topic Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost? in Wellness

Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Sooner — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 22:55:26 GMT

My friends were discussing this, so I thought I'd see what you have to say. They didn't agree on an answer! LOL!!!

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

dsky — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:09:49 GMT

I use to use Synthroid for many years, then switched to another name brand that was discontinued, then about 8 years ago or so I started on the generic, never had an issue and go every year to get blood work and all is good, nothing has been changed with my prescription.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

NickNack — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:22:44 GMT

I have taken Levoxyl and am now taking levothyroxine. I believe Levoxyl is another brand name of Synthroid, and levothyroxine is the generic. My blood work is always good and has been since we got the correct dosage soon after I started taking it many years ago. I've probably been taking this for twenty years and have also had my thyroid removed.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:29:11 GMT

I had my thyroid removed almost 3 years ago. The surgeon is a specialist in removing specifically thyroids all things vocal and throat.

The endocrinologist that I go to has said "No generics". The Surgeon said, "No generics".

My one daughter had 1/2 of her thyroid removed in Denver. She said "No generics". Her endocrinologist said, "No generics".

My oldest daughter goes to an endocrinologist and he says, "No generics".

I haven't met anyone who takes generics. Not just family members but acquaintances.

I'm just telling you about my experience. I admit I have a bias about generics. I have friends who are pharmacists and several have said, "Not all generics are alike. Buyer beware".

Just telling you my experience. Go and read about generics but don't just go on the front page of google (people pay to be on the front page). Go deep and read about it.

Generics are good (well, OK, on some things, not so good on others).

I need that little blue pill to live. I'm not taking any chances.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

jlkz — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:41:51 GMT

@Annabellethecat66

I have been on Synthroid since 1980 after a hysterectomy. My pill is gray. My doctor also said no generics.

one side effect: it thickens the eyelids after many years. This became a problem as my eyes would close looking at a monitor, driving, or reading which I seriously curtailed then.

21 years later, I am again facing another eyelid procedure.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Sherryl — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:44:26 GMT

I tried generic brands of thyroid medicine and none of them worked for me. I take Armour Thyroid medication (insurance companies do not cover this one). The generic medicines are not all alike. I tried many of them. I would suggest that you take the one that works best for you.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Hooty — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:54:21 GMT

I had my thyroid removed about 20 yrs ago (radio active pill) and I have been on Thyroxine (Generic for Synthroid), my insurance will only pay for the generic! Thyroid problems are hereditary and run on my mother's side of the family. I opted for the pill, I did not want a scar that looked like my throat had been slit!

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Sooner — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:56:58 GMT

LOTS of different experiences here. I am interested myself and will pass these along to my friends.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:57:58 GMT

@jlkz Thanks for the information. I had no idea about the eyelid side effect.

As you can tell, I talk to strangers. I'll be at the bank and before I know it I'm telling them 'stuff' and they're telling me 'stuff'...Hummm??

Anyway, I've met a surprising number of people on Synthroid. I've never met anyone who takes generics. They all say their Dr said to NOT take generics.

I'll ask the endo Dr when I see him. Mine is blue and I believe it's 150 taken 1X a day.

I'm terrible about taking pills (hate them due to drawbacks), but you'd better believe I take that pill.

Something you might find interesting. So, my youngest daughter (soon 38) went to an endo Dr (because of family history). He sent her to a surgeon and due to her age and that it would be more difficult to have children, they only took out 1/2 of it.

But that half was a doozy. Can you believe the surgeon said the mass was the size of an orange! Yepper! There were no signs of it when you looked at her. She's not overweight and doesn't have a full face so we have no idea how it could have been in there.

She's a skier (just last weekend broke her Tibia in 2 places), a hiker, goes fishing and paddle boarding, you name it.

So, her first hike she said was amazing! She lives in Denver and was finding it difficult to keep up with her boyfriend. She said she noticed immediately her breathing was much better (I'll bet). Ha!

Now they're talking about taking out the other half. Not looking forward to that. First she has to heal from this fiasco. Her surgeon in Vale where she fell is one of the Drs for the US ski Olympic team. I told her....just be glad it happened there and not in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (the week before, or New Mexico (the week before that) and so on.

There's always an upside...right? Take care.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

x Hedge — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:10:11 GMT

I took Synthroid for years. Never felt quite right with it, even though the labs were OK.

I was finally able to switch to generic levothyroxine, and used a few brands before I was given Sandoz levothyroxine. I know they're all supposed to be bio equivalent, but with levo made by Sandoz pharmaceuticals I finally felt good.

I've had Sandoz for many years, until this last January when I had to settle for another brand of levo. I took it for about 30 days, then went in for lab work.

My numbers were horribly low, it was as though I'd completely stopped taking Levothyroxine.

I explained I'd taken my thyroid pill daily like always, but I never did as well with any other brand. For some reason my uptake of other brands just wasn't the same.

My doctor has now written Must be Sandoz brand into my prescription.

Bottom line, generic or not isn't important. Just take the one that works best for you.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 23:59:43 GMT

@jlkz I neglected to tell you please let us know when you're having your procedure.

I believe in the power of prayer and I think there are many here who'd like to say a few prayers that GOD will look over you. I know you'll be fine but ....well...I like it when people remember me...right?

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

jlkz — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:04:36 GMT

@Annabellethecat66

Will be done later this year hopefully. When I get home from FL later this month, I will have the second cataract removed.

It’s amazing how aging brings out so many little surprises ! All of a sudden I need a dermatologist to deal with skin tags and rough patches on the trunk. Made the appointment now...for a June1 opening. Have to call daily to get moved up into cancelled slots !

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Bird mama — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:06:11 GMT

@Sooner I'm in my 3rd or 4th year of thyroid disease and have only taken brand name Synthroid. At the time I was first prescribed it, my physician prescribed brand name. Of course, my insurance had the clause that I try generics first and if they didn't work then they would pay for brand name Synthroid.

I asked my doctor why she went with brand name (before I agreed to pay the difference, lol). She said the recipe is the same every time with brand name. She said that generics have the active ingredient but the rest of the recipe can vary depending on the generics manufacturer.

I don't like doctors and wanted to minimize having to go back for repeating testing of my levels so I went with brand name and stayed with it.

I've been on the same dose all of this time. Now is that because I'm using brand name? I don't know. I'm not risking it.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:10:18 GMT

@jlkz I agree. The every day upkeep is crazy! I get a kick out of young people who do so many things to keep up their looks. (Just like I used to do and think it's great).

However, now we do things just to keep the old body moving. Ha!

I'm not complaining. I always am grateful I have the time, money and sense to be able to do these things just to keep (I'm waving my hands over my body) all THIS (whatever THIS is) going. Not exactly like the energizer battery....but one that needs recharging....Ha!

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Icegoddess — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:14:56 GMT

Really, the only difference is the binders and fillers used. By law (per the FDA's website), the amount of therapeutic medicine must be exactly the same. However, due to the difference in binders/fillers how much is actually absrobed can vary (up to a certain percentage). Also, different people might have sensitivities to the different binders/fillers which can go either way. Some may do better on one while others do better on the other.

You can look at it like the Pillsbury cherry pie winner teilling you that her recipe uses exactly 2 cups cherries, but nothing else. Now, try to recreate the pie.

I'm on a FB hypo group where this is discussed at length on a regular basis and you will get different answers depending on what works for different people. Some will tell you it must be name brand. Some will tell you it need to be an NDT, not synthetic.

Personally, I'll be the one person who will tell you I can see no difference between generic and name-brand. I have been on both depending on what my insurance will cover. I'm quite active and healthy. I just take my pill every morning and forget about it.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

cherry — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:21:04 GMT

The only thing I can take is Armour a natural thyroid from cows and pigs. All the lab made stuff makes me terribly sick

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

sfnative — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:21:04 GMT

@Sooner

Hi Sooner,

As at least one other poster mentioned, binders and fillers are the primary difference.

Though this does not create an issue for the majority of people placed on the generic version, there is a small patient population who have a reaction to those binders and fillers. One such person was a good friend of mine and she ended up going into a "thyroid storm," which is extremely dangerous and life threatening. However, she was and is in the greatest of minorities, in that she must take Synthroid, not the generic.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

Sweetbay magnolia — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:23:01 GMT

My thyroid disease has been diagnosed for 30 years.

What matters to my well-being is many things, including correct dosage, which has varied over the years. Not much, but anyone who has this disease knows how important just a fraction makes. Low reading? Too much. High reading? Not enough.

I currently take levothyroxine (generic) at two different strengths, on different days. I'm diligent about when/how I take it and right now I feel good. That could change. It has before.

I don't insist on a formulation. A diseased thyroid is always that. Diseased.

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

ECBG — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:23:53 GMT

@Annabellethecat66wrote:
@jlkz I agree. The every day upkeep is crazy! I get a kick out of young people who do so many things to keep up their looks. (Just like I used to do and think it's great).

However, now we do things just to keep the old body moving. Ha!

I'm not complaining. I always am grateful I have the time, money and sense to be able to do these things just to keep (I'm waving my hands over my body) all THIS (whatever THIS is) going. Not exactly like the energizer battery....but one that needs recharging....Ha!

@Annabellethecat66,OH MY GOSH!!!!! YOU ARE SUCH A HOOT!!!!!!!

Re: Synthroid vs. generics: Worth the difference in cost?

ruthbe — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:42:23 GMT

I realized this is not regarding synthroid. But is my experience with certain medications. I am on the medication lamotrigine for depression. When I refilled my prescription filled it with a different maker. Supposedly same compound. I was on the medication for 3 weeks. Saw my psychiatrist and was a mess. After a lengthy discussion, she discovered this change. She said I was her 4th patient in the past week that was having difficulty because of the change in manufacturer with lamotrigine.

She contacted Walgreens, and I got a new prescription for the old brand. Took a couple of weeks but I started to feel better.

Same medication, supposedly same compound, but different manufacturer. And different results. But I think this is something that after research you should discuss with your doctor and you should feel totally comfortable with.