Recommendations please.

[Ladyofthestream]

After many years of struggle I finally went to see "a fine man" who diagnosed me and went on to treat me initially with Levothyroxine and then with Armour. I simply owe him my life, as I was so ill. He is no longer with us and since then I have been prescribed Armour by a private GP. Over the last few years it has been increasingly difficult to obtain the prescriptions. I cannot contact his team, I need to start at least a month before I run out of tablets. I used to send 6 monthly blood tests from my GP (only T4) but now I am only tested annually at the GPs. I undertake private blood tests (T4 and T3) and send them to fill the gap.

I simply cannot contact the practice, I have been trying for 2 weeks now. I have been in touch with the lovely pharmacist who can't help me either, he just says that they are there and busy. I have considered dividing my dose to make it last longer now and don't know what will happen when I run out altogether.

I would very much like recommendations from the community as I live on the edge wondering if this time I won't be able to get the medicine I need. I don't need to wonder any longer! When medicated my figures are very stable, I am happy and I have sufficient energy to work and live well. When I have to halve tablets and go without medication my figures collapse, I just need a steady supply to be healthy and happy. I hope that someone will be able to help.

[humanbean]

I can empathise. I can't get appointments of any kind with my surgery either. I wonder who is able to get an appointment and how are they doing it.

[J972 in reply to humanbean]

humanbean

Regarding appointments. I popped into my surgery yesterday to ask for a non-urgent appointment to see my GP. The first available slot was 1 June. Luckily I have access to my medical records using an app called Airmid and it is possible to book non-urgent appointments using that, albeit with a different dr. I’ve managed to book an appointment on the 15 May.

So that might be a possibility, assuming your surgery has that facility?

[humanbean in reply to J972]

I don't have a smart phone so I can't run apps.

[helvella in reply to J972]

I think you'll find such facilities are only in England - and not all surgeries there.

[Marz in reply to humanbean]

I am able to go the website of our Medical Centre and book on-line. There's a list of Dr's duty days ? I posted a request early this morning and my GP phoned me within half an hour to discuss the report of a recent spinal MRI and the way forward. Done this twice now. Perhaps N Devon is up to speed after all ..... 🌻

[humanbean in reply to Marz]

Whenever I've tried to do this with my surgery the wait has been 6 weeks. And although the practice is quite a big one, most of them are not included in the list of doctors who are included in the online appointment making option.

[Marz in reply to humanbean]

6 weeks seems unacceptable to me. So frustrating for you ...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you based in the U.K.

assuming you are ……list of Specialist thyroid doctors and endocrinologists 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[radd]

Lots,

Many of us have to either self source or pay a private GP or specialist to prescribe our life saving meds.

For another specialist sympathetic to your plight, you could try one from a list held by ThyroidUK (who run this forum). Members generally choose from the list and then ask for others experiences in a new post to be received by DM.

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Alternatively you could try investigation with Roseway Labs (dispensing pharmacy) as I seem to remember hearing their in-house doctor is prescribing (I think) after consultation, and you will need a present Armour prescription (which you have). I use Roseway for dispense of my private endo’s Armour prescription.

rosewaylabs.com/