Does anyone know what strength T3 tablets are available on the NHS? I'm currently taking 20mcg and would like to go up to 25 over three .

[mumcat2]

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The only liothyronine tablet licensed in the UK is 20 mcg. You can see what thyroid hormone tablets are available here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

A handful of people get one of the products from abroad (usually USA) in 5 or 25 mcg tablets.

Pill cutters can be useful!

Rod

[Anthea55]

My local pharmacy grumbled about the cost when I was prescribed the 5mg size.

The first pill cutter I bought was hopeless - lopsided blade - maybe I was unlucky.

The second pill cutter is much better - 'safe+sound Health' printed on it.

[swmartin in reply to Anthea55]

Use an old fashioned razor blade. Its very thin so the tablets don't disintegrate when cut. In good light, you can get pretty accurate cutting the 20 mcg tablet into four.

[Parbrook]

I am getting 5mcg tablets manufactured by Paddock Labs (USA) on prescription from Boots.

Bottles of 100 tablets.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Parbrook]

When someone notices they cost the NHS £309.24 per pot, it is likely that someone will object. It is probably also why only 209 prescriptions were processed in October 2013 (latest available data).

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/PrescriptionS...

Outrageously over-priced - and even in the USA there have been questions as to why the "generic" products such as Paddock and Mylan cost almost as much as the "brand" product Cytomel. (That costs the NHS £382.14 for each of the five prescriptions.)

Rod

[Totoro]

I get 5mcg pills as well as 20mcg pills. I've never been able to cut a 20mcg pill into 4 pieces. My prescription said 20mcg pills and 5mcg pills and I simply picked them up from the pharmacy (Boots). No problem, just had to wait a few days longer to get the 5mcg pills as they are a special order.

Best of Luck,

Totoro xx

[jimjim]

Same as Totoro for me too! I have had Cytomel and Paddock - but I DID have to drop in one of my empty pots to the Consultant, who said they were not available - and it was news to him. He showed me his 'screen' which told him they were not on 'the list' that he had to use for information as proof they did not exist, so I said I was sure I was on them unless there was a mistake! I had a note back to say thank you for the bottle which made me smile. They must be on a special alternative system, and I am quite surprised at the cost mentioned here - no wonder it is hard to get them! Good Luck.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to jimjim]

Following the link I posted earlier clearly identifies that they a) do exist; b) are (sometimes) prescribed on the NHS. Totally ridiculous that we have to supply the information ourselves.

Mind, I suspect my ability to find out about medicines on the internet is better than that of many doctors - after all, most of the time they do not need to.

[stephensmith]

My doctor had a red cost warning on her screen when she looked at 5mcg. She even suggested that the pharmacy would cut my 20mcg tablets for me !!!

[stephensmith]

20mcg = £102 for 28 tablets, Not surprising that T3 is not a standard treatment if T4 does not work

[jimjim]

I managed to have my dose increased on T3 specifically BECAUSE it was impossible to accurately split the 20 in half - can't believe you would be able to get it down to 5 the way they powder up! My argument then was that one day I may get 6 and 14 the next, so it was far too unreliable - resulting in an agreed regime increase from 10 - 20 and drop the T4 from 100 down to 75 - fine by me!

Since then, with the improvement I felt, and wanted even more improvement in health, a different GP happily prescribed me with a nice bottle of 100 x 5's to 'experiment with', since I obviously was very sensible and seemed to understand what was happening!!! She believed it was far more important for a patient to FEEL better regardless of unreliable blood test results! Was so happy with her I could have cried when she said - sorry - she was about to retire! I guess she had nothing to loose!

Shame, but it helped me and now I get 25 of T3, and 75 T4 regularly with the support of the hospital endo (you remember - the one who did not know 5's existed!) - no doubt when the bill comes in they might start trying to change me back but I will go kicking and screaming if I have to!!!

It really does show that we must do all our own research, grow some balls, and not take 'no' for an answer. Good Luck all!xx