Wellness

[addiegal]

There is a difference for many between the brands and the generics. It is probably the fillers used. I felt okay on the brand Synthroid but my hair and nails were terrible and I just seem to do better on Levoxyl, both are the same active medicine but the fillers are probably the problem. I do chose to take the name brands in my thyroid hormones. But if you feel well on generics good and thats what is best for you, we're all individuals with different reactions.

[Ann52]

I've taken synthroid/levothyroxine for 40 years. Never had any problems.

[SusyQ22a]

On 8/6/2014 Ann52 said:

I've taken synthroid/levothyroxine for 40 years. Never had any problems.

I'm happy for you and I hope once I get past this bad patch I can say the same.

[Boomerdotty]

I have Graves and just started taking Levothyroxine three months ago. I was initially put on 88 mcg and was lowered to 50 mcg my last visit. I can feel the day to day exhaustion and muscle weakness starting again. My script said brand necessary but the pharmacist wasn't comfortable fulfilling due to the past recall. I've had some itching and an outbreak in a psoriasis rash. Things seem to be calming down but I do feel I need an adjustment to meds. The last few years my hair has been fine and brittle. I started putting a few pumps of wen tea tree in as a leave in conditioner after washing and it did wonders for my hair - it got thicker and much less breakage (I didn't use it as a shampoo). Good luck and best wishes to everyone!

[addiegal]

On 8/6/2014 Reggie said: My script said brand necessary but the pharmacist wasn't comfortable fulfilling due to the past recall.

Was your prescription for Levoxyl? It was recalled last year due to odor caused it appeared by the moisture packets used in the bottles distributed to pharmacies. It was not recalled at the consumer level only from the pharmacies. It is back on the market and I have no problem with it...didn't with it before the recall. The pharmacist should have filled it according to your doctor's instructions. Or was it another brand? Haven't checked for other recalls.

[Silkeej]

A question for those of you who have been taking this medicine for awhile, I just recently was prescribed Synthroid and my instructions were to take it on a empty stomach and wait a half hour before eating breakfast, can I have coffee in the meantime or should I not? And I was told after the half hour have breakfast and then take my high blood pressure medicine and water pill. Am I doing it right? I really don't want any problems with this new med. Any help would be most appreciated.

[misschristy]

I take synthroid and have for years. Without it I would have no energy. I don't have any side effects. Just a word of caution - just because something is called "natural" doesn't mean you can't have side effects. Natural products can make you sick or even kill you. People take herbs and things without knowing what they will do to them.

When you are taking a drug like synthroid, your doctor needs to check your blood levels, usually a couple of times a year. Adjustments can then be made if needed. The poster who had breathing issues may have had too strong a dose of both types she took, or maybe is allergic to both substances.

I'm sure people taking the natural substance aren't having their levels checked which is not a good thing to neglect.

Hemlock is a natural substance too - just to make a point.

The person who said the dosage on her Armour is a non issue sounds like she is playing with fire. Dosage for the thyroid is very important - hence the blood tests. Thyroid meds are hard for the body to absorb and Synthroid is the best at absorption. Just to self prescribe a "natural" medication is not wise and I'm typing this so people don't blindly think this is the thing to do.

My aunt went to some quack who had people hold glass vials to see what they were allergic to. Then he would touch their other hand to see if he felt anything. It was ridiculous. He also told her that Synthroid only works for a few years, which is absolutely not true. If it stopped working on me, I would be laying in bed 24/7 with no energy. He was a "natural" herbalist and he probably caused a lot of harm to people. I'm not saying natural is always bad, but you need to be monitored no matter what natural substance you are taking if it is taking the place of meds. There are a lot of quacks out there who will dole out any kind of "natural" substance to make money. You need to be sure that if you want a consultation with someone like that, that they are reputable and conscientious and have a good education in that field.

[SusyQ22a]

On 8/6/2014 Craftie said:

A question for those of you who have been taking this medicine for awhile, I just recently was prescribed Synthroid and my instructions were to take it on a empty stomach and wait a half hour before eating breakfast, can I have coffee in the meantime or should I not? And I was told after the half hour have breakfast and then take my high blood pressure medicine and water pill. Am I doing it right? I really don't want any problems with this new med. Any help would be most appreciated.

Hi Craftie,

You can have coffee after the 30 min. I was told to wait one hour before eating after taking the pill. I also have started taking it when I wake up during the night (like 3:30 AM - I consistently wake up at that time to go to the bathroom) and then by the time I wake up I can eat right away. You can take your pill after the time has passed.

[fanb]

On 6/21/2014 emmiesmom said:

On 6/21/2014 pistolino said:

It is SO difficult to find a doctor who will entertain the concept of anything but Synthroid. My last attempt went like this:<br /> <br /> Me: I want to talk about maybe switching to Armour Thyroid, I don't feel good on the Synthroid.<br /> <br /> Him: Your TSH is normal.<br /> <br /> Me: 3.2 is NOT normal for me. TSH by itself isn't an indicator of how the thyroid works anyway.<br /> <br /> Him. Armour is pig.<br /> <br /> Me: What?<br /> <br /> Him: It's pig.<br /> <br /> Me: And?<br /> <br /> Him: I'm not giving you Armour.<br /> <br /> <br /> This is the kind of conversation I have with doctors. It's ridiculous and depressing.

I know about these doctors, I was at a forum this morning where other women had the same experience. They ended up finding a new doctor, or insisting and they got their script. I would tell you what I found out about this, but the snarks would come out. Lets just say the bottom line is about money~ Good luck!

The giant pharma Abbott Labs ran a campaign against natural thyroid when they came out with Synthroid

[emmysmom]

On 8/7/2014 fanb said:

On 6/21/2014 emmiesmom said:

On 6/21/2014 pistolino said:

It is SO difficult to find a doctor who will entertain the concept of anything but Synthroid. My last attempt went like this:<br /> <br /> Me: I want to talk about maybe switching to Armour Thyroid, I don't feel good on the Synthroid.<br /> <br /> Him: Your TSH is normal.<br /> <br /> Me: 3.2 is NOT normal for me. TSH by itself isn't an indicator of how the thyroid works anyway.<br /> <br /> Him. Armour is pig.<br /> <br /> Me: What?<br /> <br /> Him: It's pig.<br /> <br /> Me: And?<br /> <br /> Him: I'm not giving you Armour.<br /> <br /> <br /> This is the kind of conversation I have with doctors. It's ridiculous and depressing.

I know about these doctors, I was at a forum this morning where other women had the same experience. They ended up finding a new doctor, or insisting and they got their script. I would tell you what I found out about this, but the snarks would come out. Lets just say the bottom line is about money~ Good luck!

The giant pharma Abbott Labs ran a campaign against natural thyroid when they came out with Synthroid

Good to know, thanks!