Hypothyroidism Support Group

To make a very long story short, I accepted that depression and fatigue would always be a part of my life until a great, holistic-minded doctor diagnosed me as hypothyroid and put me on Cytomel. I thought nothing of it because I didn't know anything at the time about hypothyroidism. After two weeks, though, I felt like a new person! It took me a few days to connect the new "me" to the medication I was taking, and when I did I remember thinking, "Is THIS what it's like to feel like "other people"? I was just that astounded.

Years and other complications later, a new doc put me on synthroid. I just took her advice and switched, she said it was "better." Over time depression returned, I ws tested, told my results were "normal" and that I didn't need the meds anymore. After two weeks, I was spiraling into an overwhelming depression.

Went to another doc who said studies show that some folks testing "low normal" are helped with thyroid meds, so he put me back on it. Felt better, but not as good as before. Over the years I got worse, tests weren't helpful, and in desperation, and with another doc, I begged to be referred to an endocrinologist. He put me on synthroid and cytomel. Felt better for about 6 weeks then worse. I started wondering, as I'd heard of generic and nongeneric synthroid, if that could have anything to do with anything.

I have a daughter who suffered with HYPERthyroidism, and she had to have it removed. Afterward, she was prescribed NONgeneric synthroid, and explicitly told by her endo NOT to use generic synthroid. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the differences specifically. I came across a blurb somewhere about some tiny differences in the make-up of the two, but that's all. I can't trust what doctors say about it being "the same" (then why are there two of them, and why would a doctor say to only use nongeneric?). Does anyone here know anything about this, or have experience with the different synthroids? I'd be glad of any info!

@hopeinHim -- L-thyroxine -- T-4, is still T-4 no matter what it is called. the only difference between synthroid and levothyroxine is the fillers. i would have to check it out online again, but i think synthroid has sugar fillers while levothyroxine doesn't -- it has other fillers, like corn and the dextrose/cellulose ratios are different for each one. some people do really well on synthroid and not on levothyroxine, while others do really well on levothyroxine but not on synthroid.

one can also get T-4 through a compounding pharmacy and all the fillers can be removed -- with just the microcellulose and the T-4, which is how i was getting it.

there is a new liquid form of T-4 -- tirosint -- which has only been out since june or july of 2011. that one has ZERO fillers in it.

cytomel is T-3 [Triiodothyronine].

hope that helps.

a

As a pharmacy technician, I saw a few prescriptions for Synthroid where the doc specifically wanted synthroid and not levothyroxine. The difference is the fillers. Synthroid also has acacia in it, so if you have seasonal allergies or hay fever type issues, this might be a concern. Other than that, I know of no "real" differences. The active ingredients are the same. You apparently are in need of the T-3 and not just T-4. If you're not allergic to pork, maybe your doc would rx Armour which has both. Good luck!

Post edited by: drgnfli, at: 02/11/2012 06:08 AM

That was very useful information Annie. Thanks so much for taking the time to share that-I can discuss it with my current docs and see...you never know, sometimes the littlest things make the biggest difference!

Very interesting! I appreciate that information. I do have seasonal allergies (ragweed, at least) and that is in all my medical records, as they always ask about that on the forms you fill out for every new doctor. Would that affect me? My allergies aren't severe, but every spring and summer I get the sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, etc., so is that enough to make the synthroid contraindicated? I don't want to sound like a wacko to my docs, they already seem tired of me trying to play a part in my own health care, although I always heard that's what you're supposed to do!

Also, for anyone who is lactose intolerant, Levothyroxine contains lactose. It would obviously be a minute amount, but for some, it could still cause a sensitivity.

Tks drgnfli...for that info re levo contain lactose.

Long story short, after my peptic ulcer was fixed, my gastro was puzzled that I still have gastro issues, excess acid, reflux. Eventually they concluded that it is due to drug interactions. And they prescribed me with omeprazole to help with it. They don't know which one that caused it coz I'm taking few meds...now I know .

It's always nice to have answers.

I learned a lot from you guys. Bless to all.

I too am very allergic to ragweed and have seasonal allergies. I've been taking Synthroid for 2+ years. Unless you plan on inhaling it, I think you will be fine. By the way, I can eat Mango too and its related to ragweed. There is a difference whether consuming or breathing allergens.

hopeinhim,

I've been on both Synthroid and Levothyroxine generic. The previous posters are all correct. One thing to consider also: Each brand whether it is Synthroid, or another generic brand of Levothyroxine will vary in terms of efficacy. A 125mcg Synthroid may be right on 125, or may be slightly off at 127 or 123, whatever it is, we expect it will remain consistant, and as long as we stick with that brand, and get on a dose that works, well we don't really care if it is a little more of less than advertised. But if you switch brands you may be actually switching doses and not know it because the generic 125 may run at 120, and if the Synthroid was really at 127 well then you just took a 7mcg reduction in your intake, and that could make a big difference over a few weeks time.

That said - I have always felt better on Synthroid vs the Generic (Unithroid) letters LJB on the pill Leveothyroxine. It is about $17 more for the Synthroid, so i wish I could take the other, and I may try again, but in past when I switched, i felt bad within a week or two. Could be the fillers, I don't know.

Bottom line - gotta go with what works for you.

Another thing you must really take to heart. I didn't want to admit this for the longest time. When, how, and with what you take the medicine really does matter. Avoid food for an hour - seriously! Be religiously committed to this! Avoid any other hint of meds I don't care what they are, don't take them with the synthroid. If you want to try and figure out what reduces the absorbtion rate, go ahead, but it is easier to just take it on an empty stomach upon waking and fast for an hour no matter what. Having discipline like this has done wonders for me.

And finally: The whole T4 vs T3 issue. You were doing so well on strait T3 (Cytomel) I wish you could just go back to that and it would work for you. I know Docs don't like it because when a person is on strait T3 they actually oscillate between hypo and hyper in a single day. This is because the T3 is powerful and short lived. You must take a high enough dose to get some longevity out of it, so initially you're hyper upon taking it, and then as it wears off you swing Hypo. Doctors feel this is unhealthy over the long haul and that it takes a toll on the body. There is a new time released T3 product you might want to look into which attempts to rectify this problem. I have no experience with it, and don't remember the name. Google to see what comes up if you want.

I've heard people who have been on strait T3 for a long time, like you were, have trouble converting T4 because the body forgets how, but this kind of seems like nonsense to me. But it would kind of explain your situation, sort of. You would be able to tell this for yourself if you look at your labs. Get a FREE T4, FREE T3 and TSH test. If you're T4 is near the upper limit, or even over, and your FREE T3 is low to middle low, you may have a problem converting T4 to T3. If all this sounds like Greek to you check out my website below and it will help explain.

Being Hypothyroid is like watching Black and White TV on an old 13 inch with rabit ears when the signal is poor

Getting on T4 is like bumping up to a 27 inch color TV hooked up to cable.

T3 feels like 1080p HDTV on a 50 inch LED Bluray.

I know what you mean about the T3. It is good stuff. I don't take it though because I'll take the 27 inch color TV with cable as long as I can count on it to work day in and day out, and for me that seems to do the trick. I hope you can find your balance too.

Sorry so long

Nick

http://thyroid-hype.com "Where knowledge and community equal healing"

Hey Nick, your post wasn't too long at all. The more info I have the better, and I keep finding things from people like you that make a LOT of sense. I'm really going to look into the T4 T3 thing, will probably have to experiment on myself because I know my docs won't help me figure it out. I've read about some people not being able to convert the T4 to T3-maybe I'm one of them. I will try to find out what my original dose of Cytomel was, too.

As far as not eating or taking anything when I take the meds, I have been religious about that, wanting to give the meds every chance to work. Giving up a couple hours of eating is nothing to me if I can feel a little better than I so often do. I also take any other meds, vitamins or supplements many hours apart from the hypo meds. My doctors have actually told me it isn't that important! But I do it anyway.

Appreciate the help!