March 9.

Nearly a million French people have abandoned their thyroid treatment because of the adverse effects of the new formula of Levothyrox.

Many patients stop their thyroid treatment

Since the formula of Levothyrox has changed, some patients no longer recognize themselves: hair loss, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations, disturbed sleep… The side effects of the new treatment are very numerous and sometimes serious. This is why nearly a million French people have decided to completely stop their treatment. 

One million people without Levothyrox, this represents a third of people with thyroid disease in France according to figures published on March 8 by the Association Living without a thyroid. Still according to this source, Levothyrox lost 31% of the market at the end of 2017.

Complaints multiply

For their part, the health authorities do not seem to be alarmed and “ still assure today that it is not a health crisis », Indignant the association in its press release. As of November 30, already more than 17.000 complaints had been registered. This is without counting the elderly or isolated who suffer from it but who will not initiate administrative procedures.

« The authorities only refer to the 17.000 patients who completed complex pharmacovigilance reporting procedures before the end of November 2017, and not to those (at least one million) who did not support the new formula and changed treatment. under medical supervision », Object Living without a thyroid. Today the sick are waiting an alternative to this new drug, more consideration and real awareness on the part of health authorities. 

Maylis Choné

You will surely be interested in our file: Thyroid