Liothyronine 5mcg

[Loutraki56]

Is there anyone being prescribed 5mcg of Liothyronine on the NHS in the Uk please. Thanks.

[Lulu2red]

I was prescribed 5 mg tablets in a trial basis, my pharmacy complained to my GP about the cost. Now I have 20 mg tablets which I have to cut into pieces to make up my 35 mg dose. I have just seen my NHS Endocrinologist who told me cutting tablets is useless as you never get an accurate dose. He advised alternate day dosing which I tried for 5 days and felt dreadful. So back to cutting 20 mg tablets. My last blood test shows I am still hypothyroid according to last blood test. He told me I will probably end up on 40 mg a day which is an average maintenance dose, which would solve the problem of cutting tablets. Having said that I have no faith in NHS Endocrinologists. I only got a continuous prescription because I paid for a private DI02 test which I tested positive for. He couldn't argue with that although before when I asked for T3 he said it's not available in the UK on NHS. Proven liar but I need to keep him sweet to keep my ongoing prescription. He is not happy about it, if his brain was as big as his ego I might be better by now. But I will get there in the end. Hope this has been of some help.

[Loutraki56 in reply to Lulu2red]

So did you never try 5mcg at all?

[Lulu2red in reply to Loutraki56]

Yes. They worked OK, but found the 20 mg Morningside make more potent. Although that might just be my body's reaction to them. I split my dose twice a day away from other meds/vitimins 4 hours on empty stomach. Don't eat or drink for a minimum of an hour after taking liothyronine. It's a fad but you will get the best result. I took 25 mg right away, then increased dose by 5 mg every 6 weeks after taking blood test.

[Loutraki56 in reply to Lulu2red]

Thanks for this information!

[LAHs in reply to Lulu2red]

Yes, your doc was right about cutting tablets. I have to cut mine. I only cut as required because I am not sure if the pills "degrade" once their coating is breached, so as much as I would like to, I don't cut a dozen or so while I am at it to make life simpler for the upcoming days. After I have cut one I never get equal halves and I often get one good half and a pile of crumble and dust. I always separate the good half away first and take the crumble straight away - because it is more susceptible to degrading. I usually have to make a decision as to wether I am going to have a good day (take the smaller half) or a super day (take the big half) depending upon which part I take that day.

This is because my doc prescribes 1.25 grains (of NDT) and I take 1.5 grains. I am so grateful for getting the right stuff that I just put up with the cutting of pills, but your doc is right, you never get an accurate dose if you have to cut the pill.

[Lulu2red in reply to LAHs]

Endocrinologist suggested in order to avoid cutting tablets for a 30 mg dose I should take 20 mg morning & evening, then 20 mg only following day. I tried this regime of alternate day dosing for 5 day's but it didn't work for me. I think with T3 only you need a regular supply as it has a short half life of 24 hours. He made me do this when I was on T4, that didn't work either. Right now I am taking 35 mg a day so cannot a avoid cutting a tablet. I was still hypothyroid on last blood test. So should wait 6 weeks before another blood test. However I will test earlier as I think 3 weeks is enough time for my body to show if I need an increase. I had no adverse reaction taken the 40 mg one day but the 20 mg day I could hardly keep my eyes open. Problem is Endocrinologists and GPs don't understand how thyroid issues can make you feel like you are slowly dying. For me personally I only have to look at my face to see if I am going to have a good day or not. Even close friends notice when I seem brighter. It definitely shows in my eyes. When good my eyes are shining, bright and fully open. Bad day hooded, dull, half open and puffy under the browline. I won't bore you with the other long list of symptoms. This is my experience, just wonder if anyone else only needs to look in the mirror to know today ain't gonna be a good one?

[helvella Administrator in reply to Lulu2red]

However I will test earlier as I think 3 weeks is enough time for my body to show if I need an increase.

Indeed, three weeks would likely be sufficient to let you know that the change was needed. Trouble is, it can take longer for the biochemical values that tests detect to stabilise after a change of dose.

If you are a bit under-dosed and increase your dose by enough to be slightly over-dosed, it is very likely that to begin with you could feel good. But after a while, you might start to feel it is a little too much. I doubt that would happen with tiny increments such as you have posted about.

Alternate day dosing for liothyronine is almost certain to be a bad idea.

dropbox.com/s/q00vyt5703f4u...

[Lulu2red in reply to helvella]

Thank you. I fear my Endocrinologist is dragging his feet. He accepted my positive DI02 test and that is the only way I could get it prescribed on NHS. Prior to this he said it was not available even though he said I might respond better on T3. He has left me on 30 mg for 6 months and by suggesting I try 40/20 alternate day dosing is essentially still a 30 mg dose. My next appointment is in another six months. When he eventually discharges me, should I ever need to be referred again I won't be darkening his doorway!

[LAHs in reply to Lulu2red]

You cannot do alternate, averaging down, with T3. It has a half life of about 8 hours. Your doc is confusing T3 with T4. If I were you I would get your T3, T4 and TSH measured privately. 40 mcg of T3 is a pretty bit dose. I supplemented with 12 mcg once and had a huge blood pressure spike and never tried it again. So I think it's best to just cut the pills as best you can and approximate the 35 mcg per day, I think that is better than trying to get by on 40 mcg. But do start measuring your T's yourself because I don't think your doc/Endo knows enough to be dosing you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You might find this post by Hashihouseman helpful

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Loutraki56 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you!

[JMo1]

My daughter is now prescribed 5mg on the NHS. Initially I had to buy them and was paying around £100 each month. She takes 15mg so prob around £1 per tablet. Manufactured by Signapharm.