Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Liothyronine microgram tablets and divided daily doses for the GPhC assessment

Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.

Published 9 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

A hand holding a blister pack of white tablets over a glass of water
Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The manufacturer's UK product information for liothyronine sodium 10 microgram tablets states that adults start with 10 or 20 micrograms every 8 hours, increasing after one week, if necessary, to the usual recommended daily dose of 60 micrograms in two or three divided doses.

The same information states that for the elderly the dose is 5 micrograms daily, that for children below 12 years the dose is 5 micrograms daily, and that adolescents aged 12 to 17 years initially take 10 to 20 micrograms daily, increased to 60 micrograms daily in two or three divided doses.

It also states that patients who have difficulty swallowing a whole tablet may crush it and allow it to dissolve, with swirling, in a minimum of 20 ml of water for 5 minutes, and that the entire volume of liquid should be consumed to ensure ingestion of the full dose.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and distinguish a single administration from a daily total. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Count the stated number of administrations per day from the stated frequency.
  2. Multiply the administration count by the micrograms per administration for the daily dose.
  3. Divide the daily dose by the 10 microgram tablet strength for the daily tablet count.
  4. Keep micrograms, administrations, tablets and days separate; convert only when the question asks.

Three practice questions

Work each one on paper first, then open the answer. All patients and prescriptions are fictional.

Question 1

A fictional adult takes liothyronine 20 micrograms every 8 hours, using 10 microgram tablets. What is the total daily dose, and how many tablets is that each day?

Show the answer

Answer: 60 micrograms; 6 tablets

Working: Every 8 hours means 3 administrations daily. 3 x 20 micrograms = 60 micrograms daily. 60 / 10 = 6 tablets daily.

Question 2

A fictional adult starts liothyronine 10 micrograms every 8 hours, using 10 microgram tablets. How many tablets are needed for the first 7 days?

Show the answer

Answer: 21 tablets

Working: 3 administrations daily x 10 micrograms = 30 micrograms daily = 3 tablets daily. 3 tablets x 7 days = 21 tablets.

Question 3

A fictional elderly patient takes liothyronine 5 micrograms daily, using 10 microgram tablets. How many tablets are taken each day, and how many are needed for 28 days?

Show the answer

Answer: Half a tablet daily; 14 tablets

Working: 5 micrograms / 10 micrograms per tablet = half a tablet daily. 0.5 x 28 days = 14 tablets.

eMC SmPC: Liothyronine Sodium 10 microgram Tablets

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10838/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Treating 20 micrograms every 8 hours as 20 micrograms daily instead of 60 micrograms daily.
  • Rounding half a tablet up to a whole tablet for a 5 microgram dose with 10 microgram tablets.
  • Forgetting that every 8 hours means three administrations per day, not two.

Frequently asked questions

Are these official assessment questions?

No. They are original revision exercises, not official GPhC questions and not for patient care.

Does this calculation decide a real liothyronine dose?

No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real titration is gradual, with particular care in the elderly.

How should I check the answer?

Count the administrations per day first, then multiply by the single dose before converting to tablets.

Sources

The questions above are original and use fictional patients and prescriptions. PreRegExamPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Practise until the method is automatic

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More calculation topics

See also the formula sheet, the eight sample questions and the approved calculator page.