I thought it might be helpful to update members on situation in Italy regarding T3 - a number of posts over the last few years - weeks even - have referred to it or asked about it.
Two pharmacists confirmed to me that Liotir IS a prescription medicine. It is not over the counter and, as others have suggested, it is the ONLY T3 available in Italy. The first pharmacist I spoke to didn't have it in stock. She sold me 5 packets of T4 ( 25mcg) at 2.80 euro each however. I didn't want it particularly but wanted to find out how much it was, etc. This is also prescription only. I didn't have a prescription.
The second pharmacist initially wasn't going to sell me Liotir without a prescription ( ''hormones you know! Dangerous! ) When I showed her my Greek T3 they relaxed immediately and I was sold a bottle of Liotir. 13 euro something. Very small bottle. Available only in this size and apparently a 'month's supply' of vials - but very small doses. Probably useful for someone adding it to T4 but impractical for someone on T3 only for its size.
Isn't it odd how much variation there is from country to country? Thankfully... I get the impression that Italian pharmacists are pretty relaxed particularly if you can show you take T3 already. So useful to have some with you if you're in Italy and want to try this.
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catrich
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Well...I asked, in Italian, "do I need a presciption?". On both occasions the name was entered into the database which gave the pharmacists the info they needed. Yes, was the answer. However, the fact that I had T3 in my bag and so seemingly was prescribed ( if they knew the half of it!) was sufficent for both to waive the prescription 'obligation' . Make of that what you will....
Thank you catrich , very useful. We move to Italy in a month or so, and if the T4 doesnt work for me, at least I know I may be able to get T3. Now I just need to get some T3 to show them!!
If you're still in Italy, can you ask around about a new form of T3 called T3 Sulfate? Italian researchers filed a US patent for it in 2014. From what I read of the patent, it is promoted as an alternative to T4 meds because it has a much longer duration of action than regular T3. It is also a prodrug like levothyroxine in that it has to be converted from T3 sulfate to T3 but could potentially be superior, as it doesn't have the problem of being converted to reverse T3 like T4-only meds do.
Hi - I am not in Italy often Kiefer but some poking around on the net turned up another form of T3 in Italy other than the Liotir - the liquid. Seems tablets of 20mcg are also available.Prescription only and priced at 7-8 euro a box. Made by Teofarma Srl. Will find out more when I can - and where did you see info about T3 sulfate btw?
Yes, Titre. It seems to be commercially available here so fingers crossed...( obviously of no interest if you can't get a prescription but potentially interesting if you can.)
I don't think it's available commercially yet. I was hoping to find out that it had successfully passed clinical trials. This form of liothyronine is something that endocrinologists would actually support, as it has a longer duration of action than regular T3.
I've never been able to find a reliable source of T3 online, not that I haven't paid several times. I can't afford a thyroid smart doctor.
Interesting. I suppose I / you could write to the lead contact and ask. As for the Titre above...it looks likely that it is NOT commercially available anymore. I will contact company and clarify.
Hello everyone, I posted a few weeks ago about this. Yes T3 is prescription only in Italy, and yes Liotir is the only T3 available. However, it seems that Italian pharmacists are quite helpful and sometimes willing to ignore the prescription rule if they see that someone is in need and has been on the medication –this happened to me on several occasions now – but this can work for a month or 2's supply, not to stock up long term. The bottle is about a month's supply for me at 20mcg/day, so not so little actually.
The bottle is pretty small HyHashi for those taking T3 only. If you take 20mcg it will last you 20 days (1ml = 20mcg).
If you take around 50 mcg it's little more than a week. Perfectly do-able if you have a nearby pharmacist and a prescription so the advice to Silver_Fairy to get one in/prior to going to Italy is good advice! And there is a larger size available with individual flacons for a month...but probably still 20mcg al giorno. So not enough for a month for anyone taking more than 20mcg! ( And as others have said already the costs start to mount up...)
Boba - can I suggest you post a new thread with a simple request for forum members to private message you with the information you want? People won't see it here!
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I didn't want it particularly but wanted to find out how much it was, etc. This is also prescription only. I didn't have a prescription. 
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