Obtaining Liothyronine (Cytomel) T3 in Phuket

[TDCNINJA]

I recently had a reverse T3 (RT3) test and my numbers were very high. As a result, my US doctor has advised me to stop taking my compounded T3/T4 thyroid medicine and switch to T3 (Liothyronine/Cytomel) only.

 

Is Liothyronine hard to obtain in Phuket or other areas of Thailand?

 

Additionally, I have the Liothyronine SR or sustained release.

 

I'm flying to Thailand on July 1. I'll have enough for a while but will have to obtain more or go back home. 

 

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

 

[Sheryl]

It is not available in Thailand at all.

 

The only thyroid hormones available here are levothyroxine, thyroxine and thyroid extract. No T3 formulations.

 

So bring enough with you for your full stay.

[RobbyXNorway]

Have you tried naturaly made hormone medicine? I got my entire Thyroid gland removed in February 2017 and was put on Levothyroxine (chemical T4). I didnt feel all that great on that medicine and decided to try out a thai made medicine made from ground pork glands. This was actually the medicine used from early 1900s up until 1960s when the chemical made medicine took over.

 

I use Thyroid S which is thai produced to an international medical standard. Works great for me! Been on it since early December 2018. You basicaly need to find the dosage yourself by increasing the dosage every 2 weeks. They come in 60 mg tablets (1000 pr bottle) and I started on 2, then gradually went up by 1 every other week until I felt things were working and I was not feeling any side effects. Currently at 7 pr day (3 in the morning, 2 mid day and 2 in the evening).

 

I pay 2000 baht pr 1000 tablet-bottle and Bangkok Hospital can get the same for 3 baht pr tablet (they sell pr piece and not just pr bottle).

 

The upside to using Thyroid S is that you get the entire spectre of hormones your body needs. T1-4 plus the others.

[Sheryl]

Thyroid S includes T4 and from what OP has said recent tests indicate s/he needs a pure T3 preparation.

[TDCNINJA]

Well, I guess I better cancel my plans for Thailand.

[oxysong]

Interesting.    Was on 200m/m  for years,doctor advised knock it down to 100 because of heart risks. It does put HR up,was 69 but up to 80 on 200,about 75 ish on 100.

   Cut out taking any for a few months,as 100 was neither here or there After months felt tired,dried skin,muscle ache,whacked it up to 300 for few days,felt a lot better after  days,now on 100.

 

  The panel results are just a waste of time,its how you feel. HSI was 17,recommended about 4,so Ill see next week after another testing.

     The Thyroid S looks good,see if I can get them other than Thailand

[RobbyXNorway]

21 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Thyroid S includes T4 and from what OP has said recent tests indicate s/he needs a pure T3 preparation.

Correct, it provides the whole spectrum of hormones the body needs. So its a replacement medicine to the chemical T4 Levothyroxine medicine. If you need more T3 it means that your body isnt able to convert the T4 hormone to T3 as it should. Could be adrenal related or ferro (iron) related.

 

Personaly I would recommend the Thyroid S over Levothyroxine (just T4) medication.

 

I would also recommend reading the book "Stop the Thyroid madness".

[TDCNINJA]

I can't take anything that contains Levothyroxine (T4)  I have a high RT3 level. 

 

T4 is a prohormone that converts into the metabolically active thyroid hormone T3. Reverse T3 issues happen when, due to a variety of factors, the T4 converts into too much Reverse T3, which is the inactive form of T3 (thus making the person hypothyroid). Hypothyroid symptoms show up despite the fact that Free T3 blood levels may look optimal or even high.

 

Imagine Reverse T3 like this: RT3 will guard and block the T3 cell receptor, preventing the T3 from getting into that cell to do its job and take you out of a hypothyroid state. Reverse 

T3 is actually your body’s way of protecting you by lowering your metabolic rate in times of crisis, stress, inflammation, or disease.  Because T3 is a powerful energy-producer in the body, the body prefers to lower metabolic rate while it deals with other health issues. For example, in the case of chronic dieting, if one is over-restricting calories, the body thinks it is in a state of starvation and so the body will convert T4 into RT3 in an attempt to lower metabolic rate (fat-burning) because the body wants to hold onto the fat you currently have until you are out of “starvation” mode and can fuel the body with enough nutrition to turn off the RT3 alarm. T4 to T3 conversion problems can be caused by a number of factors, including chronic stress, depression, starvation/extreme dieting, insulin resistance, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic inflammation, iron deficiency, exposure to toxins and heavy metals, low and/or high cortisol problems (adrenal dysfunction or fatigue).

 

[TDCNINJA]

I've decided to stay in the states. Get my thyroid issues under control and then go back to Thailand at a later date. 

[TDCNINJA]

4 hours ago, TDCNINJA said:

I've decided to stay in the states. Get my thyroid issues under control and then go back to Thailand at a later date. 

Oops, too late! I arrive in Phuket on July 3. I will find a way. 

[RobbyXNorway]

17 hours ago, TDCNINJA said:

I've decided to stay in the states. Get my thyroid issues under control and then go back to Thailand at a later date. 

 

Bring medicine for the trip, and dont keep all in the same suitcase. Split among your luggage and keep some on you. I was stupid and put it all in my suitcase except what I needed for the travel-day. Offcourse the suitcase went AWOL and arrived 3 days later. Was pretty nervous for a while but it was ok.

 

Sounds like you have your issue well diagnosed.