Natural Desiccated Thyroid : Hiya I just wanted... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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Natural Desiccated Thyroid

JaneChapple profile image
37 Replies

Hiya

I just wanted to let NDT users know that I heard yesterday that NDT will no longer be available to the UK without a prescription. Its bad news for users of NDT and will make NDT more expensive. Apparently the company we usually order from say its a new policy. But I am wondering if its due to MHRA/Govt who are trying to stop us buying thyroid meds on line? Sorry for the bad news!

Janexxx😩😊❤️

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JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple
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37 Replies
Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

helvella has already been looking into this today. Please pm helvella with details of the supplier.

Delgor profile image
Delgor

Is this for real - I've been getting my armour imported direct from the USA for years without a prescription?

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to Delgor

Delgor, This 'rumour' is about Thyroid-s. I don't think there's been any change in UK legislation that stops us from buying our meds from overseas.

Delgor profile image
Delgor in reply to RedApple

Oh thank you - my anxiety was hitting new heights!

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to Delgor

If you're concerned, just email the pharmacy that supplies you with Armour.

Delgor profile image
Delgor in reply to RedApple

Thank you for responding so quickly - momentary panic over - beginning to feel like a junkie😁

JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple in reply to Delgor

This is NDT (Natural Desiccated Thyroid) and is from a certain company inThailand so a different product.

Janexxx

Delgor profile image
Delgor in reply to JaneChapple

I can't deny that you gave me quite a jolt because you didn't specify what NDT but Red Apple kindly responded quickly and panic over - lol!

Skylane2 profile image
Skylane2 in reply to Delgor

in the US we have to have a prescription in order to buy Armour thyroid and it’s getting expensive. The US Medicare system ( I’m over 65) is going toward generics and nothing but generics. It’s socialized medicine ( here we come) we can still get naturthoid and Armour for $50.00 a month 60 tablets 30 Mg with our prescription insurance)

Delgor profile image
Delgor in reply to Skylane2

There are very few doctors that prescribe NDT here in the UK - my last one was forced to stop or else his licence would have been taken away. It looks very much as if at some point we will all be forced to change from NDT which is so wrong when it suits so many - perhaps Hilary Clinton could do something to help the situation in the USA?

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to Delgor

No one will take on big pharma. Where is Nature Thyroid? Once one of the biggest selling NDT's in America

It makes me mad that all these celebrities and prominent people are quiet about what they take to get well, whilst knowing full well that others are suffering from lack of access. No time for any of them.

terebol profile image
terebol in reply to Alanna012

I was a Nature throid devotee until it was pulled Checking the RLC website occasionally they state they are, still working w/FDA- 2.5yrs later oh woe

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to terebol

They recalled every last one of their batches, which was overkill. I don't think it's ever coming back, regretfully.

terebol profile image
terebol in reply to Alanna012

I'm in agreement; hope we are wrong

Delgor profile image
Delgor in reply to Alanna012

I too was a devotee of Nature Thyroid until it was withdrawn from sale - I started out on Armour, changed to Erfa when there were supply issues and then onto NT which I liked the best especially as the cost was more affordable as well. I don't suppose some of the prominent people would even consider that others may have problems as they will have the money to throw at everything and have the very best attention and care that money can buy. I really feel sorry for those out there that cannot even afford to buy NDT or T3 and have been ill for years on Levo alone - so many lives affected😢

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply to Skylane2

It’s not good. I can’t tolerate some generic tablets. The main one being sumatriptan. The generic makes me vomit for 7 hours with a terrible migraine that the tablet is supposed to stop. My prescription states Imigran (the original) only. If they cancelled this, I’d be in trouble.

Chett profile image
Chett in reply to Skylane2

I’m in the US and we’re on Tricare (a military health insurance), I get 180mg of Armour. 3 months worth for $20. I would love to come back to the UK, but I’m afraid of not being able to get Armour.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to Chett

It would likely be more expensive, so I don't blame you for being apprehensive about returning to the UK.

Skylane2 profile image
Skylane2 in reply to Chett

I just got a 90 day RX for Armour thyroid 30mg for90 days for $30.00. My endocrinologist said CVS pharmacy sent him a letter saying you “cannot prescribe a brand. Only a generic!” He called me said. This is stupid! They can’t tell me what to prescribe” and wrote them a note saying “fill prescription with BRAND ONLY” so I got the brand. My insurance Medicare part D paid for it, but then I make payments $170.00 to Medicare to get the privilege!

jjf255 profile image
jjf255 in reply to Chett

Consider yourself very lucky. My husband and I are both over 65, so qualify for medicare. We also carry a medicare supplement which we pay for. Neither of these will pay for Armour. My husband is on 135mg which is only sold as 120mg plus a 15mg and a 90 day supply for these 2 is almost $300! My Armour is less because I'm on a lower dose, but still not cheap.

jjf255 profile image
jjf255 in reply to Skylane2

Skylane2...I have several questions. I am also in the U S and have been told for a number of years now that Naturethroid is no longer being manufactured and hasn't been for some time. This is also true of WP Thyroid. The only NDT that my husband or I have had available to us are Armour or NP thyroid. We are both over 65 so we have Medicare and we carry a separate supplemental insurance, neither of which will pay for Armour. NP doesn't work very well for at least my husband and is almost as expensive as Armour. I'm wondering if you'd mind sharing what insurance you are carrying that pays for Armour?

Skylane2 profile image
Skylane2 in reply to jjf255

I just posted how I got the Armour thyroid. As long as your doctor specifies “brand only” they cannot force to your take a substitute!

jjf255 profile image
jjf255 in reply to Skylane2

We have no problem getting our Armour, my question to you was, what insurance do you carry that PAYS for Armour? We are over 65 so we have both medicare and a medicare supplement, which we pay for...neither of which will pay for Armour.

Skylane2 profile image
Skylane2 in reply to jjf255

United Health care

jjf255 profile image
jjf255 in reply to Skylane2

Thank You. I will check out United Health care for next years open enrollment.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012

Can someone confirm if this is so?

A major pharmacy (it's not like there's loads, so even one no longer willing to supply is bad in terms of choice) is saying they will no longer supply to the UK?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Alanna012

I don't think anyone can "confirm" anything yet, as RedApple says it is rumour and it is about Thyroid-S.

JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple in reply to SeasideSusie

Honestly its not a rumour. Someone I know tried to buy from company in Thailand yesterday and was told by the owner that in future purchasers in the UK would need a prescription sent before they would accept their order.Ive seen it in writing.

Ive emailed today to see if its their company or UK.

Thanks

JaneCxxx😣❤

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to JaneChapple

JaneChapple, 'Ive emailed today to see if its their company or UK.'

A change in UK ruling would not just be for one product. It would be across all prescription medications. And if that happens, I think it will be a main news item.

If this is being instigated from Thailand, then they will lose all sales from the UK. Because no UK doctor is going to write a prescription for an unrecognised thyroid medication. And even if they did, the prescription has no value outside the UK, so what would it achieve?

JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple in reply to RedApple

Hello RedApple

Ive emailed too with the same questions - and yes the will lose a great number of customers here.. Someone I know showed me the email response she got this week and it has come from them. I think they will be inundated with emails!

I do know someone in Thailand who wanted to set up a website there and the rules are very strict. Sadly he is not getting very far.

Sorry didnt mean to worry anyone just wanted to alert them with what I had found out.

Best wishes

Janexxx

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to JaneChapple

Let us know if you get a reply. But be careful not to mention the source here on public forum. Message admin with the info instead please 😊

JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple in reply to RedApple

Yes I will message you. I suspect they are inundated. You would think they wouldnt want to lose so many customers if its their policy?!😒❤

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012

Thanks Seaside. (I'll calm down!)

witchcat43 profile image
witchcat43

Seems it’s ‘panic over’…the suppliers have now backtracked on their insistence on a prescription, this has been very annoying for all the people who desperately tried to order yesterday and were told ‘prescription needed’…think we can now breathe easier for a little while at least 🙂

Persevere99 profile image
Persevere99

Hi

I contacted yesterday my supplier of Thyroid S in Thailand to ask whether he had heard if a prescription was needed.

He replied today saying No.

Persevere99

JaneChapple profile image
JaneChapple in reply to Persevere99

I ve been told they have backtracked.... for thw time being and they will no more in the next few weeks/months.

CMDK2020 profile image
CMDK2020

Hi folks,

just wondering do people using Thyroid S find it good generally? I have been taking NP Thyroid since starting NDT last year but it has become exorbitantly expensive in the last month or so from pharmacies here in Ireland so I will need to find an alternative. Armour is more expensive again unfortunately so I am thinking of trying to buy Thyroid S online from Thailand as some people kindly recommended a website I can order from a while back. Or are there any other alternative NDT's that are not too epensive?

Many thanks for any advice :)

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