slow release Liothyronine(T3)

[SPARKIE]

Hi,

does anyone know how to acquire slow release Liothyronine? Thanks, Sparky.

[helvella Administrator]

As it is not a standard medicine, it would have to be prepared to order. I'd suggest that the only likely source within the UK would be the pharmacy of a fairly major hospital. And they would likely only do so on the word of a consultant. Though there might be a handful of pharmacies outside hospitals who would be able to prepare some.

An alternative would include one of the so-called compounding pharmacies of the US though I do not know how they would react to a UK prescription.

To the best of my knowledge there is no commercial slow release Liothyronine product available anywhere. And though I have come across many non-UK thyroid hormone products, it is quite possible that I have missed one.

Rod

[katey]

Slow release t3 would be brilliant. Does it actually exist? I take t3 in 4 or 5 doses per 24hrs otherwise my heart gets a bit fiesty! katey

[helvella Administrator in reply to katey]

Be careful of what what you wish for...

I did read something about someone's experience of slow/modified/delayed release T3 a long time ago - and one of the problems they felt is that once taken you cannot untake it - it will continue releasing for whatever time it is designed. At least if you find a standard T3 dose takes you a bit too high, you can reduce your next dose. With this, you could continue to go even further up the range.

Also, although they sound amazing, most slow release mechanisms are nowhere near as smooth and even in their release profile as their makers would like us to believe. Perfectly adequate for many medicines but maybe not good enough for T3?

Rod

[Dunkenb]

Would it be beneficial to take a low dose slow release liothyronine as well as a lower dose of regular liothyronine in a similar way to which diabetes patients take insulin ? ( I'm diabetic t1 too)