T3 Medication: I was prescribed T3 only after... - Thyroid UK

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T3 Medication

Odinil profile image
43 Replies

I was prescribed T3 only after seeing a private consultant, my prescription was for Thybon Henning brand. I have been fine on this brand. My gp has now agreed to fund T3 on nhs. Thybon Henning cannot be prescribed on the nhs, when i collected my prescription i have been given 5mg hard capsules, the brand is Roma.I take 5mg twice a day.

I have taken them for five days now and i am getting side effects from them where i had none on THenning.

I spoke to the pharmacist who said she has never had to suppy T3 in 5mg, only 10 mg. She said it could be because its a cheaper option. I know the person who does the prescriptions at the surgery checks the costs first before issuing the prescriptions.

Has anyone else had T3 brand Roma? Or had hard capsules instead of tablets

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Odinil profile image
Odinil
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helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

The links below might well answer several questions.. Have a look and come back if you need any more details.

There have been a number of members who have not been happy on Roma capsules.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Current NHS Drug Tariff Liothyronine Prices

Link to a blog post of Monthly NHS Drug Tariff prices for Liothyronine products from January 2023 onwards.

Also includes link to information for Scotland.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/cur...

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.

The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrix for tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK.

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

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply tohelvella

Thank you Helvella,Ive had years to get a brand of Levo that suits me. No thanks to my gp or pharmacies.

Im now on Zentiva Liquid Levo, but every prescription i never know if i will get it. I have found a very helpful pharmancy who has got Zentiva for me, so i am hoping it continues.

Only five days on Roma and ive got headaches, not so good vision, tension around my neck and spots more like lumps on my face, something i have never suffered with.

Im tempted to go back to getting T3 privately, i fought to get it prescribed on nhs but i cant have the same problem getting what suits me like ive had with Levo. I dont think my health or sanity will take it.

I rang the private pharmacy where i purchased my tablets, they told me that if i email them with my up to date blood tests they have a pharmacist who charges £30 for a private prescription and they will be able to supplyThybon Henning depending on blood tests results.

I may have to go down this route, it peeves me knowing how hard its been to get to the stage im at on nhs.

Also why is it always said to me by gp and different hospital consultants that T3 is good in the short term but not good for your heart long term. Could that be true or is it scaremongering!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toOdinil

Many members have found Roma capsules don’t suit them

It is possible (but difficult) to get Thybon Henning on NHS

You could ask to try Teva 20mcg T3 tablets…..and cut into 1/4’s like Thybon Henning

Cost difference between capsules and tablets

20mcg Tablet cut into 1/4’s is cheaper

Teva is lactose free

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toSlowDragon

I'll mention Thybon Henning but think i know the answer.I am reluctant to try Teva T3 as i was very unwell when i took Teva Levo.

I really dont want anything with mannitol in it as it makes me go to the toilet too often.

I dont think i have a lactose intolarance, im sure its a mannitol problem.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toOdinil

Teva T3 does not have mannitol in it

See ingredients list here

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

Only Teva levothyroxine contains mannitol

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks for that. Do many members do well on Teva T3

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toOdinil

suggest you write a new post asking members who are on or have tried Teva T3 for feedback

Personally I have Morningside and it suits me so never tried Teva

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toSlowDragon

Yes i will do that. Morningside does seem to be a popular brand

Kimkat profile image
Kimkat in reply toOdinil

I don’t tolerate Teva well it gives me constant headaches. However I have been on Accord for a couple of months now and I reckon that could be giving me an iffy tum.

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toKimkat

I was good when it was Actavis but then Accord took Actavis over and although they were adamant that nothing had changed i was very unwell, if nothing had been changed as in the ingredients or filler why did i feel terrible. I think they had tweaked it. Why are we being lied to, its as though our health isnt important.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toOdinil

Please do consider putting in a Yellow Card report whenever you have problems with a medicine.

BenLabrador profile image
BenLabrador in reply toOdinil

Regarding T3 damaging the heart long term I understand this to be a misunderstanding, that damage may occur if one’s T3 is far above the normal range and the real harm is done to the heart by having insufficient T3. I am open to correction.

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toBenLabrador

Its never been explained to me fully by any gp or consultant, i wondered if there was any truth in it or was it said because i was asking for T3. The mere mention of T3 seems to put the fear of god into nhs gp's and endo's,Is it a funding issue or are they generally concerned its a health risk.

I just want to know the truth.

I have an appointment in two weeks with a cardiologist so i will be asking the question then

BenLabrador profile image
BenLabrador in reply toOdinil

I think it’s mainly caused by the manufacturer from whom the NHS bought the T3 raising the price. Many CCGs do not allow GPs to prescribe T3 due to the cost. I understand an endo may be able to. Also there is a lack of knowledge and research into how T3 works and it’s benefits or possible harms. As professionals I think GPs naturally tend to go for the rule of thumb, approved route, in treating thyroid issues even though, in my opinion, this is based on outdated research. This forum is worth exploring for a better understanding.

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toBenLabrador

Thank you

Thyroid63 profile image
Thyroid63 in reply toBenLabrador

Spot on. This is exactly right .

Thyroid63 profile image
Thyroid63 in reply toThyroid63

Just to clarify - completely agree that lack of t3 is more likely to cause heart problems than taking t3 on a long term basis .

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toThyroid63

If i get a sensible answer from the cardiogist in a couple of weeks time I will put it up on my post.My heart was fine up to a year ago but now i have two leaky heart valves.

Odinil profile image
Odinil

Yes i will.

susieibbo1 profile image
susieibbo1

Odinil. The NHS prescribes me Morningsude 5 mcg tablets. Oxfordshire hoping they will keep doing so. They did try to put me on capsules but because I said I needed to split them she said ok!!! A minefield

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply tosusieibbo1

Its a nightmare isnt it!My gp prescribed 5mg because i take 5mg twice daily so i can see why she did that, i have no need to split, whether its the brand or the hard capsule and not tablet thats not agreeing with me i have no idea.

Are you ok on Morningside?

Trying to get through to change my prescription is stressful on its own, let alone trying to get the surgery's pharmacist to understand, phew!

susieibbo1 profile image
susieibbo1 in reply toOdinil

You poor thing. I know what it’s like. I’m ok on T3 only Morningside. Sometimes tired and if stressed not so good. GP just does what my Thyroid Clinic says. Best of luck. Susie x

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply tosusieibbo1

Thank you.When i suggested to my endocrine consultant maybe i would be better just taking T3 she said if you did that she would refuse to monitor me. I am monitored at Addensbrooke Hospital, my blood tests are done there which include T3, my gp or the lab will not test T3, ive stayed with the hospital as i had my thyroid removed due to cancer and feel safer being checked for that too.

Why are they so against T3!

susieibbo1 profile image
susieibbo1 in reply toOdinil

I am not sure but read Paul Robinsons books and make up your own mind. Xx

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply tosusieibbo1

Will do xx

Hookie01 profile image
Hookie01

Yes, I have had the capsules, both in 5 and 10mcg

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toHookie01

Did you get on with them?

Hookie01 profile image
Hookie01 in reply toOdinil

To start of with I did, but after a while I started getting headaches. I was on 10 a day plus levo. I reduced to 5, seemed to help but then started getting headaches again. Stopped, they disappeared. But then I upped my levo to compensate, started getting headaches again, So not really sure if it's just thyroid level or what the hell is going on. My body just doesn't seem to like meds. Always had trouble.

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toHookie01

Me too. Ive been sensitive to levo for years ever since my op to remove my thyroid. Been an uphill struggle trying to get the same brand everytime. I was on Actavis, did quite well on it until they were taken over by Accord. All downhill again. Its never ending and to be treated by professionals who really have no understanding about treating thyroid is a worry on its own let alone the medication saga. So are you on levo only now?

Hookie01 profile image
Hookie01 in reply toOdinil

I also have no thyroid, had RAI. Yes on levo only at the moment. On Aristo as since having RAI I can't have meds with lactose. RAI seems to have damaged my liver, so Currently trying to heal that! So very limited to what I can take. Currently on 50mcg. But also battling peri menopause, so I'm not sure what causes what. It's very tiresome.

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toHookie01

Yes i had RAI too, cancer of the thyoid.Theres so many if's and buts, its all very stressful.

I dont know if im lactose intolerant, i dont seem to have a problem with dairy, although i do get a bloated tummy.

I did wonder if some of my problem is peri menopausal. Cant imagine how difficult that would be convincing my gp i need HRT.

Im on 5ml of levo plus T3,

Thats what my endo reduced me to based on my TSH results.

I was on 6.5ml so not a hugh change. I was on that dosage without any T3 for a long time.

For many years i was told my blood test results for T3 were fine but when i went to see a private endo, he was surprised i was on such a low levo dosage and my T4 wasnt converting as well as i should have been and thats when he prescribed T3.

I tried so many different brands of levo, i also tried Aristo but couldnt get on with it.

It is mind blowing

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake

I’m on TH T3 too. My endo said he could ask my GP to prescribe. For the reasons that you are struggling I declined and have stuck with the private endo. I’m happy to pay for Thybon but not so happy with the endo fee. He’s ok, but I still think he’s monitored and as my TSH is usually 0.01 he keeps repeating about “the patient knows the possible issues of a suppressed TSH”. My life was dreadful without some T3 added. It’s not amazing with, but at least I can do more than I used to.

I get bad heads when my levels are out too. If too low, then I get some pretty nasty migraines which don’t respond to my migraine meds. Just have to ride it out (in bed).

Was discussing this issue with my OH this afternoon. What else is there he asked me? I listed what I’m doing and the options. I can’t afford liquid levo. My doc won’t prescribe it till I do at least 3 months private. When I checked, it would cost £240/month. I can’t do that.

I hope you find answers for you and get back on track very soon ☺️🧁

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toLovecake

Why are we always backed into a corner, all we want is to feel well. I only got liquid levo because my nhs endo wrote to my gp saying i had tried all brands of levo in tablet form and i couldnt tolerate them.Dont think my gp was happy about it had to have a meeting with the practice manager who put pressure on me questioning the reason why i needed liquid and of cause costs were brought up several times.

They have agreed to T3, nhs endo monitored me on a trail basis, not before getting confirmation that my gp would fund it at the end of the trail.

Its all very stressful trying to get heard. Its time, energy and determination oh and frustration!!!!

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toOdinil

Too true, sadly 😞

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toLovecake

I've just spoken to Roseway Lab and they confirmed that they have an in house private pharmacist who will prescribe Thybon Henning for £30 plus the cost of the tablets, providing you email your latest blood test results. Just for future reference. Might work out less expensive for you.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toOdinil

That’s where my endo sends the prescription to.

I do wonder if their pharmacist will decline writing a prescription if my TSH is 0.01? I’d have to not take my T3 the day before for it to even think about getting to 0.02 and I’d feel rough too.

If I only have 1 zoom consultation with the endo per year it’s £140 and I get 3 prescriptions per year. So it’s only £50 more and I think my GP might freak if I get my T3 without an endo.

But thank you for that. I will certainly keep it in mind for the future.

Horsepainter profile image
Horsepainter

Hi Odinil, just to say I'm on 10mcg Thybon Henning per day. I managed to have T3 prescribed by NHS but was given Morningside that made my joints flare up and made me feel unwell, so they replaced with Roma, still no good for me. I told the consultant who said with T3 it shouldn't make a difference in brand but it definitely made a huge difference to me. I'm relieved to be back on Thybon Henning now but sadly have to pay for it privately. Wishing you all the best and every success.

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toHorsepainter

Thank you so much.I think thats what i'll end up doing. Ive only been on Roma a week and already i feel so unwell.

Do you get a private prescription from your consultant for THenning?

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toHorsepainter

Has the consultant tried different brands? I was told my Imigran was the same as the generic sumatriptan by a doctor………..strange how the Imigran clears my migraines and the generic puts me into a monster migraine and make me vomit for 7 hours!

Another doc said (many years ago) “you have a curved uterus, I can straighten it - the book says it won’t hurt” 😱 “sorry” he said (he was a really nice person) “I didn’t think the book was right” 😭

These people who write “guidelines” only go by test results and numbers which are flawed, if only they could have our symptoms for a week they might understand a little more………..

Odinil profile image
Odinil

My last blood test result for Free T3 on the 7th March 2023 was 4.1Range: (3.5 - 6.5 pmol/L)

Odinil profile image
Odinil

That sounds very reassuring. Thank you

Horsepainter profile image
Horsepainter

Yes, I do now. I saw my consultant privately at first as the NHS waiting list was at least 5 months and I couldn't wait that long as I was quite unwell. He then prescribed Thybon Henning. After seeing him as an NHS consultant 5 months later surprisingly (I think most work privately and for NHS) and also trying Morningside and Roma on an NHS prescription unsuccessfully, I asked if he could provide a private prescription for Thybon H and he agreed. Hope all turns out well for you. Kindest regards.

Odinil profile image
Odinil in reply toHorsepainter

Thank you so much.Glad it worked out so well for you.

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