I was recently switched to the name brand of Synthroid after taking the generic for 20 + years. I really didn't notice any side effects from the generic but since switching to the name brand I have begun having hot flashes and night sweats (I'm WAY past menopause) and I feel anxious, moody, my foot is constantly moving when I'm sitting and recently I noticed I'm clenching my teeth. Has anyone had this experience when going from the generic to the name brand?
Hi
Yes I have really bad sweats day and night to the point that I just cannot stand it. !!!
Also I have a constant runny nose and my throat seems to have permanent phlegm at the back of my throat since taking this medication ?.
Apart from that my body seems to have got used to the medication.
Thanks, Carole. Have you tried both the generic and name brand? Do you have the same problems? I never associated the runny nose with it before, but I have a constant drip from mine.
Hi Vickie
I'm on Levothyroxine and I also take kelp tablets which was advised by Healthspan as I've been with them for years . They are very reasonable in price and very reliable!!
Carole x
I'll have to try the kelp. I'm thinking I may ask my doctor to switch me back to the Levothyroxine instead of the Synthroid at my next appointment. Thanks so much for your help!
There is more levothyrox in the generic ; your symptoms tell you that. You must lower the dosage.
Bad sweats? You need to lower the dosage.
They tried switching me twice. Both times felt like gagging shortly after I took it. Not to cool when u ditch around the corner in the morning like your gonna puke on a big construction site. Synthroids not for me. Its not for everyone. My doc kept telling me how it was supposed to be more stable. Not for me
Hi, It does sound like you are perhaps slightly overmedicated but I'm not a doctor. I live in NZ and I am now very well on Synthroid...took a while to get levels just right for me but my doctor treats my symptoms rather than focusing solely on Lab results. What I can tell you is that my Pharmacist was very clear that you need to stick to one brand and if you are changing it can cause a whole lot of side effects and needs close monitorng. I'm wondering if it's the switch that is causing you the problems rather than Synthroid specifically if you see what I mean? Also please can you tell me if you were prescribed Synthroid in the UK? I am returning end of 2014 and I am already anxious about having to switch to a new brand. I'm hoping Synthroid is prescribed over there. I wish you well with your thyroid health...it is awful being either over or under medicated. Good Luck
Interesting about the switching. Wonder if u start on one u should just stay on it. Tried switching twice but I couldnt deal with the synthroid
That's pretty much what pharmacist advised. The potency and also the fillers can vary from one to another. I've only ever had Synthroid and it took forever to get things just right. I'm hoping it lasts. I almost gave up and my doc was considering natural throid meds. Were you prescribed Synthroid in UK? I'm trying to find out if I will need to switch when I return. What do you take now and is it working?
Hello Vicki- I was completely unableto take Synthroid, most likely because it contains several allergy inducing contstituents. While onthe Synthroid I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed. I also Levoxyl and did better on that, but when it was pulled off the market, I went to a compounded levothyroxin. it took a year and a half to get it to the right dose, and I was constantly tired, in pain and extremely bloated. The whole time, I was experiencing the "thyroid flashes" you're talking about, though not so much at night. They are different from hot flashes: hot flashed make your cheeks warm, theyroid flashed make the back of your neck hot. The thyroid flashed went away for me when I switched medications to a NDT, and was finally on a high enough dose. I suspect the thyroid flashes are caused by the thyroid gland overworking, due to meds being too low.
I just recently switched to the generic and now realize I have been very allergic to the brand name, Synthroid. I have gained over 20 pounds, had severe foot pain and have felt heavy all over my body. Since switching to the generic, I feel so much better and my foot pain is gone. It has only been a few days so we shall see if the weight comes off.
I notice changes when the pharmacy even change the generic brands for something different - I've asked them to give me the same even if it's the cheapest, but they can't always do that! 
Oh dear. Switching thyroid meds can really wreak havoc on your system. Most pharmacies know this and are pretty careful about it. Go to a different pharmacy!
Hi Carole, I was on Eltroxin Levothyroxine and have also tried generic ones and like you had a constant runny nose, a feeling of blocked throat which caused me to cough all the time trying to clear it - a nightmare when eating! - as well as other symptoms. When my chemist was unable to get my Eltroxin they got me a brand called Rosemont. Well what a transformation! immediately the blocked throat, cough, ruunny nose etc disappeared and I felt so much better. I told my doctor and asked if I could stay on Rosement but of course she was sceptical so I agreed to go back on Eltroxin to test. Immediately the symptoms returned but I carried on for 2 months until I could bear it no longer. Doctor agreed I could return to Rosemont and stay on it, and once again these side affects disappeared. The difference between Rosemont and the others is that Rosemont has only ONE ingredient apart from the Levothyroxine whereas the others have a list as long as your arm, so clearly there is something in the others which I am allergic to. Try Rosemont for yourself and see if your syptoms disappear too- insist with your doctor as Rosemont is more expensive. Good luck.
Hi daisy thank you for your reply. I am going back to the doctors on Thursday as I am feeling exactly like I did before I was on medication, it's as if I don't take Levothyroxine anymore??.
I am having all sorts of problems like acute tiredness, lethargic.headaches, having stomach problems,depression again!!the list goes on!!
I will certainly ask the doctor if he will try me in these tablets you suggested?, and see what he says??
Thanks again
Carole
Hi Daisy57 Could you tell me if the Roesemont levothyroxine is liquid or a tablet? I am having issues trying to get the Martindale purified brand that has only the thyroxine and calcium carbonate in, and it's brilliant, I have been really well for the first time. My GP has had her hand slapped and been told to prescribe me a liquid thyroxine that I think is the Eltroxin brand that loads of people are having a problem with. Any info you could give me would be appreciated ie. what are the excipients. Thanks.
Hi Jacquie2830- the Rosemont is liquid levothyroxine (called levothyroxine sodium oral solutiion) and has only one other ingredient other than the levothyroxine and needs to be stored in the fridge. Do not take Eltroxin (I think it has been discontinued anyway) as it has many additives which seem to be the cause of all the side effects. Good luck.
Hi Daisy Thanks for coming back to me, really panicking now as meds run out this weekend! Was your GP able to prescribe this or was it a private prescription? Sorry to hassle but my time is runnig out to get this sorted.