a high level of uniformity. Even the brand names have had less than a perfect track record, but they do seem to be a better bet than any of the generic brands.
The risk with a generic is having a return of your unique set of hypothyroid symptoms--whatever those symptoms might be--even though you are taking the same dose of levothyroxine as always, or at least you think you are. If there are ups and downs in potency from one batch of pills to another, then there will be ups and downs in the dose you are receiving.
Although ordinarily I strongly favor the generic version of anything that is prescribed for me, my endocrinologist convinced me that where levothyroxine is concerned, I should take one of the brand names. He said that it does not matter which brand; just stick with the same brand over time, and if something causes me to need to switch to another brand, have my TSH level reassessed a few weeks later.
If a person is taking generic levothyroxine and doing well, the "doing well" situation may not last. It seems to be difficult to manufacture levothyroxine with a high level of uniformity. Even the brand names have had less than a perfect track record, but they do seem to be a better bet than any of the generic brands.
The risk with a generic is having a return of your unique set of hypothyroid symptoms--whatever those symptoms might be--even though you are taking the same dose of levothyroxine as always, or at least you think you are. If there are ups and downs in potency from one batch of pills to another, then there will be ups and downs in the dose you are receiving.
Although ordinarily I strongly favor the generic version of anything that is prescribed for me, my endocrinologist convinced me that where levothyroxine is concerned, I should take one of the brand names. He said that it does not matter which brand; just stick with the same brand over time, and if something causes me to need to switch to another brand, have my TSH level reassessed a few weeks later.
I am writing with a word of support for something GravesLady said as this thread unfolded: "The issue with the replacement hormone is CONSISTENCY. Most of us do not consistently eat exactly the same thing day in and day out for breakfast. That being the case, waiting an hour before eating makes sense. Otherwise, the amount of the drug absorbed could fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult for you to regulate on a single dose of hormone." I agree entirely that taking levothyroxine (whether you are taking a brand name of it or a generic) on an empty stomach makes sense if it does not cause a person any problems to take the drug that way.
When taking the medication on an empty stomach DOES cause a problem of some sort, the sufferer should know that taking the medication with food is a reasonable option. The food will not change the way the drug works mechanically. A high level of self-discipline is needed, however, because GravesLady is right. If you are not careful, you can create fluctuations from one day to the next in how much levothyroxine is absorbed. It is therefore important to eat the same amount of food of the same sort before every medication dose. If a person does not naturally eat the same thing day in and day out for breakfast (I have to admit to being a fuddy-duddy who did just that, even before my hypothyroidism was diagnosed), forcing oneself to become consistent in that way is vitally important.
This is an important addition to what I have said in recent days about taking medication with food. I am grateful to GravesLady for causing me to notice that when I stressed consistency, I did not go quite far enough.
When taking the medication on an empty stomach DOES cause a problem of some sort, the sufferer should know that taking the medication with food is a reasonable option. The food will not change the way the drug works mechanically. A high level of self-discipline is needed, however, because GravesLady is right. If you are not careful, you can create fluctuations from one day to the next in how much levothyroxine is absorbed. It is therefore important to eat the same amount of food of the same sort before every medication dose. If a person does not naturally eat the same thing day in and day out for breakfast (I have to admit to being a fuddy-duddy who did just that, even before my hypothyroidism was diagnosed), forcing oneself to become consistent in that way is vitally important.
This is an important addition to what I have said in recent days about taking medication with food. I am grateful to GravesLady for causing me to notice that when I stressed consistency, I did not go quite far enough.
Thanks a bunch. I don't normally use Caremark for my 90 day supply meds but I'll definitely do it now. My husband picked up our daughter's prescription vitamins the other day and was amazed when we didn't have to pay anything. I told him about the $0 copay for generics until 3/31 (and the corresponding billboard in town); he's so excited he's rummaging through the house see what other generics we can refill before this program runs out. :-)
Recently my thyroid dose became too high. My doctor now has me taking 150 mg on Saturday Sunday Tuesday and Thursday and 75 mg on Monday Wednesday and Friday.
(Previously I was taking 162.5 mg each day.)He plans to do blood-work after 30 days on this schedule to see if I'm back in range.
Has anyone any info on this type agenda? I haven't been able to find any reference to varying dosage in this manner.
Thanks!
(Previously I was taking 162.5 mg each day.)He plans to do blood-work after 30 days on this schedule to see if I'm back in range.
Has anyone any info on this type agenda? I haven't been able to find any reference to varying dosage in this manner.
Thanks!
I, too am taking a varying dose of Synthroid. I am taking .112 and .125 on alternating days. I realize this is long past your posting date, but just thought I would add this bit of info. I also cannot take the generic form. I tried it last year and became extremely "hyperthyroid" and am actually now having great difficulty getting back to "normal", even though I am back on the brand name. IBLeeah
If anyone comes back to this thread... So if I have this right, the generic for synthroid is levothyroxine. I was on synthorid samples from the doctor for the first 6 weeks and as he increased them it was to much but now I have the generic and am taking the same amount that was to much on the synthroid. Ok thank you for letting me recap that. I have now been on the generic for 12 weeks I am going for lab test to check levels. I want to go back to synthroid to see if I feel better should I tell my doctor? I am afraid of going hyper.?????
thanks for lettting put that out there.
thanks for lettting put that out there.
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