Hi, I am going to Australia this week, and was wondering if anybody knows if t3 can be obtained there without a prescription.
I am getting a bit desperate now, as I will be more or less out by the time I get back to the UK, and my previous supplier is out of stock.
Really would appreciate any help.
Unfortunately, my understanding is it requires a script. My endocrinologist has to also ring to get an authority approval in order to write the script so it is dispensed under the PBS.
Hi I’ve been on T3 since February, prescribed in the UK by Endo after lengthy testing/ruling out everything else, and sourced it from Germany due to price. I’ve been travelling for 4 months and now restocking my medications in Australia.
I got a Medicare number (required for reciprocal treatment for UK citizens) then had a walk in GP appointment in Sydney. I provided old repeat prescriptions and a print out of blood test results etc but she was happy to produce prescriptions for T4, T3 and an inhaler easily for what I required (the old T3 prescription I had was for a lower amount than I’ve been taking since). I’ve also had a blood test for TSH, T4, T3 and Vit D.
I go back on Wednesday for the blood test results and to collect the prescriptions but the chemist wasn’t overly surprised at the T3 (in the UK it was an ordeal and most I tried didn’t recognise it or mentioned the cost). I’ll let you know how much it costs, as think it will be more than Germany, but so far the process has been fairly easy. I do keep a spreadsheet print out of my blood tests, weight changes and blood pressure etc for reference so when I’m sat with all the paperwork they tend to think you know what you’re taking about and prescribe as per current medications rather than battle too much. Hope that helps but will have more info on Wednesday.
Sorry just spotted you’re looking to get it without a prescription. Not sure if that’s possible here (and would always recommend getting it via prescription somewhere anyway) but if you have time to get Medicare and GP appointment you might be able to sort it all in a day or two.
I do all of that because I lived in the middle East and travelled extensively.
T3 is a prescription item in Australia. All thyroid medication is prescription required and I know some people buy from the US.
I am on NDT compound capsules and not on our PBS system.
Some doctors are good and will take the information you provide.
Good luck and hope you enjoy your time in Aus.
You’ll need absolutely prescription to get T3 in Australia and possibly evidence you are already on T3. You’ll have to pay for a GP appointment unless you can find a GP who bulk bills but this is pretty rare these days. There’s a well informed practitioner at the O’Connell (or it could be Connell) Steet Practice in Sydney.
Yes T3 is definitely on prescription in Australia
Yes, you can get T3 in Australia, but you do need a script for it for a compounding pharmacy, as T3 is not available at a regular pharmacy or chemist. I was on it for a while before switching over to NDT and am lucky to have an understanding GP who with prescribe either T3 or NDT. I have been through countless GP's here in Australia who will not consider anything other than Levothyroxine, or test for anything other than TSH.
Best of luck!
Yes it is a problem. I see a Functional GP that does not bulk bill and expensive but you do get some rebate. We are travelling so I see doctors all over the place and I doctor shop if they insist their way or the highway when I present all my information including copies of old scripts and blood tests.
It is surprising how many compounding labs there are everywhere.
I disagree, I have been buying my T3 at Priceline- an Australian equivalent to Boots or Superdrug. No one was looking at me strangely and it was always in stock. All the GP always tested full thyroid panel.
Seriously? Now that makes me so mad at my GP. While he did prescribe T3 to me, it was always for the compounding chemist to fill as he claimed that was the only supplier available to me here. It cost me $50 for a month's supply each time. NDT was $55 a month through the compounding chemist per 1 grain dose. I am on 3 grains. It is what prompted me to start sourcing NDT from overseas. Priceline is my usual chemist here, too. And no, only my current medical centre has agreed to do the whole thyroid panel when asked. I switched through 4 other doctors in my town and all others only ever tested for TSH, claiming that that test was all they needed, and as long as my numbers were within the range I was perfectly healthy. I do live in a rural town, though, but you would think that shouldn't make a difference. Thanks for sharing your experience here with it. 
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