MORNINGSIDE liothyronine

[Willes1234]

I have been on 20 MCG Liothyronine for four years and have done well on it. Last November my pharmacy were unable to source this particular brand and I have not had any until two weeks ago when the dosage was changed to 10 MCG. Since taking the same brand, I am experiencing quite devastating palpitations and do not feel right. Has anyone else experiences?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum Willes1234

So we can offer better advice, can you tell us more about your thyroid condition, eg when you were diagnosed, blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Re your post question: have you been supplied 2x 10mcg Morningside Lio instead of your usual 20mcg Morningside Lio? Or has your usual dose now halved? If so, why?

[Willes1234 in reply to Buddy195]

After numerous emails to the manufacturers, I discovered that the 20 MCG was only supply to hospitals not general pharmacies and so my pharmacy were able to get 10 MCG times two and two tablets instead of the one I’m just wondering whether the polls in manufacturing was due to the change in ingredients I just want to know if anyone else has been affected. I am now not taking any. I’m just relying on my natural thyroid medication.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Willes1234]

I obtain 10mcg Morningside Lio from Boots & have not found this any different to the 20mcg (which I cut with a pill cutter to get 15mcg a day). I’ve just checked packets of both and the listed ingredients are the same.

If you plan to restart Lio, I would definitely start on a lower dose and build up slowly.

Perhaps consider filling out your profile, so members understand your ’thyroid journey’ to date and can offer better support.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Willes1234]

Many other members have struggled to source 20mcg Morningside over last 6 months

Suggest you try different brand

Teva (lactose free) or Mercury Pharma both make 20mcg

The price charged to NHS for 10mcg tablets is vastly more expensive than the 20mcg

Current prices for NHS paying for liothyronine

£62.32 for 28 x 20mcg

£152.44 for 28 x 10mcg

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Willes1234]

If a manufacturer changes ingredients, they must clear the change with the MHRA, who will require new testing, and update the Patient Information Leaflet.

However, a change is not always quite like that - it can also be a change in the ingredient the manufacturer receives. Even if of identical specification, it could have an effect on the final product. And this could be missed.

And I am personally convinced that two lower doses tablets do not always have exactly the same effect as one larger dose - even if they add up to the same dose.

I'm sure they are supposed to be equivalent. But we have had many members say that, typically, two 50 microgram levothyroxine tablets are not the same as one 100 microgram tablet of the same make - even made at approximately the same time. It is difficult, though, to be completely sure because small variations in the pressure used in manufacture can affect the tablets. So you could possibly find a similar small difference between two batches of the same dosage.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I have not had any until two weeks ago when the dosage was changed to 10 MCG. Since taking the same brand, I am experiencing quite devastating palpitations and do not feel right

I am now not taking any. I’m just relying on my natural thyroid medication.

You can’t just stop and restart without needing to build dose very slowly back up

How much levothyroxine are you taking

How much T3 were you taking before Morningside was difficult to source

How long without taking any

Vitamin levels will crash as result of suddenly stopping T3

Suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done 6-8 weeks after being on constant unchanging dose and brand Levo and T3

[Lily905]

I was on Morningside T3 for years & last year they changed to other brands because they can't get Morningside. Since then I've been given three different brands. Luckily I'm ok on all of them. Hope you feel better & get sorted asap