Thyroid Endocrine Network Article re T3 - Thyroid UK

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Thyroid Endocrine Network Article re T3

Shelley1954 profile image
6 Replies

Interesting article re T3 /costing.

"We are about to conduct a survey to assess the clinical experiences of Network members regarding the recent price increase in liothyronine (tri-iodothyronine, T3) and how this has affected clinical practice. May 2017 will see the British Thyroid Association’s annual meeting, and we are working closely with them to finalise the programme for the Trainee Day component of this event. The Network has also submitted suggestions to the Programme Committee for the Society for Endocrinology BES conference in November 2017."

endocrinology.org/endocrino...

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shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Thanks for posting.

It would seem to me that the company is employed by the BTF and it is BTA who, I believe,, ordered that T3 be withdrawn immediately and without warning.

What kind of doctoring is that - removing a life-saving hormone without warning and patients having to try to source their own and the immense worry.

I know the extortionate price rise was a perfect excuse, but there are other T3s which could have been prescribed in the meantime until a situation was resolved.

BTA have never liked T3 to be prescribed and have always insisted that levothyroxine alone is sufficient.

They have never listened to patients whose pleas have gone unheard and how can they state categorically that levothyroxine is the perfect replacement when it isn't for many thousands of mainly women.

Surely it wasn't ethical to have an instant ban, leaving patients floundering and desperate?

It is the way that many Endocrinologists insist that only the TSH reveals whether or not the patient is hypo? A disaster for thousands.

A Parlous Situation - quoted by a doctor who got the left-overs from the NHS and who healed and treated the patient and not the numbers of a print-out form.

We are patients whose lives are dependent upon ethical treatment and we aren't making 'fashionable' requests for T3 but a necessity for a pain-free/symptom-free life which is possible with the right thyroid hormone.

lynmynott profile image
lynmynottPartnerThyroid UK in reply to shaws

Hi Shaws, It's not the BTA who have ordered T3 to be withdrawn. In fact, their new guidelines state that patients already on T3 should not have it withdrawn.

I believe it's the fault of PrescQIPP sending out their bulletin showing how much could be saved that set this particular ball rolling. :-(

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to lynmynott

Thanks for putting me right Lyn :)

So many Endocrinologists, as we know, withdrew T3 and left patients high an dry and trying to source their own T3.

So if an Endo does withdraw the patients' T3 he's making his own personal decision to do so (probably based on cost to NHS) but leave the patient distraught and without an essential hormone for their wellbeing. He could prescribe a T3 on a 'named-patient' basis if he was compassionate and concerned.

lynmynott profile image
lynmynottPartnerThyroid UK in reply to shaws

Absolutely, he could prescribe. I've been reading an article about prescribing for doctors and it states that the clinician must take responsibility for any prescriptions they give in case of harm. This would probably frighten many clinicians off!

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to lynmynott

Yes, I read that too and it would put many off but I think they are over-cautious and the only problem would be if patient took too much and I doubt patient would do it a second time :)

Oh! to have another Dr S, Dr L and Dr P who put patients' welfare before their own. Not every person can afford Private care,

If they also added on the 'extras' for the remaining symptoms it would come to quite a substantial sum for the NHS but symptoms still not resolved due to low hormone levels.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

My endo is in despair that so many of his patients are having prescriptions refused and stopped suddenly by CCG's.

Just as increasing scientific evidence that we need T3 is published.

Everyone affected needs to write to their MP, the health secretary and shadow health Secretary

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