GP prescribing Liothyronine!!!

[Redporti]

A month ago I was told by my endocrinologist that if I wanted to add some T3 to my levothyroxine I would have to get it on a private prescription because the NHS are not prescribing it. Therefore I got a private prescription & brought it from Germany. Yesterday my GP called me & said she had put a prescription into my local pharmacy for my thyroid medication. When I checked with the pharmacy she has given me Liothyronine as well as levothyroxine. What a result.

[shaws Administrator]

That's very good news and I wished others who do need T3 could get it prescribed. I'm sure the NHS could source it more cheaply then others could have it prescribed, either on a T4/T3 basis or T3 alone.

[shaws Administrator]

I think many on the forum would like to have a doctor who puts patients symptoms at the forefront,

As you had already been taking NDT, then the doctor sounds very knowledgeable to me in that he has prescribed T3 alone. To change from NDT to levo might have not been successful.

[pennyannie]

Hey there Scrumbler

NDT is prescribed on the NHS on a ' named patient only ' basis.

Your doctor can apply for the funding of your Natural Desiccated Thyroid.

[Hidden in reply to pennyannie]

My CCG goes to ANY length, even LYING and giving me excuses that are quite impossible to understand regarding NDT. Anybody is entitled to merely ask their GP to apply for funding but it is a complete waste of time. Stronger actions are necessary.

I must now apparently await the conquest of CV19 before they will even acknowledge receipt of my last letter of complaint.

[pennyannie in reply to Hidden]

Hey there Panda

Yes I understand and have the same T shirt and currently self medicating with NDT and much improved.

[lau99]

That's wonderful news. I hope you start to feel better on the new medicine!

[DippyDame]

Sadly not many medics understand thyroid disease.....and almost none of them (endos) are prepared to prescribe T3. But you know this! Glad you are getting NDT.

It is tantamount to criminal that so many of us have to self medicate and self fund our thyroid treatment in order to recover - all at considerable cost. This is not an option for some who are left struggling on LT4...wholly unjust.

During the current crisis many are likely to be unable to source T3 and may by now be suffering the consequences .....through no fault of their own.

You GP is right about the greed of Big Pharma....but why don't the medical profession address this? Heads buried in sand?

[pennyannie]

If you go into - openprescribing - and then - analyse - you can then check out CCGs and or surgeries by name - NDT medication is referred to as Armour, the leading brand and then you can see what's going on everywhere and anywhere.

Also check out the Named Person sanction arrangement within the NHS prescription set up.

Sorry, I can't get my head around doing this " cut and paste thing " to give the links, and fully expect I've a few links missing myself !!!

[DippyDame]

I'm in Scotland and all endos were informed in a letter from the health minister that all patients with a clinical need for T3 should have it prescribed. All very well but the decision regarding clinical need lies with the endos.....you've guessed it! T3 rare as hen's teeth!

My question was partly rhetorical...the whole issue beggars belief.

An interesting comment on "first do no harm"

bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l47....

Thyroid patients who don't respond to LT4 seem to be the exception!

Apologies Redporti have strayed from your good news. Hope you feel much better and that prescriptions continue. Well done that GP.

[Redporti]

Thank you all. I think I have a good GP & if guided by a specialist she will prescribe whatever medication is necessary. I have only been on the T3 for 2 weeks & already have noticed my temperature is higher & I don’t feel so cold. I’ve started on 5mcg & next week I will be going up to 10mcg. I have also lowered my levothyroxine from 75 to 50 as my recent blood test showed I’m not converting T4 -T3 very well.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Redporti]

Last post that had test results from 50mcg showed you were under medicated

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

What were results after 8 weeks on 75mcg?

[Redporti in reply to SlowDragon]

Last blood results whilst on 75mcg of Levo were:

TSH 0.707 (0.27-4.2)

FT3 3.47 (3.1-6.8)

FT4 17.700 (12-22)

Reverse T3 48 (10-24)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Redporti]

So high R T3

stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...

[Redporti in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes so Endo suggested trying Liothyronine 10mcg to see if it helps. I started on 5mcg & now increasing to 10mcg in 2 split doses of 5mcg.

[knitwitty in reply to Redporti]

You are so lucky. My endo won't prescribe because of cost even though he acknowledges that I am much better taking it.

He has written to my GP and asked them to prescribe it instead, they too are refusing based on cost and the fact that it is a RED medication. I am going round in circles trying to get this sorted out, even have my MP involved but they are all using every delaying tactic in the book.

Where are you in the country?

[Redporti in reply to knitwitty]

I’m in North London. I was told by my Endo that it would be to expensive to get it on the NHS so I got it from Germany. Now out of the blue my GP has given me a prescription.

[knitwitty in reply to Redporti]

So pleased for you, maybe there will be a change for everyone in the coming months.

[Hillwoman]

Wonders will never cease! Excellent news, very pleased for you.

[DippyDame]

Apologies Hidden Just been reading through the post/ replies and noticed I was rude to you re medical profession/ prescribing T3.

I've had a strange day....including when I fell asleep mid sentence while I was chatting with my husband....he thought I'd passed out! I had been feeling tired. No excuse.

I think I need another T3 increase...been flagging in the evening recently.

You've been so helpful, you didn't deserve my crazy old woman words.

Hopefully back on track soon with brain in gear.

Take care

DD

[DippyDame]

Thank you Hidden .

I do crazy things in thyroid (la-la) land....or maybe its just Anno Domini!

Be safe.