Community Chat

[kittymomNC]

SusyQ, I'm sorry you have to deal with the hypothyroidism, but please don't let it scare you too much. It sometimes takes a while and rechecking blood work a couple of times to get exactly the right dosage of your medication. I've been taking the brand name Synthroid for about 20 years, which does the same thing as yours. I've thought about changing to the generic levothyroxine because it would be cheaper--the reason I haven't is because according to my doctors, all generics don't work exactly the same as the brand, especially because of the sensitivity of the thyroid gland and other glands involved. That doesn't mean the generic does not do the job just as well, just that the dosage may need to be slightly different. They said I would have to start out again with a recommended dose and do periodic blood work to get to the correct dosage of the generic--it would be like starting all over again. And as the old saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

They will re-check your numbers to make sure you get to the right dose, because too much could possibly cause you a rapid heartbeat, but too little wouldn't correct your problem. I've never had a problem with taking the thyroid medication, but one thing you might ask your doctor about is over-the-counter meds, such as decongestants and some others. Some of these, when taken with the thyroid medication, can enhance the effects of your medicine, which you do need to be careful of. Over the years, you may have to have your dosage adjusted, but that's normal.

BTW, I used to look up everything online and scare myself all the time. I don't do that any more - just read the leaflet that comes with your meds and follow your doctor's instructions. If you want to understand more about how your thyroid works with your other glands, that won't be so scary, but it's very informative. It's kind of like a circle, between the hypothalamus gland, the pituitary gland, and the thyroid gland, with different glands telling the others how much hormones they need to make. You will learn the different hormones that your doctor will be checking, like TSH levels, T3 and T4, and how they relate. I don't know about you, but I like understanding things like this because it can help you sometimes in discussing it with your doctor.

Hope everything goes well for you.

[Qlady100]

Please stop worrying and stop reading ! You are scaring yourself to death !

Don't do all of that research, it's meant to scare you. Trust your doctor and pharmacists.

I've been taking it daily for almost 29 years, with absolutely no problems. And I have heart disease, diabetes, and kidney problems.

It's fine, relax, take your pill, relax, go about your day.

[sylviahomeatlast]

my endocrinologist prescribes Synthroid instead of the generic----I've taken it for 15 years---I am a lightweight and have trouble maintaining a proper level

[sylviahomeatlast]

there have been times when I go from one strength to another on alternating days----m y dr keeps good track and I feel healthy----I have blood tests every 3-4 months

[gidgetgh]

I've taken this drug for 21 years with no problems. However, I take the brand version, Synthroid, instead of the generic. I've always been told to take the brand for this drug instead of the generic so that's what I've always done.

They may have to tweak your doses to get it exactly right for your body. If you take too high a dose then you might notice some side effects till they readjust the dose. They started very low on me and then raised it and it was too much so they lowered it a little and that was my perfect dose.

As pitdakota said, it's a synthetic version of the natural hormone you body is (or should be) producing. I'll be honest, when they told me I had to start it and take it the rest of my life, I didn't want to. But I did and it's no big deal.

I take it every morning as soon as I wake up and then wait an hour (or close to) to eat. I usually eat breakfast at 7:30 so I make sure I take the Synthroid by 6:30. Easy.

[LilacTree]

On 7/25/2014 gidgetgoeshawaiian said:

I've taken this drug for 21 years with no problems. However, I take the brand version, Synthroid, instead of the generic. I've always been told to take the brand for this drug instead of the generic so that's what I've always done.

They may have to tweak your doses to get it exactly right for your body. If you take too high a dose then you might notice some side effects till they readjust the dose. They started very low on me and then raised it and it was too much so they lowered it a little and that was my perfect dose.

As pitdakota said, it's a synthetic version of the natural hormone you body is (or should be) producing. I'll be honest, when they told me I had to start it and take it the rest of my life, I didn't want to. But I did and it's no big deal.

I take it every morning as soon as I wake up and then wait an hour (or close to) to eat. I usually eat breakfast at 7:30 so I make sure I take the Synthroid by 6:30. Easy.

I also take Synthroid, never the generic. There is a big difference. I have been taking it for over 25 years with no problem. I've only had to change the dose once or twice.

[ahoymate]

On 7/24/2014 SusyQ22a said: Most of the info I have read says you have to take this med at the same time each morning with a full glass of water. Also you have to wait 30 min to an hour before eating. My doctor and pharmacist also gave me these directions. I have also read that if you don't take it at the same time the meds won't work. Do you follow those guidelines? I have all the classic signs of hypothyroidism and all this time I just thought I was lazy and depressed. I have to go back to the doctor in 8 weeks to see how it's working. It seems from comments and reviews that most people switch from it and go to synthroid.

Relax, trust your MD. Take the medication. Everything has side effects. I take mine at night. No big deal. Get over it and enjoy life!

[depglass]

A possible side effect is not a definite side effect. Some of these affect only a tiny percentage of users.

[nlwilliams]

I've been on this med for about 2 years, since my thyroid surgery. You have to follow the instructions to the tee, and if you have side effects contact your Doctor, the dosage will have to be adjusted until you reach the proper TSH levels. I had these symptoms when I first started because the Dr started with a higher dosage due to removal of my thyroid, and it was adjusted. I have gone through several adjustments, one most recently until my levels are on point. My blood test come in and the level are exactly on point. So hopefully this will be the last one. Overall no drastic issues. Hang in there its a process. It'll be fine.

[kittymomNC]

On 7/24/2014 SusyQ22a said: Most of the info I have read says you have to take this med at the same time each morning with a full glass of water. Also you have to wait 30 min to an hour before eating. My doctor and pharmacist also gave me these directions. I have also read that if you don't take it at the same time the meds won't work. Do you follow those guidelines? I have all the classic signs of hypothyroidism and all this time I just thought I was lazy and depressed. I have to go back to the doctor in 8 weeks to see how it's working. It seems from comments and reviews that most people switch from it and go to synthroid.

SusyQ, don't worry about whether or not you take it at exactly the same time every day, but you do need to take it on an empty stomach. There is a difference in how much is absorbed into your body if you have food in your stomach. As far as timing, when I was working, I took it every morning about 6:00 a.m. on weekdays, but on weekends, sometimes I didn't take it until 8-8:30 or so. Same thing now that I'm retired, some days I take it earlier than other days - it may vary by as much as an hour or two. Or, if you do eat before taking it, you need to wait a couple of hours before you take it. So don't worry yourself about taking it at exactly the same time every morning - an hour or two difference won't matter.