Wellness

[foxywoods]

I have Hashimotos according to the endocrine surgeon I had to remove 2 bad parathyroid in November '24. No other doctor ever mentioned Hashimotos. I had PCPs not specialists. My thyroid got blown out years ago, I've been on levo for 25yrs. Before levo I would fall asleep constantly, anywhere.  I would drift off in the car (as a passenger, not driving!)

The levothyroxine generics from the pharmacy are causing so many wierd side effects.  Mylan the brand CVS was giving had some efficacy issues which triggered a recall.  My hair had been falling out daily for over a year until the Mylan recall forced a change in generic.   The generic that replaced it (AMNEAL)  STOPPED my hair loss.  That generic got replaced(McLeod)  AGAIN with a different one. This new generic brand splinters when I cut it. (I take 37.mcg -have to split a 75mcg tab) so I'm getting spotty dosages. My hair started to fall out again and I get horrible brain stem hedaches every day.

Seeing my PCP next week. so  far my numbers have been normal however my MD is not a specialist. My endocrinologist is booked a year in advance, she only treated me due to my parathyroid problem which triggered osteoporosis)  

Does anyone here take Armour thyroid and  did it make a difference?

[Laura14]

I am a certified pharmacy tech so I say this with some knowledge. Generics have the same active ingredient, but different inactives which is why the side effects are all over the place. 

I can't give medical advice, but a symptom of hypothyroidism is hair loss so that may be a symptom of the dosage of the medication and not the medication itself. Something to consider while you are advocating. Thyroid meds are the hardest to dial in. 

You want to actually have a conversation with your pharmacist who knows more than those two medical professionals put together about medications and who the medical doctors are probably asking to answer your questions.

Start with your pharmacist and they can work with your doctors to suggest the dosage and generic brand that may help you the best. Pharmacists also have access to the compounding pharmacies which can specially combine certain combos and ingredients and dosages if you need to go that route for side effects, efficacy, or both. We kept a special thyroid med in stock for just such an individual at our pharmacy. 

It all starts with the medication specialist which is your pharmacist. The most underutilized free resource most of us never think of to use. Try it! 

Good Luck! 

[foxywoods]

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@Laura14 wrote:

I am a certified pharmacy tech so I say this with some knowledge. Generics have the same active ingredient, but different inactives which is why the side effects are all over the place. 

I can't give medical advice, but a symptom of hypothyroidism is hair loss so that may be a symptom of the dosage of the medication and not the medication itself. Something to consider while you are advocating. Thyroid meds are the hardest to dial in. 

You want to actually have a conversation with your pharmacist who knows more than those two medical professionals put together about medications and who the medical doctors are probably asking to answer your questions.

Start with your pharmacist and they can work with your doctors to suggest the dosage and generic brand that may help you the best. Pharmacists also have access to the compounding pharmacies which can specially combine certain combos and ingredients and dosages if you need to go that route for side effects, efficacy, or both. We kept a special thyroid med in stock for just such an individual at our pharmacy. 

It all starts with the medication specialist which is your pharmacist. The most underutilized free resource most of us never think of to use. Try it! 

Good Luck! 

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@Laura14  CVS won't help me.  They are the only game in town since Walgreens left. They get their meds from the cheapest suppliers.  I made a point of asking them to put AMNEAL as my preferred in my profile and they dispensed the McLeod anyway. They refuse to take back the bottle so I'm stuck for 90 days.

ed.  understand your points about pharmacists. The walgreens pharmacists were much more helpful.   but most of the ones at CVS only care about saving their corporate hides = $$$. 

[Bird mama]

@foxywoods  Hi, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2013.  My endocrinologist prescribed brand name Synthroid for me at the time and even though I worked for Blue Cross at the time I still got the shock of my life when I found out they only paid generics and I was on the hook for difference.  Well, let's just say they would pay name brand after you went through the rigamarole of trying generics, having them be a problem and then having your doctor say that brand name was the only way to go.

I called my endocrinologist from the Rite Aid (at that time) and said why the brand name?  She said having the same recipe (so to speak) from one manufacturer day in and out was better.  I paid the difference between generics and brand name for a couple of years.  Then I had a one year change in insurance where generic was all that they would pay - they didn't care if it worked for the patient or not.

My doctor started sending my RX to Eagle Pharmacy in Florida.  Insurance is not involved and my 90 day supply is under $90.  I've been on the same dose of synthroid (75 mcg) since 2013.

I suggested Armour thyroid to my endocrinologist about a year into my disease and I thought her head would spin off like the girl in the Exorcist movie.  I was ticked at the time because she was happy with my blood work and I said you know, not once have you asked how I feel?  This synthroid isn't cutting it.  As it turned out - I changed how I took it - at bedtime instead of first thing in the morning and it worked out.

I'm sorry that you are having so many issues.  I know nothing about Armour and wanted to share my experience with brand name Synthroid.

[foxywoods]

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@Bird mama wrote:

@foxywoods  Hi, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2013.  My endocrinologist prescribed brand name Synthroid for me at the time and even though I worked for Blue Cross at the time I still got the shock of my life when I found out they only paid generics and I was on the hook for difference.  Well, let's just say they would pay name brand after you went through the rigamarole of trying generics, having them be a problem and then having your doctor say that brand name was the only way to go.

I called my endocrinologist from the Rite Aid (at that time) and said why the brand name?  She said having the same recipe (so to speak) from one manufacturer day in and out was better.  I paid the difference between generics and brand name for a couple of years.  Then I had a one year change in insurance where generic was all that they would pay - they didn't care if it worked for the patient or not.

My doctor started sending my RX to Eagle Pharmacy in Florida.  Insurance is not involved and my 90 day supply is under $90.  I've been on the same dose of synthroid (75 mcg) since 2013.

I suggested Armour thyroid to my endocrinologist about a year into my disease and I thought her head would spin off like the girl in the Exorcist movie.  I was ticked at the time because she was happy with my blood work and I said you know, not once have you asked how I feel?  This synthroid isn't cutting it.  As it turned out - I changed how I took it - at bedtime instead of first thing in the morning and it worked out.

I'm sorry that you are having so many issues.  I know nothing about Armour and wanted to share my experience with brand name Synthroid.

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@Bird mama   yes that's my concern also, over the years the generic manf change and its best to stay with one manf.. I could not tolerate Synthroid (even though it is levothyroxine I got bad headaches)    I was on Levoxyl until maybe they went off-patent, they still made a generic. then something happened and it stopped being available? maybe 10 yrs ago or so . then had to go on Lannett's generic which was good, it worked. Then Mylan until the recall last year. My hair was falling off my head like rain from last May 2024 until February when I got the Amneal generic.  Happy Happy! felt great again.

I used to take my thyroid meds at night too. For many years, until like 16 yrs ago in the hospital the nurses told me to switch to dosing AM.  I hesitate to try at night because I take other meds at bedtime.

Armour thyroid is made from dessicated pig thyroids. 

[Sooner]

I take a generic and I take it at night because if I don't eat pretty soon after I get up I will get a migraine headache.  NOT doing that!  

[Icegoddess]

As far as I know, I don't have Hashimotos.  I've been taking Levothyroxine for years with no problem.  I think it's been Alvogen for quite awhile now.  Those pills dissolve in my throat.  

From comments I have read in some Hypothyroidism groups, about as many people complain about their endocrinologist as do the ones who complain about their PCP.  I don't have an Endo, and from what I've read from diabetics around here, none of the local Endo's are worth a darn.  

I think it's sorta the same with Armour vs Synthroid.  Some swear by one or the other and the other half had a terrible experience, so it seems to be very personal.  

Now, I can tell the difference immediately when they change my proton pump inhibitor on me.  But, there's nothing I can do about that.  I just have to take what the pharmacy gives me.  

[IMW]

Been on synthroid and the generic for 45 years. I have found no difference between brand name and generic.

[tends2dogs]

@foxywoods  I have been taking Armour for over 20 years.  I have Hashimotos, too.  The clinic I go to, Born Preventive Clinic in Grand  Rapids, is where I was diagnosed and treated.  They don't even consider a synthetic so I have never taken one.  I pay out of pocket for mine - insurance wouldn't cover.  I finally got them to pick up some of the cost when my doctor said this is what he wants me to take as it has worked for me for so long.  It wasn't much, but every bit helps.  

I am not sure how familiar you are with Hashimots vs hypothyroidism, but there is a difference.  One thing to know is that you can swing from hypo into hyper.  I have had that happen twice and it is not a good experience.  I am just getting back to normal after an episode this past winter.  I had to go off my Armour for 5 months.  

@Bird mama I had to laugh at your description of head spinning about Armour.  Too bad that doctors aren't more open minded.  I don't know if you are close to Born, but it may be worth your time to check them out.  I would drive over 2 hours for my check ups there.  They do bloodwork, but they treat more by how you feel.  

I have never been to an endocrinologist.  I have been satisfied with my care without seeing one.  

Losing your hair is a symptom of hypothyroidism.  Just because your numbers are in the normal parameters, they may not be normal for you.  If you are interested, check out the book called "Stop the Madness".  

[Bird mama]

@tends2dogs  I didn't gain weight and I didn't lose hair and to be honest I think that my thyroid was out of whack for a long time and I blamed it on being post menopausal.  You're in Grand Rapids Michigan?  I'm in SE Michigan.  I tired easily and didn't make much of it until I squatted down to look for brown mascara at a local Kmart and couldn't stand up - my legs were that weak.  I grabbed the mascara that I wanted because I was on the floor already and then got on my knees and stood up like a toddler if that makes any sense.

I asked for blood work at my next doctor appointment and there it was.  I sought out an endocrinologist in case anything ever went sideways and I needed surgery.

When I brought up the Armour and my endocrinologist looked like she was going to pass out I said, oh c'mon, as a woman you have to know about Premarin hormone replacement therapy.  Why is a medicine made from pregnant mares any different than a pig hormone. Why all the pig hate?

She did have enough shame to turn red and look down at her shoes.