Hi all I have a telephone appointment with my GP tomorrow to discuss ongoing medication (Liothyronine) however I have just received a letter saying they will not under any circumstances prescribe it for me quoting the Pan Mersey guidelines.
These are ambiguous to say the least. It says "Existing stable patients in primary care may continue to be prescribed liothyronine by the GP where they are satisfied the patient is benefitting specifically from the use of liothyronine" however later on in the document it says "Primary care prescribing of these medications is NOT recommended. These treatments should be initiated by specialists only, ongoing prescribing is retained within secondary care." ( this is the quotation they are using to refuse prescribing it )
The consultant has written to the GP twice saying that I am benefitting from taking Liothyronine and has pointed out that I tested positive for the DIO2 gene which inhibits conversion of T4 to T3 but the are digging their heels in.
Is there anybody in the Merseyside area who is getting this medication prescribed by their GP?
Also if you are me what would you say to the GP, I don't think it is any coincidence that I have received this letter today ( the day before the appointment ) and after the surgery has closed for the day.
Thanks all in advance.
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knitwitty
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GP can not stop prescribing T3 without FIRST referring back to your endocrinologist
As your endocrinologist has already said you have clinical need of T3 and were initially trialed via endo, it is correct that care and ongoing T3 is carried out by GP. with annual review back to endo
GP should not alter T3 prescription - should refer to endocrinologist
Hi SlowDragon, sorry I didn't mention I initiated the trial of T3 myself as the endo refused initially on the grounds of cost, the endo was encouraging me to get my own supply from the internet, when I saw him after taking it with great success for 5 months he then wrote to the GP, I did query the fact that I had initiated it and he said that did not matter.
I keep getting passed back and forth, the GP suggested I make a complaint to PALS at the Hospital because they wouldn't prescribe and the hospital wrote again to the GP saying that I need it. I have also taken it to my MP who asked PALS to respond to me as they ignored the complaint.
I feel like I'm in a washing machine being swished this way and that!
I initiated it myself ( see reply above to SD) but only because no one would prescribe it , and I only did that because I felt so awful. I took the DIO2 test for my own peace of mind and tested positive for the gene polymorphism.
I feel so much better taking the T3 I take 12.5 mcg split into 2 doses and I have monitored my bloods myself to ensure I don't become overmedicated.
I feel completely hung out to dry by the medical profession over this, you'd think I was asking for the moon.
I want it acknowledged that I need this medication and I could not function on T4 alone, if I was taken into hospital in an emergency I would still need it but at the moment it would not be given to me.
Thank you I do have an endo appointment in June ( I am not sure if that will go ahead , most probably it will be via a telephone consultation) and I shall raise it again.
I shall also contact my MP again as I refuse to let this drop not just for my sake but for others who don't have the energy to fight for themselves.
Thank you that is the document I have , do you not think it is ambiguous? the endo is using the quote to say my GP can prescribe and the GP is using the other quote to say they can't.
I also used that argument to say that people were already being prescribed liothyronine and they just said that those were people already on the drug historically and that they didn't have to prescribe it going forward!!
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