UK Visa for Medical Care of hypothyroidism and breast cancer.

[morganrose]

I'm a US expat living in France for the past two years. My medical history incudesI hypothyroidism and recurrent breast cancer. Frances BIG Pharma" rules the medical industry, including prohibiting all NDT meds. I am allergic to synthetic thyroid medications, I was for two decades a Nature Thyroid user, then switched to Armour after NT went off the market. Now, both my hypo T and cancer symptoms are reappearing. UK provides a visitor visa for medical care not available in one's country of residence. I'm hoping someone on this forum can provide me information on who to contact for moving to the UK for critical health care. Thank you so much.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I have found this information on the UK government website. I hope it is useful.

gov.uk/standard-visitor/vis...

Also just so that you are aware, even though NDT is available in the UK there are very few doctors/Endo's prescribing it so be careful who you book to see. It's also very expensive.

You can email info@thyroidUK for a list of Endo's.

[morganrose in reply to Jaydee1507]

Jaydee 1507, Thanks so much for your 'heads up" info! I really appreciate your help!

[helvella Administrator]

That's a bad hand you have been dealt.

I have absolutely zero experience and understanding of UK medical visa and associated rules. This appears to be where you should start:

gov.uk/visit-uk-medical-tre...

About the only advice I've got is never to make any assumptions, never think anything is going to be handled on time - or at all, and try to think what might go wrong and forestall it - if possible.

[morganrose in reply to helvella]

Thank you so much, Helvella, for your words of caution on UK healthcare. From the 100% French prohibition of natural thyroid meds, no assumptions, but fingers crossed I'll find progressive physicians focused on optimum patient care rather than pleasing the party line.

[helvella Administrator in reply to morganrose]

Whilst I would say much the same about healthcare - I was primarily thinking of the government departments you need to contact re a visa!

There aren't many doctors who will prescribe desiccated thyroid at all. But there are some. Afraid I can't even point you in the right direction.

[RedApple Administrator]

I'm unclear as to what it is you want to achieve by coming to the UK. Are you wanting to be prescribed natural desiccated thyroid?

[morganrose in reply to RedApple]

Yes, as France prohibits NDT, relocating to the UK on the Visitor Visa for medical treatment hopefully allows me the prescription for Armour I can't get in France.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to morganrose]

So assuming you do find a medic in the UK to prescribe Armour for you, you would then still need to bring it back with you into France, because that's where you live?

[morganrose in reply to RedApple]

No, I would move to the UK as any NDT is illegal in France. Also illegal in France is medical cannabis, which has kept me cancer free for over 15 years. I'm in contact with the Sapphire Medical Centre in London for that aspect of my health care.

[FancyPants54 in reply to morganrose]

You won’t get NDT here. We can’t get it! Most of us who use it have to buy it. I would not recommend immigrating to the U.K. based on that hope. Going back to the US would give you a better chance. Or Greece. I think you can buy it easily if you live in Greece.

[morganrose in reply to FancyPants54]

Thanks for your info, FancyPants54. Health insurance in the US would pretty much swallow my whole pension, plus I've not been back for over 7 years. But, your suggestion of Greece is interesting. ; )

[helvella Administrator in reply to FancyPants54]

We keep seeing suggestions that you can get desiccated thyroid in Greece.

I have to say, I have absolutely NEVER seen any evidence you can.

(I suspect it has been suggested so many times it has seeped into our brains.)

[FancyPants54 in reply to helvella]

It could be an urban legend then. I’ve just seen it mentioned in groups. But even if it isn’t, the U.K. isn’t going to be the place to move too to get it.

[helvella Administrator in reply to FancyPants54]

I rather agree.

The only thing we really have in our favour is the ability to buy from abroad. But there are so many issues, even that is nothing like as secure and reliable as was once the case. There are few decent sources.

[FancyPants54 in reply to helvella]

which is very alarming to me as I have switched to NDT recently and feel it suits me better. But I’m buying it the expensive way, via Roseway Labs.

[Framboise in reply to FancyPants54]

I don't think NDT is available in Greece because we seriously considered going to live there 12 years ago but, one of the problems I found, was that animal-derived medications were banned from being prescribed there at that time. I envisaged having to order NDT to UK and then having it sent on to me. T3 on the other hand used to be easy to buy OTC, but I'm not sure if it still is. I last bought some there four years ago.

[TSH110 in reply to morganrose]

Jeeze what would happen if I visited France I’ve only got NDT! I’d die without it. Do they lock you up for it? So much for liberte

[greygoose in reply to TSH110]

I think if you came to France with your NDT, you would need to have your prescription with you, to prove that it is yours, and that you're not bringing it in for someone else. No, they wouldn't lock you up for it.

The situation isn't as clear as it ought to be. When I was taking NDT, I used to buy it on line (after I stopped taking Armour, which I got from Belgium). There were one or two occasions that the packet had obviously been opened by customs, but resealed and sent on to me. However, and American friend stating in Paris, had her parcel of NDT - seized by customs, and she received a letter saying that to get it, she needed to provide a letter from her doctor certifying that she needed it. This she did, but customs sent it back to the US, anyway. No explaination, just that.

Another time, my son when to Belgium to get my HGH, which is also illegal here, and on the way back, he was stopped by customs and the car searched. They found the HGH and questioned him about it. He explained that his mother needed it, and they just let him go - with the HGH!

What being illegal actually means is that no doctor can prescribe it - he might get locked up if he did! - and no pharmacy can stock it. And, if you buy it abroad and have it sent to you, it might get opened by customs and might be confiscated. Then again, it might not.

[TSH110 in reply to greygoose]

I self medicate so couldn’t give a prescription as proof it’s mine. It could be problematic. Good job I have lost my interest in foreign travel!

[greygoose in reply to TSH110]

Even so, they wouldn't lock you up.

[TSH110 in reply to greygoose]

good to know

[Whiterose in reply to morganrose]

Don't come to Dorset, you won't get NDT here.

[radd]

morganrose,

Sorry to hear about your hypo and recurrent breast cancer.

Others have given advice but I wanted to say 'thyroid synthetics' are bioidentical hormones so if you have experienced problems it will be the fillers and changing to another brand might alleviate symptoms, and save you a whole lot of trouble. Also all thyroid meds are fussy regarding adequate iron and nutrients.

[morganrose in reply to radd]

Thanks, Radd. I originally was prescribed Levothyroxine, but my chemistry did not react well so was then prescribed Nature Thyroid, then Armour with positive results.

[terebol in reply to morganrose]

I, too, was a happy NT user for years. When it was pulled, I tried synthetic for a year; labs made me look like I felt good but never did, & switched to NP thyroid. It is not a perfect duplicate of NT, but I hum along nicely. sorry for your challenge in getting NDT., There is an NDT here in the US that requires no rx; sorry, I don't remember the name as I have no problem having my dr. rx for NDT I hope you find the help you need very soon

[morganrose in reply to terebol]

Thanks for your story, info, and encouragement, terebol. Very good news that you're "humming along nicely." ; )

[humanbean]

I thought Belgium allowed for the prescription of NDT. One clinic I've read about that prescribes NDT (or used to) is The Hertoghe Clinic, but my information is old and could well be out of date. I don't know if importation of NDT is allowed into Belgium.

hertoghe.eu/en/

More info on what NDT products are available around the world can be found in helvella 's document :

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines - RotW

which you can download on this page :

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

Of course, if you are in the UK, you can import Thyroid-S from Thailand.

[helvella Administrator in reply to humanbean]

Yes - obtainable in several other European countries such as Denmark, Netherlands and Germany.

But it could be getting desiccated thyroid AND a suitable cannabis product.

[humanbean in reply to helvella]

But it could be getting desiccated thyroid AND a suitable cannabis product.

Do you mean that NDT manufacturers are adding cannabis to their NDT products or have I misunderstood?

[helvella Administrator in reply to humanbean]

No! Though an interesting idea.

It was if morganrose wants to get desiccated thyroid as well as cannabis (especially if a specific cannabis medicine that might have restricted availability) - not being very aware of availability and limits on cannabis in the UK, let alone anywhere else.

[TSH110 in reply to helvella]

lol!

[TSH110 in reply to humanbean]

if only 🤣🤣🤣

[greygoose in reply to humanbean]

The Hertoghe clininc only prescribes NDT! It is perfectly legal there and is available in any pharmacy.

For medical cannabis I'm not sure, but I believe it is available.

morganrose do you live anywhere near the Belgium border? You could cross over and register with a doctor there without having to live there - although Belgium is a great country, I love it! I used to go there once every three months to get my NDT and HGH!

[Brightness14]

I have lived in France since 2015 as a expat UK person. My thyroid was removed in France.

I have been taking NDT since 2016. First Thyroid s and now Armour which I source direct from the US. I have mine sent to my friend or sister in the UK who then posts them on to me here in France. I am prescribed Levo Thyrofix plus T3 Cynomel which is free for me. Do you have a Carte Vitale and a GP in France. Sorry I can't answer your question. France is so old fashioned what with awful selection of meat and fresh fruit and veg you must find it hard.

Let me know if you require any more information.

[morganrose in reply to Brightness14]

Merci beaucoup, Brightness 14. I agree that France often is challenging in issues of health care, and their "farmers' markets," which are actually not local produce. As I've not been in the US for 7 years, I no longer have a GP for prescriptions. I do have the Carte Vitale and a local GP, but, as you know, that either goes nowhere or onto a hamster wheel! .I really do appreciate your offer to help.

[greygoose in reply to Brightness14]

Where on earth do you live in France? I've been here since 1975, and always found wonderful meat and fresh produce.

morganrose if you don't like your GP, change him. It's very easy to do in France. Also, in France you can easily consult an endo just by ringing him and making an appointment - not like in the UK where you have to have a referral from the GP. But, they cannot prescribe NDT because it is illegal - and that has nothing to do with being old-fashioned, quite the contrary. It's more to do with doctors being terrified of hormones. Are you anywhere near Paris? Because there's a good selection of endos there. The last thing I would do is go to the UK for thyroid treatment!

[FancyPants54 in reply to greygoose]

My thoughts exactly! This is probably one of the last places to go for open minded thyroid treatment.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to FancyPants54]

The only useful aspect of residing in the UK rather than France, is that we can legally import desiccated thyroid for personal use, which is relevant to morganrose as she wants to go back to taking Armour.

[Brightness14 in reply to greygoose]

I totally agree with not going to the UK, good advice. I used to live near Poitier and am now living in Brittany. I was brought up on a farm rearing pigs. We also imported Bananas from the West Indies and had a wholesale greengrocery store. The meat here is OK but fatty. The Fresh produce (Where is the Organic Celery) Spring Cabbage etc. etc. Good eating apples? Carrots yes these are good and onions too. My sister also lived here for 26 years and agreed with me too. Just a matter of opinion maybe. Where are you?

[greygoose in reply to Brightness14]

I'm in the Oise, near Chantilly.

I've never found the meat to be fatty, but then I like fat, so probably wouldn't notice it.

The French, in general, don't like celery, so not surprising they don't bother to grow the organic variety. But, even so, I know where to find good celery, if I want it. Don't know what you mean by 'spring cabbage', but there's plenty of cabbage here. And plenty of apples, too. Although the French tend to prefer the ghastly Golden Delicious - a mis-nomer if ever there was one! lol

Reminds me of a funny story... I had a large head of celery in my trolley in the supermarket one day, just strolling around. And an elderly man stopped me and said 'excuse me, but can I ask you what you're going to do with that?' And pointed to my celery. 'Eat it,' I said. 'I don't believe you,' he said. 'Eat a bit now, to show me.' So, I broke off a piece and ate it, with a big smile (I love celery!). He looked slightly nausiated - as I would have been, had I seen him eat a snail. 'Goodness,' he said. 'I didn't know you could eat it! Wait til I tell my wife!' 🤣🤣

It's all a matter of taste. And a little of what you're brought up to. Vegetables were a rarity in our house, when I was a child. We had all the salade veggies in summer - many grown in our own garden, like the peas and runner beans we ate. But in the winter, all we had was what my mother called 'spring greens' (spring cabbage?). Ugh! And meals got 100% better when they invented frozen peas! When I got married, I had no idea what to do with a carrot, and still only put them in stews to this day. And, let's not get into school dinners... 🤢

[Brightness14 in reply to greygoose]

Let's not get into school dinners. I suppose celery was a special of mine and I love it.

Mostly only used in cooking in France, not eaten raw. Fatty meat is fine, a story of mine short but sweet. My father grew up with many sisters, one of which was my Auntie Violet who everyone knew was keen to eat the fat off everyone's meat. Auntie Violet was a very slim build and lived to be 100. I just don't like the taste of it.

[greygoose in reply to Brightness14]

I love celery, too. So did my mother. Her mother was into white cabbage, and could eat a whole one on her way back from the market. And yet, she was extremely fat. Just goes to show that eating fat does not make you fat, and eating salade doesn't necessarily make you slim!

[Brightness14 in reply to greygoose]

Exactly!

[Nath27 in reply to greygoose]

I have to agree with you, I’m french and I don’t like celery. 🤣 I lived in the UK for 25 years…all my British friends loved celery.

[greygoose in reply to Nath27]

Yes, it's strange, isn't it.

[Brightness14]

i think that greygoose has a good idea visiting Belgium would be good and that clinic is brilliant too.

[Orso111]

Small thoughts

I had a reaction to Levotherox so I switch to the French brand Tcap (Boiron) with no side effect. Spain also allows therapeutic canabis.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Orso111]

I'm confused! What has Boiron got to do with Tcaps?

[Orso111]

Sorry TCAPS is made by Laboratoire Genevrier (Thyrox medication)

[helvella Administrator in reply to Orso111]

I think that is now out of date. It's hard to keep up. And I am not sure if Laboratoire Genevrier were acquired by IBSA, or always part of IBSA, or something else!

The official documentation for TCAPS now identifies:

IBSA PHARMA SAS

PARC DE SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS

LES TROIS MOULINS, 280 RUE DE GOA

06600 ANTIBES

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