cheapest way to buy Levo and Lio

[Kayakingkim]

hi all

I have been looking at all the helpful posts regarding the above but just wanted to check the following

I am preparing for my endo appointment next week and I will probably be prescribed Lio as poor converter of T4 to T3. I am currently on Levo 75mcg x5 days and 50mcg x 2 days. My FT4 is 20.9 (12-22) and TSH 0.04. I take Teva but want to change to wockhardt. I will probably have my Levo reduced to 50mcg. Did I read on here that wockhardt is only produced at 20mcg?

Also my T3 is at 44% so need a small amount of Lio. I am keen to avoid lactose so am looking at Thybon Henning is that correct?

I have a pill cutter so could I have some advice on what to ask the consultant to prescribe in terms of Lio mcg ? I remember reading that it was recommended to one person that it is a lot cheaper with Lio to ask for 20mcg and then cut them down to prescribed dose is that right?

Also should I ask endo to state preferred brand on the prescription?

Thanks as always for your amazing advice 😊

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Wockhardt is available n in 25mcgs. You should be able to continue your NHS prescription for Levo, just ask GP to write in the first line (Wockhardt only).

Thybon-Henning T3 is avalable in 20mcgs and you can cut in quarters for 5mcg doses. it is lactose free. It comes in packs of 100 so thats a good amount or multiple of to get prescribed. Definitely cost wise its more economical to be cutting 20mcg pills that buying 5mcg pills. 5mcgs works out extremely expensive.

50mcgs is a lot of T4 to drop, perhaps negotiate 25mcgs if possible.

If they can write the brand that will help.

When you get the prescription phone around the chemistss on this link for best price quote before you send them the prescription. thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

Cost should be 50-60p/20mcg tablet

[Kayakingkim in reply to Jaydee1507]

hi Jaydee

Thanks so much for the information and advice I now feel much more confident and prepared for my consultation

😊👍

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Kayakingkim]

Almost forgot, good luck!

[helvella Administrator]

Are you aware that Wockhardt levothyroxine contains lactose? It is only made in 25 microgram tablets.

You can check lactose status in my medicines documents.

There have been a few very recent posts about the difficulty in getting Thybon Henning dispensed against NHS prescriptions. Not entirely clear whether your prescriptions are NHS or private.

helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

This link takes you to a page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and Google Drive, and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Kayakingkim in reply to helvella]

no didn’t realise !! I will check the list for lactose and mannitol free - thanks for letting me know. Both prescriptions are private as diagnosed with central hypo GP doesn’t agree that I have hypo as TSH t4 and t3 all in normal range prior to treatment despite many hypo symptoms

[helvella Administrator in reply to Kayakingkim]

Currently, there are NO UK levothyroxine tablets of 25v or 50 micrograms that are free of both lactose and mannitol.

Aristo is only in 100 microgram tablets - for now.

[Kayakingkim in reply to helvella]

thanks I should be ok with 100mcg as I can cut them in half as probably be taking 50’s will talk to the consultant about it next week 😊

[helvella Administrator in reply to Kayakingkim]

You might find my recent reply on that issue is of interest!

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Kayakingkim in reply to helvella]

thanks for the link really useful

[Rapunzel in reply to helvella]

Thanks for posting your blog address again, helvella; I have bookmarked it this time so won't lose it again x

[helvella Administrator in reply to Rapunzel]

It is in my profile, if you need!

[Rapunzel in reply to helvella]

🙄😴