How to take Liothyronine sodium?

[Lavender_Dreams]

Hi all!

So I've finally been prescribed Liothyronine sodium (yay!) It comes in 20 mcg tablets, but i've been told to only take 10 mcg a day. On the leaflet that comes with the tablets it says if you've been prescribed a dose lower than 20 mcg, to crush a tablet and allow it to disperse in 20 ml of water for 5 mins, stir it for 15 secs, and then use a syringe to draw out the required amount and swallow it. Is this really necessary? Or can i just cut a tablet in half with a knife and take that with a drink of water? Also, how should i take it to get the best results (like what time of day, with my levothyroxine or not, etc)?

Thank you!

[shaws Administrator]

I don't know who made up that method but when I was taking 50mcg T4 (levothyroxine) with 10mcg of T3, I swallowed both together with one full glass of water and waited an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of thyroid hormones.

How did I know the difference T3 made? was that it made me feel much better than on T4 alone.

A pill cutter splits tablets into halves or quarters and the one I use (I have had others) I prefer.

amazon.co.uk/Safe-Sound-Pil...

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

I have just changed my T3 from MP to Morningside which my pharmacist is now being sent.I am very happy. The expiry date is May 2019 .The Mercury Pharma expired whilst I was still taking them!! I only started using Morningside this morning,but used my pill cutter with no problems.There is no need to do any dissolving in water which the leaflet tells you to do. Apart from being wasteful it seems a lot of hassle too.Who needs that ? I will report how I get on with it.Thank goodness we are getting more choices in T3 now.

[Clutter]

Lavender_Dreams,

I would ignore the advice to disperse the tablet in water. It's a terrible faff and at £9.22 per tablet is a frightful waste of NHS/taxpayer's money. I simply cut my tablet in half to get 10mcg doses. I find a pillcutter available from any high street pharmacy does the job better than a sharp knife. If you cut the tablet as required there won't be any drop in potency taking the cut 10mcg the following day.

You can take the 10mcg Liothyronine with your Levothyroxine dose.

[Angel_of_the_North]

I just use a pill cutter or a knife and cut them in half. You can take with your levo.