Hello! My family is considering a move to the UK (husband is UK citizen), and I would like to know what I can expect with regard to treatment and prescription options. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in 2005 and have been on compounded T3/T4 since 2011 (I was on natural desiccated thyroid prior to 2011). My general practitioner is a naturopathic physician and manages my prescription and blood testing.
Any advice and information is sincerely appreciated. Thank you!
Hi MyrtilloVeloca,
Welcome to the forum!
As no one has yet replied to your post hopefully now someone will see your post and offer you information on what treatment for Hashimotos you can expect if you move to the UK with your family.
Best wishes.
There are some "specials" laboratories who would probably make up a T4/T3 combination - but it would be expensive.
Desiccated thyroid can be obtained but, again, is quite expensive. All is imported - from USA or Canada.
There are several makes of levothyroxine. Pretty inexpensive.
There are six makes of liothyronine. Cost has come down but some makes are much more expensive than others.
Finding a doctor is more difficult. Treatment is still widely ruled by TSH - with an "anywhere in range" attitude.
If you do find a doctor who will prescribe what you want, you might have to pay for a private doctor to achieve that, their prescriptions should not be difficult to obtain.
Individuals within the UK are generally legally allowed to import medicines for our own use. (Other than Controlled Drugs.)
Blood testing is quite straightforward. NHS GPs rarely go beyond TSH and, maybe, FT4. But there are plenty of companies which offer testing services. Some even use the exact same labs as the NHS. Labs are all required to conform to national standards and most are probably fine. Blood draws are possible but location affects flexibility and cost. Mind, many testing companies offer finger-tip tests which, obviously, really don't cost more than the postage for the draw!
You can see what is available in terms of medicines here:
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
I have created, and try to maintain, a document containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.
From Dropbox:
dropbox.com/s/wfhrlmb5983co...
From Google Drive:
Hi!
On the move to UK thing, you probably already heard but our NHS is in crisis, countrywide. Ambulances are parked outside hospitals waiting with patients who can’t be seen, GPs and hospital staff are emigrating in record numbers.
To get a GP appointment at many practices you ring at 8am when the lines are open and are number 36+ in the queue. Being treated for an ongoing condition puts you to the back of the queue. Appointments for the day are gone, no booking ahead is allowed. Through working with this group I’ve learned that private blood testing (E.g. Medichecks, monitor my health, blue horizon etc) and using the online consult forms for my GP practice website, attaching pdf of results seems to be the most efficient way of getting what I need. Someone rings me when they have 5 minutes, If you do get NHS blood tests, there is now an app, where you can see all your results which is good. Repeat prescriptions are easy, click in the app and their waiting at your nominated pharmacy next day. Thyroid meds qualify for an NHS exemption certificate (fill in a form at GP) and all NHS prescriptions are free while your certificate is valid.
Obvs if you go down the private route, bespoke compounds then all of the above isn’t relevant and charges apply, these vary considerably. Listening to podcasts I’ve come across people booking annual trips abroad to see specialists, then paying for zoom consults in between, might be an option if you are happy with your current set up? Wishing you well, 🦋💚🦋
It sounds like you have a very good doc atm, but I would not let your medical situation stop you from living where you dream etc
You may have to go private if you want a naturopathic physician I have not heard of one of them before!!
Overall it really depends as we don't know how good services are in your country, despite waiting times etc and the stress the NHS in under I have never had a major issue with them. A lot can depend on your post code area though it's varies across the UK for eg mental health my area has been really good, other post codes may not have had the same sort of service.
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