Endo says next time privately?: Hi So I saw the... - Thyroid UK

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Endo says next time privately?

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So I saw the endo and he trialled me on 3 months of T3 (bought with private prescription) and he says I have to see him once a year through his private clinic at cost.

Has anyone else had this? I don’t understand why?

Thanks Kate

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15 Replies

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SeasideSusieRemembering6 years ago

Katiboo78

Are you continuing with T3 after the trial? If so, how are you getting your prescription? I would imagine to continue prescribing T3 there is a requirement to see the patient annually, he may very well be following guidelines.

• in reply toSeasideSusie6 years ago

He said if I was to continue the trial, which I want to as vast improvement, then see him annually privately. I was just checking if this was normal procedure or if I was being stitched up. Thanks

SeasideSusieRemembering• in reply to6 years ago

Katiboo

I don't think you're being stitched up. I think once a year is reasonable, after all he needs to monitor you to ensure that he's doing the right thing to continue prescribing T3 and at the correct dose. What I would do though, is any tests you are going to need then get them done before your consultation as it will be cheaper with Medichecks or Blue Horizon and you'll have them on the day so he can see if any adjustment needs to be made. I would expect you're going to need TSH, FT4 and FT3 at least.

bantam12• in reply to6 years ago

It is normal procedure.

humanbean6 years ago

Did you originally see this endo via the NHS or was all your involvement with him private from the start?

• in reply tohumanbean6 years ago

Originally with the nhs

humanbean• in reply to6 years ago

Then I understand your question now.

It is definitely not normal to insist on treating a patient privately when they have been referred to a doctor on the NHS. But with treatment for hypothyroidism it has become relatively common, because endos say they can't prescribe T3 on the NHS any more. The CCGs have banned it even though they have no legal right to do so.

So they give patients private prescriptions, charge them for it, and then get repeat business which has to be private as well. I don't know what it means in money terms to get an appointment "at cost". I suspect it will still be expensive.

There is no way you can get your dose of T3 and/or other thyroid meds right for you when only seeing a doctor once a year. If your dose(s) are changed you need to have your thyroid levels tested 6 - 8 weeks later to make further adjustments if necessary. The cycle of testing and adjusting meds needs to be done every 6 - 8 weeks until you feel well.

You can pay for your own thyroid testing by ordering online. Once you have results you can post them on here in a new post and ask for feedback. Medichecks has 20% off all their tests for the whole of September, if you use the right discount code (sorry, can't remember what it is).

If you have private prescriptions from this endo, you aren't obliged to go to any old pharmacy and pay what they say you should. You can send the prescription to suppliers around the world e.g. in France or Germany and get the prescription filled that way. You would save hundreds of pounds on UK prices.

humanbean• in reply tohumanbean6 years ago

You might find this post of interest :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

shawsAdministrator• in reply tohumanbean6 years ago

That's a good and informative post and might suit most much better than DIY.

• in reply tohumanbean6 years ago

Thanks for this. Very helpful.

Supul6 years ago

There's nothing normal about thyroid treatment.

All thyroid patients pay, one way, or another.

None of it based on the founding principles underlying NHS whereby treatment is to be provided on the basis of need, in a timely manner.

Welcome to capitalism.

Yes, I'm now suffering from cynicism too!

• in reply toSupul6 years ago

It’s exhausting ....

Supul• in reply to6 years ago

It is indeed!!... wishing you well.

SlowDragonAdministrator6 years ago

Which CCG area are you in? They should not be banning if your NHS endocrinologist says you have clinical need

If your NHS endocrinologist says you have clinical need for T3 you should be prescribed on the NHS

Initially it's done on 3-6 month trial through Endo and hospital prescription. Assuming all going well, then on going care and prescription should be through your GP. Possibly with NHS annual referral back to see endo

Because of the ludicrous cost of T3 to NHS usually an "individual funding request" has to be made

british-thyroid-association...

Contact PALS, write to (or even better, go see) your MP, write to Lord O'Shaughnessy and Lord Hunt

theyworkforyou.com/search/?...

Are you getting your private prescription fulfilled in Germany.

Cost is much cheaper at 31 Euro for 100 x 20mcg tablets. Compared to UK T3 at over £900 for 100 tablets

Improve Thyroid Treatment campaign on Facebook has lots of useful information on getting prescribed on NHS

• in reply toSlowDragon6 years ago

I’m in North Yorkshire - I’m on an initial 3 month trial which will be 4 months as he was booked up. He said if I am to continue I have to see him privately - thanks for comments

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