Re: About Levoxyl

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was dx hypothyroidism at 16 yrs of age and took Armour. It worked until I moved and an endo told me it was going off the market and prescribed Synthroid. Adjusting the dose took years and I never felt great. To make a long story short, my internist put me back on Armour and thing progressively got worse. Last Nov I flew east to consult my sister's endo.

She dx me with hashimoto, discontinued Armour due to arm paralysis, etc., and prescribed Levoxyl. She sent a letter outlining an extensive treatment plan to my internist. The internist did not follow her directions and prescribed Cytomel. I was back where I started until I found an endo who discontinued Cytomel and increase Levoxyl. Things went well for two months. Then, got worse. That is when I discovered by accident the pharmacy gave me generic instead of Levoxyl. The endo put me back on Levoyl but at a higher dose. Within two days of starting it, I developed insomnia. That lasted for two months. Although adverse effects lists insomnia, she insists it is not the Levoyl. I was able to convince her to allow me to take alternate days of a higher and lower dose of Levoyl and still do not feel well.

To get back to your question, my opinion is to continue with what is working. My problems began when I asked to be switched to Armour when all I really needed was a lower dose of Synthroid. Two endos told me Synthroid, Levoxyl and levothyroxine are the same. The only difference are the fillers that bind the active ingredients.

It is wise to hold out seeing a doctor until October. Seeing an endo that specializes in diabetes and thyroid disease could make a difference.

Good luck,

Nan

Hi there,

I'm pretty much a lurker, but I have what is probably a pretty basic

question for all you experienced folks out there:

I haven't posted in a while, so here's alittle background: I was

dx'd with Hashimoto's in 1983 -- (FYI I'm 54 yo) and originally I was

taking Synthroid. When I found out that it's got acacia in the base,

and I'm allergic to acacia, I switched to Levothroid. ly, I

can't remember why I switched off of Levothroid (could have been

something to do with my insurance), but I've been on Levoxyl for

quite a few years. My dosage has been roughly the same all that

time: 2 mg./day.

I recently switched pharmacies because the one I was at suddenly

stopped billing my insurance for Levoxyl, and my new pharmacist told

me that actually, Levoxyl is a generic for Synthroid. I had never

heard this before. I thought the generic was levothyroxine.

Now I'm wondering if I should switch to Unithroid. I live in the San

Francisco Bay Area and I don't have an endo here -- I'm in the UCSF

Med Center system -- my PCP, who was managing everything and I will

miss greatly because she was wonderful, just moved away and I won't

have another doc thru the clinic until October. I could see another

doc in the meantime, but that would mean starting all over with one

doc, and then starting over again in October. So I'm trying to wait

until then.

I don't feel all that great: On top of the Hashimoto's, I have

fibromyalgia (dx'd in 1994) and non-insulin type-II diabetes (dx'd in

2002). I also have pretty bad insomnia (typical for fibromyalgia).

My weight had shot up especially since the dx-ing of the diabetes (my

former PCP put me on the med that causes weight gain -- I switched

myself to metformin and that's working) -- I lost 50 lbs. 2 years ago

and have managed to keep most of it off for a year -- I still need to

lose another 40-50 lbs, but my last labs were MUCH better, especially

since the weight loss.

A few years ago I tried T3 and it didn't work for me, so I stopped

taking it.

So that's all the background for all you knowledgeable folks -- any

ideas about the Levoxyl question? Thanks!!!

[Guest guest]

Amy,

I agree with you about Synthroid. It had a buzz after taking it and quit. I did not do well on Armour or Cytomel. Both cause paralysis, etc. I think it is important to remember no two people have the same body chemistry. Each person must discover what works best for them. Since I am still experiencing problems with Levoxyl, I would like to try taking a small amount of adrenal medication with Levoxyl. I read patients experiencing the same symptoms I have did well taking both.

I would like to know if anyone experiences seizures? I stare or pass out which doctors dx as seizures related to thyroid disease. I took neurotin for a few years and stopped. Then, I noticed when the thyroid medication was decreased the so called seizures disapppeared. Now they are back. I started documenting everything daily per a friend's suggestion and noted they occur after eating in the pm and wonder if it could be insulin related. Last years insulin test was normal.

Nan

I found Unithroid to be far superior to Synthroid, and Armour to be the best yet.

Unithroid gave me much more consistent energy, where I found Synthroid gave me a burst, then quit on me around 1 pm. Armour, I now take in divided doses, and since I began doing that, I've lost weight, and feel much better. I then added Isocort in a very low dose, and feel better than I have in years.

Amy

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Not a new member here, but need some help. I have Hashimotos and have been diagnosed with it for over ten years now, but I still have a lot of problems.

My THS level is always a little low, but the doc and I decided that I feel better on .75 instead of .50...( sorry Synthyroid)

In February of this year, I went to see the doc to refill my prescription, but I also complained to her that I was feeling extremely fatigued. We thought that perhaps it was the thyroid, but she said it could also be stress that I was dealing with.

In March the pharmacist switched me to generic synthroid.

I went to see the gastrologist about three weeks ago, and while I was there, he was concerned about my heart rate....it was 42, and he said it was slow when I had seen him in the fall. He had me see my primary care doctor as soon as I left his office, and she put me on an EKG machine, and did another blood work up She said that I was skipping beats, and made an appointment for me to see a cardiologist. The cardiologist said I was skipping beats, but my heart rate was normal while there, and scheduled me for a stress test, which was normal.

I had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours, and finally heard from the nurse. She said that I am skipping beats, but it also showed that my heart was racing....I said, but I was sent here because my heart rate was too slow, so she is having me come in Tuesday to have the cardiologist go over the test results with me.

After hearing from my primary care doc, she said that my THS level is even lower than the last time, and that I am getting too much thyroid....I am wondering if it is because of the switch to the generic, but the pharmacist disagrees.....any suggestions?

I am happy to be seeing the cardiologist to go over the results, as she herself has Grave's disease, and so maybe she can lead me to a good doctor.

Thanks,

Candace

PS I am 57

[Guest guest]

If you are getting too *much* thyroid supplementation, you would have a *high* heart rate. Hypo would mean a lower heart rate.

--

-------------- Original message from Kandisa2@...: --------------

Hi Everyone,

Not a new member here, but need some help. I have Hashimotos and have been diagnosed with it for over ten years now, but I still have a lot of problems.

My THS level is always a little low, but the doc and I decided that I feel better on .75 instead of .50...( sorry Synthyroid)

In February of this year, I went to see the doc to refill my prescription, but I also complained to her that I was feeling extremely fatigued. We thought that perhaps it was the thyroid, but she said it could also be stress that I was dealing with.

In March the pharmacist switched me to generic synthroid.

I went to see the gastrologist about three weeks ago, and while I was there, he was concerned about my heart rate....it was 42, and he said it was slow when I had seen him in the fall. He had me see my primary care doctor as soon as I left his office, and she put me on an EKG machine, and did another blood work up She said that I was skipping beats, and made an appointment for me to see a cardiologist. The cardiologist said I was skipping beats, but my heart rate was normal while there, and scheduled me for a stress test, which was normal.

I had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours, and finally heard from the nurse. She said that I am skipping beats, but it also showed that my heart was racing....I said, but I was sent here because my heart rate was too slow, so she is having me come in Tuesday to have the cardiologist go over the test results with me.

After hearing from my primary care doc, she said that my THS level is even lower than the last time, and that I am getting too much thyroid....I am wondering if it is because of the switch to the generic, but the pharmacist disagrees.....any suggestions?

I am happy to be seeing the cardiologist to go over the results, as she herself has Grave's disease, and so maybe she can lead me to a good doctor.

Thanks,

Candace

PS I am 57

[Guest guest]

I think she meant that it caused paralysis for HER when she took it.

Miaja**

Amy,

>

> I agree with you about Synthroid. It had a buzz after taking it

and quit. I did not do well on Armour or Cytomel. Both cause

paralysis, etc. I think it is important to remember no two people

have the same body chemistry. Each person must discover what works

best for them. Since I am still experiencing problems with Levoxyl,

I would like to try taking a small amount of adrenal medication with

Levoxyl. I read patients experiencing the same symptoms I have did

well taking both.

>

> I would like to know if anyone experiences seizures? I stare or

pass out which doctors dx as seizures related to thyroid disease.

I took neurotin for a few years and stopped. Then, I noticed when

the thyroid medication was decreased the so called seizures

disapppeared. Now they are back. I started documenting everything

daily per a friend's suggestion and noted they occur after eating in

the pm and wonder if it could be insulin related. Last years

insulin test was normal.

>

> Nan

>

> I found Unithroid to be far superior to Synthroid, and Armour to

be the best yet.

> Unithroid gave me much more consistent energy, where I found

Synthroid gave me a burst, then quit on me around 1 pm. Armour, I

now take in divided doses, and since I began doing that, I've lost

weight, and feel much better. I then added Isocort in a very low

dose, and feel better than I have in years.

>

> Amy

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help.

Yahoo! Small Business.

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for the information. I will print it and take it to my doctor.

I am 57, and was diagnosed with Hashimotos in my early or mid 40's. The doctor started me on 1.25 but after about a year, they switched it to .75. I went to a new doctor, and she said I was getting too much, and said usually when your estrogen is down, you don't need as much thyroid supplement, and lowered it to .50. I wasn't doing well at .50, so the doc put me back to .75 which I have been on for quite sometime. I do not take anything else with the generic synthroid.....

This past year has just been a very tough year on me. I don't feel like cleaning my house, or working on my yard......all the things I have enjoyed before....I just am so exhausted. I just want to come home from work and sleep....and I don't just take little naps, I take hours long naps.

I never knew I had a slow heart rate, nor do I ever feel that my heart is racing....i was quite surprised when the doc told me my heart wasn't beating right as other people that have this problem, can feel it.

Anything you can do to help me would be greatly appreciated.....as to what questions to ask the doctor, etc.

Thanks,

Candace

[Guest guest]

I am sorry, is it possible for you to send me the link?

Thanks,

Candace

[Guest guest]

Hi, Candace -- that is great you found a cardiologist who has Graves'

disease (well, not great for her, but.. better for you she understand

cardiac complexity with thyroid symptoms).

Heart rate is generally a good indicator of having too much or too

little thyroid. Palpitations (skipping beats) can coexist with either.

I have bad palpitations when I don't have enough thyroid. I've also

had panic attacks without enough thyroid though, where my heart does race.

I recently tried the generic of T4/Synthroid/Levoxyl and switched back

to Levoxyl. My new doc said he likes a brand name and some docs

believe the generic isn't as consistent in dosage formulation.

Have you gotten your free T4/T3 tested? Be sure to do that, not just

the TSH! TSH doesn't always work for us, print out the article on

antibody interference with TSH test in our Links section and bring it

in to your doc -- if they don't listen, switch docs!

42 is definitely a slow heart rate and I would guess you are still

hypo or need adrenal supplementation. .75 is generally a low dosage

unless you are taking something else with it or are new to the disease.

>

> If you are getting too *much* thyroid supplementation, you would

have a *high* heart rate. Hypo would mean a lower heart rate.

> --

>

>

>

> -------------- Original message from Kandisa2@...: --------------

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> Not a new member here, but need some help. I have Hashimotos and

have been diagnosed with it for over ten years now, but I still have a

lot of problems.

>

> My THS level is always a little low, but the doc and I decided that

I feel better on .75 instead of .50...( sorry Synthyroid)

> In February of this year, I went to see the doc to refill my

prescription, but I also complained to her that I was feeling

extremely fatigued. We thought that perhaps it was the thyroid, but

she said it could also be stress that I was dealing with.

> In March the pharmacist switched me to generic synthroid.

> I went to see the gastrologist about three weeks ago, and while I

was there, he was concerned about my heart rate....it was 42, and he

said it was slow when I had seen him in the fall. He had me see my

primary care doctor as soon as I left his office, and she put me on an

EKG machine, and did another blood work up She said that I was

skipping beats, and made an appointment for me to see a cardiologist.

The cardiologist said I was skipping beats, but my heart rate was

normal while there, and scheduled me for a stress test, which was normal.

> I had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours, and finally heard from

the nurse. She said that I am skipping beats, but it also showed that

my heart was racing....I said, but I was sent here because my heart

rate was too slow, so she is having me come in Tuesday to have the

cardiologist go over the test results with me.

> After hearing from my primary care doc, she said that my THS level

is even lower than the last time, and that I am getting too much

thyroid....I am wondering if it is because of the switch to the

generic, but the pharmacist disagrees.....any suggestions?

>

> I am happy to be seeing the cardiologist to go over the results, as

she herself has Grave's disease, and so maybe she can lead me to a

good doctor.

> Thanks,

> Candace

> PS I am 57

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, yes -- if you are talking about the link to the article on how

antibodies can skew our thyroid tests, it is:

http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/44/3/440

If you want to download an easily printable version of the article,

click the Full text [pdf] link that appears on the right of the page.

There are also links to other interesting articles on thyroid tests

that cite this article at the bottom of the page.

I'm wondering if they updated it because I thought I remember it as

focusing more on how it skews the TSH before, now it seems to me it's

talking about potential misinformation in all the tests... it's late

though..

In any case, you may have subclinical hypothyroidism, where your tests

look normal but you are still hypothyroid.

>

> I am sorry, is it possible for you to send me the link?

>

> Thanks,

> Candace

>

[Guest guest]

,

I think I have subclinical hypothyroidism b/c my tests looked normal, but I have hypothyroid symtpoms which my endo dismissed as due to something else and sent me back to the internist. What can I do to get the doctors to recognize this?

I reviewed my last two thyroid tests and noticed the doctor did a

TSH, Free T 3 and Free T4, but this time she ordered a T3 and T4. I see the internist next week and do not know if I should ask for a lab slip for a Free T3 and Free T4 or just have the TSH, T3 and T4 done.

Nan

In any case, you may have subclinical hypothyroidism, where your tests

look normal but you are still hypothyroid.

[Guest guest]

Armour and Cytomel caused me to have a 19 TSH. The high TSH caused hypothyroid partial paralysis. After being switched to Levoxyl, my TSH dropped and the paralysis disappeared.

Nan

Nan,

What do you mean that Armour and cytomel cause paralysis. i have never heard this before. Can you explain more and point me where to read up on this/

Deb

[Guest guest]

Candace,

Your story could be mine. While under anesthesia for a gyn preceedure my heart went haywire. I was awaken from anesthesia and sent to a cardiologist. He diagnosed me with mitra value. He said I probably was born with it and would live a long life since I passed all the tests with flying colors.

Several year later, I began experiencing chest pain, palpitations, skipped heart beats, etc. I was sent to an endo who said it was stress. A new cardiologist did every test, which came back okay. Then, I got lucky. I was due to undergo knee surgery and sent to an internist that looked at my thyroid tests results and said the symptoms were due to taking too much thyroid medication. When the medication was decreased, my symptoms disappeared.

Then, the old symptoms and new ones reappeared. I saw a gastro for stomach and swallowing difficulties. Although all these tests were negative, he prescribed several medications. The gastro medication did not work. After being dx with hashimoto. I asked him if my symptoms were hash related. He said no, but when the thyroid medication was regulated my stomach and swallowing problems disappeared.

According to ortho doctors, my nueropathy, carpal tunnel, etc are not due to hashimoto. The eye doctor does not think the eye problems are either. Now I hand a copy of hashimoto symptoms to each doctor I see.

Here is another story that might interest you. On Monday, the eye doctor's assistant told me her brother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, which he did not have. He had a goiter and hashimoto.

I can not take genetic medication. Unbeknownst to me, my pharmacist switched me to a genetic, and I started experiencing adverse side effects. We could not figure out what was going on until we learned by accident about the switch. Now my doctor checks off no substitute on the prescription. Different brands/genetics contain different fillers that bind the active ingredients together. Some people have no problem with this, I do. For some unknown reason, my body is sensitive to the change.

I agreed with the other member who said .75 of synthroid is a low dose. To relieve the hypothryoid paralysis, I was place on .75 mcg of thyroid medication. The doctor warned me I would feel lousy and I did. I lack energy, enthusiasm, strength, and had mood swings, etc. It took two more medication increases before my vital signs returned to normal.

I suggest seeing an endocrinologist but do not know if your primary doctor will go for that.

Good luck,

Nan

Hi Everyone,

Not a new member here, but need some help. I have Hashimotos and have been diagnosed with it for over ten years now, but I still have a lot of problems.

My THS level is always a little low, but the doc and I decided that I feel better on .75 instead of .50...( sorry Synthyroid)

In February of this year, I went to see the doc to refill my prescription, but I also complained to her that I was feeling extremely fatigued. We thought that perhaps it was the thyroid, but she said it could also be stress that I was dealing with.

In March the pharmacist switched me to generic synthroid.

I went to see the gastrologist about three weeks ago, and while I was there, he was concerned about my heart rate....it was 42, and he said it was slow when I had seen him in the fall. He had me see my primary care doctor as soon as I left his office, and she put me on an EKG machine, and did another blood work up She said that I was skipping beats, and made an appointment for me to see a cardiologist. The cardiologist said I was skipping beats, but my heart rate was normal while there, and scheduled me for a stress test, which was normal.

I had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours, and finally heard from the nurse. She said that I am skipping beats, but it also showed that my heart was racing....I said, but I was sent here because my heart rate was too slow, so she is having me come in Tuesday to have the cardiologist go over the test results with me.

After hearing from my primary care doc, she said that my THS level is even lower than the last time, and that I am getting too much thyroid....I am wondering if it is because of the switch to the generic, but the pharmacist disagrees.....any suggestions?

I am happy to be seeing the cardiologist to go over the results, as she herself has Grave's disease, and so maybe she can lead me to a good doctor.

Thanks,

Candace

PS I am 57

[Guest guest]

Hi, Nan -- the best thing to do is to find a doctor who is open-minded

and explain your symptoms and that you think you may have subclinical

hypoT. You can print and leave that article with them--there are

tables with case studies where people weren't treated with enough

thyroid due to inaccurate tests.

Also, always keep a copy of your own tests--doctors have to give them

to you and it's just easier to track what is going on and if you have

to change doctors. I personally haven't found the total T3/T4 to be

any less accurate for me than the free T3/free T4. I've read the T3/T4

is less accurate for those on birth control. And honestly, who knows

if any of them are accurate, if you read that article, there's a

chance with Hashis patients that any could be skewed. They are a tool

but ultimately, you have to go by how you feel.

Remember if a doc doesn't order the tests you want, you can get them

yourself on healthcheckusa.com

A resource for thyroid docs is Shomon's top docs:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/index.htm

You might want to ask about getting your adrenals tested too.

>

> ,

>

> I think I have subclinical hypothyroidism b/c my tests looked

normal, but I

> have hypothyroid symtpoms which my endo dismissed as due to

something else and

> sent me back to the internist. What can I do to get the doctors to

> recognize this?

>

> I reviewed my last two thyroid tests and noticed the doctor did a

> TSH, Free T 3 and Free T4, but this time she ordered a T3 and T4. I

see the

> internist next week and do not know if I should ask for a lab slip

for a Free

> T3 and Free T4 or just have the TSH, T3 and T4 done.

>

> Nan

>

>

> > In any case, you may have subclinical hypothyroidism, where your tests

> > look normal but you are still hypothyroid.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I meant docs have to give you a copy of your tests *if you ask

for them*...

>

> Also, always keep a copy of your own tests--doctors have to give them

> to you and it's just easier to track what is going on and if you h