Pregnant and GP won't provide thyroxine prescription as I am not technically hypothyroid

[Jane8412]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on how to deal with this situation.

I posted the other day about my thyroid test results pre starting fertility treatment and was recommended to get a prescription of thyroxine due to my TSH levels being above 3. I managed to get my fertility clinic to prescribe me some but it was only a dose of 25 for 4 weeks.

Before the fertility treatment started I found out I was naturally pregnant (very early still). I have since contacted my GP twice using an online consult requesting thyroxine through them and both times they have refused. I tried to speak to them on the phone but the receptionist said I couldn't have an appointment for over 3 weeks (despite me expressing the urgency). I don't know what to do. They tell me over text that if I need this medication my fertility clinic would have to instruct them in writing but I am not under the clinics care as it is a natural pregnancy. I don't understand the issue as my GP prescribed it to me last pregnancy. My GP says because I am not diagnosed as hypothyroid (always been under 4 TSH) I am not under their prescribing practice. I know the first trimester TSH recommendation is under 2.5 so I am frustrated they won't help me. Maybe I am overreacting but I am so worried I'll lose this pregnancy if I'm not able to get this prescription. Does anyone have any ideas what to do?

Thanks

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

I hear you! Personally I’d create a fuss, make a noise, ask to speak to the practice manager, find the most helpful midwife or women’s health nurse and also talk to the pharmacy linked to the GP. My GP surgery have a new pharmacists email to try and take the burden off the doctors and they are the most super helpful people ever. Write letters, emails, camp out at reception.

Repeat loud and clear I’m pregnant my TSH is over 3 and I’m not under the fertility clinic.

Last resort (or first if you are done with the battle) get a £30 appointment online zoom with Roseway labs prescriber and buy some with private prescription. You have to send them private blood tests and medical history. They are booking about 2 weeks in advance online but if you ring and explain the urgency I think they’ll be the sort to help.

Good luck, let us know how it goes 🌱🤗🌱

[Jane8412 in reply to Regenallotment]

Thank you - really appreciate the response. My GP does same day appointments if you call at 8pm and are lucky enough to get through so I am hoping that if I call tomorrow I will be able to get a GP appointment at some point. If I speak to someone I really hope they can't fob me off. It's really not the stress I need right now

The Roseway Labs could be a good option if I don't get anywhere with the GP.

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Jane8412]

Good for you! Be persistent and say out loud you won’t be fobbed off, no one is listening properly and your pregnancy is at risk from their brush offs. I’ll be cheerleading from the sidelines, it’s absolutely fine to advocate for yourself and if you get gaslighty malingering hypochondriac vibes from them tell them that’s how they are making you feel when you have founded genuine concerns and HISTORY ffs. Sorry I’m getting ranty on your behalf, I’ll go have a relax tea 🫣🤗

Good luck 🦋💕🦋

[Jane8412 in reply to Regenallotment]

haha- appreciate the rant. Thank you

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Jane8412]

Just to say the Roseway Labs prescriber is also an NHS GP. Which might be a good or bad thing.

[EchoWS]

The ObGyn who diagnosed me as hypothyroid after the birth of my second child was very clear that a TSH over 3 was hypothyroid. My TSH was 3.25 and was similar 6 years prior when I was treated very dismissively by a dr about my concerns. The complications of my first pregnancy would have been far less had I been treated for hypothyroidism (even if mild) prior to that pregnancy. 25 is a tiny dose. It does not seem to make sense that you would have had a first pregnancy on it and not take it for the second. Definitely be persistent.

[Jane8412 in reply to EchoWS]

Thank you- that's very helpful to know. Appreciate your response!

All my GP needs to do is talk to me and send me for a blood test if necessary but they keep refusing to engage. I have managed to get a phone consultation for today so I am going to write out all the info people on this board have kindly shared so I am armed with facts.

It's so frustrating but I am beginning to contemplate whether going private would make sense. I just don't know where to start finding a private doctor.

Thanks again!

[Jane8412]

Just thought I'd update in case anyone was interested:

Spoke to a GP- he seemed to listen but said he needed to talk to the endocrinologist. Called me back and said that the endo said you only need a TSH below 2.5 if you had an IVF pregnancy and that's why i was prescribed it previously. I said that wasn't inline with the info on multiple resources and he pretty much said this person is a specialist and they are the expert and what they say goes (i.e. you have no clue).

I was quite upset though so they have agreed to prescribe me 25 thyroxine since I was on it in my first pregnancy and that went well and kept my TSH low. I feel a massive weight has lifted. I know they'll stop prescribing as soon as I give birth but that is a future me problem.

Thank you to all of you who offered support and facts to help. Really appreciate!