Leading UK doctors call for investigation into ... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,243 members166,489 posts

Leading UK doctors call for investigation into HRT shortage

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator
19 Replies

Although off-topic, so many here are likely affected by this, I felt it appropriate to draw it to your attention. (Yes, I know the basic issue has been mentioned several times.)

Leading UK doctors call for investigation into HRT shortage

Government urged to set up working group as problem also begins to affect contraceptives

Leading doctors are calling on the government to set up an expert working group to investigate the reasons for the continuing shortages of hormonal treatment for women, which now appear to extend to some contraceptives as well.

Many women who need hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate severe symptoms of the menopause have been struggling to access their supplies for over a year, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the British Menopause Society and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) have said.

Full Guardian article freely available here:

theguardian.com/society/202...

This is not intended to be a discussion of individual circumstances, just to increase awareness. However, I would rather relevant comments could be made. Initially I shall not close it to replying, but if it goes into personal cases, I shall do so.

Written by
helvella profile image
helvella
Administrator
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
19 Replies
Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

I have been reading about this even though it does not affect me personally. Dare I say as usual it is women who will suffer not men. No offence to you btw. I have noticed there is never a shortage of Viagra which is now being sold at Sainsburys. I myself have been sent unwanted emails about the stuff and I am female.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

Not off topic at all!

Just another example of the madness that is "hormone treatment" be it thyroid or any other hormone.

"Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We understand how distressing medicine shortages are and we want to reassure patients we are doing everything we can to help them access treatments as soon as possible. We are working closely with suppliers and stakeholders to resolve this as soon as possible and continue to ensure we share relevant information across the NHS on a regular basis.” "

Talk is cheap! Action is what they will be judged on! At least they didn't use that hackneyed phrase "lessons will be learned"

Meanwhile - relating to members of this forum - thyroid patients continue to suffer not only from "shortages " of T3 but from medics who appear to have no understanding of the effect a lack of thyroid hormone has on patients.

Or lack of any hormone on any patient.

Cost and shortage reduce patients to a state of very poor health.....ah, but it's hormonal and must all be in our heads. How many women suffering from hormonal issues are directed to psychologists and prescribed antidepressants? Thankfully I'm not amongst that number.

Treat the cause not the consequence of inappropriate treatment!

It's time endocrinologists et al began to understand and appropriately treat women's hormonal issues....and for the powers that be to ensure they have the tools to do the job. Reference, this article.

Sick, unhappy women ( mothers, wives, employees and so on) do not a well balanced society make!

"They" forget that at their peril!

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again in reply toDippyDame

I was just watching the BBC about this and there is concern that some women will have unwanted pregnancies because of the shortage of some contraceptives. I felt like saying what about condoms? I think men should take some responsibility for contraception as well not just women! I wish they would bring out the male pill like they have been promising for years.

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply toLora7again

And a condom will protect against some STDs, which a pill won't.

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again in reply toAngel_of_the_North

Years ago we didn't really think about STDs ... well I didn't. I think the amount of older people with them has increased. I blame internet dating.

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply toLora7again

Different generation - I'm from the "free love" era. When I was a teenager in the 60s and 70s we were lectured about STDs at school. I think younger people just got complacent when it became relatively easy to treat with a dose of antibiotics. Then, of course, came AIDS and then antibiotic resistance, so it's probably an issue again

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again in reply toAngel_of_the_North

I am bit younger than you but everyone I knew was on the pill. I was on it at 16 which now if I think about it was a bit young but I always felt and looked older than actually was.

MichelleHarris profile image
MichelleHarris in reply toAngel_of_the_North

A bit off topic AofTN but sinister that govt. and medical profession promoting safe sex whilst knowingly buying infected blood to give to people who then unwittingly spread it. Now antibiotics becoming resistant x

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply toMichelleHarris

Some STDs (esp gonorrhea) have been antibiotic resistant for at least a decade.

Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman in reply toDippyDame

Excellent points DD.

LindaC profile image
LindaC

Thank you, again. I'm not affected either BUT see this as a potential sign of things to come over the next few months - year and beyond. :-(

Nico101 profile image
Nico101

It affects me and I'm not a happy bunny. Anything that affects only women is always given a low priority, and the NHS should have got its act together and stocked up when the takeover was announced, as it should have been obvious other manufacturers would not be able to take up the slack.

Gcart profile image
Gcart

I was from a generation when crossing our legs was probably the only option , well in my set .

Thought I missed out but not sure with all the trouble it has brought. 🤫

Men definitely need to take more responsibility.

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

I don't think I have ever crossed my legs but I do know what you mean lol

Thompson36 profile image
Thompson36

This has been going on far too long. Following a hysterectomy last Feb I was prescribed Everol 75 patches but due to side affects got switched to 50 mg. I was lucky enough to get my first 2 prescriptions but had to ring 6 different chemists for my third. On my fourth I was prescribed a generic brand that was of poor quality with the patches falling off and a repeat of side affects. I fell lucky on my last prescription after ringing around and managed to find some Everol again. I’ve started to eek these out by changing them every four days or sometimes 5 days. This really needs to be sorted now.

Nico101 profile image
Nico101

You're right about MPs. Too many have their sticky little fingers in the pies.

I'm fairly new to all this, but I campaign a lot for medical cannabis and know an awful lot about the con that is the law making it illegal. Now it's apparently legal to prescribe... except no one is getting a prescription. Funny that.

What is not funny is Theresa Mays husband's involvement with GW Pharmaceuticals and Victoria Atkins' (was/is the drugs minister) involvement with British Sugar... and both of these companies make - you guessed it - medical cannabis. Between them these two companies grow tons of the stuff in secret locations in Wales and Norfolk. It's sold for ridiculous profit to the rest of the world, and Sativex (the one you can get on the NHS if you win the lottery) costs nearly £400 a month to the NHS (that's us taxpayers in reality) when it's basically a weed that you could grow and produce the same thing (minus the additives they use to allow a weed to be patented) for a few quid.

All perfectly legal in the corporate world. Yet some granny in Sussex grows a bit for her MS or arthritis and she can be jailed.

When new legislation is brought in about pretty much anything it always pays to look into who benefits. MPs should wear the logos of their corporate 'sponsors' on the jackets.

This country, and those that run it, stink of corruption and greed.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110

The Telegraph claim the shortages are because the NHS has put fixed prices for certain drugs in place that are so low the drug companies will not supply them and are selling elsewhere for a market price. It would explain why there are no shortages except in the uk.

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

This is interesting and I am pleased that the PM has decided to do this because both my husband who is a ex NHS manager and I have felt he was too powerful.

dailymail.co.uk/news/articl...

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

I just read this about the shortage in the DM

dailymail.co.uk/news/articl...

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Menopausal women in the UK facing severe HRT shortage

There are several reasons for posting. a) We have quite a number of members on HRT; b) It...
helvella profile image
Administrator

UK pharmacists to offer alternatives to out of stock HRT products

A Serious Shortage Protocol for HRT has been announced. UK pharmacists to offer alternatives...
helvella profile image
Administrator

Menopause experts say compounded HRT is unsafe

This post is simply to bring the issue to your attention. I make no judgement whatsoever regarding...
helvella profile image
Administrator

Advice for NDT With Menopause and HRT?

Hi does anyone have any advice for the best HRT to take with NDT? I have been taking 1.5 grains of...

Fortification of flour is a public health policy known to reduce neural tube defects in babies

Note: As written, no mention of B12. I know I have previously seen the concept of fortifying with...
helvella profile image
Administrator