Levothyroxine 12.5mg Shortage

[Iloveunicorns1977]

I can't get hold of this anywhere and have less than a week's worth left. Apparently there are supply issues. Does anyone know where it is available?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you in U.K.

How much levothyroxine are you prescribed in total per day

Just get 25mcg tablets and cut in half

Far cheaper for NHS too

Price charged for 28 tablets 25mcg = 77pence

Price charged for 28 tablets 12.5mcg = £14.73

(Only one supplier)

Virtually unknown for anyone to be prescribed 12.5mcg tablets

[Iloveunicorns1977 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi I am on 1 75 mg and 1 12.5 mg each day.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Iloveunicorns1977]

75mcg is Teva

12.5mcg is Teva

Request GP give you new prescription for 25mcg ….note added to say Teva brand only

[Iloveunicorns1977 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Iloveunicorns1977]

Similarly price of 75mcg much higher

(only available from Teva)

100mcg = 69 pence

50mcg = 68 pence

75mcg = £3.03

[SlowDragon Administrator]

welcome to the forum…..didn’t realise this was your first post

Use a weekly pill dispenser if cutting tablets, save remaining half for next day. It doesn’t matter if it’s not an exact half

Use pill cutter or sharp craft scalpel to cut in half

Levothyroxine is a storage hormone

You could take 75mcg one day and 100mcg next day and get same result

When were thyroid and vitamin levels last tested

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

is your hypothyroidism autoimmune?

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Rollercoaster44]

i had the same last week when i went to collect my prescription - was told my 12.5 levo was currently unavailable. Pharmacist gave me a pack of 25mcg and told to cut in half or take on alternate days.

[Iloveunicorns1977 in reply to Rollercoaster44]

Thank you. Your pharmacist seems a lot more helpful than mine. They've just told me it's out of stock and try again tomorrow. This has been going on for a fortnight now. The receptionist at the doctors won't help me either. I think I'll have to speak to the doctor. Thank you so much.

[Rollercoaster44 in reply to Iloveunicorns1977]

Do you get prescriptions on a 28 or 56 day cycle? If 28 days i can see the possible difficulties but if on a 56 day prescription then i would go back to the pharmacy and ask for a pack of 25mcg as an alternative for 12.5s - the pharmacist should be able to authorise that if they have a supply issue but doing so also needs your agreement.