Increasing NDT and stopping Levothyroxine

[ShonaGreen]

Hi,

I had a follow-up appointment with the private endocrinologist yesterday. He said that I should increase Erfa to 45mg and stop taking Levothyroxine. I've been on 35mg Erfa and 25mg Levothyroxine for last 6 weeks. I've been feeling a lot better, but had thrush twice in the last few weeks (I don't usually suffer from this) and still having headaches. Before that, I was just on Levothyroxine (started on 50mg in April and increased to 75mg in August).

My next appointment is in 8 weeks and then he'll see me twice yearly, giving me a private prescription for Erfa each time. I had hoped that my GP could prescribe it in the future, but think this can only happen if initially prescribed by an NHS endocrinologist?

I'm a bit concerned about having to rely on a private endocrinologist for prescriptions, as although I have BUPA cover, I think I'll have to pay for future appointments. Also, I read somewhere that there seems to be a supply issues with Erfa, so this may be a problem in the future.

I'm thinking that maybe I should continue to take 25mg Levothyroxine along with 45mg Erfa, as if/when I'm unable to get Erfa, then at least I could just increase Levothyroxine until I can get an NDT replacement? Or should I just stick to 45mg Erfa for next 8 weeks and see what happens?

Many thanks for your help!

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Your endo seems to be acting in a very cautious and consequently expensive way. When I was on 150 levo and still ill after 8 years with the NHS, I discovered the existence of NDT and swapped to 2 grains of Thai Thyroid-S the following day with no undue consequences at all, just an almost immediate improvement in my health.