Cost of T4 and T3?

[justinhd]

Can anyone who buys their own T4 and T3 advise on the typical monthly cost for these meds.

Thanks,

Justin

[greygoose]

Depends how much you take. Might be an idea to tell us that, if you want an estimate.

[justinhd in reply to greygoose]

Sorry, I could have mentioned that. Currently on 100mcg Levothyroxine and about to be reduced to 50mcg by GP so had enough and thinking of self medicating.

[shaws Administrator in reply to justinhd]

Why has your GP reduced your dose????? I wish they'd learn how best to treat patients who have hypothyroidism and not concentrate upon the TSH alone. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is from the pituitary gland - not thyroid gland - and many doctors seem to be under a misaprehension that a low or very low TSH means we've gone hyPERthyroid. This isn't the case.

hormonerestoration.com/

We've to read and learn so that we can recover through help/advice of members.i

The medical profession seem to be unaware that the TSH is from the 'pituitary gland' not thyroid gland and willy/nilly adjust dose to keep the TSH 'in range' when the aim is 1 or lower.

Do you always get the earliest test, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards? If not, your results will be skewed.

[justinhd in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws, GP said low TSH was part of body's/thyroid systems' feedback loop which I can appreciate but as you say simply taken on its own is taking the easy way out (i.e. the sub-10 minute consult). I would have liked to discuss/explore the option of possible T4/T3 combination but GP is one of those strict guidelines only and would unlikely even consider T3.

I can appreciate the approach taken by my GP but I then need to look for a GP that either has more experience with Thyroid treatments, and/or is willing to work with me to test out various dosage regimes.

I do always fast before bloods are taken (from 6pm previous day), no Levo for 24hrs, and try and get there as early as possible (normally taken around 9am).

[pffft2017]

T4 is dirt cheap but the NHS pay about £275 for 28 x 20mcg tablets of liothyronine the last I heard.

[justinhd in reply to pffft2017]

Thanks pffft2017. That’s a crazy price! Would look at buying online if I was charged that at Boots.

[pffft2017 in reply to justinhd]

Yeah they're ripping off the NHS left right and centre. You can get cheaper imports which many of other users on here swear are better. Try contacting " heathermr " she's a mine of information. Good luck mate!

[justinhd in reply to pffft2017]

Great pffft2017, will do. I used to buy eltroxin 100mcg (100 tablets) for ~£10 when I lived in South Africa so someone is taking the mik.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to justinhd]

Why is GP wanting to reduce dose?

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

Guidelines on dose by weight - 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight is guide. Some need more

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Obviously both Levothyroxine and T3 are prescription only

Liothyronine is £206 for 28 tablets x 20mcg at moment

Private prescription enables access to cheap T3 from Germany (at moment)

31 Euro for 100 tablets 20mcg

[justinhd in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon, good to know. At these prices I would def buy offshore. Maybe a holiday to Turkey, Greece, or Germany would be worth the price of admission if the savings are there 😁

My last results are in this post healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... and both FT3 and FT4 are on the lower side of the range. GP has reduced my prescription to 50mcg as TSH too low.

I have had HT since birth and been on T4 (100mcg) since my teens so while I can understand that ones body does change or reacts to brands differently, my GP is just following guidelines. In addition I cannot rule out Heamochromatosis at this point. After 3 tests over 6 months and me being off work for 6 months my GP is finally referring me to a haematologist.

In terms of me looking at self prescribing T4/T3, once my ferritin etc is within range (50-100), I want to keep my options open and not just blindly adhere to whatever my GP (who is not thyroid savvy) thinks is best.

Obviously I will follow GP guidelines on Levo dosage until ferritin (and others like VitD, folate, B12) levels are normal as I don’t want to confuse treatments and results. Especially as there is a big overlap in symptoms for HT and Heamochromatosis.

[shaws Administrator in reply to justinhd]

I believe the pharma companies who produce levo like the fact that it may mean that patients have to have 'extra prescriptions' to try to control miserable symptoms when the patient actually needs optimum thyroid hormones to bring the TSH to 1 or lower and FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the ranges.

[justinhd in reply to shaws]

I used to get Eltroxin over the counter but since it was abused by the weight loss folks they put it on prescription only which meant having to see a Dr every 6 months.

Since its generic and cheap to produce there should be no reason to charge anything near £200 (for a 28 day supply) for something that's been in production for over 40 plus.

I am happy to buy my own online to save the NHS from such blatant robbery.

[MaisieGray in reply to pffft2017]

pffft2017 The Drug Tariff price has continued to fall in recent months from its high, and is currently £206.71.

[Gcart in reply to MaisieGray]

Are we hopeful for this price drop to continue ? 🤞

[pffft2017 in reply to MaisieGray]

Pedantic much? I said the last I heard it was £275. Ugh.

[Hidden]

The supplier where I order NDT also sells Eltroxin and Euthyrox. Strangely enough, 100 50 mcg pills of Euthyrox cost 25 GBP, whereas 100 pills of Eltroxin (100 mcg) cost 10 GBP.

I know that another supplier charges 18 GBP for 30 pills of T3 (Greek brand Unipharma and Turkisk Tiromel). The pills contain 25 mcg of liothyronine.

[justinhd in reply to Hidden]

Hi thecat68, your prices sound a lot more respectable. Would you be able to pm me your suppliers details. Many thanks in advance, Justin

[Hidden in reply to justinhd]

Done

[justinhd in reply to Hidden]

Fantastic Cat! Many thanks

[JumpJiving in reply to Hidden]

Hello Hidden . Could you forward me details of your supplier too please. I'd like to see what they charge for NP Thyroid (if they can supply it)

[Hidden in reply to JumpJiving]

The seller I was referring to does not carry NP Thyroid. However, I do know of a seller who does and I will send you details in a PM. Just FYI, and in case it might interest others: 100 1 grain (60 mg) pills of NP cost 100 USD, 90 mg pills 137 USD and 120 mg pills 155 USD, and to that you have to add shipping costs and possibly customs and import duties (ships from the US).