Re: Hypothyroid Generics - Efficacy Issues? - Page 2

tends2dogs · ‎05-08-2010

@Bird mama When I was initially put on Armour, I wasn't having the typical symptoms either. My main complaint was that I felt flat, mentally. Not happy, not sad, just flat. I wasn't overweight or losing hair. They started me on Armour before all my test results were back. It made a MAJOR difference in my mental status.

I have been to two other doctors since because I needed a doctor closer than Grand Rapids. Being 72, I just need to have access to a doctor that is tied to a hospital that is local. No, I don't live in Grand Rapids. I had a local doctor (long gone) that was was always checking out and learning about alternative and better means of medicine. He sent me to Born because I refused to have anymore mammograms. I have been getting breast thermography for 20 years. This is where and when I began taking Armour.

Anyway, the other two doctors I have seen have/had NO problem writing me for Armour. There was no head spinning or smirking. Had there been, I would have looked for another provider. Also, neither doctor have had issues with thermography over mammogram. I guess you have to stand your ground for your own care. After all, I feel it is my body. I would rather use something natural over synthetic any day. My counters are full of the homeopathic remedies that we use. Even our vet uses them.

Earlier this year when I flipped into hyper (thyroid storm) I did lose hair, but that wasn't the worst of it. I thought I was having a heart attack. I had chest spasms that ran across my chest and up my neck. After all the tests were run, I was told that it wasn't my heart, all was well there. I went off my thryroid meds and had relief within 24 hours. My TSH was off the charts.

It can be a back and forth thing getting the right dose, but when you hit on it, what a difference it makes in your life and health.

I laughed about your mascara story. Happy you were able to grab your mascara and make it back up.

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!

PINKdogWOOD · ‎05-13-2010

@foxywoods I was doagnosed with the same as you about 5 maybe six yrs ago, on levo as you too. I was actually hooked up my Endo referred to her from a NP I was seeing for annual pap appts. I'm surprised your Endo hasn't taken you on as a regular annual patient. I see mine every year for labs prior to seeing her, then going over not only results but she is pretty darn thorough in other health matters. After the years we've been working together my hypothyroid is under control and has been steady for 3 years.

PINKdogWOOD · ‎05-13-2010

@foxywoods I never thought about reactions to different brands of what I take. I've had the Mylan brand you noted fairly often too. I know brands change at my cvs too, not sure how or why this happens unless it's all about the money. The brand I have now is different too, the outer coating is weird, very dry, hard to get down at times in fact.

I never thought about things like brands changing and hair loss because I have hair falling out too - hmm.

foxywoods · ‎05-28-2010

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
@foxywoods I never thought about reactions to different brands of what I take. I've had the Mylan brand you noted fairly often too. I know brands change at my cvs too, not sure how or why this happens unless it's all about the money. The brand I have now is different too, the outer coating is weird, very dry, hard to get down at times in fact.

I never thought about things like brands changing and hair loss because I have hair falling out too - hmm.

@PINKdogWOOD I have cycle of hair sheds but the worst was last year in May and the hairloss was constant until February when CVS subbed the Mylan for Amneal [ the Amneal is a hard round tablet like the Lannet I used get] CVS did not advise abou the Mylan recall either - I stumbled on that info - I go on Reddit quite often and I found that on one of their thyroid subs. I take Protonix (pantoprazole) as well so may be the Protonix as well?

Mylan levo was recalled because of potency issues in Dec 2024. The new generic from MsLeod is football shaped purple and soft, just like the one from Mylan.

I'm feeling a bit sluggish too since the changeover to the new generic. I've always read about not switching generics of 1. Thyroid meds and 2. Anti-convulsants. Pharmacists like to tell me it makes no difference but I my reply is you aren't taking these med, I DO and yes there is a difference in how my body reacts.

Thinking about switching to another pharmacy. Or maybe mail order.

foxywoods · ‎05-28-2010

@PINKdogWOOD wrote:
@foxywoods I was doagnosed with the same as you about 5 maybe six yrs ago, on levo as you too. I was actually hooked up my Endo referred to her from a NP I was seeing for annual pap appts. I'm surprised your Endo hasn't taken you on as a regular annual patient. I see mine every year for labs prior to seeing her, then going over not only results but she is pretty darn thorough in other health matters. After the years we've been working together my hypothyroid is under control and has been steady for 3 years.

@PINKdogWOOD Endos are scarce in these parts and the only reason I got to see her was 2 bad Parathyroids needed to be removed, I had abnormal PTH levels and high blood calcium levels - this depleted calcium in my bones. My PCP referred the endo and she agreed to see me within 4 weeks last year and then I had the para surgery 4 months later. I'll ask my PCP next week how to proceed. I'll get a full thyroid panel as well .

KLm · ‎12-03-2010

I'm late to this discussion. Missed it yesterday when scrolling through topics.

I alternate NP thyroid with a compounded T3/T4 capsule. NP one day, the capsule the other. This has been a challenge for some of my care teams over the years to conceptualize.

I've done this for more years than I can remember. My doc switched me from Armour to NP several years ago. Said NP was better. My bloodwork shows stable numbers.

FatCatinCT · ‎07-14-2019

Firstly, thyroid and parathyroids are two different animals. Parathyroid regulates the calcium and parathyroid hormone, hence why you have osteo. I have had 3.5 parathyroids removed due to hyperplasia.

Hashimotos, PCP's usually only do TSH and T4 not thyroid antibodies which diagnose Hashimotos which is autoimmune thryoid.

I have been on Armour, Naturethroid and then finally name brand Synthroid. It is the name brand Synthroid that was the golden ticket for me. I could never get optimal on the natural meds (pig thyroid and pigs are raised in horrific conditions and can very from script to script) and my endocrinologist does not care for the generic synthroid as pharmacy's often change out vendors for lower cost and the active ingredient varies from vendor to vendor.

foxywoods · ‎05-28-2010

@FatCatinCT wrote:
Firstly, thyroid and parathyroids are two different animals. Parathyroid regulates the calcium and parathyroid hormone, hence why you have osteo. I have had 3.5 parathyroids removed due to hyperplasia.
Hashimotos, PCP's usually only do TSH and T4 not thyroid antibodies which diagnose Hashimotos which is autoimmune thryoid.
I have been on Armour, Naturethroid and then finally name brand Synthroid. It is the name brand Synthroid that was the golden ticket for me. I could never get optimal on the natural meds (pig thyroid and pigs are raised in horrific conditions and can very from script to script) and my endocrinologist does not care for the generic synthroid as pharmacy's often change out vendors for lower cost and the active ingredient varies from vendor to vendor.

@FatCatinCT yes, I understand they are different... original post was not clear.

Endocrine surgeon removed two bad parathyroid glands . then explored the thyroid glands as well. surgical note observed and sectioned enlarged lymph nodes/ possible Hashimoto's Dx.

PCP ordered antibody so we'll see.