Possible fake NDT?

[Jodypody]

This is a bold statement I know but I'm concerned. I had an issue like many others getting WP before Christmas from my usual pharmacy. Frustrated I phoned one of the other pharmacies recommended by Thyroid UK and he said he thought he could get a hold of WP from his supplier?? I was surprised as even New York based pharmacy were out. Anyhow said tablets arrived in an unbranded bottle with an attached info sheet and I'm struggling. I can fall asleep but wake bolt upright between 2/3 and can't get back off. My weight has increased despite having my normal strict regime and I generally feel low. I feel cold but my temperature is ok. Am I being paranoid to think I've been issued something other than WP?

[Jazzw]

When you say “recommended by Thyroid UK”, do you actually mean recommended by members of this forum via PM? Looking at your previous post, I think you might mean the latter. Thyroid UK doesn’t recommend pharmacies for self sourcing thyroid hormone replacement.

It does sound as though you may have been sent duff goods, yes. That’s not to say they’re definitely fake, but they could be old stock.

[Clutter in reply to Jazzw]

Jazzw,

There is a list of online pharmacies on TUK's website where members can obtain NDT with a prescription.

[Jodypody in reply to Clutter]

Yes that’s the one. I’ll see if I can dig out the accompanying instructions leaflet with the batch number potentially on it as it was dispensed into a standard brown bottle

[Jazzw in reply to Clutter]

I know. That’s why I said “self sourcing”.

Apologies if it appeared I was being a bit over-protective of Thyroid UK.

[Clutter in reply to Jazzw]

Jazzw,

I wasn't sure you knew. Nothing to apologise for anyway

[LouiseRoberts in reply to Jazzw]

To clarify - they are not 'recommended' - they are just pharmacies which may be able to help. We would be interested in knowing the name of the pharmacy please Jodypody Can you email [e-mail] Thanks

[Jodypody in reply to LouiseRoberts]

Hi

I’ll do that just to clear up there was no intention to doubt their recommendation it was to point out I didn’t get them from some random online source.

[LouiseRoberts in reply to Jodypody]

No worries. It was more that I wanted to make it clear that we don't recommend.

[Clutter]

Jodypody,

You could contact RLC with the batch no. and expiry date and ask if they are genuine.

getrealthyroid.com/product-...

[applesandoranges21 in reply to Clutter]

what is RLC Pardon my ignorance but what does RLC stand for?

Thanks

[Clutter in reply to applesandoranges21]

Applesandoranges21,

RLC is the manufacturer of WP.

[Jodypody in reply to Clutter]

Hi clutter. I’ve checked and there’s no batch number or expiry date just the accompanying leaflet. That isn’t right surely?

[Clutter in reply to Jodypody]

Jodypody,

Pharmacies *should* include them when they decant into other containers but often don't. Ring the pharmacy and ask for them. They should have the records.

[Jodypody in reply to Clutter]

Ok I’ll call them on Monday. It could only happen to me! Months of hard work in the gym and All undone I can hardly fit into my clothes 😆

[Clutter in reply to Jodypody]

Jodypody,

Have you had thyroid function test recently?

[Jodypody in reply to Clutter]

I haven’t as I missed the last appointment. I increased myself at the beginning of the winter up to 3 grains. I’ve been on ndt for 3 years now and have moved up (self adjusting) from 2 grains

[Clutter in reply to Jodypody]

Jodypody,

May be an idea to check TSH, FT4 and FT3 via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin... Could be dose is wrong rather than WP not effective.

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK in reply to Jodypody]

Can you ask them to check the expiry date and where it was stored?

[applesandoranges21]

Sounds suspicious, I do not think you are paranoid at all. You have grounds to feel suspicious. Clutter has given good advice so I would follow her advice actually.

[Framboise]

Hi, I phoned all the pharmacies on TUK's website list in November and none of them had any WP so I'm rather surprised about this, however it could be that someone along the line had some left over. There's one pharmacy which has caused me a bit of concern by altering prices and apparently ordering in only when someone sends him a prescription, rather than keeping things in stock, but even so it wouldn't be worth a pharmacist risking his livelihood to send out the wrong meds. Does it look the same as WP usually does i.e. with P and a number on one side and RLC on the other?

[LouiseRoberts in reply to Framboise]

Hi - would you be able to email [e-mail] with details of which pharmacy please? Thanks

[Framboise in reply to LouiseRoberts]

Yes will do Louise.

[Jodypody]

I’ll have a look later. It could just be that I need an increase again although I did increase to 3 grains at the beginning of winter. I dunno. I just got a strange gut feeling when he told me he could get them but I was so desperate not to switch to another brand and have that hassle of it not working. I’ve just taken another 1/4 grain so will see what happens sleep wise tonight. Wish me luck

[cwill]

In my year of ordering WP from various sources, with prescription mainly, my tablets are always in sealed original tub and I always check use by date when they arrive and look at tablets for RLC. I have never received a brown bottle of mixed batches. I also trained my prescriber to write the prescription for multiples of 100 so that the bottles of WP don’t have to be split by the pharmacist to meet my order.

I think that novice NDT prescribers as mine was are keen to treat it like everything else they prescribe but we need a degree of flexibility in our dose and they need to be prepared for the reality of pill cutting. Not every pharmacy stocks all the grain variations even in times of plenty but some doctors don’t understand the reality of getting the prescription met.

[BadHare]

I took a photo of my two grain Wp. On one half is a P, & on the other half, same side is a 2. Are yours similarly marked.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to BadHare]

Good idea.

Photo of all dosages here:

pdr.net/full-prescribing-in...

Scroll down to find the picture.

[BadHare in reply to helvella]

That's my last for this year!

Good website!