Just thought this might bring a smile.
All of us that have free prescriptions are getting one over the Drs. Hypothyroidism is NOT on the list of diagnosis that qualify for this, but hypoPARAthyroidism is. So only if your para thyroids are playing up should you qualify!
Myxoedema was always on the list and I thought it still was. I will have to look into this 
It would be nice to think we are getting one over on them for a change though wouldn't it 
Quite.
The current list is:
Medical Exemption
People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if:
they have one of the conditions listed below; and
they hold a valid Medical Exemption Certificate.
Medical Exemption Certificates are issued on application to people who have:
A permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or requiring an appliance
A form of hypoadrenalism (for example Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential
Diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism
Diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
Hypoparathyroidism
Myasthenia gravis
Myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement)
Epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy
A continuing physical disability which means the person cannot go out without the help of another person. Temporary disabilities do not count even if they last for several months
Or are undergoing treatment for cancer:
including the effects of cancer; or
the effects of current or previous cancer treatment
What is more,you will notice that they both use the word hypothyroidism AND explicitly identify the meaning of myxoedema.
Rod
Just checked hypothyroidism is on the list
I just renewed mine and it wasn't on the paperwork, maybe its different in different PCT's *shrug*
Nothing to do with PCTs. Though it is different in England to Wales and Scotland. Not sure about Northern Ireland.
Rod
PCT's no longer exist I have been told, this changed in April I believe , I only found out when I wanted to contact them about Rules about seeing NHS Endo's out of my area - They call it another name which I cant remember , Commissioning Board , but think its changed from this too?
They are called: Clinical Commissioning Groups
But as April is such a short time ago, I answered as if they still exist. The point is that neither PCTs nor CCGs control the issuing if medical exemptions certificates.
Rod
Wasnt trying to be pedantic Rod , just happened to know since I had a run in with the Doctors Receptionist recently who was withholding info from me thanks for confirming who they are now
According to the list in the free prescriptions info on the main Thyroid UK website...
Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) or other conditions where thyroid hormone replacement is necessary
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/NHS_In...
.
What is the position in the UK if you have had a TT - it does not seem to qualify here in France. It seems unbelievable as there is no choice but to take medication for the rest of your life.
That's incredible. So even if you went without medication for a few days/weeks until you were sick you still wouldn't get a diagnosis of myxoedema/hypothyroidism?
Yes, in the UK if you need thyroxine for life you get it on prescription. It's crazy that you don't get it in France 
It always looks to me as if anyone in England prescribed levothyroxine or liothyronine (or any product containing them) qualifies regardless of reason. However, the wording was possibly to ensure it is not used if a doctor were (against all the recommendations, guidance, licensing, etc.) prescribed it for something else. The obvious example being in the past when at various times it has been put forward as a weight-loss medicine regardless of thyroid hormone levels.
I thought levothyroxine wouldn't 'work' as a weight loss aid if ones thyroid was fully functional? I'm sure I read that somewhere.... I find it hard to believe anyone would want to (potentially) end up with heart problems in order to lose a few pounds!
Whether or not it works in the real world, many people think that it will work.
It is obvious that in general hypers tend to be thin and hypos not. But they conveniently ignore things like the lesser proportions of hypers who put on weight - often due to increased appetite. And hypos who lose weight. It certainly is not some form of weight-loss medicine even if some people lose weight when taking it. And agreed - if what I have experienced from being very slightly over-dosed is typical, I couldn't face the feeling. I hated it.
Rod
Agree totally! I suspect I've gone slightly hyper recently as I'm hungry constantly.. And seem to be spending half my life in the loo! I've not had any other symptoms like racing heart or anxiety tho... In any event I've cut back a tad and stopped taking magnesium too.
GP ignored Endocrinologist reccomendation and suggested blood tests were wrong
How Many of Us All Too Often Feel About Our Experiences With Doctors And Thyroid
Can ignorance be bliss...?
gp ignorant about thyroid
