New Hashimoto's diagnosis

[NJGo]

Hello, I am 61 year old male in pretty good health.
I was just (2 months) diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease by my new doctor during a comprehensive physical.  He is highly regarded which is why I switched from prior doc. Hypothyroidism does not run in my family history.
  He prescribed 25mcg Synthroid & insisted I avoid the generic.  Follow up test still showed no change in TS level so he increased dose to 50 w follow up in 3 mos. Cigna's drug service sent generic levothyroxine.  I have questions...
Is there an issue with generic levothyroxine?  Should I seek treatment from an endocrinologist?

[NJGo]

thanks for the quick reply!

[NJGo]

thanks for the quick reply!

[Red_Star]

This is an excerpt from The Washington Post - Drug expert explains how generics do and do not differ from brand-name drugs...

"Some people taking certain kinds of medicine say they have trouble switching to generic versions. Are they imagining it?

No. This problem involves what we call narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs, including anti-seizure medications, blood thinners and thyroid hormone replacements. For them to work properly, you have to maintain a specific concentration in the blood. You have to regularly check blood levels to make sure the concentration is right.

Either a brand-name or generic NTI drug can work, but once you have identified a suitable version, it may not be advisable to switch back and forth, even between two generics, because the formulation characteristics might be different and affect the blood concentration. If you want to change, you should have close blood monitoring at the beginning."

[Barb135]

Most doctors will want their patients on the brand name Synthroid, but insurance companies will want their customers on the generic levothyroxine, because it's a lot cheaper... The only difference between the brand name and the generics are the fillers and binders used in the pills, since they all use the same active ingredient - levothyroxine. Most people don't have an issue with the generics, but there are a few that have reactions to the fillers/binders - that can happen with Synthroid, as well.  I actually did better on generics than I did on Synthroid.  

It's your choice as to whether or not to switch to an endo... not all endos are good thyroid doctors as many specialize in diabetes.  Many primary doctors are very good at treating thyroid disorders and while others may be very highly regarded in other areas, they're not good thyroid doctors... I'd probably give this one a chance and see how it goes.

In order for a pharmacy to fill your prescription for the name brand Synthroid, your doctor will have to mark the box on the prescription that says "brand name only" or the pharmacy will fill with a generic whenever one is available. You should call your doctor and discuss that issue with him; he should know how to fill out a prescription.