Levothyroxine is not a substitute for Liothyronine

[Pamela0106]

We knew this already but here it is in writing from the MHRA.

Liothyronine is NOT the same as Levothyroxine and it is NOT a substitute.

Feel free to use the next time your doctor tries to switch you to T4 only following established and effective treatment on #T3!

#andmeT3

[diogenes Remembering]

The real problem is the unspoken implication here. It's known that T3's influence when taken is far quicker than T4; it peaks fast, acts fast, and declines fast. In simply saying T3 is different from T4 does NOT support T3's use. If the argument is that T4 is the treatment of choice, then simply saying T3 isn't T4 gets us nowhere in decisions to use T3. The slower response to T4 will always be used as an argument against using T3.

[shaws Administrator in reply to diogenes]

If levothyroxine makes some patients much more unwell than before they're diagnosed, what is the purpose of keeping them very unwell, not able to function daily as they used to. Struggle or cannot go to work. Life becomes so hard and difficult and if we dare put on make-up they assume you're better than you say you are.

[Pamela0106 in reply to diogenes]

I don’t disagree so to clarify. I’m not suggesting for one minute this should be the sole thing any patient should use to back their T3 argument. It is meant as an additional card up their sleeves. Particularly for those patients who have been long established on T3 who are at immediate threat of its removal. I included this as part of the post.

[Hennerton]

Thank you so much for posting this. I am on T3/4 and am waiting for the dreaded letter that so many members have received, withdrawing their T3. Could be very, very useful!

[MaisieGray]

In saying that Levothyroxine and Liothyronine are not substitutes for each other, does not, to me, necessarily read as a positive thing. I read it as meaning T3 has a specific purpose such as in the case of intravenous application for myxoedema coma in ITUs; and that if T4 has been prescribed as the appropriate (gold) standard treatment for hypothyroidism, then T3 can't be substituted.

[Pamela0106 in reply to MaisieGray]

I hear you. However it’s also why I include in my comment that it’s partucularly prudent for those already on T3 who are well on it.

[Aurealis]

Thank you Pamela0106, I think this is useful. Like Hennerton, I dread the letter arriving. But there are many on this site that are having T3 withdrawn and substituted with Levothyroxine, so this must be useful if successful treatment with T3 is the starting point.

[Pamela0106 in reply to Aurealis]

Exactly xxx