Private t3 Rx brand change and tiromel help please

[Salphy]

Hi,

I've been taking tiromel privately sourced at 6.25mcg (quarter of 25mcg tablet) very occasionally have a second dose in afternoon if I've done a lot and feel like I'm going to nap (consultant doesn't know that) but it's worked wonders for me.

I now can't get any more tiromel from the source but my consultant has supported me getting a private prescription from my gp.

I was cc'd in a letter from him responding to my gp the other day saying he's aware the dose I'm taking isn't in the BNF and if there is only 20mcg tablets available to him then splitting 1 tablet in half would be fine. So my dose would be upped to 10mcg daily.

My concern is that this means changing brands. Does anyone know which brand I would be given in the UK, 20mcg liothyronine?

I'm not sure if i should start with the private prescription as it will be a more reliable source or do my best to get more tiromel whilst I'm still improving losing weight etc.

Thanks x

[shaws Administrator]

As T3 seems to have become as rare as finding gold in the street, I'd go for the Private Prescription but if you have to pay for the T3 you should enquire about the cost or where to source it more cheaply . UK T3 is astronomical.

[Salphy in reply to shaws]

Yes just quoted 315 per month or 573 for 2 months worth. It's ridiculous x

[MaisieGray]

Salphy You are applying NHS rules to a private prescription, when being given a private prescription, you are taken outside the NHS rules and protocols. So it doesn't matter what is in the BNF (in fact it doesn't limit NHS prescribing either, but that's another argument of course.) So, with a private prescription you can ask a UK pharmacy to source you whatever you want, Cytomel, or perhaps Thybon Henning from Germany although you might have to shop around, and check what they will charge you as it should be far less than the UK makes. Otherwise you can send your prescription to a German pharmacy and have it dispensed by them at €c30 for 100 tablets @ 20 mcg. I don't know if TH is offered in smaller doses though. Please note it is Liothyronine Hydrochloride and not Liothyronine Sodium so your prescription must not specify the latter, if you decide to try that make rather than your much more expensive American Cytomel.