I take 12.5mcg t3 a day split from a 20mcg pill - I have been on 10mcg for a while and always used a knife to cut the t3 in half then quarters but some days it cuts into good even 1/4s then other days not so much and sometimes it crumbles which is a pain when it comes to not wanting to waste t3 but I want to make sure I get an accurate as possible dose as I react strongly to it. As I am now taking 2.5mcg I'm also now having to split a quarter in half which isn't easy!
Are there any options that work well for even cutting - I got a pill cutter but its awful and cut them very unevenly! Would something like a sharp scalpel work well or even a better pill cutter?
Many thanks!
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liaratsoni
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I have a basic pill cutter from Boots and it quarters the 20mcg better than I managed with a scalpel. I wouldn't want to cut them any smaller! Can you not just go up in quarter tablets.
Thank you thats good to know to not waste money on a scalpel - I must have just got a dud pill cutter haha! Unfortunately I am someone who reacts very strongly to increases so have to do it very slowly!
I snap them between fingers and thumbs, it means they don't crumble. If you only need to halve the quarters for a short time you could dissolve them in water and drink half discarding the rest. The manufacturers have started recommending this option so they can make more money. It's wasteful but would be OK for a week or two.
I would never have thought of that! Thank you but unfortunately the quarters are long term as I can only tolerate 5mcg of t3 at a time because of my adrenals
I meant if you need 1/8, the 1/4 tablets should be no problem. If one 1/4 is slightly larger than another it shouldn't matter as it evens out over the day.
I'm assuming tablets are being purchased from Germany at 30p each and a quarter is dissolved with half thrown away for a few weeks. Net loss will be 4p daily.
When I moved Levo to 75 g from 100g I said to the doctor I would just cut the 100 and she asked if they were marked with a line and I said no. She told me something I didn’t know that if there is no line they are not meant to be cut!! She prescribed a 50 and a 25!
I use the chemist attached to my GP’s surgery. They now cut the tablets in half for me before I get them so have no problems. I had my first lot of T3 from the hospital with a pill cutter to cut the 20mcg in half. I found it difficult as sometimes wasn’t properly in half and sometimes it crumbled. I rang the chemist by the surgery and my daughter went and got a different one which was an improvement but they said they’d cut them in future.
First and MOST importantly - ensure that your tablets are not sugar coated (i.e. not Tevo - Morningside or Mercury brands only). With non-sugar coated tablets, try an old fashioned razor blade. They are very thin and sharp and work really well (for me). Cheaper than a scalpel too. Initially, I was very careful when handling it but now I don't even think about it. I keep it in a repurposed ear plug box.
Sugar coated tablets just disintegrate into little pieces when cut and it is impossible to get anything close to a reasonably accurate dose. I had to shop around to find a pharmacy who can obtain the brands that I want - Morningside or Mercury, both of which are not sugar coated. High street pharmacies (Boots, Lloyds, etc.) do not stock these brands and will not order in for you.
I get both Morningside and/or Mercury from my local Boots... They order them specifically because I yellow carded Teva. It all depends on the Pharmacists and your relationship with them.
I have the same challenge I take 17.5 of t3, Thybon. I split 20 into 8s with my fingers so it doesnt crumble. I first split it according to the dotted line, then halve it according to letter B on a pill and then quarter of that. My doctor was amazed, I would prefer to take 20, but like you, I am quite sensitive and you'd think that these pills should be in 5, 10s etc...nope, onle one size for thybon
Can you not get the 5mcg. tabs. That would be easier. I too have to cut pills to get my correct dose, I cut the 5mcg tabs and that’s easy & accurate. Good luck!!
So sorry, I live in Canada. We only have the 25mcg & 5mcg. Sometimes I wished we had the 20mcg as well. Everything is so complicated in the thyroid world. I think the powers that be don’t make anything easy for us. Just do your best, good luck.
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