What to ask for on NDT prescription?

[Supermisshelen]

Hi All,

Would it be possible to get clarification on what to ask GP to write if a prescription for NDT were to be granted? I can only find forum posts from 4 years ago about whether it’s still worth shot to try and get on NHS; does this still happen for anyone? I live in the South, near Portsmouth. I know it must say ‘for treatment of hypothyroidism’ abs I currently take 100mcg levothyroxine but it’s doing absolutely nothing for my symptoms or giving me any bad symptoms either.

Thank you!!

[pennyannie]

Hello Helen

Well, my understanding is that NDT is available on the NHS as a " named patient only " medication and those words need to be put in the body of the prescription.

However I was refused a prescription when I asked my doctor in 2014 :

However I was also refused a trial of T3 when I saw the one and only NHS endocrinologist I had ever seen in over 13 years since having RAI thyroid ablation in 2005 for Graves disease.

I believe Thyroid uk hold a list of " sympathetic endos " you might like to try and get referred to if and when you hit the proverbial " brick wall ' .

[Supermisshelen in reply to pennyannie]

Hi pennyannie

Thank you so much that’s really helpful.. I was refused the appointment ( that I’d already been sent in the post!) to the nhs endocrinologist because unfortunately my labs are not conclusive. The reason I was wondering about a GP prescription is that my doctor is very supportive. I may be able to get my nhs referral redirected to a different place, or otherwise will have to pull the pennies together and go private!

[pennyannie in reply to Supermisshelen]

Well if you need to pay just make sure that the endo is supportive of T3/NDT :

I think it's Donna at Thyroid uk you need to email and the list is sent out by return :

They are all very helpful even if not a member of Thyroid uk , though why not not join anyway, as they are the charity who support this amazing forum.

Apologies to Dionne at Thyroid uk and thanks to SeasideSusie for giving excellent information.

[Supermisshelen in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks pennyAnnie I do indeed have that useful list and also intend to join as the information and forum is literally invaluable and with gp’s not being aware of this vital information, it’s invaluable.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Supermisshelen

Email address for Dionne, who sends out the list of thyroid friendly endos is:

[e-mail]

She works part time at ThyroidUK's office.

As NDT is unlicensed in the UK then any doctor prescribing it has to take personal responsibility, so it's really all about finding a doctor who is willing to do this.

Have you checked out ThyroidUK's main website (this is their forum)?

Here is their page on NDT

thyroiduk.org/treatment-opt...

and their page on "Named Patient Basis"

thyroiduk.org/treatment-opt...

[Supermisshelen in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks so much seasidesusie, there’s useful info there and I had forgotten to go back to those links. Thank you!