Lactose fillers in liothyronine

[CCheale]

Hi All,

After falling victim to postcode lottery, I’ve been lucky enough that I’ve finally won a nearly 2yr battle to get Liothyronine on NHS prescription again. However, I am now facing issues in getting the correct brand of liothyronine. I am lactose intolerant (NOT allergic to dairy) and in the past chemists have been able to source me a lactose free brand (Perrigo brand now owned by Mayne Pharma). One year ago they were able to source this brand for me. Now they are saying They can only get Morningside brand which has lactose as a filler. I am going to trial it to see if it has an effect, but I really don’t like the idea of taking a tablet daily with lactose in it. Any tips or stories of other lactose intolerant folks perfectly fine with medical grade lactose.

P.s. I am only on 5mcg twice daily which is why it’s hard to find lactose free brands in that small dose. An alternative is to order 20mcg tablets and cut them, but I worry about accuracy with this.

[m7-cola]

As far as cutting 20mcg liothyronine tablets and any possible inaccuracy, I find there is absolutely no problem at all. Any imperceptible difference is lost when taking it regularly. And a pill cutter is cheap and effective.

[CCheale in reply to m7-cola]

Thank you this is very reassuring.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Teva liothyronine is lactose free...20mcg tablets

Easy to cut with sharp craft knife into 1/4s

[CCheale in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon Teva was my alternative. I take Teva Levo and get on with it really well. Do you have a pill cutter or craft knife you recommend? If it’s easy to cut then I’d prefer to go lactose free as I don’t want to be taking something my body doesn’t process

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to CCheale]

I use one of these

amazon.co.uk/Modelcraft-Sca...

Fiddly to change blade...but very thin blade and works very well

[Shredder]

Hi sorry to ask but how did you go about securing your victory as I was on Armour which worked really but was orescribed it from another healthboard to the one where I live but my health board will not prescribe it and the ptevious health board now wont as I do not live in the area.

[CCheale in reply to Shredder]

It’s a very long story, but I am lucky in that I have an excellent endo who recommended it and an understanding Gp who is willing to fight my corner with the CCG. When we moved I worked to come off T3 and gave it a good go on just T4. But within weeks my symptoms came back and I had a terrible time this winter. I had some extra meds I had saved up so when my labs came back and showed I was below threshold with T3 my endo had me restart T3 to see if symptoms reduced. Within 3 days they were gone and I felt myself again. My labs showed levels were mid range again. She then wrote a letter to my GP asking her to prescribe it. I followed up with an email outlining all the symptoms I struggled with over winter months and how they impacted my daily life as a working mother. I noted how I tried to come off, but the blood tests show I have a clinical need. I stated how it is not an illegal drug and can be prescribed by a gp if advised by an endo, which is the case. I then said the CCG can not deny medication where a clinical need is clearly indicated as it is unethical. GP rang and said my email was perfect and was all the justification she needed to prescribe and when CCG questioned (which they would) my email and endo letter would be enough. I am very lucky I found two amazing doctors. Wishing you the best of luck. It’s such a horrible and stressful situation.