Thyroid patients have been contacting me to ask about the drug "Tirosint," which is the newest thyroid hormone replacement drug available in the U.S. market. Here's a brief Q&A on Tirosint.What sort of medication is Tirosint?
Tirosint is a brand-name for levothyroxine sodium (like Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, Unithroid, and Eltroxin). Levothyroxine sodium is a thyroid hormone replacement drug used to treat hypothyroidism.
How is Tirosint different from other brand names of levothyroxine?
The levothyroxine in Tirosint is in a liquid form, inside a soft gelatin capsule. It is the first and only liquid levothyroxine in a capsule. Other brand name levothyroxine drugs are in tablet form.
Tirosint comes with each capsule in a blister pack -- not loose in a bottle -- and the blister pack is marked to help prevent patients from missing doses.
Tirosint capsules contain no dyes, gluten, alcohol, lactose, or sugar.
What dosages are available?
Tirosint is available in 13 mcg, 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg, 88 mcg, 100 mcg, 112 mcg, 125 mcg, 137 mcg, and 150 mcg dosage sizes.
How much does Tirosint cost?
Costs will vary, but generally, it appears that Tirosint is priced similiarly to Synthroid, which is typically the most expensive of the levothyroxine drugs. As of mid-October, 2010, Drugstore.com lists a one month supply, 137 mcg dosage, as follows:
- Tirosint: 28 capsule box, $29.99
- Synthroid: 137 mcg, 30 tablets, $29.99
- Levoxyl: 137 mcg, 30 tablets, $21.99
Parents who administer levothyroxine to infants and children often crush or dissolve the tablets. Unlike levothyroxine sodium tablets, however, Tirosint capsules cannot be cut or crushed. This means they are not suitable for infants, and children or any other thyroid patients who are unable to swallow whole capsules.
Who makes Tirosint?
Tirosint is marketed and distributed by Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, and manufactured by IBSA Institut Biochimique,a privately-owned, global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland. The U.S. contact location for Akrimax is 11 Commerce Drive, 1st Floor, Suite #100, Cranford, NJ 07016. Their website is www.akrimax.com. Their main contact number is (908) 282-7234.
Where is more information available about Tirosint?
You can get more information about Tirosint at their website, www.tirosintgelcaps.com. Thyroid patients can also join Tirosint's "Off to a Smooth Start" program, which provides updates, information, and periodic coupons for savings on Tirosint. Tirosint also has a Facebook page.
Where can doctors get more information about Tirosint?
The product information page for Healthcare professionals is online, and the contact number at Akrimax for more information on Tirosint is 908-372-0506.
Photo: clipart.com
Will it be avialable in the UK?
It is still just a T4 drug and does not supply T3. I wonder if it has hair loss as a side effect like Synthroid does.
ALTHOUGH I AM NOT COMPLETELY WELL. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I HAVE LOST LESS HAIR SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2011 WHEN I BEGAN TIROSINT THAN EVER IN MY LIFE. HOWEVER, THAT MAY NOT BE HOW IT IS FOR EVERYONE. I WAS ALLERGIC TO SYNTHROID AND FOUND THIS OUT THROUGH THIS SITE. SO NOW WE WILL SEE IF MY BODY REPAIRS THE DAMAGE. TY GL
So, the tirosint has NO fillers?? Am I correct? I’ve been on natural, desicated thyroid for 3 yrs. and couldn’t get my levels normal. As of today, I’m switching completely to tirosint. Thoughts on natural porcine thyroid vs. tirosint?
I was told the Endo that I just saw today that he thinks the hairloss (which I had with Synthroid) was due to the ‘fillers’ as he called them. We shall see.
I’d like to know why Tirosint is not in the Medicare database. I had previously gotten my prescription under my Medicare Part D insurance but now Tirosint is no longer covered.
I’d like to know WHY.
For some mysterious reason, Tirosint has been removed from the Medicare database and is no longer covered under Medicare part D insurance plans. I’d like to find out why this happened.
I just want to know if it works?
It definitely DOES work and it’s the only form of levothyroxine which my stomach will tolerate.
Sounds interesting, and wonder if taking it in liquid capsule form will distribute round the body quicker. Do you know if it will ever be available in the UK where I live and at the moment can only get the equiv levothyroxine UK brand.
Will this be sold in Australia
I’m appalled at the cost of levothyroxine in the US. I live in SE Asia and get Levothyrox over the counter (almost everything is OTC) for $1.50 for 28 x 50iug or about $2 for 28 x 75iug. And this is after a recent price hike. The manufacturer is a French company, Merck Sante. I’ve occasionally had problems with consistency of product but that’s probably more to do with the heat here than the manufacturing of it. I’m moving to Australia soon so I think I’ll be stocking up before I leave here! Another thing to add to the of things to do when visiting Asia in the future: get new glasses ($25 a pop), get any dental work done (only a fraction of price in the West for excellent care and the savings would cover the holiday), get any little bits umm…fixed (I have hooded eyes which are starting to restrict my vision) and get my levothyroxine!
I had my T4 compounded so the only ingredients were levothyroxine sodium, Avicel (microcrystalline cellulose), and the gelatin capsule. Despite increasing the dose, my TSH went UP and my T4 and T3 were the lowest they’d ever been. I took it with water on an empty stomach one hour before breakfast.
The only thing I can figure is that it was the protein in the gelatin capsule that was binding to the T4 before my body could get at it. I read a post somewhere from another person who put their thyroid pill inside a gelatin capsule and it interfered with absorption.
This new drug sounds great since it’s dye free, but I’m skeptical about it since it’s in a gelatin capsule.
My Levoxyl seems to be working fine–it’s the fast-dissolve tablet and it’s been available to me since about 2002.
Would really like to try the new drug, but have to split a 137 mcg tablet to get near the right amount for me, hence, the new capsule is not an option. Bummer!
I take generic levothyroxine (made my Mylan). A 3 month supply costs me $10. I also take natural thyroid because on T4 alone my Free T3 level would not come up.
It sounds like there won’t be much of a difference when compared to Synthroid, so I’m not sure what the advantage of taking this drug would be over the others. I hope most people reading this have at least considered other treatment options, such as natural thyroid hormone, and depending on your specific condition, a natural thyroid treatment protocol to get to the underlying cause of the condition. While some people do need to take thyroid hormone daily for the rest of their life, others can have their health restored back to normal through natural treatment methods. Obviously some conditions can’t be cured, but some can, yet just about everyone with hypothyroidism is told to take synthetic thyroid hormone forever.
Dr. Eric
Hi Eric, that’s most interesting. I have hashimotos autoimmune disease amd basically my throid gland has ceased to function but unfortunately there is no natural thyroid treatment protocol in existence to effectively treat this. GThe oly treatment is the scientific medically approved course – so I need to take thyroxine. No cure but thankfully treatment.
Eric,
Actually, for those who rely on levothyroxine treatment, but who are sensitive to any of the fillers or other ingredients, like lactose, gluten, etc., the Tirosint is an excellent option. Please keep in mind that many thyroid patients who are on thyroid hormone replacement treatment have had thyroid cancer, thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine ablation, or long-standing Hashimoto’s that has destroyed their gland’s ability to produce thyroid hormone, and so “natural treatment protocols that get to the underlying cause” of thyroid problems, provided by chiropractors and not physicians, are really not applicable to that audience of patients.
For those who are interested, I’d also suggest reading:
Can Your Hypothyroidism Be Treated Naturally?
http://thyroid.about.com/b/2006/11/09/can-your-hypothyroidism-be-treated-naturally.htm
Hi Mary,
I agree that not everyone can be helped through natural treatment methods, and that some people do need RAI, thyroid surgery, etc. And many people with hypothyroidism will need to take thyroid hormone for the rest of their life. Being a holistic practitioner I’m admittedly biased at times towards natural treatment methods, but at the same time I understand there is place for both conventional medical treatment and natural treatment methods. So yes, there are times when radioactive iodine and surgery not only are necessary, but should be the first line of treatment.
On the other hand, there are people with thyroid conditions who can have their health restored back to normal, but will never have their opportunity because their medical doctor recommended RAI or thyroid hormone right away, without considering that there just might be an underlying cause. When I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease for example, nothing was done to even determine the actual cause of my condition, as I was just told to take Methimazole and a beta-blocker, and hope I would go into remission. Similarly, many people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis when first diagnosed are almost always told to take thyroid hormone for the rest of their life, without any attempt to find out why the person is hypothyroid in the first place.
I did enjoy the article you wrote entitled “Can Your Hypothyroidism Be Treated Naturally?”, and agree with a lot of the points you made.
Anyway, thanks for your feedback, as I really enjoy your website, and hope you weren’t at all offended by my comment. My goal is not to persuade people with thyroid conditions to stop taking their thyroid medication and switch to a “natural treatment protocol”, but to just inform them that there may be other options out there to explore.
Take care,
Eric
Just wondering if Tyrosint is similar or the same as Tyrosine which is a supplement available for thyroid patience
Thanks
Jane
I am wondering if I can get some feedback from everyone. I was recently switched to Tirosint (88mcg). I have probably been hypothyroid for almost 8 years. I lost significant hair (about 2/3s of my hair), gained weight and my fingernails became rather ‘witchlike’ – grainy with vertical ridges. I initially tried homeopathic remedies. No result. After the birth of my son (at 39), I suffered a major episode. I finally went to an endo and was put on Synthroid. My TSH levelled out within six months and some hair starting growing back. However, a pharmacy made a mistake and I had a major heart episode following 2 mos. of taking a generic. Got back on track, but my hair growth/loss seemed to cycle. Weight loss never came despite a rigid diet and exercise. I finally gave up and quit taking the medication opting to try herbal support. About a year later, I experienced severe throat issues (lump feeling and hoarseness). Gave in and went back to the endo who did full spectrum testing for celiac, autoimmune, thyroid etc. I was put on a low dose Armour bioequivalent (compounded). After 12 weeks, I began having heart palpitations and irregular heartbeats. I have now been switched to Tirosint. My endo will not exactly say on point, but has indicated I may never lose weight or have my hair grow back. I feel tired, achy (joints/muscles) and ashamed of the weight. I take no other medications.
Has anyone gotten better on thyroid meds and, if so, what have you done to address hair loss, weight gain/inability to lose weight, and general malaise? I am at the end of my rope. Tirosint looks like a filler-free version of Synthroid. To my knowledge, I have tried all combinations of Synthroid, Cytomel, Armour, compounded, etc.
are you on mary shomon’s thyroid newsletter!!! it is a must. i was able to insist to my doctor that along with my t4 meds, i get on t3 (cytomel). significant difference!! good luck. don’t give up!!!!!
marci
This is a reply to Heidi (Comment #18) who seems to be in there trying and trying for years. I was sorry to hear that you’ve been so unsuccessful amid trying all the different versions of prescription thyroid, plus homeopathic remedies, and likely lots more. I was especially noting that when things finally started getting a bit better, then “bam” – you were beset with heart symptoms of rapid or irregular beats or palpitations.
What you have described overall seems so much like a combined thyriod/adrenal issue that I just had to comment. Undiagnosed or inadequately treated low cortisol has two main effects for low thyroid sufferers. One is that none of the thyroid medicines will work properly or fully for you. The other is that your thyroid medicine starts giving you heart symptoms, often with a perhaps un-standardized dose of generic, and especially with a T3 source like Armour.
Switching to Tirosint, however, may not be the sought-for long-term solution at all. You may need in addition to have some (more – if already on it) adrenal cortex support. This should go a long way to finally getting you free of these persistent low thyroid symptoms, in spite of being on thyroid medicine. Plus, then you might also be able to get up to the dose of thyroid medicines you need, WITHOUT the resultant heart palpitations.
To Jane of comment number 17
Please know that Tirosint has nothing more to do with tyrosine, than any other levo-thyroxine product. The brand name is likely a play on word sound, inspired by the fact that all levo-thyroxines, including those made in our own thyroid glands are composed of two tyrosine molecules hooked together. Attached to the tyrosine rings are four atoms of iodine. Thus, the designation T4. Properly take away one atom of iodine, and you are left with T3, active thyroid hormone. Do it improperly, and you can be left with Reverse T3, a chokingly inactive form of thyroid hormone.
My endo just put me on a combination of Tirosint and Compounded Armour (no additives). I was on Synthroid and regular Armour for almost two year and with no improvements. I was experiencing weight gain, fatigue, depression and severe headaches daily. Since starting the new medications, I have to say I am feeling more energy and most of all NO headaches. I’m hoping this is due to pure forms of both T3 and T4. Hope this continues! So far so good.
I was diagnoised with Gluten Int 2009, have been on synthyrod for many years…but was taken off due to Abbott not able to confirm if gluten is in it. I tried Armour Naturethroid but was having chest pain, dizzy etc. Come to find out I have Addison diease also..so the above comment by Dr Richard could be right on for many. For the Addison’s I have had to try several meds HC/ cortef to get the right med that my body will accept. Medrol is the key so far along with now having to try yet again another thyroid med. Me Endo. suggested Tirosint yesterday, so I will now try this. As I cant tolerate dyes, gluten etc… The Levoxly did ok, but caused so much hair loss….and you would think the armour and naturethroid would be the best but bad reaction I guess due to the Addisons…My Addisons was just diagnoised in Oct. so I guess once that is stable, I can try and get my thyroid correct??? Anyone else like me???
I have had Hashimoto’s for about 7 years and have tried a number of different thyroid meds. Most recently I was on Levoxyl and it seemed to keep things under control, but suddenly, I seem to need less. My Doctor thought it could be due to raising my D3 levels to where they should be, but he also thought it could be due to the additives in Levoxyl so we tried Tirosint. Within one week, I felt ever so much better. It also seems to work more quickly due to it’s liquid form. For someone who is sensitive to additives this medication will work great!
Ellen
Same bad drug, just a new name.
I am very excited about Tyrosint. As an integrative physician who cares for many excipient sensitive patients, I am thrilled to be able to offer this new, risk free alternative. Finally, a pharma company that gets it! Thanks for getting the word out there.
Just started Tirosint. How long does it take to make a difference? Hoping for miracles.
I just saw an endo for the first time today after I felt my family doctor wasn’t treating my hypothyroidism well.
I was taking Armour Thryoid (135mg) and just added 25 mcg of Levoxyl because my T4 was low. My most resent TSH was like 0.3. (usually it’s above 3 and been as high as 12).
The endo started me on Tirosint – 175 mcg daily and to discontinue Armour. I’m nervous about switching because I’ve read so much positive feedback about Armour.
I’m going to take the Tirosint for 6 weeks then get my bloodwork redone and just see. I’ve never seen an endo before and I’m really hoping this will help with fatigue, hair loss, and weight gain issues.
I just got my test results back from 6 weeks on 175 mcg of Tirosint/daily.
My TSH went from .03 to 4.3!!!! Which my new endo said “was normal” but he is increasing me to 200 mcg just on Sat. and Sunday.
I don’t do well with my TSH at 4.3. Plus I gained 15lbs. in TWO months. I wasn’t dieting but didn’t eat enough to warrant that much of a GAIN.
I’m really disappointed. Will it mess up my system to go back to Armour?
His response was my level’s just need to regulate.
Very frustrating!!!!!
Been taking Tirosint for four weeks. Escalating muscle tightness, joint pain and nerve pain. Anyone else experience these symptoms?
Marci,
Latest test: range .59-1.17 free t4 0 .96
range 2.0-3.7 free t3 2.6
.34-4.82 TSH 5.74
Marci or anyone who knows, is these numbers good or bad? I know the TSH is high It is all over the place. Hashimotos ab’s almost 700.
Just curious what comments on these numbers are.
Thank You!
I’ve put on 20kgs, lost 75% of my scalp hair. Diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The doctor said I must take thyroxine tablets for the rest of my life. I lost few pounds. Any chance of getting my hair back???
I love Tirosint but cant not get my prescription filled anywher. I have been told that it was on manufactor backorder. Is anyone else having this issue? I would love to know where I can get it.
I too have been told its on back order, and have tried multiple places to get it filled. Noone knows when they will get it in.
Anyone have an ETA on when the drugs will be available again?
Just as an update – I saw a new endo last week, after my previous endo switched me from Armour to Tirosint (175mcg daily). My TSH went up to 4.3 from 0.389. I also gained 15lbs. in two months and felt tired and achey.
The new endo put me back on Armour (2 grains daily) and said I shouldn’t be on the Tirosint – doesn’t work for me personally.
I also lost a lot of hair on Tirosint.
I’ve been using Tirosint for the last 3-4 weeks. I had my thyroid gland removed last November after 25 years of progressive Hashimoto’s disease…the gland was stuck tight to my trachea, but I had a great surgeon. I have been struggling with getting my thyroid doses straight (T3 and T4), and the Tirosint made a difference I could feel on the first day…the throat irritation dissipated within hours of taking it. Just trying to get my dosing correct, as I have been making a few mistakes with my timing and I am terribly depressed. It works for me, after 35 years of taking synthyroid. We’ll see if my doc keeps me on the tirosint or puts me backj to the synthyroid.
I’m very confused about the results I’ve gotten on Tirosint. I have been taking Tirosint (50mcg) for about 5 weeks. I was excited to try it after first being on Synthroid (50mcg) about 6 mos and feeling “ok” and then trying Armour (30mg) (in an attempt to feel better than “ok”!) Armour tripled my TSH and lowered my FT4 (dr didn’t test FT3, I know a big no-no, I’m requesting it from now on) not to mention brought all my symptoms back along with gaining 15 of the 20lbs I lost on Synthroid.
So when my dr told me about Tirosint I thought it was the answer considering I was fine on synthroid, and its like a step above that because of lack of fillers and better absorption (in theory). So why do I not only feel worse hypo-wise but I’m also very depressed and anxious (not the jittery kind of anxious you get with hyper though)?
It doesn’t make any sense. Given there’s so few ingredient I don’t understand how I could have these side effects, unless they are a result of switching from Armour, in which case I don’t know if I can be patient enough to find out! I’m so depressed and I almost quit my job last week! Not something I’d ever do in sound mind…
I’m waiting on lab results from a few days ago but I think I’m going to look for old stores of synthroid in the meantime.
Oh I almost forgot to mention, in addition to continuation (if not worsening) of my hypo symtpoms I also gained an additional 8lbs in the 5 weeks I’ve been taking Tirosint. So I’m fairly certain the problems I’m having aren’t due to the dose being too high.
I took Tirosint for three months. No difference in them compared to Synthroid except COST. I take a 225 dose daily, that is THREE pills a day. WAY too expensive for me even with a reasonable co pay. Synthroid I take two tablets a day. Tirosint needs to get a 200 mcg does. Also, the blister pack is annoying. The pills are IDENTICAL to each other, so if you are filling your pill holder for the week, don’t have all the doors open at once, as they could bounce in the wrong slot and then they are all mixed up. I didn’t renew my rx of this drug. Inconvenient, expensive, and not safe. Sticking with Synthroid.
Tirosint saved me. I can’t take the microcelulose (binder) in tablets. It is the product in tablets that, I believe, makes my hair fall out and doesn’t absorb so that my body can’t make much T-3. I have been on Tirosint for 6 weeks: I am off the couch, brain fog gone, lost 5 pounds and loosing much less hair and body aches are gone (again microcelulose for me. My pharmacist says he uses microcelulose to bind products to make them time released. Armour has a different formulation the 2 yrs ago and yes again more microcelulose so I couldn’t take it any longer. Will never take anything other than Tirosint….been trying different thyroid medications for 20 years, after thyroidectomy, and this is the best for me.
The study cited here dated June 2011 ( Ther Drug Monit., 33(3):355-61) revealed that Tirosint -the levothyroxine soft capsule formulation met equivalence criteria in terms of rate and extent of exposure under fasting conditions to the Synthroid. Clinically, this study does not indicate better efficacy of Tirosint over Synthroid. As a clinical pharmacist efficacy of Synthoid brand has been demonstrated and documented. Attaining therapeutic level of TSH with levothyroxine takes time and patient must work with the provider to find the right dose.
Most side effects with Levothyroxine- rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, leg cramps, headache, tiredness, sleeplessness, tremors, change in appetite, weight gain or loss etc are due to over-replacement (over-treatment) with levothyroxine I have not read any clinical trial that indicates Tirosint is better than Synthroid. Drug manufacturers are very clever at positioning their product in the market. Tirosint-capsule verse Synthroid tablet. Pharmacologically there is no difference between these two agents. There isn’t any magic medication you MUST not give up on your health problem especially obesity. Work with your provider to tailor your medication need to your problem and be patient.
I have been on Tirosint for 6 months. I told my endocrinologist about this drug having learned other forms of replacement can contain wheat. I have wheat intolerance and other food allergies and TIrosint being free of fillers was a Godsend. . My digestion is better since I am on this form as opposed to synthroid.
I use this and am very happy with it. I like how each pill is sealed and has the day of week, so there is no did I take my pill or not problem. I also like that it is pure and has no dyes or fillers. I feel better and have more energy these days. I have been on throid meds for over 20 years and this is the best one, and I have been on a number of the others. I will never go back to them now that I have Tirosint.
Hi Everyone. I just switched from Unithroid to the new Tirosint but I’m a bit concerned my Doc may have miscalculated the dose. I previously had to take 2x 50 mcg daily because of my sensitivity to dyes and fillers. My new dose for Tirosint is only 25 mcg. It seems to low.
Thxs.
I was on generic Levo (Sny) 50 mcg for 6 weeks but had to stop due to huge swelling of L Node in neck – and an old allergy to magnesium stearate (it kills my nails to point they fall off). While on it I had rapid HARD heartbeat/pulse and scary loss of breath feeling. Tried to eat to heal and enpower my thyroid but was worse off than before. So tired I could hardly dress – depressed to point it scared me. So I sent my doc a lot of info. From your site and from John C. Low. I asked her for natl thyroid but worried the calcium Stearate may cause same problems. She won’t prescribe T3 let alone natl T4 so I asked for Tirosint…since it contains no fillers. She increased my dose to 75 mcg and after a week (by FIRST NIGHT!) I was no longer depressed and tired. Amazing! However I cannot eat within hours of taking it – I have been huge with painful bloating if I do.
I have been on this product for over one year. It is much better than using Synthroid, no stomach or intestinal side effects BUT
the pain in the joints especially in the wrists and knees. Makes you feel older than you really are. Constant ache.
No sure if it is worth to continue to take this drug. But if you are not having these side effects, it is one of the best on the market.
On Tirosint 75 mcg 3 weeks – I am gaining weight! I am scared how soft and BIG my stomach is getting! Lev 50 mcg gave me rapid heartbeat but I lost weight and had energy to spare. I had to get off due to lump in neck and nail loss from it’s fillers. Only one person here lost weight on Tirosint???
I’ve been on Tirosint for 1 1/2 and my TSH had stayed within range until early this year…when my blood sugar stabilized, I stopped taking fish oil, and reduced iodine intake. All of a sudden, my BP dropped and the diurnal TSH pattern flip-flopped at times. My TSH had been perfect in the morning…but still high, out of range by late afternoon and through the evening (as far as I know from ER testing…the only way to get it tested then!). A couple of months later…my TSH became abnormal high in the morning and normal later in the day. Last I knew, my cortisol level was perfectly normal in the morning. I started taking Tirosint in ‘divided’ doses @month ago and am not feeling well. I take 100 mcg before bedtime (hoping to get the lowest TSH in the morn) and 25 mcg late morn, early afternoon. I do want to have more sodium iodide than iodine…but so far it’s not working out! My daily dose of Tirosint has been increased from 125mcg 3-4x’s/week and 112mcg the other days but now I’m on 125 mcg/day and still getting hypo symptoms. I suspect that Tirosint is not long-acting enough to sustain through the day! Or it’s screwing up my cortisol levels? Any suggestions?
Announcing a new drug is news I supposed. But it would be helpful to know the benefit of this over the others, if there is any. Is it just too new to know if there are any side effects? Additional info with this type of announcement would be helpful.
So does this mean that levothyroxine has gluten in it?
Tirosint and Sythroid both made my chronic constipation worse. I know Sythroid has acacia and lactose in it, but if Tirosint doesn’t have “fillers”, why is it making this issue so bad for me that I cannot take it anymore? Even with added Amitiza, there is no relief.
Here is more information about the drug Tirosint that If found interesting.
I lost 7 lbs in between my first visit and second after taking this medication and am still loosing slowly. Granted, I have been eating gluten free, but I lost that weight before I cut out gluten. It really worked for me anyway. I also have tons more energy and my sleeping patterns improved. I love it. Hope everyone finds what works for them. I wouldn’t wish how I used to feel on anyone (and I know there are others who have had it way worse than me).
T3 is 54 T4 2.4 TSH 139.76 I have become allergic to all my Thyroid Meds.
I started Tirosint yesterday 150 mcg a day, I hope this works. Before I took Armour 120 amd Synthyroid 0.75 a day I am allergic to both of them after taking them for 20 years. My Thyroid still never right.
So far so good after 1 month on Tirosint – no allergy to it, which has been a huge struggle for me when taking thyroid meds.
I love that this drug gets absorbed within 10 minutes as opposed to 1 hour and I seem to have more energy. No fillers OR dyes- wonderful!
I started on thyroid meds due to Hashimotos 15 years ago and the biggest and most immediate side effect for me was a state of constant frustration/irritability along with anxiety.
After food journaling for many months I do feel gluten has a huge effect on those of us battling autoimmune thyroid disease.
You can currently get this drug at Costco for about $19 a month.
Good luck and health to all~
Tirosint has greatly improved the quality of my health and my life. Since 2008, I have been struggling to find the right thyroid medication. My doctor prescribed all available medications, and none of those medications worked for me.
Synthroid and its generic version caused other side effects that were unpleasant. Armour Thyroid did not work for me because of the inconsistencies in the batches. I have been on Nature-Throid for the past four years, but my T4 levels were always low. I refused to go back on Synthroid or its generic version because those drugs made me feel really bad.
In September 2012 (about 2 months ago), my doctor switched me to Tirosint. The results are amazing. Both my T4 and T3 levels are within range. My hair is soft and does not fall out, and my nails are no longer brittle and do not break. Also, once I started taking the desiccated thyroid, I quickly gained 20 pounds. Despite hard aerobic workouts and dieting, I could not lose the extra pounds. However, the extra pounds immediately started dropping off once I started taking Tirosint.
Tirosint has changed my life drastically…for the better! I was on generic levothyroxine for a year (post TT & cancer) and never felt “right” no matter the dose or my blood levels…and I felt different day to day. Felt like I was losing my mind between the insomnia, extreme fatigue, mood swings, hair loss, itchy skin etc. et. etc. etc. I have allergies to so many foods, meds & environmental things that my doctor FINALLY suggested Tirosint (duh!). Within 3 days of switching I began to feel wonderful: even tempered, good energy levels, slept normally and it felt like a switch had turned on in my body. I was still losing hair but that has improved over the past 6 weeks (i switched 4 months ago) and I have tons of new hair growing in. I heart Tirosint and the pharmaceutical company, Akrimax, is quite tesponsive to customers. There was an availability issue last month and a rep responded to my email within 10 minutes, with a phone call…and then tracked down the Tirosint for me. Incredible
On another note my mother takes Armour and loves it (after negative ex. w/synthetic levox.) Ir’s all very indi idual…best of luck!!!
Poeple must be aware that Tirosint is not only a capsule form of the Levothyroxine Sodium for thryroid treatment, it is also gluten, glucose, lactose ,dye free. Something very important for those poeple with allergies . I have a Hashimoto thyroiditis and I am very allergic to gluten, lactose and dyes ,and my Health Insurance doesnt want to cover it. It takes a great fight to get Health Inusrance to understand the need of coverage on medicines that adjust to patients medical needs. Generic medications are truly causing many side effects people arent aware of and it is resulting in misdiagnosis of depression and other conditons as those generic medications could have dyes and certain chemical components that can cause adverse reactions . People with chemical sensitivities or allergies could be prone to develop these adverse reactions with generic medications. It is important for poeple to know their bodies and pay attention to physical or mood changes when taking medications, so youc an identify possible adverse reactions that could lead to depression or changes in the body chemistry as a result of an adverse reaction or side effect.
I am glad to find something without the fillers…I was taking Nature-throid(dessicated pork thyroid) for 3 yrs and synthetic thyroid for about 10 yrs before that. I have Hash. Thyroiditis and have never felt healthy enough on the meds. My levels go up/down and I felt agitation/chemical vibe on the levothyroxine so I switched to natural thyroid….yet after a few yrs of taking it I started having same problems (levels not regulated). I saw an endo doc. and he said that the natural thyroid was not consistent enough so he wanted to put me back on synthroid. I was low so i agreed but hesitantly due to the dyes and fillers(gmo corn/gluten/lactose/dyes) super nasty stuff that i don’t want in my body since I have tried to hone in on my diet. I am now gluten free and try to eat as much vegetables and whole foods, living/raw foods as possible. I would like to also supplement my adrenal glands. I would like to find a good, natural product to help with that. I know adaptogens are good. I drink Holy Basil Tea(Tulsi) and include ashwaganda in my supplements as well as taking Omega 3/6/9′s daily to help with arthritis and inflammation.
Does anyone know if its available in the UK ? Thanks
I have been on Tirosint for 8 weeks and I have experienced a great deal of hair loss. I don’t see that it is starting to grow back yet, but the loss seems to be diminishing. I have noticed more muscle aches which is going to become a real problem since I often work standing for 8 hours on cement floors. My hip is so sore I can barely sit on the floor and then get back up again. My nails are a mess. I still have the heart palpitations every day. Not so sure this is the best choice for me, but doc says my numbers are better. I can’t say that this is better or worse than my levothyroxine.
I agree with the hair loss and aches/pains in hips, legs, arms. Since being on Tirosint for approximately 6 months the only change from Synthroid in which I was on for 3 years is that my sleep pattern has gotten a lot better. My weight gain is out of control. But the theory as presented to me is thyroid medicine does not cause weight gain. I don’t believe that for one second. Now I am in the process of trying the iodine tablet to see if that will help me with weigh loss.
I have been on Tirosint 137mg started 10-18-12
So for all my levels are great. Thats has never happend in 20 years.
Hello all,
I have Hashimoto’s and was on Armour for years. My hair was still falling out, my nails were breaking, my energy levels were iffy, and I had acne on my face, neck, and back. I went to my endo and she put me on Tirosint. Two days after starting the medicine I had a huge lump form on my right knee. Then, more incredibly painful lumps starting showing up on my calves, shins, and breasts. I stopped the Tirosint and after a week all of the lumps were gone. Apparently I am not the normal patient and this is not a normal reaction but this really freaked me out and had me wondering where else lumps might have been that I couldn’t see. Just thought I’d throw out my really weird reaction in case anyone else experiences the same thing.
Hello, my name is Lindsey and I really appreciated all your thoughts. It has really helped me understand my symptoms a lot better. I am on levothyroxin 50 mcg and have been for about 6 to 8 months. I have been experiencing weight gain which I have never had issues with before. I definately don’t want it to get worse. Other symptoms fatigue but not to the level of some of the other people. Brain fog, which is beyond annoying. dry skin but no hair loss yet. I have been reading about the importance of regulating t3 levels. I’m not sure I understand how that works. Also how often should I be checking my t3 and t4 levels? Thanks.
Surprised none of the Doctors nor Pharmacist mentioned this: (most especially the compound Pharm doc.)
Levoxyl .50 mcg. has no dyes or lactose in it. Shocked many of you don’t know this. But, I guess when doctors and Pharma doc’s don’t tell you I can now understand how you don’t know.
I started using the .50mcg (white) because of that, but also it allows me to adjust my T4 med’s as needed. After 15 years you know your body and it’s needs. I take half of my .50 in the evening and the other half with my compounded T3 in the very early morning. (at 5:30 am when my hubby’s alarm clock goes off…then I go back to bed.)
Tirosent looks like a gel cap. However, when I cut mine it was a hard capsule that able to be cut in half. No liquid inside.
I just started my Tirosint 2/23/2013, im deeply moved at reading all the comments from women at the same journey as me. The hope that this medicine will agree in every way. I felt it as soon as i took it @ 4:30am in my stomach a cramping like, since then i woke up and i do still feel minor different things, not alarming just different. We’ll see what tomorrow will be like. For, here’s to today. Continuing Thanking God for being alive. Grow hair grow.
I switched from Armour to Acella NP Thyroid by Acella.. Great.. It is like the old Armour of years ago.. and cheaper..
I take this about 4 or 5 am and go back to sleep. It seems to be the only med that makes me feel alive again, not that dead tired I used to feel before the end of the day. It hasn’t helped with any weight loss but I’d never to back to any of the other synthetic ones.
I’ve been reading everyones comments with interest. I have been on 50mcg of Synthroid since I was 18. Always overweight. Only 5’2” and 150+ and keep going up. Now at 62 and menopause it has really gotten worse. Have had the same dosage for years ! Went to an Endo last year and was put on .05 mcg of Cyctomel the T3 med really helped my hair and nails, sleep and moods. But not the weight ! Just in Dec 2012 she changed me from Synthroid to Tirosint and feel really good with more energy. I used to drag my self around feeling tired all the time. With 2 exercise classes and careful food intake I finally lost 5 lbs during the holidays but with the Tirosint it went right back on. Anyone know what other hormone issues I should get checked ? Thanks ALL
I was on Armour but never felt good, jiggers and palpitations. The doctor kept trying to regulate the dosage, so I saw an Endro and was given levothyroxine 25 mcg. Started in Dec 2012 and was feeling ok until my second refill, now my muscles ache, palpitations are back and not feeling energized, just doing enough to make it through. After reading all of the comments, I am really confused whether to ask for Tirosint from my Endro
Or my Holistic physician. I don’t want to gain any weight, I want what others want; just to feel better, no more itchy skin, palpitations, no weight gain, just back to normal. Help me.
After reading all the comments I am more worried. I am extremely
sensitive to most medications. I take a childs dosage of anxiety meds.
I am in the same boat, weight gain, exhaustion, hair loss, poor nails
and mood swings. I can’t help but wonder what all the endosare missing
when so many of us have the same issues. It would be great if a doctor
would comment on our issues.
I was on Synthyroid for 30+ years, same dosage .125 and my PCP started changing the dosage because of my blood test results. Since then I’ve had terrible upper leg pain. My dosage was changed to Generic 100 mcg and within 4 days my leg/hip pain was so bad I couldn’t walk. My PCP put me back on Synthyroid 125mcg. With much frustration I went to an Endo and explained the situation. She put me on Levoxl 112 and my leg pain subsided some but has not gone away. With my last lab results my doctor reduced my dosage to 100 and again I had terrible leg pain that I immediately went off this medicine. My doctor has now changed me to Tirosint and after reading all these comments I hesitant to try it. I can not take the chance of losing hair or gaining weight. The weight gain has bee a continued struggle since being diagnosed with Hypothyroid. I am so frustrated and all my doctors are in disbelief that the leg pain is from the thyroid medicine. Anybody else experiencing these symptoms. Some days I can barely stand the pain to walk around my office at work.
Hi Sue, I was on armour for about 30 yrs and then they reformulated and my body would not obsorb it. So my Dr. gave me levoxyl. Within 4 days wasI hurting so bad in my hips and legs that I had to stop it. I am on tirosint now and I am not hurting at all. I have only been on it for 1 month. so I may heve to adjust the dosage when I get my labs done, but it may work well for you. It is the fillers and binders that cause people pain most of the time.
I am wondering if this would work for patients with Graves disease?
I am one of the many i am sure that is being affected by Levoxyl being pulled off the market. I have graves autoimmune disease (treated in 2005 by radiation of my thyroid) and was on Levoxyl for 7 years, placing my graves to go into remission, when my pharmacist decided to save me money by switching me to the generic. This caused my grave to come out of remission, causing major issue for me once again. The Levoxyl seems to be the only thing that levels everything out for me and would love it if this would do that. i have a call into my Endo office right now and will ask if this is an option.
I have been on Tirosint for two weeks and the cost is prohibitive since I need two tabs per day for correct dosage. Costco filled them, $62 for 28 days worth. I ache more than before and am tired, but am very hopeful that hair loss is not happening more than before. Thyroid has been removed for just over a year, wish I had it back as it was working, nodules were huge. Have used generic Rogaine sprayed on hair, which has counteracted some of my hair loss, for years. Nails are slightly improved, but wish I had read about thyroid med troubles before my surgery, I would have delayed it. Weight will not budge even on fasting-type diet. Thanks for keeping us apprised of your reactions to this drug. Much appreciated.
I, too, am one who has been deeply affected by the recall of Levoxyl. After years of taking synthroid and only ever feeling “ok”, I tried Levoxyl and immediately felt better. All the anxiety, itchy skin, muscle twitches, extreme fatigue, body aches, shortness of breath, brittle hair , scalp pain, acne and headaches went away or lessened. Now I’m back on synthroid and it’s all slowly coming back. I’m hesitant to try Tirosint, but I already know I don’t do well on synthroid. I’ve also tried cytomel and armour…both caused terrible heart palpatiations and anxiety. Am wondering if I should bite the bullet and ask my doctor for a Tirosint rx. Wish Levoxyl would just miraculously re-appear so I could go back to what I know works.