Need a GP

[HalldoraSkula]

Hi, I just moved to UK 5 weeks ago and soon I will need to get another dose of my medication - Armour. I´ve been looking at the surgeries close to my home to choose a GP for my family, I would like him/her to be on track with the latest things that are going on regarding Thyroid health but of course there is nothing about that on the websites. 2 of my daughters are also on medication so this it´s very important for us to find the right GP. Any suggestions on how I can choose or what to do ? Are GP´s normally ok with natural medications if that´s what I have been using before ? Do I need to bring any proof ?

All tips and suggestions welcome.

[Hidden]

You'll need to lower your expectations!!! Sorry.

[HalldoraSkula in reply to Hidden]

Really...? In what way ? Should I find a specialist instead ?

[Hidden in reply to HalldoraSkula]

It's highly unlikely that they will prescribe Armour, most GPs only know about Thyroxine. Possibly it could be prescribed on a Named Patient basis but the cost will be high, hopefully someone on here can advise.

To be honest it's far easier to buy your own.

[HalldoraSkula in reply to Hidden]

Ok I see... How do I buy my own? I´ve seen some webpages, but was´t sure how to go with it

[humanbean in reply to HalldoraSkula]

You will need to write a new post, asking people to send you a private message on how they get hold of Armour Thyroid without a prescription.

Armour Thyroid is the most expensive dessicated thyroid preparation in the world, as far as I know, so I don't know how many people are paying for it out of their own pockets.

There are several other brands and products that are also dessicated thyroid products e.g. Erfa, Thyroid-S, Thiroyd (odd spelling is deliberate), plus others - I know I've missed some. The last two I mentioned are generic products from Thailand and are the easiest and cheapest to get online.

You may find the others easier to get without paying a huge price and without a prescription. But you will need to do some research very soon if you don't want to end up on levothyroxine.

Although NDT is theoretically a prescription-only medication in the UK, it is legal to import prescription-only medicines into the UK for your own use or for the use of someone in your household. Be aware that, depending on where you get your medicines from you may have to pay VAT and customs' charges, which can add substantially to the cost.

Being hypothyroid in the UK absolutely sucks!

[shaws]

If you've just moved to the UK it might prove very difficult to get any doctor to prescribe Armour. They may refer you to an Endocrinologist but you'd have to ensure he would be willing to prescribe (many do not)

Maybe just send a note informing the surgery you are newly registered and would like a prescription for you and your daughters for Armour Thyroid giving the amount or dose, and a copy of your prescriptions from your previous doctor.

Let them explain their policy to you but you might get a surprise and they carry on prescribing.

Your doctor who prescribed Armour will probably send your medical records to the new one.

I hope everything goes smoothly.

P.S. You might have to get a private prescription from an independent who will prescribe if all else fails..

[HalldoraSkula in reply to shaws]

Thank you, where do I find someone who does a private prescription?

[shaws]

This is the Guidelines for Patients re Armour

british-thyroid-association...

This is a Rebuttal Dr Lowe sent to them with the 'proof of the pudding' if you like, Despite three yearly reminders they never, ever responded. Dr Lowe died prematurely through an accident. RIP

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, HalldoraSkula.

Do you have private health insurance or are you going to be using the NHS?

Hypothyroidism is usually treated in primary care but NHS GPs (general practitioners) have the sketchiest knowledge of thyroid. It's a lottery whether a GP practice orders TSH and FT4, or TSH only. FT3 isn't often ordered and when it is, most NHS labs decline to test unless TSH is <0.03. When patients are referred to endocrinology most endos will be diabetes specialists, not thyroidologists.

NDT isn't licensed for UK use and consequently it is very rare for it to be prescribed on the NHS. Doctor's can prescribe it on a named patient basis but most won't accept the personal responsibility of prescribing an unlicensed drug they aren't familiar with and they'll probably have to refer requests to the local Clinical Care Group for approval which can take weeks. BTA protocols state "Levothyroxine is the preferred therapy for hypothyroidism" and most GPs and endocrinologists have fully bought into it. Most UK members using NDT have private prescriptions or buy NDT on the internet and self medicate.

I suggest you contact local pharmacies and ask whether they dispense Armour, NatureThroid, WP or Erfa and, if so, which GP and practice prescribes it, then contact the practice manager to discuss the likelihood of prescribing Armour for you. Your only other option is to contact local GP practices and ask whether they will prescribe you Armour which you have been taking for x years.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1088.aspx

[HalldoraSkula]

Thank you for such a good answer, we have the same problem with doctors in Iceland (where Im from) there are only few GP´s who know a little bit more about thyroid problems and dare to go against the main stream and prescribe those medicines, they are not "allowed" there either. I´ve seen some websites where you can buy Armour, was´t sure if I need perception to buy it there... I´ve got my Icelandic with me, do you think that will work ?

But thank you again for your help?

[Clutter in reply to HalldoraSkula]

HalldoraSkula, NHS prescriptions are accepted in European pharmacies so hopefully your Icelandic prescription will be acceptable too. Check out the online pharmacies in this link thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Email [e-mail] for a list of member recommended endocrinologists and private GPs.

[shaws]

Maybe also ask a local pharmacist if any doctor prescribes Armour.