Prescriptions for liothyronine post Brexit HELP PLEASE!

[Red86]

Hi,

I had a trial private prescription for liothyronine back in 2018 but decided against continuing it because of the hassle of sending the prescription to Germany and waiting for the medication. I wish I hadn’t as now I’m suspecting even this now isn’t an option with Brexit? (I have been on levo only since 2018). After looking through my blood results I’m thinking it’s something I need to try again but how do we go about getting the liothyronine (I think last time I was on Thybon Henning if that’s correct?) if we can’t afford the prescription charge here in the UK? I can just about afford to have a private consultation to be put on the trial but I can’t pay the prices here at all. Help!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes, no longer possible to get prescriptions dispensed from EU

But specialist pharmacies in U.K. are able to supply Thybon Henning 20mcg tablets at £1 per tablet, so considerably cheaper than U.K. T3

U.K. T3 20mcg tablets currently £118 per 28 tablets

Before considering adding T3 you will need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done, usually via Medichecks or Blue horizon BEFORE seeing any thyroid specialist endocrinologist

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand at each prescription

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you have Hashimoto’s

[Red86 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for replying. Do you know which pharmacies and how it is that they are able to do this if the prescription is still the same and filled within the UK? I am on 100mcg levo, same brand every time. Gone up over the years from 25 to 50 etc. Started in 2013 when my bloods unmedicated TSH was 3.49 and Free T4 15.1 (12-22) and Free T3 4.4 (3.1 to 6.8)

Now they are changing me to alternating 75mcg and 100mcg because of my most recent blood results

TSH 0.07 Free T4 25.8 (12-22) and Free T3 3.44 (3.1 to 6.8) but I’ve noticed over the years that despite the levo increasing my free T4, my free T3 has never increased, it has mostly stayed the same or slightly lower and given how I still feel I think a combination needs looking at again.

Yes to Hashimoto’s. Vitamin supplements I take iron, zinc, selenium, biotin, b12, vitamin d and probiotics (can’t remember if anything else!) I will need my bloods redoing after 8 weeks on the alternating days dosage so plan to do a vitamin check alongside then x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Red86]

Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription?

Which brand?

Ft3 is obviously absolutely rock bottom

Likely low vitamin levels with such low Ft3

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on strictly gluten free diet, if not, it’s ALWAYS worth trying and definitely need to trial before considering adding T3

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before all blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Red86]

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

List of U.K. pharmacies that can supply Thybon Henning. Ring around for best price

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Red86]

Currently Ft4 is over range and Ft3 is only 11% through range

You might see Ft3 improve slightly with lower Ft4....but more likely Ft3 will drop even lower

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Most people when adequately treated will have Ft3 at least 60% through range