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05-08-2008, 01:15 AM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 99
My Mood:  Points: 3,967.64 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 3,967.64 |  Brand name vs. Generic
I was just dx'd with hypothyroid (TSH level of 7.58). I have been told by those who have Hypo that I need to get the brand name of Synthroid and not the generic. I forgot to check when I got the Rx filled today and they gave me Levothyroxine instead of Synthroid. I was going to call tomorrow and have them change it to Brand name... is it worth it? Opinions? | 
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05-09-2008, 12:20 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Texas
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I've always been told by my doc that it doesn't really matter which one you go with as long as you stick to whatever one you started on so that they can get the dose adjusted. If you switch from one to another there might be an inconsistency between the 2 and you might react differently to each of them.
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Me - Renee (30) DH - Joel (34) 3 Furbaby kitties (6)
Meds - 90mg Armour, 1000mg Metformin, Baby aspirin, Canex & Probiotic
June 07 - Chemical
Round 1 Femara Aug 07 - BFP (m/c Oct 07 @ 6 weeks)
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05-09-2008, 07:06 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Living Strong
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sweet Land of Liberty
Posts: 417
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Renee is correct. It does't matter which one you start with, aso long as you stick to it. There are a few exceptions however, for instance if you have thyroid cancer then brand name is always better than generic because it is replacing everything your thyroid makes, not just a portion.
Generics aren't made to the same quality standards as brand names and can vary in the actual dosage. If you seem to be having problems with getting your TSH down, then you may want to consider switching.
Cynthia
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05-09-2008, 08:00 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 30
My Mood:  Points: 593.04 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 593.04 | synthroid or generic T4
Wow! I hope with your medication that you start to feel better soon! 
Generics can work, but with Synthroid you can be sure you are getting the exact dosage of T4 every time. Since your doc prescribed Synthroid, I would go back to the pharmacy and see if you could change it back. If it is an insurance thing, well, I hope they cover brand names for you. Maybe it is a case where the doc prescribed the brand name drug and the insurance only covers the generic drug.
If you do not get symptom relief with the T4 meds, I suggest doing more research on these pages and at www.realthyroidhelp.com. There are lots of people here on the PCOS board and there who know their stuff when it comes to the thyroid. That's where I found my help!
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05-11-2008, 12:17 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Thanks for the replies.  I did go back to the pharmacy and got Synthroid. We'll see! | |
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05-11-2008, 10:45 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Generic formulations of Synthroid have been known to have varying amounts of thyroid hormone, which is why some people and docs prefer the brand name drug. | |
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05-16-2008, 02:42 PM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Looking to Lose 30
Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Upstate New York
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My doctor insists that I be on the Sythroid - not Levothyroxine. She says it works better.
My insurance won't cover a name brand if a generic is available, so I've been paying $60 for a 2 month supply. I've considered just telling my pharmacy to fill it generically and see if there really is that big of a difference.
The interesting thing is that I know people who take a much higher dose of levothyroxine than I do of the Synthroid, even though their TSH levels before meds were close to mine.
I only take 37.5 mcg a day whereas they take 100 mcg and 150 mcg.
__________________ Symptoms: Obesity, Hirsutism, Hair Loss, Irregular Menstruation, Insulin Resistance, Hypothyroidism, Acid Reflux, Acanthosis Nigricans Daily Medications: 375 mg Flutamide, .43 3/4 mcg Synthroid,
1500 mg Metformin, Apri (BCP's), 40 mg Nexium
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Exercise: 600 monthy minutes of WiiFit (257 in July so far)
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05-17-2008, 01:09 AM
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#8 (permalink)
| | Living Strong
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sweet Land of Liberty
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Hezzer, it could be that their bodies just require more replacement thyroid hormone than yours (their thyroid was more out of whack). When I was fist dxed as hypo, by TSH was well over 100, but 25 mcg of Synthroid set my levels straight. Not that I am thyroid-less I am on 212 mcg.
Also, check out this link on the Synthroid site, it may help you save a little dough on Synthroid, there are also coupons!
Cynthia
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Proud Marine Wife
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Proud Mom of DS (3 yrs) born in Korea AND
DS2 (17 mo) waiting for us in Korea! (traveling June 10!!)
Thyroid Cancer Survivor since 09 April 2004
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05-25-2008, 07:54 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL
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Thanks everyone
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