Cytomel in the UK

[Kerrycat7]

Hi

Does anybody use Cytomel in the UK and get it with or without a prescription? 

I am looking to try it with my Endo monitoring me and wondered how easy it is to access and also costs to the UK.

[Kerrycat7]

Isn't Cytomel filler free though? thats why I thought it was better than the standard NHS Liothyronine 

[Kerrycat7]

I have just looked and this has come up not sure if it is accurate - 

Each round, white to off-white Cytomel (liothyronine sodium) tablet contains liothyronine sodium equivalent to liothyronine as follows: 5 mcg debossed KPI and 115; 25 mcg scored and debossed KPI and 116; 50 mcg scored and debossed KPI and 117. Inactive ingredients consist of calcium sulfate, gelatin, starch, stearic acid, sucrose and talc

[Kerrycat7 in reply to Kerrycat7]

If that is correct then Cytomel does have fillers! I was told it didn't!! 

[Kerrycat7]

thanks. The doses is the problem for me, my Endo is reluctant to use a T3 which is 20mg as it is too much for me but I don't think she understands Cytomel is 5mg doses and I am sure other brands are too

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kerrycat7]

The only licenced T3 in the UK, is by Amdipharm. Cytomel is unlicenced but can be prescribed on a 'named-patient' basis by Endo or doctor and you wouldn't pay for it.

It is quite easy to half or quarter T3 tablets if you use a cutter.

Cytomel has no known side effects.

Excerpt:

Now, to address your rheumatologist’s assertion that T3 is dangerous, and his implication that amitriptyline is not. I think the best way to reply to him is to quote publications that are available to him. In the USA, when patients get their prescriptions filled for T3 (usually the brand Cytomel), the pharmacist usually gives them a leaflet on the product. The leaflet contains the following statement:

"NO COMMON SIDE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED with the proper use of this medicine." (Medi-Span, Inc.: Database Version 97.2. Data © 1997.)

This statement makes a fact perfectly clear: When used sensibly, T3 is extraordinarily safe among prescribed drugs. When I say extraordinarily safe, I’m comparing T3 with drugs such as the amitriptyline which your rheumatologist prescribes for you. Below is a list of potential harmful effects of amitriptyline. This list comes from the Physician’s Desk Reference, 53rd edition, Medical Economics Company, Inc., Montvale, 1999, page 3418.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

Our Endos and doctors rarely know how to prescribe T3 for the benefit of the patient. We are all different and too low a dose of any thyroid hormones we cannot recover and we all take various doses.

[Angelic69 in reply to shaws]

Thanks what a great link, very helpful. i especially like the safety comparisons with amitriptyline. lol

[Clutter in reply to Kerrycat7]

Kerrycat7,

5mcg doses can be imported but are much more expensive than UK 20mcg which are already expensive at around £158 x 28 tablets.  Many of us have a pillcutter and cut the 20mcg tablets into 10mcg doses quite easily.  It is possible, but tricky, to quarter the 20mcg tablets.  25mcg tablets from Turkey are large and easily quartered into 6.25mcg doses.  Greek T3 is smaller but some members do quarter them successfully.

[Angelic69 in reply to Clutter]

Why would they do that when its essential for quality of life. What dirt bag scoundrels'.

[Kerrycat7]

I just don't understand why my Endo keeps going on about the 20mg dose and hasn't mentioned the fact you can cut it in order to take a lower dose it just proves she is reluctant to give me it due to the cost

[Hidden]

I had a bad reaction on Pfizer Cytomel few years ago. I am on T3 for years, so it can cause bad reaction in some people same as any other medication. As somebody already said, it is not superior than other drugs.

[Angelic69 in reply to Hidden]

branded kings cytomel was the medication referred to as no listed common side effects.

[Kerrycat7]

Can I ask why it caused a bad reaction for you? and are you on T3 treatment only now? no added T4?

[Hidden in reply to Kerrycat7]

Yes, I am on T3 treatment only. About Pfizer I don't know exactly what caused bad reaction I had on Cytomel. Probably something they put in the pills. I remember I got flu like symptoms and something like allergy. It all cleared when I stopped taking it.

[Kerrycat7 in reply to Hidden]

That is very interesting. I get flu symptoms daily and have often wondered why or what is causing that, I think it could be my medication causing this but since taking Selenium it has helped a tiny bit but I can't wait to get off of Levo!

[shaws Administrator]

I have come across this excerpt which I copied a while ago. I believe UK T3 has gone up since then:

Ok, the only T3 (liothyronine) which is 'licensed' in the UK is the one from Amco Amdipharm which comes at an extortionate price of £104 per tub of 28 pills.

Tell your GP he/she can prescribe other brands of liothyronine, they are the same thing: ie they ARE liothyronine only a different brand.

your GP can prescribe CYNOMEL FROM SANOFI-AVENTIS (in France, be careful this is the FRENCH CYNomel, and NOT the mexican), it comes in 25mcg tablets and your local pharmacy can procure these from the importers.

when I asked 10 months ago this was quoted to the NHS as approximately a little less than £30 for a 28 tablets packets (or 30 tablets cannot remember)

tell your GP you can help him save at least £60-70 per 30 tabs.

All the GP has to do is prescribe: (say you take 3 tabs per day)

x 1 25mcg Cynomel three times a day

for the treatment of hypothyroidism (he HAS to write this as it is an unlicensed medication the brand Cynomel)

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Sorry, everybody is mentioning Amdipharm now, I always thought that Mercury Pharma is the only one licensed?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Yes, you are right - they keep changing the name - it is the same Company and previously it was Mercury Pharma and another name before that........ I've just remembered was Goldshield.

[Kerrycat7 in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws for this info. I think my Endo is willing to try me on T3 if all else fails with the new lactose free medication. I still think I need T3 and she is just stalling due to the costs of it.

I will ask her next time about the possibility of trialling one of the above out, I know a few people who take Cynomel and they get it through a private prescription. I know my Endo is a little wary of prescribing unlicensed drugs in the UK so I may have to get it myself elsewhere! 

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kerrycat7]

Most don't want to take the responsibility of unlicenced in the UK although Cytomel etc are brand names elsewhere in the world.

[Kerrycat7 in reply to shaws]

It all seems so strange and long winded how they can't just prescribe it if they know it works and they know the brand names? I find it so frustrating! Do you order your own online?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kerrycat7]

I'm fortunate GP prescribes. I assume it's because I'm no longer getting severe palps, ECGs, cardiologist and trips in ambulances . I also buy some for myself - just in case UK runs out or there is a problem with it - that happens quite often that there's a hiccup with UK T3. I've no idea why - when the company bleeds the NHS dry. Most probably why most GPs wont prescribe either. For me it's been a lifesaver in more ways than one.

[Kerrycat7 in reply to shaws]

I am glad you get it prescribed. What brand do you get?

Can you message me with any info on where you buy your own stock?

thanks

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kerrycat7]

UK mercury pharma - it's not my preference but there's only one UK! Most doctors wont prescribe options. 

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kerrycat7]

I now source my own. I did get the only one the NHS would prescribe, it was by Mercury Pharma. It has been removed due to the new guidelines.

I buy mine when abroad.

Put up a new post asking for a private message to be sent to you of where to source T3. You can even add some to your levo as many do well on the combination.

[Lindslou in reply to shaws]

Hi. I’m new to all this. I was happily on the right dose of T4 until I moved House and changed GP’s. My dose is now too low and I feel appalling. I’d like to try supplementing with T3. Is it possible to buy online without a prescription anywhere?

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Lindslou]

This post is 2 years old so most people won't see your comment. Lindslou

You'll need to make a separate post about yourself requesting that information (it can only be sent by PM).

Please include any recent blood test results that you have when you post, TSH, FT4, FT3, thyroid antibodies, include their reference ranges. Similarly, please post the results of any vitamin and mineral levels that you have, including their reference ranges.

When you post, please mention the dose of levo. you're taking, and how long you've taken it for; include information about any supplements, their dosages, and how long you've used them for etc.

Yes - it's a lot of information, but it helps members to comment.

[Angelic69 in reply to Kerrycat7]

NHS rules, specialists, doctors ect must put the patients need before costs.