Synthroid
 

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"?

Don't know why the additional additives are present; but Synthrod replaces the body's same chemical compound that your throid normally produces.

Are you seeing an Endocrinologist? My Endo is also my Primary Doctor. Yes, the throid should be within certain levels; I just don't understand why the doctor would give you such a high dose to start with; sample or no sample. It's not necessary to add the extra hormones if not needed. I would think he would start at the lowest level and do retesting once or twice a year to maintain TSH level.

You should not have to wait until you are showing signs; would be better to take care of it before this if lab work shows consecutively Hypothroidism.

Have you had more than one time for testing your TSH? Your TSH is just slightly over the levels 0.450 - 4.500. I would suggest, if not already have done; at least another lab test 4 months later to confirm the results.

Am running late for an appointment so if any questions, I will check back later today or tomorrow.


Gerry

Thanks again, ger.

My doctor is an internist and nephrologist. He's a pretty straight shooter. I tend to trust him.

In the past, my thyroid test results have been normal, but those tests were a few years ago.

I believe that mrsD said that I could break these 75 mcg. tablets in half. That may be an option.

I am just confused why he would start you at such a high amount. Even cutting in half just does not make sense, Would have thought he would prescribe an amount to start with and retest in a few months to see whether he needs to increase or decrease the mg's. It should not be your choice to choose whether to take the .075mg's or cut in half.

Being a straight shooter is good; does not necessarily mean thyroid disease an area of expertise. The thyroid is very important in the body's functioning in many areas.

Have you had more than one lab test that shows you are hypothroid?. You are just over the high end of the limit. I would think before he gave you Sinthroid you would have had more than one lab showing you are hypothyroid.


Gerry

Gerry,

Between you, me and him, I'm the only one who doesn't know anything, so I can't answer any of these questions. All I know is that now I am in the position of having to go back to him and tell him that, according to what I read on the Internet, he is wrong, in which case he'd have every reason to stop treating me altogether. :winky:

mrsD said I could try the 75 mcg. and watch for ill effects. It's down to that or not doing anything, and then going back in three months to ask to be retested. Great choice, eh? :D

I'll see if I can find an endocrinologist this week.

Nervous

I'm sorry for any confusion I may have caused. Just that the thyroid is such an important function of our entire body. I'm just a bit confused or obviously missing something with being handed a sample without seemingly any plan.


Gerry

Not to worry, Gerry. I appreciate your input.

I have been taking synthroid for over 15 yrs , with no problems . I am on other meds too....

**admin edit**

I couldn't agree more with you when you question the ingredients and additives in Synthroid. So many of us with autoimmune diseases have food sensitivities and allergies and have to be keenly aware of the hidden substances in e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g we ingest. They can have profound effects.

I think it's good that you question. You have to be your own health advocate. :hug:

The colors, reflect all the various strengths offered. There
10 strengths, and some of the colors may require more than one dye.

I went 10 miserable years with the "normal" mantra from MD...I knew nothing back then, that was 1991....I finally called my osteopath in 2002 and talked to him and HE KNEW, called in for Armour and in 4 days the 10 yrs of depression lifted.....it was sluggish thyroid all those years....numbers are not always the answer....SYMPTOMS...

During the 2002 timeframe I went to a couple other docs just to MAKE SURE I was on the right med and one endo pushed me off Armour and on Syn and for a week or so I was falling over myself with fatigue....

Desiccated is my BEST threatment, and I'm now looking at NP thyroid (generic to armour) as armour prices tripled in recent months, change of owners of company.

NP Thyroid is from Acella out of GA.

I'm on synthroid since 1988 since I take a full replacement dose of it after a thyroidectomy. It takes 2-3 weeks for the onset since your body has to break it down from t4 to t3 to use. You won't feel anything from it in all likelihood. I take 150 mcg a day. I've taken pure t3 too, which can give you heart palpitations.

Synthroid is not a bad medication. I have to take it for life. If you are on too much, you will probably feel more awake, hungry, possibly edgy, hot, and have hair loss or rapid growth. You'll just stop taking it if so. It would be gradual, like over six months, in most cases.

Don't take the generic. It doesn't work as well. I have to take a completely different dose on the generic.

With my long struggle, I found myself on thyroid support groups and I'd say MOST that I trusted believed in Stop The Thyroid Madness book and the author's blog...there was a forum, realthyroidhelp.com (I think) and so many used desiccated thyroid ... this group had to fold due to lack of funds to keep it running, but it was a good one and I've missed it.

I don't know if Nervous has done anything yet, and I have known friends who were on Syn for some time and thought they were doing ok, and then got on desiccated and felt much better....So there are other options out there....I've also heard that some don't convert T3 and T4 ... another friend of mine who is now 87, did acupuncture for many many years and the doc worked on her thyroid, she takes no thyroid meds.. Good chance she could use some now, but she doesn't bother, she has so many other issues.

I'd say MOST integrative and naturopath MD's use desiccated. More natural substance.

For those who don't convert T4 to T3 very well, myself included, there is also synthetic T3 available. I take Cytomel brand in addition to Synthroid. The ratio of T3 to T4 is higher in desiccated than some people tolerate. The synthetic T3 allows a little more play with the ratio.

I have been taking it for many many years withj no problems