T3 in Turkey update

[Hyperbee]

Thought I’d update here for anyone else who might want to know. There was some discussion about T3 possibly no longer being OTC in Turkey. I’m very happy to confirm that I just strolled into a pharmacy, showed them a picture from google, and bought 6 boxes like they were packs of sweets. Feel very relieved to have T3 in my possession!

[shaws Administrator]

Why do we have to search for T3 as if we were asking for forbidden or 'under-the-counter' drugs instead of the Active Thyroid Hormone which enables our body to function as normal.

We are made to feel like criminals instead of doctors treating us as human beings whereas the 'old-fashioned' doctors,,who were trained properly in symptoms, symptoms, symptoms and we got a trial of NDT (natrual dessicated thyroid hormones). The very original that the BTA et al have made False Statements about even though since 1892 it resolved patients symptoms and they no longer died an awful death.

drlowe.com/thyroidscience/C...

Even though Dr Lowe wrote every year for three years before his accidental death, the never did respond.

[queridalady in reply to shaws]

Its terrible. I was on T3 then had it removed due to cost. I was able to get Tiromel quite easily from Turkey but my GP made it clear to me that if I take anything other than Levo it will show in my bloods (sadly true) and they would withdraw support to me full stop

[Hyperbee in reply to queridalady]

They will withdraw support?! What does that even mean? Surely they can’t do that? That’s outrageous!

[shaws Administrator in reply to queridalady]

I think you should contact your MP and he can contact Lyn Mynott of TUK .

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/campai...

[shaws Administrator in reply to queridalady]

Is that 'blackmail'?

[queridalady in reply to shaws]

That's how it felt at the time. I was exhausted by that point as prior to T3 being taken off me due to cost, my Endo removed all T4 (I was on a combo of T3 and T4) and started to reduce my T3 saying he wanted to "crash my body" to see if it would jump start my thyroid. I was in a really bad place, couldn't get up the stairs without stopping for breath, looking like I was on deaths door. My husband came with me to see the endo and was really cross with him telling him he had turned me into an old woman and couldn't he see what he was doing? But he wouldn't change his plan. And then it was withdrawn by the Gps anyway due to cost and I was back on levo which made me feel a lot better than I had been doing as you can imagine. So I now just focus on trying to improve my conversion with supplements. I am still only in the bottom quarter of range though frustrating.

[pennyannie in reply to queridalady]

Hello Queridalady

Can you see a different doctor ?

That outrageous, though part of me wonders if you have the same doctor as me ? !!

I'm now self medicating and staying away - I've offered myself up for the yearly thyroid blood test game but only if I get a T3 and T4 alongside the questionable TSH blood test.

That was 2 years ago now, and I 've not heard a word, not even an acknowledgment of my letter advising them that I was now self medicating, but they have dropped the Levothyroxine off my repeat prescription which is only now for Vagifem and eye drops.

[shaws Administrator in reply to pennyannie]

They have 'washed their hands' regarding you, as you aren't following the rules, and they would probably be chastised if they did prescribe other than levo.

[pennyannie in reply to shaws]

Hey there Shaws,

Well I really would like acknowledgement of what I'm doing, and do hope it has gone on my medical records, just in case I'm rushed to hospital and unable to communicate my situation. There's also a DNR in there somewhere, let's hope, if needed, that gets acknowledged.

Yes, when after reading up and then asking my doctor about Graves, RAI and the fact that some people seem to do better on a T3/T4 combo her reaction became quite hostile towards me. Up until this point I had trusted her every word regarding my health and became seriously upset and stressed at every following appointment.

This doctor who was the lead in thyroid and women's health has now resigned, so at least I'll start off with another doctor, should a situation arise.

[shaws Administrator in reply to pennyannie]

The fact that T3 was withdrawn due to cost alone when, I'm sure, there could have been negotiations and we know that T3 from abroad doesn't cost £200 + per pack. I think the NHS is being ripped off and I suspect not only with the cost of T3.

Why cannot the NHS source T3 more cheaply?

[pennyannie in reply to shaws]

and why has our petition been kicked up into the Lords and now, Lords nowhere, and suspect with all else that is going on, the papers are probably being used as shopping list paper for those able to go out, and find some food on some supermarket shelves.

[queridalady in reply to pennyannie]

Hi Pennie, I feel for you! I live in a small place. There is one good doc and one terrible one and two horrible nurse practitioners. And I know saying that at this terrible time sounds awful and I am of course grateful to them for working, but prior to this I have found them very unhelpful and you cant get passed them. Our surgery should have 5 docs but 3 have left and they cannot get replacements. Every time I talk to the nurse practitioner she has a go at me about my PPI use. I take 10mg omeprazole and have no choice but to do this. have had all the tests and have a week valve so the PPI is prescribed by a consultant to protect my oesophagus but she wants to take it off me every time. You are very brave self medicating. Good for you. I wish you the best of luck.

[pennyannie in reply to queridalady]

Hey there,

I live in rural Cornwall and I tried the only other surgery in my catchment area regarding the prescribing of Natural Desiccated Thyroid.

They too refused to discuss this with me, as did my own surgery, so having exhausted my options I am having to do this for myself.

It's not so much through choice but necessity, and I would much prefer to have someone to lean on, other than myself.

[Hyperbee in reply to shaws]

Completely agree, it’s terrible that we’re having to resort to this. T3 should be available for everyone! I feel so lucky to have some in my possession, which is kinda crazy!