TEVA T3 Liothyronine

[Littlebee]

Does anyone have experience of taking TEVA T3 liothyronine 20 mcg? I was taking Mercury Pharma Concordia brand quite happily for 18 months and was then supplied with TEVA brand (for last 6 weeks) which i do not seem to be getting on so well with - i feel more tired and achy on this. Id like to know if anyone else has a similar issue? I have used the yellow card system to report my concern - but it might be just me. Im going to try and gain a prescription for a named brand - but i know I might have difficulty getting this. I realise I am so lucky to be prescribed T3 at all!

[Clutter]

Littlebee,

Some people have had adverse reactions to Teva T3.

You should tell your pharmacist that Teva doesn't suit and request Mercury Pharma is dispensed in future. If the pharmacist isn't prepared to order the brand you require ask for your prescription to be returned and take it elsewhere.

[paulaelizabeth]

Hi littlebee

I too have just been given Teva after years of Mercury.

I am not doing well on it either as I feel that it much weaker and I totally disagree with the syringe idea and disposal of obtaining smaller doses than 20mcgs. I am supposed to take 40mcgs daily (plus 25mcg Levo at night) but for now I have increased Teva dose to 60mcgs.

I have told my pharmacist that I will no longer accept Teva but I am not due another prescription for two months! Fortunately I have found one months Mercury at home.

My pharmacist (boots) has made a note on my file that I will only accept tablets that are scored so I don't know what they will have on offer at my next prescription!

I would love to hear of someone who is doing well on Teva Liothyronine....

[DandyThyro]

I don't have experience of Teva T3, but I had a bad experience on Teva T4: rashes, upset stomach and headache so that I yellow carded it and asked for any brand other than Teva. I'd had several brands before without those problems so I think it's the fillers in Teva that are the issue. It's likely, I think, that they would use the same fillers in both T4 and T3. On a similar note, I had rashes on Greek liothyronine, and again think it must be the fillers as another brand had been fine.

[phronsias]

Hi

Boots tried to give me Teva yesterday after it was explained I can only accept Mercury T3 and its written on my proscription, I was told they will order Mercury T3 Monday, any more problems and I will go to the pharmacy at the hospital where my endo is, and thats in the next county. This is a real worry for me as I cant take any more time off work.

[Agapanthus]

Just been doing an online search re Teva T3/Liothyronine, as interested to find out how others are doing on it. I was 5 years on Mercury and did very well except that last year the NHS wanted me to combine it with T4 again, and drop my dose, (due to diagnosis of osteoporosis) but at around the 2 week mark in I got some of my hypothyroid symptoms - notably a lot of viruses restarting even though the middle of summer. I carried on for 4 months, increasing T4 and decreasing T3, but felt ill the whole time.

So..... with my GP's blessing I have been since Dec increasing my T3 again and decreasing T4. So when I ended up with an increasing muddle of different types of T3 - Mercury in Jan plus just one pack of Morningside, and then the next prescription all Teva T3, I didn't know if I was coming or going, or what was causing what!

Not sure about Morningside as not enough time to assess properly. I have done a month on Teva T3 and felt hung over the whole time. I just thought I was ill. Also non-recovery from exercise, plus the usual viral symptoms.

I am now trying for a month on some Cynomel from Mexico which I had bought in when I thought the NHS were going to cut my supply. I will see how I am and then go into the pharmacy to discuss it. It's in a small village, and may refuse to get me the Mercury one, but I will see......I am back to T3 only at the moment, so I need a lot of it and know I am very lucky to get it on the NHS!

First day on Cynomel and have actually reduced my dose and yet feeling better so far halfway through the day, but will need to give it a proper trial.

Incidentally I happened to notice on Facebook that Paul Robinson who wrote the books re Recovering with T3 is having problems with the Teva T3 also and is encouraging people to report it via the yellow card system if they do have issues. He is going back to the Mercury T3 it seems which I would prefer, although I am not sure how easy it will be for me to get hold of it, where I am living.

[moatie in reply to Agapanthus]

I crashed on the Teva T3, got more and more hypo and hit the level of crippling symptoms I had with t4 only 5 years ago.

Luckily doctor was understanding and I’ve gone back on Mercury pharma and treating low cortisol now functional again (2 weeks off work!) going to take me a bit longer to get back to full strength again. Wish I hadn’t persisted with the Teva, thought it was just an adjustment period but clearly was really not agreeing.

Interestingly although on the same dose as normal my t3 had increased but t4 has dropped right out. Also my Cortisol AM bottomed right out, my monthly cycle also stopped on TEVA and I’ve gone grey!!! And gained 12ilbs in 15 weeks. All to save £5 a pot, now I also have to see a new endo to go through the TSH battle once more.

Why can’t they just leave us alone 😭. Fight to go back on Mercury if you need to, we have the right to health. Xx

[Agapanthus in reply to moatie]

Interesting Moatie and sorry to hear that you too have been very unwell on TEVA. Sounds as if you had some pretty severe symptoms on it. Were you t3 only on TEVA?

I did have trouble getting Mercury Pharma T3 from my village pharmacy - long story which involved them saying I could have it if I was prepared to pay an extra fee for it (which I have since found is not right as I am over 60 and it's a free item). I decided not to challenge them as it's a small village, but I can easily get MP T3 from the local town in Boots with no trouble and am back on that now.

I reported the TEVA T3 to the MHRA and they said they would investigate, but what in fact happens is that TEVA then write to you so it seems are investigating themselves. I have now sent them a sample and await their judgement. I somehow doubt they will find anything wrong as they are looking into it for themselves - surely there should be an independent person to do this?

[Parbrook]

Boots have been providing me with Teva and Morningside 20mcg Liothyronine instead of Mercury Pharma, since these alternatives became available.

I have not noticed any difference.

Both Teva and Morningside Liothyronine tablets are provided with moisture protection (none provided with Mercury Pharma Liothyronine tablets).

Without moisture protection, the Mercury Pharma tablets are likely to lose their effectiveness more quickly, which probably explains the shorter use-by dates and may be why some people are noticing a difference.

[Agapanthus in reply to Parbrook]

Hello Parbrook. Thank you for your reply.

I am puzzled to hear that your Teva is provided with moisture protection. Do you mean the kind of pot which is so difficult to open? I wrote to Teva about their pot which if it were not for my husband I would have to get the pharmacy to open for me.

I did have one pack of the Morningside and I did like their packets - much better I agree and yes, a downside of the Mercury Pharma sort, but as I tended to use them up quite quickly (I stopped stockpiling when I saw the dates shorten), I guess it didn't affect me so much.

As I am now on about 45mcg T3 and have taken away my T4, this may be why I am noticing more difference, as I don't have any other hormones going in at all.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Agapanthus]

The document linked below from the MHRA shows two different forms of packaging for Teva liothyronine - pots and blister packs. See page 9. I do not know if the Teva pots have any form of moisture/humidity protection but blister packs are usually regarded as fairly moisture resistant.

mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/par...

I do not know if there is any difference in cost for the different packaging.

[Agapanthus in reply to helvella]

Thank you helvella. It did not occur to me that Teva might also do blister packs in addition to the pots. The pots are terrible to undo, and when I emailed their Customer Services, I did not even get a response.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Agapanthus]

I can't understand why they bother with both pot and blister. It's even possible that not both are actually available - but both are, obviously, approved.

Might be worth asking the pharmacy if they can get the blisters?

[Agapanthus in reply to helvella]

Yes, I would do so (as for the blisters) if I thought that I liked the Teva, but at the moment, I don't want it after my recent experience. It may just be due to it having 'gone off' but it might be something else entirely.

[Parbrook in reply to Agapanthus]

The Teva pot has a moisture absorber in the lid of the pot.

Just for additional info, Perrigo and Sigmapharm 5mgc Liothyronine also come in pots, but with a loose moisture absorber with the tablets beneath the cotton wool.

[Agapanthus in reply to Parbrook]

So... presumably you didn't have any trouble opening the pot Parbrook? My husband managed it, but it seemed to be a knack.

[Parbrook in reply to Agapanthus]

No trouble. Push down then unscrew.

[Agapanthus in reply to Parbrook]

Oh dear. I tried that.....! Must just be me.

[Parbrook in reply to Agapanthus]

For a real challenge, try opening a new sealed screw-top 500ml bottle of Lactulose with a hand that has arthritic index finger joints

[Agapanthus in reply to Parbrook]

I can imagine! Sounds very difficult. I often have trouble with new pots of coconut oil. I cannot even say I have the arthritic issues either.

[fortunata]

I can’t believe you’ve posted this! I have EXACTLY the same issue. Prescribed Mercury Pharma by the dispensary at my own GP. Got on famously with it. Then they moved me to the local Boots, who gave me Teva. I definitely don’t feel as well on it. Tired and aches and no motivation to do anything, which is not like me. How do I report it on the yellow card system?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to fortunata]

Go here:

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

[Agapanthus in reply to helvella]

Thanks helvella

[Agapanthus in reply to fortunata]

Thanks fortunata. That's it exactly. No motivation. I kept thinking it was a 'winter' thing, or the fact that I am changing meds, or just ill. I go to a dance/theatre group and it took me days to recover and a huge kick up the backside just to arrive there.

Yes, I think I will be reporting it on the yellow card system too!

[Hidden in reply to fortunata]

Try searching for posts about TEVA meds on this site. You'll be amazed at how many of us have had problems with their meds-and not just the levo. I won't accept any TEVA meds anymore. My pharmacy knows this. It is our right. And I never leave the pharmacy counter until I check the Rx bottle to make sure the med is not Teva.

[fortunata in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Irina. I’ll do that in future.

[Hidden in reply to fortunata]

I live in a senior living community and as you can imagine there is a lot of chit chat over med stuff. The one company I hear the most complaints about from fellow residents is TEVA. Totally unrelated- There is a wonderful water-proof sandal made by a shoe company named Teva-I believe in Israel. I wonder of the two Teva companies are connected. If so, hopefully parts are not mixed up!!! Could levo in the shoes give us more spring in our step??? I need to stop, get some coffee and eat breakfast. Take care. (Silly) irina

[fortunata in reply to Hidden]

Haha. I have Teva sandals. Maybe we should take the sandals and wear the tablets. 😂 Seriously though, it’s interesting that TEVA get the most complaints. Enjoy your breakfast. ☺️💖

[Pascha1]

Tescos tried to give me Teva last week, my prescription has got written "Mercury Pharma ( if possible) " I do not know why GP put that on the end unless they are taking it of the market soon, The Pharmacist in Tescos said the prescription says "if possible" so I thought you would be ok with Teva and also tried to palm me off with Teva levothyroxine I had already told them last month to never give me Teva as I had severe allergic reaction to. . I had phoned them 3 days before I picked script up as I didnt want to get there and them give me other brands on quite a few of my drugs, they said yes they will make sure its all ok, even my sleeping tablets were wrong, I was fuming why on earth would i want Teva if i had gone to all the trouble to get Mercxury Pharma put on it!, I took all my prescriptions back they had made most up and took my prescription to a chemist who did get Mercury for me.. I live remotely in the country a 36 mile round trip to any pharmacy so had to do it again the next day. .. Why do people not listen anymore ? Im not risking Teva after there cr*p levo

[EbonyEvans in reply to Pascha1]

Hi Pascha1 did you put a yellow card complaint in about the Teva T4?

[Pascha1 in reply to EbonyEvans]

Yes I did yellow card the T4

[Picketywitch]

Hi no it’s just not you. TEVA lithyronine makes me very tired, achy joints headache abdominal cramps and terrible sweating. I usually manage to get the one from Advanz Pharma which use to be Mercury Pharma Concordia then the company merged with anther two I believe. You can still get Advanz Pharma ask your gp to put it on your script and ask the pharmacist to look for the code specific to this mine has. I’ve had to take the TEVA one again as the supplier kept sending him this so he now has 4 bottles of this at £250 per pot and cannot return them. Hope this helps.