Sourcing t3

[Smokey1973]

Hi can anyone help, I was given 4 weeks T3 on NHS prescription. Went to collect new prescription today only to be told they cannot prescribe it now as it is unlicenced. Does anyone know of a reputable company I can buy privately. Thanks in advance.

[helvella Administrator]

That is at best a mistaken belief, at worst an outright lie.

T3, as in Liothyronine 20 microgram tablets is a licensed medicine in the UK and there are three makes.

[Smokey1973 in reply to helvella]

Gp said pharmaceutical company called her to say they can't prescribe anymore, unless through NHS or private endocrinologist. I'm waiting on my private endo calling me but don't know if private prescription will be affordable. In the mean time my gp is referring me to NHS endo but that takes at least a couple of months and still no guarantee they will prescribe T3.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Smokey1973]

Not quite the same as "unlicensed".

If you can get a paper prescription, private or NHS, you can get it dispensed from Germany at a more reasonable cost than within the UK. Prescription needs to be written for 100 tablets and Liothyronine 20 microgram tablets.

[Smokey1973 in reply to helvella]

If my endo gives me a prescription can you tell me how exactly I can get it from Germany please? Thanks

[helvella Administrator in reply to Smokey1973]

I don't do this so will simply refer you to the Thyroid UK page:

thyroiduk.org/tuk/treatment...

If anyone else has direct experience, please add anything Smokey1973 needs to know.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Smokey1973

Went to collect new prescription today only to be told they cannot prescribe it now as it is unlicenced.

Well, it certainly hasn't become unlicensed overnight!

Who originally prescribed your T3?

Who is saying they cannot prescribe it now?

If you had a need for T3 and it was prescribed they should give you a 3 month trial, not stop it after a month.

[Smokey1973 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Private endo agreed to try me on T3, she contacted gp who agreed to give me NHS prescription. Only 4 weeks supply. Didn't think there would be an issue getting a repeat prescription but obviously I thought wrong. That was the reason the gp gave me she said her hands are tied.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Smokey1973]

NHS guidelines are you can only be initiated prescription for Liothyronine by an NHS endocrinologist

This is because price charged to NHS by the only three suppliers is ridiculously high - currently £206 per 28 tablets (down from £258)

Guidelines here

New NHS England Liothyronine guidelines November 2018 clearly state on pages 8 & 12 that TSH should be between 0.4-1.5 when treated with just Levothyroxine

Note that it says test should be in morning BEFORE taking Levo thyroxine

Also to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...

Media coverage of whole debacle

mjauk.org/wp-content/upload...

thyroidtrust.org/media-cove...

Liothyronine is cheap in all other countries

Majority of UK patients with private prescription get via Germany

Prescription should read

Liothyronine 20mcg x 100 tablets

Cost - 31 Euro for 100 tablets