My doctor recently recommended that I go on Synthroid. I'd like any information regarding this treatment, esp. side effects, contraindications, and general long-term dangers. I ask because I'm not someone who takes drugs if they can be avoided. My doctor says that there is no diet or behavior change that I can make that would substitute for the Synthroid.

Thanks.




My Most Recent Test Results:

TSH w/Reflec to FT4: 4.87
T4, Free: 1.3

Synthroid is thyroid hormone T4....RX only. It is to raise your levels to a more normal reading.

You should start slowly....what dose did he give you? Typically people start at 25mcg or 50mcg and then get retested and raised a bit if needed then. If he has you start at 100mcg cold...I'd be concerned.

He gave me free samples. They are 75 mcg.

When I asked him about Synthroid, he said, as you did, that it is a hormone, not a substance that is foreign to the body (like a prescription medication), and that there would be no danger if, after taking it for a while, I decided to stop.

Can a break these tablets in half?

Yes, you can. You could start with them though, and if you get any rapid heart beats, call him back. That would be a sign to
get a lower dose to start.

T4 is not active in the body..it has to be converted to T3 in the tissues. There is usually a slight delay therefore before it works.

Thanks, mrsD.

Tell me, do those test results that I posted above look like they need to be addressed with hormone supplementation like this? My doctor's argument was that hypothyroidism is insidious and is never addressed early enough.

I think it is worth a try. Your thyroid will adjust to any higher amounts not needed by shutting down the thyroid a bit. It is a feedback loop so not really dangerous.

Make sure you take that on an empty stomach though ...it won't get absorbed properly if food is present (just like B12 oral).

If he gave samples, then you did not get the handout from the pharmacy. You can go in there and ask for one though if you want.

"Handout"? You mean the paperwork?

Thanks, again, mrsD. I am, as usual, grateful for your good advice.

Yes, those patient leaflets come out of the printer at the pharmacy
When an RX label is printed for a patient.

The pharmacist can request a leaflet manually for you.
It would be helpful for you to have.

I have been taking Synthroid for at least twelve years. About 16-17 years ago, I became Hyperthroid (Graves Disease). I was on Tapazole for about 2 yrs. Went into remission (doctor said very unusual) for less than a year; then became Hyperthroid. I have lab work done every 4-5 months ; (mostly TSH) to adjust to find out if I need any adjustment to my Synthroid.

The one thing about Synthroid (Throid Disease Books) is the fact the generic does not work as well as the Brand...Synthroid. The ingredients are there; but not same amounts. When I was on the generic; the lab work showed I needed an increase.

I asked my doctor (Endocronologist) to write script for Brand Only and to try Synthroid instead of generic before raising my medication. My doctor retested (lab). The lab test confirmed using Synthroid, I did not need to increase my medication which didd prove the fact there is a difference between Brand and Generic in the Throid medication. I am on .025MG's for the past 10-12 years.

Adding too much throid hormones can appear to give a Hyperthroid effect. Not a good idea. The Synthroid should be prescribed according to lab work.


Gerry

^Thanks, Gerry. My reluctance to start down the road with Synthroid is getting the better of me. I'm just a fraidy cat when it comes to taking drugs. But I may have no choice this time . . . except that I am not symptomatic at the moment. If I feel like I can continue without it, then why shouldn't I continue without it?

Another question: What about the inactive ingredients in Synthroid? Why am I taking something with "acacia, confectioner's sugar (contains corn starch), lactose monohydrate, magnesium sterate, providone, and talc" plus 12 "color additives"?