NHS T3 options other than Mercury Pharma?

[CarolineAnne]

Hi Everyone

I get T3 prescribed by my NHS Endo and I get Mercury Pharma. Does anyone know if it’s possible to get Thybon Henning on the NHS. I get mine from the hospital pharmacy as it’s a hospital prescription so can’t go to another chemist. I keep getting really short dates on the Mercury, only three months or so. After having discussions with the Pharmacy about my symptoms returning my last prescription ( September) had an expiry date of January 2022. For some reason they have issued another 3 months so I have got tablets that I won’t be starting until the end of November and run out in January. It’s frustrating to say the least. So I am wanting to switch brands to see if the dates are better.

Thanks if anyone knows

CA

[Lalatoot]

I have had TEVA and Morningside on nhs prescription.Even when it was a hospital prescription I was able to take it to a high street chemist. Must have different rules in different areas.

[CarolineAnne in reply to Lalatoot]

I wonder if I could do this. It is sent straight to the hospital pharmacy everytime and it’s a white prescription so I just assumed I couldn’t. I will ask. Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Morningside healthcare T3 has long shelf life (usually 2 years) and are blister packed

I use to find Mercury Pharma T3 lost potency the longer the pot had been opened and yes ludicrous short use by dates.

Morningside possibly a bit stronger

You can’t normally get Thybon Henning 20mcg on NHS (unfortunately)

[CarolineAnne in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes that is what I am finding, unfortunately the Pharmacist and Endo assure me it’s fine. Frustrating when you feel your symptoms coming back.

[shaws Administrator]

Once you find a T3 that suits you, ask GP to put its name onto the prescription and the pharmacist will be able to source the T3 that suits you best.

[CarolineAnne in reply to shaws]

I’ve tried Mercury and that has always been variable and that does a person no good to have some good months and then some downward slide months. I’ve tried Tiromel and Thybon years ago and Thybon was the best for me, but I’m not sure I can have it on the NHS.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It is at least theoretically possible to get Thybon Henning on NHS prescription.

However, it is likely to be difficult to get a suitably-written prescription in the first place.

I urge you to put in a Yellow Card report. If the product is losing potency to the point of being noticed, that is an issue which requires to be addressed.

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

I have created, and try to maintain, a document containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

dropbox.com/s/shcwdwpedzr93...

[CarolineAnne]

I reported it through the yellow card scheme the last time it happened to me. I had serious hair loss, weight gain, no energy and big lumps in my nails, which I hadn’t had since before being diagnosed years ago. I had phone calls from the USA asking me questions about my symptoms and I had to post samples of my t3 off to a lab where it was tested. From memory I think it had 1-2 months left before expiry date. Apparently it passed the efficacy tests and deemed nothing wrong with it. I did ask the chemist to ensure that I had a good date on future meds but it is not happening. I might ask to try Morningside.

[CarolineAnne]

Thanks everyone for replies. I might ask to Morningside. It can’t hurt to try.