I have recently started self medicating t3 with my prescribed t4. So far I can't believe how much better I feel in only 3 weeks.
A good friend lives in Corfu and can easily buy t3 at a local chemist. On a recent visit home she brought me a few packets which will last a few more weeks.
Is it ok to post t3 from Greece to UK in normal post or does it need to be declared in some way? We're having a trial run of 3 pks to see if they arrive but for convenience and cost saving it would be great if she could post quite a few more in one go.
Does anyone have any advise please.
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GotTheTShirt
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The legality of some things is complicated and I certainly do NOT know very much about it. Even more certainly, I know nothing of the Greek side. But that doesn't stop me from throwing in my ha'pporth of thoughts!
Receiving a packet from another EU member state does not have any customs/vat implications. I doubt very much that the UK side requires anything at all.
If the person is OK on the Greek side, there seems nothing whatsoever to stop it happening.
However, if a person brings some to you in the UK, they are supplying a prescription medicine without being an authorised person (doctor/pharmacist/limited number of other people). I suggest this is potentially subject to the same criminal prosecution as are often reported in the papers/on the MHRA site. Chances of being caught are close to zero. Morally very difficult to separate from posting a packet from Greece. But legally questionable. Indeed, I do not know what the legality of them actually bringing it into the UK might be.
It would be good if a real lawyer would chip in here!
Well, that's one way... Might make it more expensive than even UK sourced T3.
Rod
Not a lawyer, but I am an employee of a certain government department, so...
Customs do reserve the right to open packages from other EU member states. To be on the safe side, it's probably worth calling the helpline on this page: search.hmrc.gov.uk/kb5/hmrc... and finding out the true legal position. If there's some additional paperwork that should be done to safeguard both you and your friend, they'll know.
The position is that we are allowed to import prescription meds for our own use, or for the use of our immediate household without a prescription. The relevant legislation is the medicines act 1968 (parts 7 and 13 I think). . We are not allwed to give prescription meds to anyone else unless we are a licenced pharmacist or medic.
Your friend is supplying you with medicines but she is presumably not qualified to do so? However, if you paid for the meds, would that then mean you were importing them for your own use?
Given that we are allowed to import, maybe best if we just get on with it and don't pester the mhra too much?
Sheila from TPA asked the MHRA about the legal position of people buying prescription drugs from internet pharmacies. I know this isn't strictly the question you asked, but thought you might be interested in the answer she got :
I'm getting worried my new GP & Endo Consultant will have a problem with me on T3 because they dont understand I cant convert T4. I've had my thyroid removed & wish I had kept it because Ive not had any energy or quality of life since my bad reaction to T4.
I'm looking for a way to get T3 imported or on the internet as another option.
An interesting post and I'm pleased to read how much improved you feel - enjoy your holidays to Greece!
If you go to your gp tell them how much better you are feeling on t3 be honestbthat you are having to get it from abroad but how life changing its been also suggest you are thinking of buying it online (docs dont like it if you buy online ) incase its doggy stuff....with all that info the doc may say ok ill send you to an endo and he might well put you on this drug .Gps get told not to prescribe as its so expensive but an endo can prescribe ,i am sure if she sees how better you are and how you are considering getting it from abroad she or he will see in a different light ....glad to hear you are feeling better
Yes Good luck with your GP! I was being prescribed t3 by my GP which greatly improved my quality of life. However once the local GPs became responsible for the 'local drugs bill' He could not longer prescribe t3. An endo appt was cancelled as I was adequately medicated and bloods in range blah blah blah................ (sorry to be flip....) So I've been buying from Mexico which my GP is aware of......... until the last dodgy batch.......so I have a friend in Greece and am going to try this route so thanks to everyone for this advice....wishing you all good health x
Hi Jeanniex, I was interested and a bit concerned that you refer to a dodgy batch from Mexico. I recently bought some T3 from Mexico, but have not started yet, as I still had some left over from France. Could you give some more detail about the problems you encountered with the T3 from Mexico? Thanks a lot.
Hi Sirmot yes of course. I'm not sure if you are aware of the 'Stop the thyroid madness' STTM group? They posted that several people who had bought Cynomel (not cytomel) batch number BM20 1304 had been getting Hypo symptoms and people were not taking them. I had that batch and had actually stopped taking them about a week before I saw their post as I wasn't feeling great on them. I've asked STTM to re-post and I'll put the link up if/when they do. Wishing you good health Jeannie (I just had a quick look at STTM my question and their response to it was on April 23rd - there's a green picture/cartoon drawing talking about removing Thyroids you'll see my name there) x
Somewhat surprised I don't remember, nor can I find using a search, anything to do with that batch number of Cynomel - either here or on the greater web.
Mind, perhaps people posted without a specific batch number?
Thank you very much for the information Jeanniex. I will have a look at the batch number on mine (away from home at the moment), but it was about 8 weeks ago, so could be the same. I was not aware of the Stop the thyroid madness group. thanks. I wonder if this is the only batch that has been problematic, as most people are so happy with the supply from Mexico. At least Greece seems to be a very good second alternative. thanks again and warmest wishes,
HI Jeannix, I have determined that the Cynomel I got from Mexico is the batch number you mention, so I will not be taking it and now looking for alternatives. I was wondering about letting the Mexico supplier know, but perhaps that has already been done by someone? Do you happen to know whether they have been informed and what their response was? Also would really appreciate it if you can give the link to the STTM post on this, if they did re-post it, as I could not find anything on this when I did a search. Thank you very much again. x
Hi When STTM posted it they said that people had been re-ordering. However I couldn't find it when I looked I did ask them to re-post, but they said for me to look further down the news stream (I didn't make it up honestly why would I)!!! I have no idea where the post has gone, but STTM seem to think it's still there somewhere. For me, I've decided to try armour NDT now so I've taken advice from others on here before doing so. Isn't this all so tiring and time consuming because I've stopped taking the Mex T3 it's taken a toll on my health so Armour may be the treatment for me. Good luck to you, keep posting Jeannie x
Thank you Jeannie. Of course you didn't make it up! And it is terribly tiresome. I'm in Italy now and found out that they have T3 here but in liquid form, which you take in drops, and you seem to be able to get it over the counter. Wondering about trying that instead of the Mexican Cynomel. I'm hesitant to reorder from Mexico, in case the dodgy batch was not a one-off. Good luck with Armour. I hope it works for you and you feel healthy again! x
My batch number was 1301 and I've been fine, but I think, like you, I'll try the Armour NDT just to be on the safe side. Could you tell me where you source yours, as I've drawn a blank?
Hi my batch number was 1304 - so if yours are fine it's because they are a different batch <an internet pharmacy> is the place someone on here suggested - good luck Jeannie
HI got the the t shirt please can you tell me how to go about ordering t3 from corfu can not stand much more of this
i decided week's ago i was going to do the same as you and add t3 to my t4, just going down hill fast i have seen it advertised on diffferent sites but i am not sure what i am ordering andif you already have some and have been taking it ,it sound's safe also how much do you take.
Hi Ms Polly, I have been very fortunate and been able to get my t3 through a friend who lives in Corfu. She can buy over the counter at her local pharmacy. Fingers and everything else crossed I'm amazed at the difference its making after only 3 wks. I'm afraid I can't help with the usual way to order online but I'm sure somebody else in this wonderful community will have an answer.
I reduced my t4 by 50mcg 10 days before starting it and started on 1/2 tab (12.5mcg) for the 1st 4 days. This didn't make much difference but I have gradually increased adding 1/4 tab every 3-4 days.
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