Sticking to one brand of T3

[AchyLake]

I'm taking T3 only and have been regularly given a mix of 2 different brands. I've noticed that when I finish one sort and start the other sort, I get a slump - typical low thyroid sort of thing - and that one of the brands suits me better than the other.

I work full time and want to try and avoid asking for time off at short notice (and using all my leave up to manage my fatigue) so it would be better if I could get a stable supply of the type which my body seems to like.

I've asked the GP and pharmacy if it would be possible to just stick to the one brand. Both were unable to help. Apparently the pharmacy has no control over what brands their supplier chooses to send them - which was quite a surprise to me. The GP says they have no influence overthe brands which the pharmacy dispenses - which again, was a learning point for me - I would absolutely have expected that the GP would be able to specify a requirement where there are consequences for a patient.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, and if you have managed to get around it? Thanks for any constructive answers!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

The government has given guidance about prescribing Levothyroxine brands so hopefully the same prinicple follows through for Liothyronine. Do show your GP & pharmacist this: gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

Your GP can specify a brand which needs to be written in the first line of the prescription as per the attached image. Often GPs dont know that this is a thing.

named brand prescription

[AchyLake in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you Jaydee, that's really helpful. I'll try again with the GP - a perhaps they will feel a bit more inclined to help if they realise that it's been recognised in this way.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I appreciate it is difficult to know which product to report! Nevertheless, it might be a good idea to put in a Yellow Card report. Even on both of them. After all, how can you know which is, perhaps, sub-potent or whatever? You just know they are different in their effect on you.

I urge everyone to put in Yellow Card reports if they have issues with any medicine. (If you are not in the UK, follow the procedures for wherever you are.)

These reports are our ONLY way of putting in ‘negative reviews’!

This is a general post which explains a bit more.

🟨 Making Yellow Card Reports 🟨

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[McPammy]

I ensure I get the same brand every prescription. I phoned the medication manager at my surgery who in turn spoke with my GP. It’s always on the prescription now. It’s then up to the pharmacy to ensure you get brand specific medication as directed by the GP. The pharmacy needs to phone around if their normal supplier can’t get it and ensure you get it. For a period I use to get my medication direct from the manufacturer. They’d deliver direct to the pharmacy at no cost.

[sparkly]

I too have Morningside brand only wrote on my prescriptions. I also cannot get any local pharmacy to supply me this brand in the volume I need. I now send my prescription to Springfield pharmacy in Richmond who specialises in thyroid medication. They are on the Thyroid uk of specialised pharmacies. So far they have been able to fill the scripts.I also am able to put scripts in early due to time it can take to receive meds. This was all done through the surgery pharmacist who was brilliant and understood the dilemma.

Ring your surgery and see if you have a surgery pharmacist if not ask to speak with practice manager. Hope that helps a little

[k8sykes1977]

can I ask which brands you are taking, which brand suits you the best and what dose? I’m thinking of swapping from compounded to generic. Thanks