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  • fthompson
      Post count: 3

      Hi everyone,

      DX with Graves in November, on methimazole since December. all labs were within “normal” range in January other than the TSH which just got in range mid March. Feeling much better, heart rate has slowed down, weight loss has stopped, feeling energetic and more like my old self. My question is this, I had hair loss pre diagnosis (that was actually my first symptom/sign that something was going on) and then it continued until mid January when it stopped, not entirely but there was improvement for sure. Then I got my medicine refilled (and it was a generic but a different generic than before) mid February and the hair loss started again. Got my labs done and they are all within range (including the TSH). My question is this, has anyone had side effects such as hair loss when switching from one generic to the other? I asked my pharmacist if they could get the first generic I was on as I felt the hair loss had stopped on that generic and they said they could not but if my doctor wrote “brand medically necessary” on my script that I could switch to brand. I know hair loss is a side effect of the methimazole but the hair loss had stopped. I didn’t know if this is just typical, for hair loss to stop and start as thyroid levels fluctuate. However, mine have been in range and not really fluctuated all that much, other than the TSH which is now just in range. Also, I have had my ferritin (it was 37ng) and iron levels checked and my endo says everything there is fine. Anyone have advice or have something similar happen? And if so, would you try the brand or just stay on the generic or see if another pharmacy can get the first generic I was on?

      Kimberly
      Online Facilitator
        Post count: 4288

        Hello and welcome – We’re fellow patients here, so can’t give advice on medications. In general, the active ingredient should be the same between brand & generic and between different generic manufacturers. However, the absorption could potentially be different. In fact, the medical guidelines recommend followup testing after you switch brands, switch to generic, or switch generic manufacturers.

        Hopefully, others here will chime in with their own experiences, but many patients do notice hair loss occurring when levels are swinging too high or too low.

        KHagan11
          Post count: 1

          Hi and welcome! While I don’t have experience on methimazole – I do have experience on multiple levothyroxine drugs. I personally noticed a difference in how I felt/physical changes between the various levothyroxine generics and brand name drugs. While the active ingredient is the same, the fillers and as Kimberly noted the absorption can vary between manufacturers. When the pharmacy decided to switch things up on me I just asked my doctor to write the script for the specific one I liked/my levels were stable on/I personally felt my best on. It did take me 8-9 months to ask – but eventually I did.

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