I would be grateful to know whether it would be legal for my husband to go abroad and bring back synthyroid/T4/levothyroxine for my personal use?
If it's not illegal:
What countries would be his best bet for buying it over the counter without a prescription? (The closer to England the better.)
How much would he be allowed to purchase and bring back, i.e. are there any precise limitations or perhaps guidelines for 'personal use' that would apply?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
Spicer21,
If you post recent thyroid results and ranges we can tell you whether you are optimally dosed on 50mcg. If you are undermedicated your GP should increase your prescription dose.
To answer your question: Your husband can buy Levothyroxine over the counter in Turkey, Greece and possibly Cyprus. He can bring back enough to last for 3 months. It would be cheaper to order Levothyroxine online to top up your prescription if your GP won't do it.
Hi Clutter,
Thanks for your reply.
I believe I'm under medicated - and my GP won't increase my dose.
Test results done last month on NHS:
TSH 1.15 (0.27 – 4.2)
FT4 13.9 (12 -22)
I was thinking about ordering T4 on line but keep reading about medications getting stuck in customs and having to get a GP's letter to release them, which my GP obviously wouldn't help me with...
If I did risk buy it on line, where would be the best to get it from? - I would very obliged if you'd pm me if it's not ok to post about this in open forum.
Many thanks.
Spicer21,
If you are in the UK it is perfectly legal to import thyroid medication for your own (or your household's) use. Levothyroxine from Turkey or Cyprus shouldn't be stopped by customs.
I was wondering whether going abroad and bringing it into the country would be classed as 'importing' or whether importing would only be when you request the meds to be sent to you in the UK from abroad. Perhaps both are equally acceptable/legal?
Hi Clutter & Marz ,
Is T3 back on pharmacy shelves again in Greece?
Thanks,
Mel
It would be illegal to bring it back for your use. You can only import prescription medication for your own use.
Hi jimh111,
So is it that it would be illegal for my husband to go abroad and buy it to bring back for my use?...But I could go abroad and buy it and bring it back for my use? (My husband was volunteering to do it for me as I'm too ill too travel.)
Or is it that neither my husband or I can buy it abroad and bring it back for my use, but I can import it (on line?) for my use?
Thanks in advance.
Not a lawyer, but last I looked the definition is household not just the individual.
Spicer21
He can bring it back for you, see my reply below.
No Spicer21,
He can. It’s HOUSEHOLD for this reason and a few others. You can also import it online. As we’re still part of the EU.
Jimh111,
It is legal to bring back meds for yourself or for someone in your household.
I agree with Helvella, I’ve also had an email (April this year) stating household. They also said 3-6 months worth. They also used the word guideline. How I interpreted that is up to me. Some people take 100mcg others 300mcg. They do not know who would might be moving into your house and also how many people have and what quantity.
I also asked two customs officers recently (LHR October & STN - November) - via the red channel - neither were interested - one on the phone (Stansted) asked if it was for personal use. And said that’s fine. The (Heathrow) other physically in front of me said: were only interested in the hard stuff (cocaine / heroin) and then almost shouted at me “is it for personal use” then waved me on my way.
ALSO it’s not classified as prescription Medicine- if it is bought OTC in the country of origin.
I also find it hilarious that you can only buy three packs of aspirin per purchase.
Thanks, Ebony. That's really reassuring.
I can send you the email from HMRC if you’d like.
Thanks, I'll pm you.
Spicer 21
Found by Googling "can i import prescription medication to uk"
There are no formal restrictions on an individual importing medicines into the UK provided they are strictly for use by that person or a member of their immediate family
[3 months' worth is deemed to be acceptable, as Clutter has mentioned.]
You can see that in a reply by MHRA to the question "Question about importing prescription drugs" here tpauk.com/main/article/mhra...
Thank you so much for all the information. I really appreciate it.
In Spain levo T4 is available otc and there really isn't a restriction on how many packs can be bought.they are made up of packs of 100 I usually get a years worth at a time as find the brand suits me fine and it is always the same brand. Been using same brand for few years now, GP is aware that I find it preferable to the mix given in uk.never had any problem obtaining it at all.
Thanks soppysokes,
Could I ask what brand you use? I'm on Mercury Pharma atm and am thinking that a change might be worth experimenting with as I feel so awful.
Hi I stipulated mercury brand when was using the uk supply and mostly got it but invariably at times it wasn't available or was difficult for them to source.a few years back it was very hit and miss what was available so ditched it then. the levo in Spain is Eutirox available in 25,50,100 and 125mic tablets.
Thanks, soppysokes.
Someone's just advised me that levo isn't available over the counter in all of Spain. Could you let me know what part of Spain you get your otc levo from? Thanks in advance.
Hi Spicer that may be so since I always get mine whilst wintering on the Costa Blanca. Quite possibly inland villages and the like maybe less used to it happening. Here of course there are many nationalities, usually the grey £/euro so it's very common!
Many thanks for that, Soppysokes.
In Romania You can buy without prescription Euthyrox (Merck). Costs about 2 euro 100 pills
Thank you, itenuca.
Hi spicer forgot its about 4 euros for 100 pack.have to say though that before I changed and as an ongoing thing I have the blue horizon private tests done to check all the levels just to be sure.gp also does keep up the annual nhs tsh test but I prefer to know in depth a little more than that. Wish you luck in whatever you do to try to improve your health.
Thanks, soppysokes - that's a really reasonable price.
Sound advice too about the testing. I'm about to get my thyroid levels re-checked and will check them again about 6 weeks after upping my levo by 25mcg to start off with. I'm going to be very careful.
Apologies, I thought it was limited to the individual, clearly you can import for your family (but not for a child if it hasn't been prescribed by a doctor, I believe).
Looking at you results then you are. Ertsinly undermedicated so I would get the doctor to increase your dose and see if you then actually need T3.
Hi Silverfox7,
Yes, I think I could do with trying another 25mcg levo a day. My GP won't prescribe more levo though, so I will have to self-medicate or find a private sympathetic endo or GP. I've got the Thyroid UK list of endos and docs, but they are all so far away from me and it's difficult to travel as I am in such a lot of pain with fibromyalgia - I suffer with chronic fatigue as well...Just a trip to my local dentist for a check up wipes me out for a couple of days 
So sorry you are in that position. This forum is run by Thyroid Uk and it's well worth looking at their site as lots of info. You may well find something on there that will help your cause and you can show to your doctor who will probably say not to search the internet but you can point out they are the suggestion on NHS Choices for information on thyroid dysfunction. That should make him think again!
Thanks, Silverfox7 - I never knew that about Thyroid UK being suggested on NHS Choices! 
I keep reading all the posts on here too and am learning a lot.
I've only recently spotted it but using a forum we are wide open to be told we shouldn't search the internet etc so useful to know if we read on the site it should make the doctor think a little!
He might think of reading it himself!
Yes, exactly and such a good point, silverfox7. Something I've noticed about many of the doctors I've encountered is that they are quick to berate you for consulting 'Dr Google' - when they don't like what 'Dr Google' has suggested they should be doing - and yet, when it's convenient for them, they tell you to look things up online! There's often no winning.
Very good point!
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