Don’t forget to renew your MEDEX! : Under 60 year... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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Don’t forget to renew your MEDEX! 

radd profile image
radd
15 Replies

Under 60 year olds with diagnosed hypothyroidism can claim free prescriptions with a 'medical exception certificate' which has to be renewed every five years. Those over 60 years old don't need one.

We are supposed to be sent a reminder letter one month ahead of the renewal date, but last time I didn’t receive one. The penalty for claiming free prescriptions without a current MEDEX is anything up to £100, and a surcharge if the penalty isn't paid within 28 days.

Prescription fees may be claimed back if paid in the absence of a MEDEX. Further details on the MEDEX here. …. faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledge...

You can check the status of your MEDEX here. ….  services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/chec...

Saying all that, in spite of my nagging my husband has been diabetic since 11 years old and never applied for a MEDEX as I think they came into force after he was diagnosed and he was never contacted.

And on an aside note to those who self medicate, I recommend keeping a Levothyroxine prescription going (even if you don't use it) if hypothyroidism is your only way to a MEDEX. I once had troubles having my Levo reinstated and was incorrectly told I shouldn't have a MEDEX after a period of total self-medicating, and another member once advised her GP refused to sign her renewal MEDEX form because she was self-medicating! 

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15 Replies
TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador

Set my alert thanks Radd... only 6 months to go... blimey so that's 4 years of being poorly treated until I finally cottoned on 😧

radd profile image
radd in reply toTiggerMe

Yes, doesn't time fly when you'er having ....... ummm. ... errr ... fun?

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toradd

Finding you clever lot has been the best bit 😏

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

This only applies to those in England!

(The only home nation which has prescription charges.)

Also, if you are not eligible, consider the other options such as pre-payment certificates which cost around the equivalent of one prescription a month, every month.

If relevant, consider also the new HRT annual charge certificate. You have to balance the costs of a full prepayment certificate against those of the HRT-only option, renewal dates, etc.

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply tohelvella

Good shout... the new HRT one doesn't cover Testosterone when doing the sums 😕

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toTiggerMe

Had not even though that far!

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply tohelvella

Who understands the logic of the NHS? 🙄

radd profile image
radd in reply toTiggerMe

It's because it is not licensed.

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toradd

But they will prescribe... illogical isn't it 🤷

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toradd

Some forms of testosterone do appear to be licensed for women in some circumstances. For example:

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/testo...

radd profile image
radd in reply tohelvella

Is that not for males?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toradd

Androgen deficiency for testosterone undecanoate

By mouth

Adult

120–160 mg daily for 2–3 weeks; maintenance 40–120 mg daily.

Hypogonadism for testosterone undecanoate

By deep intramuscular injection

Adult (male)

1 g every 10–14 weeks, to be given over 2 minutes, if necessary, second dose may be given after 6 weeks to achieve rapid steady state plasma testosterone levels and then every 10–14 weeks.

The first indication does NOT qualify Adult by sex; the second says Adult (male). My inference is that the first indication is not exclusive to males.

radd profile image
radd in reply tohelvella

Oh yeh, that's the pill. I think it used for transgender stuff.

radd profile image
radd in reply tohelvella

Those doses are huge for us delicate flowers 🌹🌼🌻.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110

so if we could no longer get NDT they’d leave us to die - unbelievable

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