Anyone having problems with Mercury Pharma brand Liothyronine?

[kittenmittens]

I was wondering if anyone had experienced Mercury Pharma Lio not working particularly well, as I went onto it after taking Unipharma Lio and some of my symptoms (tiredness, depression, feeling the cold) have returned?

Also does anyone know if you can be prescribed a different brand in the UK on the NHS?

Thank you

[Jazzw]

You aren't alone, Kitten. See healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[kittenmittens in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks for the reply Jazzw.

[heathermr]

Yes there are big problems with MP T3, its just not up to standard and is getting worse as the months go by. I have sent in several "yellow cards" for this T3 but nothing seems to alert the agencies that oversee this medication. In frustration I have sent a furious E-mail to the manufacturer asking if they test the tablets for Reverse T3 during production. I have now had a response from a Doctor connected to the company but no real answers yet and I shall keep pushing until I get an answer on the Reverse T3 front because that's what I suspect is getting into the medication.

I am in the process of trying to get my medication changed to another T3 brand but it's like pushing water uphill! I do also "top up" my T3 with T3 from Uni Pharm (ie made in Greece) and its of a much better standard.

Heather

[kittenmittens in reply to heathermr]

Thanks Heather, have you found this brand to be okay previously? What do you need to do to get your brand of T3 changed? I know you can get on a 'named patient basis', and that, with this medication, that would mean it being imported from America (either Cytomel or Perrigo), but that's pretty much all I know.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with Mercury and if you manage to get any answers from them.

[heathermr in reply to kittenmittens]

I have been on this brand in various forms over the last 6 years and at first it was fine, just I needed more than the GP or Endo would prescribe so I bought some from Mexico and it was really then when I started to notice how the Mercury was becoming weaker. That was about 2 years ago and its been going steadily downhill in quality or efficacy while the price has shot up. Whilst I dont pay for prescriptions, it still makes me mad that someone is just making a fast buck at our expense. Now that the Mexico brand of T3 has finished I'm topping up with Uni Pharm T3 made in Greece which is not as good as Mexican T3 but far better than British T3.

I'm still fighting to get a different brand of T3, opting for Cytomel, the American version which is on the list of approved medications but trying to get both the Gp and Boots on board to get hold of it is like trying to push water uphill one handed. Its now 2 weeks since I first started and I'm regularly ringing the pharmacy to get updates or things just come to a full stop. No-one seems to realise that I can't live without this medication and that my supply is getting low. At this rate I shall be on the next plane to Greece where i can buy it over the counter for just over 1 Euro a box of 30 tablets!

I have heard from Mercury today but they now need my permission to speak to my Gp, why I'm not sure as he really does not know much about T3 except what I have taught him!

I'll let you know if I hear any thing else.

Heather

[kittenmittens in reply to heathermr]

Thanks Heather, I hope you get some progress with your GP and Pharmacy.

[heathermr in reply to kittenmittens]

Hi Kittenmittens, just to let you know that I am still fighting the battle with Mercury Pharm over their T3. I have started another batch and that's absolute rubbish too so will have to send another complaint and yellow card notification. I have had an email today asking for a sample of the last faulty batch but the excuse will be that the tablet is now beyond its use by date. I'll probably just send them 6 tablets of the batch requested plus 6 from the last lot I've just started as they are even worse.

Now the Gp has sent another prescription for MP T3 I can't have any more T3 for another 2 months, I hope by this time I have convinced my Gp to change me over to Cytomel or I'm going to go completely crackers. The poor medication is upsetting my Hypothyroidal dementia and I'm starting to slide back downhill again as well as the usual hypo symptoms. Why do any of the medical people find it so hard to actually LISTEN to what a patient is telling them, its like being back in the Dark Ages!

[kittenmittens in reply to heathermr]

I'm sorry to hear you're having such a hard time of it, I really wish it it wasn't such an uphill struggle for those who don't do well on Levothyroxine, it's really important that there are viable alternatives.

[kittenmittens in reply to heathermr]

I went back to the Uni Pharma at 12.5mcg (instead of 20mcg of Mercury), and felt better again, so I submitted a Yellow Card Notification for the Mercury.

[heathermr in reply to kittenmittens]

I am glad you are feeling better. I have finally booked an appt to see my Gp to sort out this transfer to Cytomel rather that British T3 as I'm fed up with being fobbed off with all sorts of excuses. Wish me luck!

[kittenmittens in reply to heathermr]

Good luck

[kittenmittens]

Thanks for the reply Hippocampal, have you had problems with the Liothyronine?