T3

[Pixielula]

Hey guys

We are possibly moving from Somerset to Merthyr Tydfil does anyone get T3 on prescription in Wales, to be honest I don't want to make the move only to find myself in the same situation as Somerset. They are stopping my T3 and I'm having to go to appeal thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

It really depends on your local Health Board.

I asked mine here in north Wales last year if T3 was on their list of medicines that can be prescribed and their response was:

"You asked us:

Can you please tell me if Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board provides Liothyronine (T3) as a treatment for hypothyroidism on their list of allowable medicines, either with or without an endocrinologist's approval.

Our Response:

The Health Board does use Liothyronine (T3) as a treatment for hypothyroidism, and on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) Formulary, Liothyronine (T3) is classed as a Red drug; red drugs are considered to be specialist medicines. This drug is for hospital use only and specialist initiated, and because of this it would be expected that it would be prescribed by an endocrinologist.  It could be dispensed from either hospital or a community pharmacy if the prescription is written on a prescription form WP10(HP)."

If you already are prescribed T3 on the NHS then to be absolutely sure I think you would have to enqure of the local Health Board that covers Merthyr to see what their protocol is. If the same as BCUHB then you're in the difficult position of needing to see an endocrinologist to ascertain whether he/she would prescribe it or at least make enquiries of the endo or hospital.

[SmallBlueThing]

Openprescribing.net only covers England, but it may interest you to know that in November `15 there were 35 prescriptions for T3 in Somerset CCG. Nearer to Merthyr are Bristol CCG with 18 and South Gloucestershire CCG with 17 prescriptions. I wonder how they compare for population?

[mmatrina]

I am on T3/T4 and also moved from Somerset to Wales. I get T3 from my GP in Monmouth, monitored by a Professor in Cardiff University Hospital (PM me for his name). At first my GP continued to prescribe T3 as originally prescribed by the endocrinologist consultants at the BRI in Bristol. However I got ill again and went to a consultant in Abergavenny (PM me for his name). On no account go to him - he didn't even greet or look at me when I walked in but just sat reading the notes I provided, made me cry, and was incredibly rude and dismissive to me and my partner. He then wrote a long, rambling letter to my GP saying (amongst other things) that anybody who deviated from orthodox treatment and put patients on T3/T4 was in his view "a crank".

However I got the outcome I wanted as he passed me on like a contaminated hot potato to the Endocrinology Professor in Cardiff University Hospital whose name I had mentioned. This Consultant prescribes T3 where appropriate. And when I met him he even greeted me with respect and said he would work in partnership with me. How sad it is that that is an unusual thing for a Dr to say to a patient. The

My GP continues to prescribe T3 and feels more secure as I have ongoing care from Cardiff, with consultations every 8 months or so.

Sorry to be long winded but I thought more people should hear about the appalling behaviour of the consultant in Abergavenny. Who, by the way, has an array of letters after is name and is high up in the medical establishment.

[tiggy2017 in reply to mmatrina]

Hi there thanks for sharing, you have my deepest sympathy - I had similar experience with an endo in Swindon a few years back - absolutely shocking that they think this is acceptable behaviour. I am living in the Chepstow area and would be incredibly grateful if you could PM the name of your Prof in Cardiff as I need to find someone who is open to privately prescribing T3 now that it looks like T3 will be taken away from me on the NHS.....

[faith63]

why not just buy your own, rather than be a t the mercy of doctors?