Does anyoe know the difference between triiodothyronine and liothyronine

[RoloHibbs]

I asked for trial of T3 - Endo said he'd give me a trial of "another thyroid hormone triiodothyronine". Thanks

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

No difference!

Tri-iodo-thyronine is pretty much how a chemist talks about T3.

Whereas, for reasons that are obscure, liothyronine is how a pharmacist talks about T3.

So, very often, when you see the word liothyronine it is in the context of taking a tablet but tri-iodo-thyronine is often used in the context of biochemistry and what is actually going around in your blood.

That is partly why we all end up saying "T3"!

[RoloHibbs in reply to helvella]

Oh, thank you Rod!

And thank goodness for this site.

Karen

[RoloHibbs]

Thanks! That's why I wasn't getting anywhere googling both! Lol!

[penny]

Makes you wonder about the Endo! Although great that they have let you have T3. Some stories here tell of endos not knowing what it is.

[RoloHibbs in reply to penny]

Seeing him at 3.30 today to discuss - here's hoping he hasn't changed his mind!

[Hidden]

Be interested to know how you get on.

[GuccizBud]

Very old thread, I know, but for what it's worth, triiodothyronine and liothyronine are not  the same compound, a fact which is apparent when you look at their respective chemical formulas. Take triiodothyronine, subtract one hydrogen atom, replace it with a sodium atom instead, and you have liothyronine. The body makes triiodothyronine — it does not make liothyronine.

That said, they do have a very, very similar action in the body.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to GuccizBud]

You are right that liothyronine usually has a sodium instead of a hydrogen - but does it make any difference at all once in the bloodstream?

And at least one make uses the hydrochloride rather than the sodium form.

Also, the documentation of many tablets often also mentions triiodothyronine - albeit often as Triiodothyronine sodium.

[Piggyoink]

helvella i know this is a little old however im desperate...as are many people here im sure. i think i have found some thriiodothyronine via my aunt in spain (its called TRIYODOTIRONINA there) and i was wondering if it would be safe to take in lieu of any T3 being prescribed to me here? do you know how it would react? thank you so much. yours in hope! xx

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Piggyoink]

I don't take, and never have taken, T3.

We have had a number of people explain that T3 (whether called Liothyronine, Liotironina, Triiodothyronine or Triyodotironina) is not usually available in Spain. On the rare occasions it is used there, it seems to be obtained from France.

So it initially sounds rather odd that your aunt can get hold of some!

Do you know more?

I suggest that you would be far more likely to get responses by post a brand new post! That way, far more people are likely to see it.

[Piggyoink in reply to helvella]

Thank you so much... I’m just trying to find out more!! 🙏🏾💜

[Saya85 in reply to Piggyoink]

Hi sorry to jump in here but I also believed t3 was prescription only in Spain

If you do find out how your aunt managed to get it and if it's available OTC in spain id love to know as I'm flying out there next week and would love to get some!

If you could PM be id be really grateful

Thanks

[Piggyoink]

Will do Saya85 xx it’s not available OTC bit she thinks she may have found a chemist that will honour UK scripts? If that is truly the case I’ll let you know.. I’m waiting with baited breath!!! Xxx

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Piggyoink]

If you have a UK prescription then you do also have the choice of buying from Germany (and possibly elsewhere in the EU). At least for a few weeks. The future's not ours to see, but I doubt this will continue if brexit goes ahead.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...