T3 Prescription Issue

[Trillylil]

Advice needed please.

Been on 5mg of T3 in combination with various dosages of T4 since 2003.

Due to significant price hike it turned ‘red’ but my consultant endocrinologist continued to support my need to be prescribed, despite opposition from my GP practice and so I have got monthly prescriptions with out any problems.

Saw my Endocrinologist mid October. She announced with pleasure that the CCG have amended the T3 to ‘green status’ and that a GP should no longer refuse to prescribe on the grounds of cost where there is a clear clinical need supported by consultant.

I put my repeat in and went to collect, but to my horror the chemist said it had been issued, but then immediately rescinded by a new GP partner that I have never seen before. I was not informed by anyone from the surgery and the chemist only found out by checking the electronic prescriptions.

(My zopiclone (prescribed from 1999) and on repeat, has also been stopped)

After an immediate visit to the surgery to find out why these items were cancelled, the pharmacist agreed that my medical records clearly show I have a clinical need for T3 and supporting consultant evidence to continue.

It was also agreed that to abruptly stop zopiclone after twenty years would be dangerous.

I was issued with a paper prescription, however, I was informed that these would no longer be available on repeat and each time I need to top up I will have to make a special request for consideration by the Practice Partner GPs.

( well due to cost I think I know how this is going to turn out!)

My T3 levels are always borderline low and sometimes still under optimum range so to not have any T3 would seriously damage already reduced energy and daily functioning.

How do I proceed with solid evidence that this is against CCG guidelines.

I want to avoid getting tongue tied and over emotional but need to present facts.

Really could do with some solid, factual advice from you lovely lot.

[QandA]

Could your endo write them a strongly worded letter? That might be more persuasive.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If your endocrinologist is NHS and says you have clinical need then your GP should prescribe

New NHS England Liothyronine guidelines July 2019

sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...

british-thyroid-association...

GP should never alter or stop a T3 prescription - should ALWAYS refer to endocrinologist FIRST

pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clini...

thyroidtrust.org/a-gp-write...

[Trillylil in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slow Dragon.

Yes my Endocrinologist is NHS and extremely pro me taking a small amount of T3 as I have made clinical and anecdotal improvements.

I will print out the links and if my repeat is cancelled or refused again I make an appointment to see a Practice Partner, different to the one who has struck them off or see the practice manager and put in an official complaint.

If there is still a reluctance or refusal I will write to my Endocrinologist asking if she will reinforce my clinical need and see if the decision is overturned and what further options are available.

I really don’t know where I would be without the support of this group.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Trillylil]

Perhaps....Print out relevant links, highlight relevant sentences and take in......insist that copies are help on your medical record and that you will hold GP/practice manager personally responsible for any collapse in your health, if your essential medication is withdrawn directly against your specialist thyroid endocrinologist's direction

[fibrolinda]

Put it all in writing and post or hand it in. Then you can write when calm and state facts clearly. It's what I have had to do for years

[Trillylil]

Thank you FibroLinda.

That is sensible advice.

I’m very emotionally charged at the moment.

It’s hard being so poorly and having to fight to keep any health improvements due to cost when my CCG have now approved T3 as green status.