Wellness

[Sooner]

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

[dsky]

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.  

[NickNack]

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.  

[Annabellethecat66]

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.

[jlkz]

@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.

[Sherryl]

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. 

[Hooty]

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!

[Sooner]

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

[Annabellethecat66]

@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.

[x Hedge]

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.