Prescription exemption card

[TWATTOX]

If you admit to self medicating with ndt from the internet,would you have your medical exemption card for free prescriptions revoked?..

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

My interpretation is that your Medex should not be revoked. After all, you still have the qualifying condition including the need:

myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement)

Trouble is, my view counts for absolutely nothing. I can see how a GP might refuse to sign the form. And, if that happened, you might not find it easy to fight back. If that doctor is not prescribing any thyroid hormone, she/he could very well even believe that you do not qualify. Most especially if you have not told them that you are still in need of thyroid hormone - even if you get it from elsewhere.

[NatChap]

I didn't 👍

[MMaud]

As I understand the process, once a prescription examption certificate is issued, it is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, irrespective of any changes to circumstances.

I'd tend to agree with helvella that at the point of renewal the issue would be the existence of a qualifying condition, irrespective of the treatment regime, except in circumstances where the provision of medication for the condition is a condition for exemption.]

The provision of medication is fundamental to the provision of exemption certificates for Type 2 diabetes. A person diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, managing it by lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) does not qualify for an exemption certificate, whereas as soon as they are prescribed any form of diabetes medication, they qualify for the certificate.

Should they stop taking medication after 1 week, or 4 years and 363 days, the certificate remains valid for the balance of the 5 years, and reassessed at the point of renewal.

I know that may not help, but it's not something to lose sleep over until close to renewal. The rules may change before then anyway.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to MMaud]

A lot is made of the value of a Medex and, whilst not meaning to trivialise its value, it shouldn't be worth more than £104 a year. So long as you know that you will need multiple prescriptions, and have the means to pay, a prepayment prescription card costs:

£29.10 for 3 months

£104 for 12 months (or 10 Direct Debit instalments of £10.40)

[MMaud in reply to helvella]

I never, ever had, or qualified for free prescriptions (aside from childhood) until I was trialled on Levothyroxine. I have no idea if I have apositive diagnosis as nobody seems to be able to decide (bonkers).

By that stage, I had already celebrated my 60th birthday, so would have qualified for them free anyway.

[Emma1234567]

I am self medicating these days with NDT after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism 9 years ago. My medical exemption renewal came up recently and my GP signed it with no quibbles. I still have the condition and he’s happy to prescribe me levothyroxine but on it’s own, I’m still unwell as I have poor conversion of T4 to T3. My NHS endocrinologist knows that I am self medicating and it’s with his blessing. Therefore my GP is happy but this whole situation with everyone on board and in agreement regarding my hypothyroidism did take years so it may depend on your current situation and the understanding of your GP. Hope that helps.

[TSH110 in reply to Emma1234567]

I had mine signed ok even though I had not had a Levo prescription for at least two years. I have never said I self medicate on NDT either. The doctor never questioned that I needed one, he was very good and did know me. I took the view that it could not be argued that I was miraculously not hypothyroid any more as my thyroid atrophied to nothing and endo said it was highly unlikely to have any function. I don’t believe I have grown a new one, if I have it is rubbish!! I rarely used the certificate after NDT because I stopped feeling ill anymore - antidepressants were pointless because the depression evaporated and the other occasionals were redundant. I still need cetraben for my dry skin. I am 60 now and wondered if I still needed the certificate. helvella kindly said it was superfluous. I hope you get yours because we still get problems as a direct consequence of the disorder and may need medications because of this and it can get expensive.

[Rapunzel]

In addition to the prescribed levo I do not take I am also prescribed blood pressure medication and Prozac so my medex is worth a deal more than £104, some recompense for the £000s spent on T3 NDT supplements blood tests and other assorted malarkey such as hair pieces and occasional doobies. 60th upcoming and then 'free' until I fall off this ship of fools...and relax.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Rapunzel]

I understand that all your prescriptions added up would be more than £104 if paid prescription charge by prescription charge. So long as you knew this, and could afford a prepayment certificate, you would obviously choose to pay £104 rather than much more. The Medex avoids your need to buy that prepayment certificate thus saves you £104.

[Rapunzel in reply to helvella]

Oh Sherlock, with my Hashi head, I doubt I have the smarts for that...good call tho.

[TSH110]

Can you just ask for a Levo prescription, to fulfil the MEC criteria, and then bin it!

[Hashi-Monster]

I think as long as you have been diagnosed with hypo then it is fine.

I was diagnosed by my GP but then went private to an endo who reconfirmed and started me on NDT. My GP did not have a problem signing the exception form even though I’ve never had a Levo prescription.

I now self medicate and source my own NDT.