Name of a German Doctor to prescribe T3 please?

[sharonjarvis]

Morning Lovely Thyroid UK peeps,

You were all so helpful on my last post so I'd like to thank you all for your help last time and pick your brains on how to go forward.

Backstory I'm on a combination therapy of 25mcg T3 and 50mcg T4. I've been on it for 6 years and it's really working for me. My docs surgery is trying to cap my T3 at 10mcg, I told them I wasn't accepting that and that they had to refer me to the Endo who prescribed it originally.

I've just had my phone appointment and spoken to a lovely Endo who's really happy with my dose, how I feel and my blood results. She's writing a letter saying as much but has said the surgery can still refuse to prescribe the medication. She mentioned going online and getting a German Doctor to prescribe the T3, and a german pharmacy (Doesn't have to be germany it can be anywhere in the world as long as they're legit) to supply it. Has anyone got any advice or names of doctors who will help please. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If an NHS endocrinologist says you have clinical need for T3 they should continue to prescribe (via GP) with annual review back at endo

See post from this morning with similar problems

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

A private prescription currently enables access to cheap T3 from EU, usually Germany.....though this is under threat due to Brexit in Dec/Jan

An EU pharmacy will only dispense prescriptions from an EU. Registered doctor

Email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3

NHS and Private

[e-mail]

[sharonjarvis in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the reply Slowdragon. I've just emailed Dionne and will start researching prescriptions straight away. Do you have a rough estimate as to how much I'd be looking at for a private prescription for T3? When you say EU registered doctor i assume that will include doctors within the UK?

The endo was specific, in that she can write the letter saying keep me on the dosage but as Devon's guidelines are 10mcg or below its upto the surgery who can say bugger off it's too expensive.

Once again thank you for your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sharonjarvis]

Devon CCG is completely wrong to impose 10mcg max Dose....most people need 15mcg or 20mcg liothyronine per day

A private endocrinologist will cost around £200-£250 as initial consultation. Prescription should be included.

Thybon Henning prescription ....

31 euro plus 8 euro p&p for 100 x 20mcg liothyronine

But your endocrinologist should stand up to CCG and insist you are prescribed the dose you need

It’s not patients fault that NHS is being ripped off on price of T3

[Quokka]

I don't have an answer I'm afraid, but it's interesting that your endo suggested finding a T3 sympathetic doctor in Germany. I'd thought of going to Germany to find one- not feasible at the moment. My GP writes private prescriptions for T3 which I post to Bennewitz pharmacy mentioned on the TUK site. They're great and you can stock up, but I'm worried that'll stop in Jan. My MP has written to Matt Hancock but no reply. If you do find a German doctor I'd be grateful for the details by PM. Good luck!

[sharonjarvis in reply to Quokka]

Thanks for the reply Quokka. I was quite excited when I came off the phone to the endo yesterday, until I started researching Doctors within Germany. I really wish I'd paid more attention in my German language classes at school as I didn't understand flippin anything on screen! If you don't mind me asking, how much is a private prescription and do you find it fairly easy to navigate getting your prescription and having your T3 shipped to the UK as I've heard that some people have had their medication confiscated by authorities.

[Quokka in reply to sharonjarvis]

There's no charge for me for a private prescription as the T3 was prescribed by an endocrinologist. GPs seem to do things their own way though. I get 200 Thybon 20 Henning tablets at a time. The Bennewitz site is in English with clear instructions . They reply to emails.You have to post your paper prescription. I've had no problems with customs as we're still covered by the EU transition agreement .