Bitiron from Turkey anyone?

[rubyroo25]

Hello. I am in Turkey and went to a pharmacy looking for t3. The only thing that they had is something called bitiron which is levothyroxine 50 mcgs and t3 12.5 mcgs. I am currently on levothyroxine 125 but intending to introduce t3. Does anyone have any views please? Any suggestions gratefully received. Btw..100 tabs cost £1!

[shaws Administrator]

I don't know about this product and I've looked online and it seems to be those wanting a quick weight loss or increase muscles rather than having hypothyroidism that use this product.

Its a combined pill with T3/T4 so you couldn't be sure if the dose would be effective for hypo.

On the same page steroids etc were also mention.

[rubyroo25 in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws. I found the same thing. However I wondered if I could split a tablet thus giving me 6.25 t3 plus 25 levothyroxine and split my normal levothyroxine to give a therapeutic dose?

[shaws Administrator in reply to rubyroo25]

I'm not sure if splitting a tablet will give you exact equal amounts. You wont have the same control as tablets that were separate ones, i.e. T4 and T3.

The current research on using T3 and T4 combination for hypo is 1 T3 for 3 T4's.

Ask the pharmacist if they have levothyroxine and liothyronine tablets and point to your thyroid gland.

[rubyroo25 in reply to shaws]

I took my box of levothyroxine which he recognised as soon as he saw it. Admittedly the language barrier is hard to overcome.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to rubyroo25]

Google translate can be invaluable, if used with care:

English liothyronine is liotironin in Turkish.

translate.google.com/#auto/...

[humanbean]

One thing to bear in mind...

I'm assuming you are on holiday in Turkey. So what will you do when you run out of these pills when you come back to the UK? Won't it be a bit of a pain to have to readjust your medication again?

I would go for Tiromel if you can. They are made in Turkey so it should be possible to buy them fairly easily I would have thought. Since you obviously have access to the internet, go to Google Images and search for Tiromel. There are pictures galore of the boxes that Tiromel come in that you could show to pharmacists and shop assistants.

[rubyroo25 in reply to humanbean]

Thanks human bean. The pharmacist was very helpful but didn't stock t3. I will check with other pharmacies. The use by date is Feb 2017 so theoretically 3.5 packs would last a year. We come to turkey every year so would be able to get them again.Or do you think I should hold out for titiromel?

[humanbean in reply to rubyroo25]

If you go to Turkey every year then you might be fine using the bitiron. But, personally, I would still prefer to have separate T4 and T3 products so I could more easily fine tune the proportions of each I was taking. You might end up, for example, wanting to take 100% T3 eventually.

[Clutter]

Rubyroo, I think it is easier to tweak doses when using separate T4 and T3 than combination doses. Tiromel 25mcg T3 is available in most pharmacies or can be ordered in around 48 hours. 100 x 25mcg Tiromel was €2 or €3 last summer.

[rubyroo25 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks. I think that you are right. I should have asked them to order them in. I will go back tomorrow if possible.

[rubyroo25]

I think that I was just excited to be able to make some independent decision about my own health as opposed to being in the lap of the 'gods' as it were. If you catch my drift. ..

[humanbean in reply to rubyroo25]

I know exactly what you mean. Being independent of doctors and making decisions for myself about whether or not I was well, rather than being told I was well, is hugely empowering and it's a great feeling!

[BeansMummy in reply to humanbean]

Ha ha, I love your comment of "being told" that you were well. I still can't get my head around doctors saying that we are fine because we can't prove otherwise.

[rubyroo25]

Frustrating. Internet keeps dropping. I know what you mean. I am tons better than 6 months ago but still feel that there is movement on my meds. Just had bloods done but my Gp doesn't see it the same way as I do

[petalouda]

If you are intended to try t3 it is an excellent combination. We have the same in Greece. Begin with one and see how you feel for some days. Then if needed take a half more better 5-6 hours later. (with empty stomach because of levo). Then wait and see.

I have to explain to everyone that blood tests are useless on t3. Tsh go down quickly and t3 levels are fluctuates. So just see your feelings.

[Marz in reply to petalouda]

...yes it's called Dithyron here in Crete. My Accountant proudly showed me her box when I suggested she added some T3 to her T4 !! I don't think she is a body builder !!

[petalouda in reply to Marz]

Body builders make many stupid things. T3 is a thyroid medication. If you prefer begin with 3/4 in the morning and the next 1/4 in the afternoon.

[Marz in reply to petalouda]

Yes I know - I have been taking it for several years My comment was a reference to an earlier post !

[rubyroo25]

Thanks for that everyone. I think that I will give it a go. I do intend to bring some back. ..nothing to lose I don't suppose. ..lots to gain

[rubyroo25]

Yay. Bought some t3 today for £1.80. Also some lovely specs to be collected Friday. New me here i come!