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Mary Shomon

Which Thyroid Drug Costs the Most?

By , About.com GuideMarch 28, 2007

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Periodically, we take a look at the various thyroid hormone replacement drugs, and their costs. The comparison is based on a typical one-month dosage. For comparison purposes, we used levothyroxine at 100 mcg. daily. According to the conversion chart for levothyroxine to Armour Thyroid, 100 mcg of levothyroxine is approximately equivalent to 1 grain (60 mg) of Armour. Take a look at the prices now.

Comparison of Costs for One-Month Dosage

Synthroid, 100 mcg, 30 tablets: $14.70
Generic, 100 mcg, 30 tablets: $12.43*
Levoxyl, 100 mcg, 30 tablets: $12.22
Levothroid, 100 mcg, 30 tablets: $10.99
Armour, 1 grain/60 mg, 30 tablets: $7.99

Prices as of March 25, 2007 -- Drugstore.com

* ADDITIONAL NOTE: As a commenter to this post mentioned, WalMart and Target offer most generic prescription drugs -- including levothyroxine -- for a flat rate of $4 per prescription. But before you accept a generic thyroid medication, read Should You Be Concerned About Taking Generic Thyroid Drugs?

Comments
March 28, 2007 at 5:17 pm
(1) Gloria says:

regarding thyroid horomone prices: Target and Wal-Mart sell their generic drugs for $4.00. Also, a lot of pharmacies will match Target and Wal-Mart’s prices instead of losing you as a customer. I pay only $4.00 for my Levothyroxine monthly.

March 30, 2007 at 4:57 am
(2) Cindy says:

I take Cytomel 50mg twice a day; it cost me $100 per month. I feel super; therefore, I am scared to change to a different medicine. However, I would love a lower price on my medicine.

March 30, 2007 at 9:45 am
(3) Carmen says:

I found that if I buy a ninety day supply of generic Synthroid at Sam’s, it cost me around $30 with the Sam’s card and no insurance.

March 30, 2007 at 9:47 am
(4) Carmen says:

Sorry– Sam’s club price for 90 day supply of generic synthroid is around $13 not $30!

March 30, 2007 at 11:24 am
(5) Marge says:

I dropped my bottle of levothyroxine into the sink & lost about 5 pills – CVS, where I got them, wanted $20 for only 5 pills

March 30, 2007 at 12:01 pm
(6) Nat says:

I take 4 pills a day of Synthroid.The blue pill has the dye in it and it makes me itch. Each pill is .05 x 4 daily. The cost monthly is $45. My Dr.won’t change me to the generic,why? I saw the sign in Sams that the generic is $4. This would really save me. The Synthroid,even though it’s in the “perfect” range,gives me no energy,and I haven’t been able to lose the weight that I gained when I was switched from Thyrolar to Synthroid. Any thoughts?

March 30, 2007 at 9:28 pm
(7) Judy says:

I have been on a full replacement dose since Thyroid cancer in 1978. 4 grains. I started with Thyrolar and about five years later switched to Armour Thyroid. Would the author or any readers list the current price of Thyrolar?

March 31, 2007 at 6:59 pm
(8) virginia says:

I have a compounding pharmacy make up my thyroid medicine. The pharmacist puts into one capsule both the T-4 & T-3. I don’t understand why Mary Shoman never talks about this method. I like it because I only have to take my cytomel one time a day and it is time released.The only draw back is it has to be rerigerated.

April 1, 2009 at 12:26 pm
(9) Colleen says:

It has been suggested for several years now, not to take GENERIC brands of thyroid medicine.

Just thought that I should share that with ya’ll.

April 10, 2010 at 9:37 am
(10) wanda says:

My doctor refuses to let me take generic thyroid medicine. Has to be synthroid

August 28, 2012 at 1:08 pm
(11) john says:

My doctor wouldn’t prescribe the generic thyroid med so I got another doctor.

December 26, 2012 at 11:15 pm
(12) ninlm says:

Had a total thyroidectomy in September 2012, was put on generic levothyroxine.The worst decision ever. I have suffered horribly.My new endocrinologist suggested that I may be intolerant to generic and put me on Synthroid. The best decision since my surgery. I am starting to feel like a human again.I don’t care about the money. I will pay.Thank you Abbott Labs for making a quality product for the health of your consumers.

May 14, 2013 at 7:05 pm
(13) eddieb says:

Glad to hear you’re feeling better now ninlm. It took my doctor about a year to figure that out. My latest insurance has a high copay for Synthroid so I end up paying the total cost but it’s worth it to feel human.

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