I've been wondering if anyone else has this problem. There were a few of us who asked about this and is there any truth to this?

I take the Brand name Synthroid, but heard that if you take the generic (which is supposed to be the same) then it affects your TSH level or other Thyroid lab tests.

Has anyone or their doctors mentioned this at all?

Nancy

I've never heard of this so I'm interested to see what people have to say!

Have you had your thyroid rechecked since your weight loss? You could need the dosage adjusted. I know it's important to keep using the same BRAND of thyroid medication and not switch from one to another for consistent control.

I havent heard of it.. but intrested in finding out more..

I did have my TSH checked just before Christmas and waiting to hear results. Haven't heard anything so far, and they usually call if it's abnormal. I left a message today. I probably should have waited tp hear to post this; but am curious too. Researching it myself till I hear....

I take Synthroid too and my doctor re-checks my TSH before refilling my prescription every time. So far there's been no change through the loss of 100 lbs; I'm still taking the same dose I have been all along.

I don't know anything about brand vs. generics, but of course you;d have to talk to your doctor about that.

I would suggest talking to your pharmacist about brand vs generic on this particular drug. There are LOTS of times that the pharmacist recommeds buying the brand name over the generic version. In MOST cases there is no difference, but on SOME things the brand is preferred.

To regulate the thyroid meds., it's important to keep using the same one...whether it's a particular brand or a particular generic ...to keep the necessary consistent level.

Just to add my story to this thread...

I started taking thyroid meds about 6 months after banding(back in 2000) when I was in the middle of doing in vitro cycle. I was also seeing an acupuncturist at the time and going by some symptoms I had (cold hands and feet, sluggish in the morning, dry skin and hair) she suspect low thryoid. She knew my reproductive endocrinologist, so called her and suggested she run a TSH on me..the RE kinda balked at it but then agreed. It came back at 4.75..and at that time..the lab values known for normal range were .05-5.03 so I was considered high normal.

Well..the acupuncturist still felt I needed some thryoid adjustment and wanted the RE to prescribe a low dose. In the meantime as they disussed it, I found an article at that time that said the Association of Cliinical Endos had just LOWERED the ranges of what is considered normal to .3 to 3.0..so I was really now in the "abnormal" range. Unfortunately..even though they changed this back in early 2003..many labs and docs still use the old higher values..so many people are really abnormal who could usehelp.

So..I presented the article to the RE and then she started really thinking about it and that there are links between low thryoid and miscarriage and since Iwas undergoing an IVF, it was really recommended my TSH be between 1 and 2..so she finally agreed I shoul dbe on thyroid! She first prescribed Synthroid, but I had an immediate bad reaction..broke out in a rash on my stomach, headaches, dizzy..so she switched me to Levoxyl and I have been fine. SO..this was around April 2003. In June 2003 when the IVF failed and we decided not to move with more attempts..I needed to find a regular endo to care for me. The one I had seen in another county who treated me for my PCOS I hated. SO I found another endo and had him take over my "maintenance" I initiall saw him October of last year..he checked my TSH..he asked about my symptoms..and we agreed we would work towards keeping my thyroid in the 2 range..basically that kept me from not having cold extremities and not being sluggish in the morning and everything on even keel..so we tweaked with the dose..upping it, lowering it. I saw him again 3 months later..I seemed to be stable on the dose..and then he had me wait 9 months to see him again..I always go to the lab a week before my appt to get the TSH checked..we both get the results faxed to us (I always cc myself on labs so I can keep a copy of my own records!). I carry my results in just in case he didn't get his(he usually has it) and then we look at the results..any other tests he may have run for other issues..and then decide if the dose is still good. I see him again after a year unless I am feeling out of whack..and think I need a check.

So..it is important to get checked on a regular basis..and weight loss can effect the dose..AND if you have been tested and are in the new "abnormal" range..talk to you doctor..here is the link to the article about the new ranges:

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/newrange.htm

Patty

8/13/02

Dr Kuri