Just wondered if there was a pharmacy more likely to be able to supply liothyronine. My endo has decided to give me a trial for 3 months after being on levothyroxine - I currently take 200microgrammes.
Endo says to take one liothyronine 20 micrograms daily and 150 levothyroxine.
I live in norfolk. Many thanks.
Highly unlikely any pharmacy will have T3 in stock. They normally have to order it in
Before starting on T3 it’s very important to have GOOD vitamin levels
When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
What are latest TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Is this how you do your tests?
What guidance did endocrinologist give you on starting T3?
We would always recommend starting SLOWLY. Reducing levothyroxine for 2-3 days before adding 1/4 tablet in morning and (assuming ok) a second 1/4 tablet mid to late afternoon
She didnt really say anything about how to start. She said that it might be better to spIit the tablet and take half morning and night, have been taking vitamin D as this was found to be low last time.
Sounds like she doesn’t have much experience of T3
Strongly recommend you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing BEFORE starting
If vitamins are low nether T3 or levothyroxine will work
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Depends how high Ft4 is as to how much levothyroxine should be reduced by
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Do you have Hashimoto’s?
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
(when also on T3, make sure to take last third or half of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays
Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If you order kit today you could have results back by end of next week
Does it matter if I take thyroxine and liothyronine togther. I usually take thyroxine in the morning with water and also have to take a lisinopril tablet for blood pressure?
How many days before starting liothyronine should i reduce levothyroxine? I am currently on 200 going down to 150 plus the liothyronine
Suggest you reduce levothyroxine by 25mcg and only add 2 x 5mcg T3 initially
Reducing levothyroxine for 4-6 days before starting on T3
Levothyroxine and liothyronine can be taken together in morning
But no other medication should ever be taken at same time as levothyroxine
I started on 20 mcg T3 twice a day (i.e. 40 mcg)+ 100 mcg T4 but had hypo within 2 weeks. I dropped down to 20 mcg T3. I'm now on 30 mcg, half a tablet 3 times a day. Taking the complete dose in one go doesn't work for me - I feel overmedicated. Not everyone is the same and you have to find what works for you. Nothing but water for an hour before or after the pills, and you have to be careful about taking some supplements well away from the liothyronine.
Pharmacies don't tend to have liothyronine in stock but can usually get in by the next day. I've been using Asda for the last few years. Tesco were able to get it but sometimes I had to ask them to try a second wholesaler if the first one wasn't able to get it and it always felt like I was inconveniencing them. Sainsburys/Lloyds were fine then went rubbish, as were Rowlands. The four Boots pharmacies I tried couldn't be bothered.
In my experience they have to buy it in specially (because so few people take it and it has such a short "life"). It takes a couple of days. I get mine from Superdrug x
Thank you will try there first.
Most pharmacies will be able to supply liothyronine. When the price was going up they had large stocks so they could buy cheap and sell expensive (to the stupid NHS). Now the price is falling a little they will keep minimal stock.
I would split the tablet, half at breakfast and half at bedtime. I find the bedtime dose cruical to being refreshed the following day. The brain works hard during sleep.
Most likely place to find it in stock is a pharmacy within a hospital. For those with myxedema who are admitted to hospital, liothyronine is the RECOMMENDED treatment.
I was on 125mcg T4 and then went to 100mcg T4 and 20mcg T3. But started on 5mcg T3 early morning about 6am with my T4 for the first week or so. Then added another 5mcg at 2pm. And over a couple of months got to 10 and 10.
Definitely take it really slow.
Definitely split your T3 dose.
I source my T3 from Boots.
Good luck with your transition. Adding T3 was life changing for me. I hope it is for you.
Agree absolutely with hobbycat ....add cautiously and slowly
Many endocrinologist set patients to fail on T3 trial by reducing levothyroxine to much and adding T3 too quickly
Is 10 mcg of Liothyronine as good as a placibo?
Facts regarding the LEGAL purchase of NDT and Liothyronine from your local pharmacy.
T3 not available anymore from my gp or endo
Does Liquid Levothyroxine contain a specification limit of Liothyronine?
It's a worry when you have to explain the difference between Liothyronine and Levothyroxine to your Pharmacist
