G.P. has stopped my T3 (Liothyronnie) prescription under new NHS rules...

[SisterWoo]

I wondered if you can advise me please?

Please can anyone give me some advice, as my G.P. has informed me that I can no longer be prescribed T3 (Liothyronnine) under new NHS rules, even though I was prescribed it by an NHS consultant at St. Bartholmew's Hospital, 11 years ago (10mcg, in combination with Levothyroxine 50mcg). Does anyone know about this? Will I have to see a private practitioner, in order to buy the Liothyronnine drug, if I do not get on well on the Thyroxine alone? I'm due to get a blood test done 8 weeks after stopping the T3 drug (& and GP's advised me to increase my Thyroxine intake to compensate) - so I'll have to see how I feel on the Thyroxine alone and see if my T3 levels drop very low again, in forthcoming blood tests.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Kind Regards,

Debbie

[helvella Administrator]

You cannot hope to fight this unless your doctor tells you which rules he is talking about. If you don't get that information from your doctor you will end up making assumptions and might very well be trying to fight back against the wrong "rules".

How much more levothyroxine are you expected to take?

There are lots of things to discuss here but please find out which rules! Indeed, which part of the UK are you in? Rules vary by where you are at national, and Clinical Commissioning group levels.

Rod

[rosetrees]

I can only echo what helvella said above. Please ask your doctor to put in writing which new rules state he cannot prescribe T3.

[Clutter]

I agree with Rod, Sisterwoo. You should ask your GP or practice manager for a copy of this new rule, in writing, so you can challenge it with your local CCG.

T4 should be increased by 25mcg-30mcg when reducing 10mcg T3. It's not very helpful of your GP to be so vague.

[shaws Administrator]

Well, I take T3 alone and I wonder if it is the surgery which has told him not to supply it as it has become very expensive.

I won't see my GP for another 3 weeks, so it will be a wait and see situation. I will write to my GP if I am refused.

[Hypopotamus]

Yes, I would ask what new rules these are because I am not aware of any. Your GP is entitled to prescribe you unlicensed medication if the licensed ones (thyroxine) don't work.

Instead of punishing patients by withdrawing their medications why don't these lazy doctors challenge the pharmaceutical companies as to why T4 costs so little compared to T3 when they must cost the same to produce?

[Glynisrose]

This is rubbish there are no 'rules' against prescribing T3.

[ThyroidThora]

I wonder if this is a cop out to not describe because of the cost. My specialist wrote to my GP for her to prescribe T3 earlier this year and she rang me on my mobile saying that the PCT does not allow her to prescribe T3 and did I absolutely need it. I told her that my specialist had written to her to tell her to prescribe it because I did need it, especially as I was being treated for thyroid cancer. I had to get a little cross with her but she did back down. If I was you I would do the following:

1. Put in writing to your GP surgery your concerns at your essential medication being stopped.

2. Ask what the reason is for it's withdrawal.

3. Contact your local commissioning group for the rules and reasons why your T3 has been stopped.

4. Contact PALS for further help and support.

5. Get referred back to your specialist for support or better still contact him or her direct.

I hope you get to the bottom of things.

TT.

[helvella Administrator in reply to ThyroidThora]

I certainly agree that might be the underlying reason.

But to claim it is due to "rules" if it is on a funding basis is,frankly a lie. In my opinion (for what little that is worth), telling lies to patients is malpractice (with some exceptions).

Rod

[ThyroidThora]

Yep, it probably is due to cost. I recall my GP saying down the telephone that it was expensive and did I absolutely need it. She only let me have one prescription and did not put it on repeat. I then had to see the senior GP who agreed there and then that I needed it and put it on repeat prescription without any fuss at all, but my prescription does state on it that it is prescribed on the advise of my hospital specialist.