Medication Review

[Kittylitter2]

I have just had a letter asking me to come into the surgery to have my medication reviewed by the pharmacist, I have just had an increase of fluoxetine, and the only other drug I have is Levothyroxine, so it is not as if I have a long list of medication to check, they also want to check my weight and blood pressure - now I may be cynical, but I think they are keeping a check on us hypothyroid patients, as we are likely to need more metabolic drugs in the future, and they want to see where they can pounce and make money.

[crimple]

What are your thyroid blood results like? under treatment can lead to raised cholesterol. Do NOT accept statins! Re blood pressure, I suffer badly from white coat syndrome and they tried to get me onto blood pressure tablets after just one reading by the practice nurse. Did my own readings for a week and result was 117 over 69, way off being hypertensive!!

[Kittylitter2 in reply to crimple]

My latest TSH result for April was 0.7, I am on Levo 75mcg - no other thyroid tests were taken, cholestrol is good, and I take my blood pressure at home, this is good too, so there is no way they are going to get me on blood pressure or statin medication, even if it goes up at the surgery. Well done you for refusing the bp tablets.

[Judithdalston]

Your pharmacist should do this yearly, regardless if it's in the surgery- mine is great but he is independent, and knows a lot more about hypothyroidism then Gps ( it was him who suggested T3). However after 30 years of taking a nasal spray for hayfever it didn't come thru on my prescription this week, went to ask surgery pharmacist why: the CCG had stopped it and to get it in future over the counter!

[Kittylitter2 in reply to Judithdalston]

I have been at my current surgery for 4.5 years, and have had hypothyroidism for 9 years, and the only thing checked is blood, and that had not been done for over 18 months before this April's test. So perhaps they are on catch-up mode - they are still in 1960's at my surgery with forms that look like they have been typed on an old fashioned type writer, and the doctor themselves come to collect you rather than one of those boards that flash your name up.

[Kittylitter2 in reply to Judithdalston]

Wow a pharmacist that suggested t3!!!

[Angel_of_the_North]

If it's a Medicine Use Review (or whatever they are called today) by the pharmacy, it's just a way for the pharmacy to get more money from the NHS and should be optional. Only your GP or endo can change your meds (with your consent). Check with doctor if it is mandatory, if it isn't, don't go.

[Kittylitter2 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you that is useful to know, especially the bit about needing consent to change meds.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Kittylitter2]

Well, it's supposed to be consensual, but the practice can refuse to keep you on the books, I think if you don't do what you are told.

[Kittylitter2 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thought that would be the catch.

[Hamble in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I've tried to refuse one at my pharmacy but they are so devious, and I really resent it. I will really did in my heels next time and resist.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Hamble]

I don't put hearing aids in and say "Eh?" a lot and tell then I'll come back when I've got my ears in (and don't).

[Hamble in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Brilliant!

[Kittylitter2 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Yes as Hamble says Brilliant!!

[Hamble]

Hi - you don't say when you last had a blood test to check thyroid levels - it could be that. I think it's better to be "kept an eye on" than forgotten about/ignored. Hopefully it's nothing too sinister. All the best.

[Kittylitter2 in reply to Hamble]

Hi Hamble, my last blood test was April 2018 and TSH was 0.7, but I dont think the pharmacist can do anything without talking to the doctor, they probably want to pounce on all hypothyroid people to do get an idea of how much medication they can get down them for the future, I can see them now taking our blood pressure and weight and rubbing their hands in glee as they mark it on the system - yes this one will likely need blood pressure meds and statins within the next year ha ha.