Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
I noticed people bringing up different terms and what to screen...TC something 3 and 4, adrenal glands, etc, and I have absolutely NO idea what everyone is talking about lol.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 17 (I was borderline, but my doctor herself had hypothyroidism and she said all the symptoms I was experiencing was explained by it perfectly, so even though I was borderline, I should be treated for it). She started me on 50mg which worked, but only slightly (I would need to sleep 10 hours/day instead of 12 hours/day). But without it, my body would seriously crash and I'd get extreme cold sensitivity fluctuate up to sleeping 14-16 hours/day and have no energy and gain weight quickly but could be checked by my pills. Eventually I started doubling my dosage manually to 100mg by taking 2 pills, and I felt a lot more energetic not just not tired. They agreed to increase me to 88mg. After testing that dosage, the doctor said I was in between, so I could go either 88 or 100, and decided to keep me lower. My PA eventually moved me up to 100, which definitely was a decent fit. However in 2013, they changed the pill from levoxyl to mylan, and since then I've gained nearly 25lbs (imagine starting out at 90lbs, eep!), constantly feeling tired and needing 12 hours+ of sleep again, and reaping the side effects of getting hot flashes and anxiety attacks. I'm currently on synthroid (since my PA confused the round shape for the main brand of synthroid and not levoxyl and told me to request synthroid, which is $50 more per refill). Synthroid obviously does work on me since it's the original lol. Anyone have recommendations on generics that works as effectively as levoxyl (which I saw was reverse engineered by a pfizer subsidiary? makes sense why it would work better than a generic reverse engineered by a more minor pharmaceutical company). Also, what is armour?
Anyways, long tangent on my history aside lol, I was wondering what all the terms mean, and are there things I should look for? I've been mostly passively managing my hypothyroidism and listening to my doctors, but now I'm thinking I should take a more active approach (if nothing else for my excessive weight gain). Are the generics significantly less effective/have more side effects than synthroid? Is there a most favored substitute? I can comfortably afford synthroid if there isn't a comparable substitute aka I don't have to cut corners if it actually makes a difference, I just prefer to...Since it's painful to know that I'm paying $1/day for this medicine when I used to pay a dime a day lol. What is all this about TCsomething absorption and such and how to I test around to find which generic works on me best (I saw someone bring up trial and error, what number should I be looking at?). I also saw something about testing for co-existing conditions? What should I be requesting to be tested and what numbers should I look at? Also, do these work less with alcohol? Because as a younger hypothyroidism person, I do drink socially and am wondering if there are certain types that do not mix well with alcohol.
Thanks for any advice you can provide!!
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 17 (I was borderline, but my doctor herself had hypothyroidism and she said all the symptoms I was experiencing was explained by it perfectly, so even though I was borderline, I should be treated for it). She started me on 50mg which worked, but only slightly (I would need to sleep 10 hours/day instead of 12 hours/day). But without it, my body would seriously crash and I'd get extreme cold sensitivity fluctuate up to sleeping 14-16 hours/day and have no energy and gain weight quickly but could be checked by my pills. Eventually I started doubling my dosage manually to 100mg by taking 2 pills, and I felt a lot more energetic not just not tired. They agreed to increase me to 88mg. After testing that dosage, the doctor said I was in between, so I could go either 88 or 100, and decided to keep me lower. My PA eventually moved me up to 100, which definitely was a decent fit. However in 2013, they changed the pill from levoxyl to mylan, and since then I've gained nearly 25lbs (imagine starting out at 90lbs, eep!), constantly feeling tired and needing 12 hours+ of sleep again, and reaping the side effects of getting hot flashes and anxiety attacks. I'm currently on synthroid (since my PA confused the round shape for the main brand of synthroid and not levoxyl and told me to request synthroid, which is $50 more per refill). Synthroid obviously does work on me since it's the original lol. Anyone have recommendations on generics that works as effectively as levoxyl (which I saw was reverse engineered by a pfizer subsidiary? makes sense why it would work better than a generic reverse engineered by a more minor pharmaceutical company). Also, what is armour?
Anyways, long tangent on my history aside lol, I was wondering what all the terms mean, and are there things I should look for? I've been mostly passively managing my hypothyroidism and listening to my doctors, but now I'm thinking I should take a more active approach (if nothing else for my excessive weight gain). Are the generics significantly less effective/have more side effects than synthroid? Is there a most favored substitute? I can comfortably afford synthroid if there isn't a comparable substitute aka I don't have to cut corners if it actually makes a difference, I just prefer to...Since it's painful to know that I'm paying $1/day for this medicine when I used to pay a dime a day lol. What is all this about TCsomething absorption and such and how to I test around to find which generic works on me best (I saw someone bring up trial and error, what number should I be looking at?). I also saw something about testing for co-existing conditions? What should I be requesting to be tested and what numbers should I look at? Also, do these work less with alcohol? Because as a younger hypothyroidism person, I do drink socially and am wondering if there are certain types that do not mix well with alcohol.
Thanks for any advice you can provide!!
Sorry for the reason you're here but, glad you found us.
Success can definitely be achieved with generics. In fact, I've been taking generics from the beginning (2010) and fared well with the first brands that were dispensed for me (I take levothyroxine (generic Synthroid) and liothyronine (generic Cytomel).
The key to success with generics is to make sure you get the same manufacturer's product each time. To make this happen, the doctor needs to write XX brand only on every refill Rx.
If I were to switch to another brand of meds (generic or brand name like Synthroid), I know to expect a possible change with my levels which means a possible change in how I feel.
By law, all meds have to contain the same active ingredients. It's the fillers that vary between manufacturers are what affect the individual's response.
The way to make sure you stay feeling good is to identify the thyroid hormone blood levels that keep you free from symptoms....and work with your doctor via dose adjustments to maintain those optimal levels.
This takes time but is worth every effort.
And, yes, the prescribing info on all thyroid meds indicates that the patient's adrenal function should be evaluated before they are started on thyroid meds. (the adrenals work hand-in-hand with the thyroid and any issues with them need to be addressed before starting thyroid meds).
My doctor never checked my adrenals and I did well. Since you've been taking thyroid meds and haven't reported any issues that might indicate adrenal problems, I'd say you probably don't have to worry.
Now...back to the topic of optimal levels.
Successfully-treated thyroid patients have doctors who check the levels of thyroid hormone that are available for the body's use - FreeT4 and FreeT3.
They do NOT rely on pituitary hormone TSH.
Those successfully-treated thyroid patients have high normal FreeT4 and FreeT3 levels.
"High normal" means levels that are close to the high end of the reference range that is usually listed to the right of the result on the lab report.
For example, I use LabCorp and their range for FreeT4 is .82-1.76.
I actually feel best when my FreeT4 level is 1.8 (yes, slightly over-range and my doctor is fine with this).
The LabCorp range for FreeT3 is 2.0-4.4. I feel best when my FreeT3 level is around 4.0.
The types of levels that keep me free from thyroid symptoms are considered "high normal".....they fall within the normal range but at the high end.
These are the types of things to discuss with your doctor - getting the right labs done....and working towards those high normal levels.
You might have been wondering what Cytomel is. Cytomel is T3, our active hormone.
The Synthroid/levothyroxine you take is T4 which is our storage hormone.
Our bodies need to convert that T4 into T3.....and many people have trouble doing this for a variety of reasons.
If you are one of those who isn't converting well, your FreeT3 level will be proportionately lower in the range than your FreeT4 level.
It would then be appropriate to ask your doctor for Cytomel.
There are no contraindications with alcohol and thyroid meds.
However, T4 products such as Synthroid, Levoxyl, levothyroxine, etc. need to be taken on an empty stomach for maximum effectiveness.
This means taking it two hours after/one hour before food/drink other than water.
Since I don't want to wait for my AM coffee, I've always taken my levothyroxine at bedtime and I do make sure I haven't eaten or had anything other than water to drink two hours before.
Please feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. We're all in this together.
Welcome!
Thank you for the bit on cytomel! I remember when I went into urgent care, they asked if I wanted to do an extra test for my levels since I was already getting bloodwork done, but my PA said the test was lacking one of the tc levels, which ended up showing I was stressed and needed an increase in dosage (from 88 to 100mg). I'll ask my PA next if I should get the cytomel prescription as well if I need it, as well as to test my adrenal gland (is that done through bloodwork as well)?
My family doctor recently bought out the family care I used to go to and replaced all the MDs with DOs and PAs. On top of that, I only see them about twice a year since I live the majority of the time in a different state now. Should I get a more local doctor, and how often should I go in to figure out the appropriate treatment? I'm finally realizing that I haven't been optimally treated for years, and during the short period that I was on the correct dosage was fleeting since my generic got recalled lol.
Also are there any co-existing conditions I should test for?