Adkins...yes there is a difference in the tea and the tablets

loose leaf tea is the most potent...and freshest
tea bags are not as strong...as they are not as fresh
tablets are a measured dose

Lesh...not sure why your m/w said not to take RLT until 36 weeks, but research recommends that you can start as early as 28weeks, with most articles recommending starting at around 30 weeks

hope this helps

xx yogababy