Hello all,

I have not posted in a while. Hopefully everyone is well.

I have a question about thryroid medication. My doctor prescribed 25 mcg of Levoxyl about 2 months ago and my insurance company provided the generic Levothyroxine. Next RX, the mail order pharmacy sent me a letter saying they are going to provide another generic at the next refill.

My concern is that I have not stabilized on a final dosage. I get a blood test this week and I believe the doctor will increase my dosage. Hopefully an increased dosage of thyroid medication will eliminate the drowsiness I seem to be experiencing. Does anyone have experience with switching between generics? Should I be concerned about this? Is it important that I be referred to an Endocrinologist or is my Primary Care Doctor enough to get me stabilized on this medication? Finally, should I just do the tests and let the system work?

I know that I can come here and get straight and sound advice.

Thanks,

Ask your primary Dr. I had been on Synthroid for decades before I went to a generic. My Dr. has me get blood work every few months and sometimes adjusts the dosage. It takes a while before a change is effective. The doctor can say no generic. Thyroid medication is one of the less expensive so if your doctor finds a specific one better for you he can write a letter of medical necessity so that your insurance will cover it.

My thyroid hormone levels vary over the years. So testing is an on going process, and nothing is written in concrete for the rest of your life. I have always been on the generic, and have never had any issues using it. I would get the test, and make whatever adjustments are necessary.

If it is only being tired that is your issue (you are able to stay warm and maintain your body temperature) I would also get a sleep study done. A very high percentage of those treated for head and neck cancers have undiagnosed sleep apnea, I was one of them. It was waking me up 20+ times an hour if you can believe that. I was tired mid afternoon unlike anything that I had ever experienced. Ingrid joked that I was just becoming like Barkley, our old dog that sleeps his afternoons away, and that chronologically (dog years considered) we were about the same age. I am still struggling with controlling my apnea, and it is still a major problem.

I too take synthroid and get tested at least every 6 months. Do you know your baseline TSH level prior to radiation? If so, you should attempt to get as close to it as possible. There is a very wide range of 'normal' for TSH levels and my doctor pays no attention as long as it is within that wide range. I ask for the reports my self and if I am teetering away from MY normal 2.5, I have the dosage adjusted. If you see your primary on a regular basis, he should be able to handle this.

Take care,
Eileen