Time to write to my GP, advice please.

[Newmummy82]

After some trail and error with different brands I’ve discovered that Wockhart suit me best, I’m on 75mcg so am taking 3 tablets a day.

My pharmacist has been very accommodating with giving me this brand but have now said that they’re at the point where the GP needs to change the wording of the prescription to 3 x25mcg rather an 50 & 25. Apparently they are losing money as 25mcg tablets cost more than 50mcg.

The difficulty is I asked about this a month ago in my medication review. I saw a nurse practitioner who I’m not very impressed with, at no point did she ask how I was feeling she just stared at the screen told my TSH was in range and I’m fine! When I asked for copies of my results, she said ‘why do you want them? I don’t think we can give them to you.’ I corrected her of course.

I raised the issue about the wording on the prescription and after seemingly playing dumb on purpose, ‘what the bit that says take in the morning before breakfast?!’ Erm.... no! She told me that is impossible to change the wording from 1 x 50 mcg & 1 x 25mcg to 3 x 25mcg as medicines management won’t allow it and that brands are all the same anyway!

My other half works in medicines management and says she’s talking rubbish.

I called and asked to speak to a doctor and guess who I got instead!?

Well I’m at the point where I need to write a letter to an actual GP with this request but need some advice on what I should mention in the letter to convince the GP to change it. Also, any links to articles which support the need for consistency if brand from month to the next would be helpful.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you ask GP to alter all future prescriptions to read Wockhart brand of Levothyroxine only

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should:

1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy;

2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and

3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

[Lalatoot]

You could say that you feel better if you split the dose and take 25mcg 3 times per day. I have always split my levo dose and as a result need 25s instead of 50s.

[whispers]

If the pharmacy want the wording changed then my suggestion would be for them to speak to the surgery themselves. Get the doctor to state you need the brand on your prescription and take it elsewhere.

They shouldn't be putting you under this sort of stress, which is also any agonising your surgery

[Gingernut44]

I'm afraid your NP is talking rubbish (no surprise there). My GP has stated on my prescription WOCKHARDT BRAND please. Take 4 one day and 3 the next. I won't leave the pharmacy until I've checked that I have Wockhardt. Hold your ground.

[thyr01d]

I think your politely worded and totally reasonable letter to the GP will resolve this straight away. It's a shame for you that some nurses, receptionists etc make things difficult but you can just go over their heads without even mentioning the difficulty so you can remain on good terms with all.

[Newmummy82]

Thank you for the advice everyone, I’m going to be brave and write a letter and hope for the best! I think it’s a reasonable request so hopefully I’ll get somewhere.