[GUS07]

My RE is still trying to get my synthroid levels worked out I was started on 50mg every day and my TSH went from 8.7 to 3.4, but since she wants it at 2 or less she upped my dose to 75mg once a day and said I should really start feeling better and notice that the synthroid is working. Well, I was on it for six weeks and during that time I started to feel sluggish again and my appetite came back in full force. Plus I noticed that I wasn't getting the usual side effects from metformin that I had been on for over a year.

When I reviewed my labs that were done after I had been on the 75mg for six weeks, my TSH shot back up to 4.5. I'm wondering if my pharmacy dispensed bad medication. Or has this happened to anyone else. I've since gotten my meds refilled and I have the side effects back from the Metformin and my appetite is back to how it was before when I first started the synthroid.

I'm just so frustrated because I was suppose to have my HSG this month because we were counting on my TSH being 2 after having responded so well initially. So, I guess I'm back to another 6 weeks to see if my thyroid can be controlled.

[elaine123]

This hasn't happened to me, but I do know that calcium vitamins can interfere with your Synthroid absorption. By chance are you taking calcium? You're supposed to take Synthroid and calcium 4 hrs apart. I doubt your pharmacy screwed up. I just think the thyroid is a funny, unpredictable thing. How about your T4 levels??

[anirtak]

It is important that you are taking your synthroid right away in the morning with NO other vitamins or medications. This could make a difference. Good Luck!

[Persephone1881]

Iron also interferes with Synthroid absorption so make sure you're taking any vitamins at least 4 hours later. And don't take it within 1 hour of antacids.

Another thing that could affect it is if you are taking a generic version. My GP told me that thyroid meds are one of the few types where the generic is not as effective as the name brand.

[amybeth]

About 8 years ago I had horrible problems stabalizing my thyroid levels. I was on synthroid and my Dr ended up realizing I was taking it at the same time as I was taking my multi-vitimin... I wasn't TTC at the time, but my Endo said that the iron in the multi-vitimin was wrecking havoc with the synthroid and not letting my body absorb the thyroid hormone properly. Now I'm on Levoxyl (0.125mcg) which is a generic and I've never had problems with it. I take it first thing in the morning a good few hours before I even eat anything for breakfast. I do take it with the AM dose of Prima-Care but my RE said that's OK since the AM dose is the essential fatty acids and that's about it. Ever since I started to take the thyroid meds with just water and nothing else, my levels have stabalized and they've been like that for about 6 years! I've heard the same rumor about generics not being the same as the brands, but personally I've never had a problem with Levoxyl!

Good luck!

[Persephone1881]

My OB better explained what my GP was telling me about generics vs name brands. The FDA holds the manufacture of generics to a slightly more lax standard than that for a name brand. For example, if your pill bottle says each pill is 50mcg, the name brand might have to be between 49.8mcg and 51.2. A generic might be required to be between 49.5 and 51.5. (Those numbers are all hypothetical.) So there is the possibility for a wider variance from pill to pill with generics. On most meds, this doesn't really make a difference, but there are some where this makes the drug less effective overall. Hormone meds, like those for thyroid, are generally less effective when the variance is wider. Apparently that's not to say that everyone using a generic is receiving ineffective treatment.