Where can I obtain T3?

[Mylchresst_hammers]

As part of my ongoing follow up treat after having thyroid cancer and subsequent treatment I now have to go on liothyrine t3 once a year for 1month to stress test my remaining thyroid before various tests. Now that t3 will not be prescribed on nhs I’ve had to obtain a private prescription and have been told that a months supply of t3 will cost me over £1700.00. Surely this isn’t right. Can I source t3 from else where cheaper?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mylchresst_hammers

Whilst we are part of the EU you can send your prescription to a German pharmacy where I believe it costs approx 31 euros for 100 tablets. Details here

thyroiduk.org/tuk/treatment...

Or you could ask your pharmacy how much they would charge to source it from Germany.

If you send your prescription to Germany then it has to be written correctly - you may need to get your prescription re-written depending on what it says:

Liothyronine 20 mcg x 100 tablets

(or it can be 200 if that's what you need)

Member Helvella has a useful document about this here

dropbox.com/s/dxai7lkovl95y...

[MaisieGray]

Whilst it is true that many CCGs have chosen to blacklist or red flag liothyronine, if you are being obligated by an NHS surgeon or your Endo to take a drug within part of an NHS testing protocol, then that drug should be provided to you. Is your GP actually aware of the reason for you requesting a month's prescription, rather than that you just fancy giving it a go? I would suggest that you contact PALS at the hospital and make your case known to them. Bad enough as it is, that patients seen to be choosing or preferring to take T3 having it denied them; but quite another that you are being told to take it without it being provided to you. What next - you have to take your own barium sulphate with you for a barium swallow, or take your own scanning or xraying equipment with you to an appointment ......

[WobblyX]

You will get it cheaper from Germany, but if you have to go on it for a month they should be funding it. It’s around £245 for NHS depending on brand according to my pharmacy a couple of weeks ago

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Completely against NHS guidelines

If NHS require you to take T3, then they are obligated to prescribe

Which CCG area are you in?

Write to your endo, MP, Lord O'Shaughnessy and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

See especially the Motion of regret on June 20th

theyworkforyou.com/search/?...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/campai...

[Nanaedake]

In the case of thyroid cancer treatment, the NHS must provide the necessary drugs. Contact Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust for advice. They should be prescribed by your Consultant or Endocrinologist who is part of the cancer multi-disciplinary team for your area. Contact your Consultant's secretary and explain.

[Hidden]

Hello please can you share your story with TUK because there is a lot of work happening to ensure T3 is available to patients if they have clinical need. Many CCGs are removing it as a blanket ban policy even for cancer. It’s a postcode lottery and while the NHS guidelines are clear about providing if shown need the CCGs are disregarding that. Keep an eye on the UK thyroid patient group sites for more on this and support to complain. In the meantime I would complain robustly about your treatment