Cost of NDT. : What's the cost of NDT? Just... - Thyroid UK

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Cost of NDT.

joey82 profile image
41 Replies

What's the cost of NDT?

Just looking for a ball park figure for what NDT would cost me if I was to try it.

Regards,

Joe

**** Please be careful in your response not to name any suppliers of NDT. Thank you.****

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joey82
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41 Replies

I pay £80 for 100 one grain tablets.

Edit: I get Erfa on private prescription

lau99 profile image
lau99

In my experience, it's varied between about £200 ~ £400 over the last 11 months for a 3 month supply of Armour. It's definitely gotten more expensive since I started taking it. I get it prescribed privately so that may factor in, but the above figures are just what I pay for the tablets (not the consults, etc).

FoggyThinker profile image
FoggyThinker

Just got my first prescription, £130 for 100 x 1 grain Armour tablets (inc. delivery)

TrishG67 profile image
TrishG67

I just picked up my latest prescription of 100 Erfa tablets which cost me £100 at my local private hospital. I usually get 6 months worth at a time and pay every 6 months for a consultation with Endo to check bloods and see how I am doing and tweak dose if needed. It seems the Erfa is cheaper than the Armour. Certainly is at my hospital pharmacy. Good luck 👍

Hookie01 profile image
Hookie01 in reply to TrishG67

Erfa contains lactose doesn't it?

joey82 profile image
joey82

Thank you all. I'm hoping I don't have to go onto NDT because of the cost, and if you need it you shouldn't have to pay for it!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to joey82

Much cheaper and easier to get T3 (liothyronine) prescribed alongside levothyroxine, if Ft3 remains low once on optimal levothyroxine dose and importantly….all four vitamins at optimal levels too

T3 can only be initiated on NHS via endocrinologist and vast majority of endocrinologists are diabetes specialists

You would need to see thyroid specialist. Typically around a years wait for appointment on NHS and often refused if they suspect you want T3 prescribed

So many thyroid patients get T3 prescribed privately

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of thyroid specialist endocrinologists and doctors who will prescribe T3 if clinically appropriate 

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

Typical eventual daily dose is 3 x 5mcg or 2 x 10mcg

Cost of 20mcg Thybon Henning on private prescription is approximately 50-60p per tablet……so roughly £14 per 28 days

Cutting tablets into 1/4’s to get 5mcg dose

NHS T3

61,500 prescriptions in England in last year

That’s roughly 6 prescriptions per person per year

NHS currently paying £55 per 28 tablets for 20mcg

openprescribing.net/analyse...

lauraleeds666 profile image
lauraleeds666

I pay £1.20 per one grain tablet of Armour on a private prescription . I take two grains a day...so £2.40 a day. I buy it in bulk every six months. I received an email from the private clinic a few weeks ago saying the cost of Armour has increased recently - but it didn't say by how much so I'm bracing myself....

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Sorry

Should have read previous post

You’re already on levothyroxine plus T3

Looking at post, probably started T3 too quickly

All changes need to be done very very SLOWLY

joey82 profile image
joey82 in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you Slow Dragon. I have tried T3 combination twice now. The 1st time went very well and come to an abrupt halt last summer and my symptoms returned but much worse. Came off T3 last November onto 150 mcg T4. Slow improvements since then. Went to 175 then yesterday went to 175 / 200 daily.

Tried 175 + 10 mcg T3 daily several weeks ago. Felt terrible after 2 1/2 weeks. Really awful. Came off of it after 4 days of feeling rough. Improved after 2 weeks and at times felt really well, but only short lived for certain times of the day. Endo is now saying T3 doesn't agree with me and is very reluctant to try NDT as well as he thinks it's T3 heavy. He's under the impression if I'm not feeling well on 175 / 200 that's the end of the line for me regarding all therapy.

I have real concerns over his treatment after his appointments. That's another story...

Don't have an issue with getting T3 through private endo and GP prescribes for me.

Working hard on vitamin intake. Will post results once I've had 3 months of increased intake.

Got SIBO test, GI effects test & cortisol breath test with Genova to do over the next week or so.

Think I will post separately regarding yesterday endo appointment as I have questions and concerns.

Cheers.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to joey82

Are you on gluten free and/or dairy free diet

Personally I couldn’t tolerate T3 until all vitamins were optimal for 6 months prior to adding T3……and strictly gluten free

Now also dairy free and that was also significant improvement

joey82 profile image
joey82 in reply to SlowDragon

GF free. Still eat a little diary in Greek yogurt and the odd pancakes and chocolate bar. I think it's time to cut diary and soy completely now.

in reply to joey82

have you checked your cortisol?

joey82 profile image
joey82 in reply to

I had checked twice last year in September & October by blood draw early in the morning. I couldn't tell you what results were without logging on. My endo has told me they are within range.

I have a Genova Adrenal Stress Profile test on my kitchen side which I will probably do next week.

in reply to joey82

hopefully the test results will be useful.

joey82 profile image
joey82 in reply to

Well I'm hoping they won't show any issues or abnormal readings!

in reply to joey82

yes. Or the other way of looking at it is that you might find something that you can correct so that you can take T3. If you read my bio I have put lots of quotes in there from reputable thyroid self help books that may shed some light.

joey82 profile image
joey82 in reply to

I was just on your profile reading the cortisol material. I am reading Paul Robinsons book at the moment and his writing into cortisol and the adrenals was interesting and enlightening. Thank you

radd profile image
radd

joey82,

For a years worth 1 & 1/4 grains of Armour factoring in all additional costs you are looking at around £1000 a year.

I have just recently switched from self medicating to a private prescription as costs are so similar now.  

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

If you have a private prescription the cheapest place is online in Canada. For NDT Armour 1 grain only about 27p each. They do charge for delivery.

joey82 profile image
joey82 in reply to Brightness14

That is cheap. Is it easy to get from Canada?

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

You have to have a private prescription first then it is sent over to Canada by email or post you can order online. Plus postage. I just had a quote for Armour 600 x 60mg grains and 300 30mg grain total price less than £300. Plus the prescription of course.

Bellsonit profile image
Bellsonit in reply to Brightness14

this is interesting , I have a private prescription at the moment for 1 grain erfa which is usually £85 for 100 that I haven’t used as trying thyroid s as it was half the price. Would be interested to hear how you go about ordering and who to

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14 in reply to Bellsonit

Canadian Prescription Drugstore.com

radd profile image
radd in reply to Brightness14

Brightness14,

Even after a hefty customs charge and RM delivery fee this would still work out tons cheaper at roughly £200 + for my own supply because they do a 1.25mg tablet so effectively halving the cost as well as being cheaper per tablet.

Thank you for sharing. Are Armour the same though?

🤔 .. Maybe I should look into compounding chemists in England. I know Roseway compound. Any others?

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14 in reply to radd

Sorry I don't know whether they are the same I only started looking when my Thyroid s stop working. I am prescribed Levo and T3 here in France but the T3 is much to fast working for me and cutting it into eight is a pain.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon in reply to Brightness14

We don't have Armour in Canada. And are not allowed to use any drugs not manufactured here. Last time I asked if it was Erfa (because I am/was confused), and you said, No it is Armour. *EDIT: It is indeed manufactured by Erfa.* See screenshot.*

So me tinks some entrepreneur likes using Canada in their business name. 😁🤭

OR

I am not understanding something.🥳

Entirely possible!

(EDIT: Figured it out )

NDT by prescription
Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14 in reply to Litatamon

I actually got the name from the internet asking any Canadian suppliers of Armour there were several but that one was the cheapest I could find. You are right it probably is Erfa. Anyway, they have a Canadian address but do require a prescription. Is the tel no Canada starting 1-888-572 something. When I have bought Armour from the US without a prescription the cost is very high.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon in reply to Brightness14

Brightness,I wrote about possibly not being truly Canadian before I found out that it was indeed Erfa manufactured, so ignore my nonsense and Canadian sarcasm.

And it looks like it is a fair price. Thirty 125 mcg Erfa pills, yes they have that bizarre third option, cost anywhere from $45 (Costco) to $65 (highest I have been quoted). So if $178 for a hundred 125 mcg is in CAD, it is fair.

-----------

I am so very happy for you Brightness, that you have found something after everything you have gone through with medication in the last little while. Here's to a great new start for you.

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14 in reply to Litatamon

Don't worry it's nerve wracking on the site sometimes. I nearly went to live in Canada back in 1968 but felt I ought to stay with my Adopted Parents. Even went up to Canada House in London for an medical and interview. Long time ago now.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon in reply to Brightness14

You made a good choice! Far more interesting there. And Europe in your backyard.

Bellsonit profile image
Bellsonit in reply to Brightness14

thanks so much 😍

dottyb09 profile image
dottyb09

I take Thyroid S. Last year I paid £160 for 1000 x 1 grain (I take 3) but this month it costs £270 for 1000.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon in reply to dottyb09

Dotty, off topic, but if you have taken any other NDTs were you three grains as well? Curious.

If you started on levothyroxine before NDT can you share the amount as well?

dottyb09 profile image
dottyb09 in reply to Litatamon

I started on Levothyroxine 20 years ago but can't remember what dose. My TSH was 75. Very soon after I went onto thyroid glandulars. I suppose a couple of years later I started on Armour when you didn't need a prescription but don't remember what dose I was on. When I could no longer get Armour I moved onto Thyroyd (Thailand) and when they stopped production I went to Thyroid S. Tried cutting down to 2.75 grains but didn't feel good so I have been on 3 grains for a few years. During the pandemic when I couldn't get NDT I had to go back on levothyroxine for a couple of months and took 100mcg.

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon in reply to dottyb09

So very helpful Dotty - I appreciate it.

(Wow on the TSH. I was asking questions because on three grains of Thyroid S my TSH was a measly 32, using :measly' now due to your noble 75, when diagnosed. Insert big fat wink. )

metamorphica profile image
metamorphica

if self sourcing, at least £100 for a bottle of 100 of 0.25 grain and increasing to £200 for 1 grain bottle and upwards beyond that. For armour at least. Thyroid S i know has increased since i last bought it.

ve had to stop buying because the costs have got to much for me and the choice less.

joey82 profile image
joey82 in reply to metamorphica

Are you still taking NDT? Or have stopped due to the cost? What are you taking if not NDT?

metamorphica profile image
metamorphica in reply to joey82

i stopped, as i could not longer afford it. I'm now back on levothyroxine and Liothyronine combination after convincing my endo to prescribe the latter by self sourcing T3 for a while to show him i was better on the combo than on just t4. (T4 stayed on my repeat prescription so i was able to simply access that straight away).

It's not as good as NDT for me, but better than just levo on its own.

Catlover3 profile image
Catlover3

Hi I paid £81.92 for 500 x thyroid S Dec 22. I would love to order in bulk but having lost a shipment many years ago at Customs I am wary of ordering to much at one time. I can't afford to waste money now.

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan

I'm in Canada and take 150mg of Erfa and pay $70.29 .

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