T3

[ukangell]

Hi

I'm off to Rhodes, Greece. Can I buy T3 over the counter there please.

Just. Yes or no will do. Any further info via PM please.

Cheers.

[Marz]

Yes you buy it in the pharmacies here in Greece. They sometimes struggle with T3 and offer Tea Tree Oil It is by UniPharma and the packet is pink and white. Start collecting early in your stay as they often only stock two packs and may have to order for you - which is absolutely no problem. Pharmacists speak very good English so just point to your Thyroid when you say T3 .... A pack is just over a euro. There seem to be pharmacists on every street corner so you won't have a problem finding one....

Pharmacists also do B12 injections behind the counter - you can buy the B12 phials - Hydroxocobalamin - and the syringes for pence....should you need any that is....

Have you used T3 before ?

[ukangell in reply to Marz]

I'm taking 25mcg of T3 mainly started for depression. It's not doing much so I'm thinking of upping it. I think there's only 1 pharmacy near to where I'm staying but we'll be off to Rhodes old town too. Do they inject B12 for you or just sell the stuff? I think I might stock up on b12 amps. have about 20 left. Hydroxy.

[Marz in reply to ukangell]

When I mentioned behind the counter - I meant the actual injection Sorry for the confusion !! If you increase I am sure you know to do it slowly.....

How are all your vitals - like B12 - VitD - Ferritin - Folate - Iron ?

[ukangell in reply to Marz]

On B12 injections every 12 weeks and I top up inbetween.

Haven't had vit d tested since last year when I was deficient and given tablets. I now take vit d every day between October to June along with vit k2.

Don't know what my current folate or ferritin is. Not tested since last September. I take 800 mcg of folate every day along with nutri adrenal extra, nutri thyroid.

On iron tablets all the time as it drops when I'm not on them.

[Marz in reply to ukangell]

...sounds as if you are doing lots of things right. We live in Greece and still tested insufficient for VitD - so I would take it all year around if I were you and if your results are low. Have also read it is good for depression.... I have also read here that it is good to have regular testing of D to check where you are....

Have a great time in Rhodes...

[ukangell in reply to Marz]

It was after our 2 weeks in Rhodes last year when I tested deficient.

[Marz in reply to ukangell]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/245...

So your comment in your last post above endorses my comment that you should supplement all year

[ukangell in reply to Marz]

So I can ask for the B12 to be injected?

[Marz in reply to ukangell]

I thought you were having 3-monthly injections - you may need to ask for them more often....

[ukangell in reply to Marz]

Docs won't let me have them more often. I've asked and got refused. I've quoted bnf but was still refused.

[Marz in reply to ukangell]

I should stock up on B12 whilst in Rhodes as well - so cheap and the syringes too.

[rosetrees in reply to Marz]

Flippin' 'eck - just over a Euro? And how much do the NHS pay for T3. I stick to what I've said several times. The cost paid for drugs is the biggest single scandal within the NHS.

[Marz in reply to rosetrees]

Due to monopolies I presume ! Once knew of an NHS buyer who told a story whereby a hospital bought 1000's of new beds just to use up the annual budget - the previous ones stored in a closed down hospital. Also he once ordered a set of tools for a surgeon costing thousands - he didn't like them - so more were ordered ! You couldn't make it up

[silverfox7 in reply to Marz]

On a slightly different scenario-I once heard of a school crying out for books but the only money in the coffers had to be spent on painting the kitchen which didn't need it!

It is shocking though about the cost of drugs. Until more companies request to supply it then I can't see that changing. Its definitely a chicken and egg thing as T3 not being offered because of cost and no one wanting to become an alternative supplier as no call for it ( the GPs reluctant, not us).

[Marz in reply to silverfox7]

Maybe there should be changes in the way government budgets are allocated - to prevent inappropriate spending. Its a question of use it or lose it the following year. I could be out of date and maybe things have changed.....

Also healthy competition should be introduced - as in the case of T3....yes you are right - it's chicken or egg

[chloemcm]

Reading this thread makes me ask - is T4 readily available from pharmacy in Greece? Yes or no will suffice thnx

[maggykriti]

Yes, you can buy both T4 and T3 here in Greece, both cheaply.