T3 - what is compounded and what's the alternative?

[HotelHurricaine]

Hello,

I'm about to purchase my first T3 prescription and wondering what does compounding mean and what is the alternative?

I've been prescribed 5mcg of Liothyronine for an 8 week trial by a private endo. Been to Roseway who have quoted me £99. I saw on here that many ask for Thybon Henning 20mcg and cut into quarters so I asked for this and was quoted £22.38. I assume both these figures are for a month's supply.

I don't really understand the huge difference in price. Is it because the £99 ones are specially compounded by Roseway and the TH are a brand they also sell?

Many thanks and apologies for my ignorance!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Compounding is producing a medicine to a specific dosage and formulation usually assumed to be for an individual patient.

The number of doses will depend on what the prescription says!

Compounding is often in order to avoid various excipients (inactive ingredients) present in the available factory-made products. Or, imagine you need 27.5 micrograms - very difficult to achieve with ready-made products.

[HotelHurricaine in reply to helvella]

Thanks helvella I've just googled and discovered 3/12 means 3 months supply!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

As far as T3 goes, the smaller the tablet is the higher the price unfortunately. 5mcg tablets can be very expensive, hence many here, including myself cut up 20mcg Thybon Henning to whatever the correct dose is.

I believe Roseway do sell Thybon Henning but often prefer to sell you their compounded products.

If Endo has written presciption for 5mcgs then you will need to get him to rewrite it for 20mcgs and ideally name Thybon Henning on the prescription.

Good luck.

[HotelHurricaine in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you, thats very helpful Jaydee1507