Don’t forget to renew your MEDEX!

[radd]

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! 

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

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 in reply to TiggerMe]

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

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to radd]

Finding you clever lot has been the best bit 😏

[helvella]

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 Ambassador in reply to helvella]

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

[helvella in reply to TiggerMe]

Had not even though that far!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to helvella]

Who understands the logic of the NHS? 🙄

[radd in reply to TiggerMe]

It's because it is not licensed.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to radd]

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

[helvella in reply to radd]

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

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

[radd in reply to helvella]

Is that not for males?

[helvella in reply to radd]

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 in reply to helvella]

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

[radd in reply to helvella]

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

[TSH110]

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