Help sourcing T3

[SharanLall]

Hi,

I was looking for some help. Today I have finally been given a private prescription for T3. I was wondering if someone would kindly PM me details of where I could source it. The hospital cost is extortionate! Thank you!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

SharanLall

If your prescription is written

Liothyronine 20mcg

100 tablets

then it can be sent to Germany. Details on ThyroidUK's main website here

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[MaisieGray]

A private prescription can be fulfilled any pharmacy. The cheapest way to source T3 with a prescription at the moment, is by having it dispensed in Germany, with the brand Thybon Henning. This is slightly different from that normally dispensed in the UK, in that it is Liothyronine Hydrochloride rather than Liothyronine Sodium. Therefore the prescription has to be written as 100 (or however many) x 20 mcg Liothyronine. The cost is c30 Euro for 100 tablets. You can find some suggested Germany pharmacies here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Alternatively you can ask around UK pharmacies for their price, if they stock it or can source it. Not everyone will, and price may vary - some seem to be pricing at NHS reimbursement cost, others with simply a mark up on their wholesale price. There is one UK pharmacy that routinely dispenses Thybon Henning, postage free, at a price per tablet that is more expensive than buying direct from Germany, but at only about one third of UK T3 prices. Let me know if you want the contact details.

[SharanLall in reply to MaisieGray]

Hi, thank you for your message. Would you be able to send me the contact details? Also, what is the difference between Liothyronine Sodium and Liothyronine Hydrochloride? Sorry I’m new to this.

Thank you

[MaisieGray in reply to SharanLall]

Yes no problem, I'll copy their email to you. The slightly different formulation seems to make no difference in practise, although I've read someone say they felt it to be slightly stronger - I've not found that myself; and of course it might be a reaction to, or absence of, particular fillers, compared with the UK T3 they were used to. I've searched and not found any data to explain the different formulation.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Presumably reading your previous posts you have Hashimoto's, also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Did endocrinologist test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

These are frequently too low and ideally need improving to optimal by supplementing FIRST before very slowly adding T3

Initially just 5mcg a day. .....see what reaction is and then adding a second 5mcg dose in afternoon

Retesting after 6-8 weeks

Very often with Hashimoto's, gluten intolerance is a hidden problem. Are you already on strictly gluten free diet?

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Hives (urticaria) is linked to Hashimoto's

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[alderney]

Can I ask which Consultant gave you a prescription forT3.I have been attending BRI Bristol and they will not renew any T3 prescriptions.

I felt so much better with T3/T4.