prescriptions.

[Misty2015]

hi I’m 42 years old and I’ve recently been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid. I’ve been prescribed carbizmol. (Probably spelt wrong) and I was wondering if I was entitled to free prescriptions in the uk. I spoke to someone at the drs yesterday and they weren’t sure. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Unfortunately hyperthyroidism is not classed as a life long condition and not covered with free prescriptions.

You can buy a pre payment certificate that will reduce the cost of prescriptions which may help. Otherwise you need to be on certain benefits for help with prescription costs.

thyroiduk.org/get-support/n...

thyroiduk.org/get-support/n...

thyroiduk.org/get-support/n...

[Misty2015 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you for your reply. I thought that would be the case. I spoke to someone at the surgery yesterday and she said she will give me a few months supply on one prescription. So should only need to order every 2 months.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Misty2015]

That will help as well. You would have to do the maths for if a pre payment certificate would help. Would also depend if you need any other meds for other conditions.

[Misty2015 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks. She’s given me a prescription for propranolol which I already take for anxiety although not very often. that will help with the palpitations I might get. Thank you for all your help. Really appreciate it.

[pennyannie]

Hello Misty and welcome to the forum :

Do you have a diagnosis yet as to why your thyroid has become overactive ?

Generally spaking the NHS allocate a treatment window of around 15/18 months on the Carbimazole and this dose may well be adjusted/titrated several times as you go through this phase of ill health.

There is an alternative Anti Thyroid drug - Propylthiouracil ( PTU ) should this first choice not suit you - please be aware and read the Patient Information Leaflet ( PIL ) for Carbimazole.

Thyroid UK - the charity who sponsors this patient to patient forum - thyroiduk.org have further reading on their website on all things thyroid and we can support and explain anything and everything to you as doctors rarely have time to go ino detail.

It will be a good idea to register at your surgery for online access to your medical records as then you can track your own progress through blood test results and ranges which we can explain and put into context - as to what they mean for you.

Hopefully the beta blocker and Anti Thyroid drug will start to alleviate your sympoms, so rest up and be kind to yourself.

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[Misty2015 in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you. I’ve got a goitre which is most probably the cause for the over active thyroid. They mentioned Graves’ disease. But didn’t confirm whether I had it. I’ve got to have regular blood tests. To check my white blood count as it was slightly low but not so low that they didn’t want to put me on the tablets.

[pennyannie in reply to Misty2015]

OK then - my whie blood cell count was at 4 and the bottom of the range when I was prescribed Carbimazole for Graves - I didn't have a goitre.

Is yor goitre visable, and or restricting your swallowing and breathing - has there been a suggestion of having a thyroid scan ?

Graves can be ruled out by a blood test for Thyroid Receptor antibodies - generally wtitten as TR ab antibody blood test - mine came back a few days after my initial blood test after I went to the doctor with symptoms of insomnia.

If you have access to your blood test results there should be three thyroid readings - a TSH - a Free T3 and a FreeT 4 - result and range.

When overactive we generally see a low / under range - TSH - with either or both T3 and T4 over their ranges and slowly as the AT drug works by semi-blocking your own new daily thyroid hormone production these over range T3 and T4 readings should come back down into their ranges, and your symptoms subside.

As your readings reduce the the AT drug is titrated down as if not you risk your T3 and T4 falling too far through the ranges and experience the equally diabling symptoms hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of an overactive thyroid and an underactive thyroid can be found on the Thyroid UK website - it makes for interesting reading as the lists are long and yes, some symptoms are found in both extremes of metabolism - and why nothing is that straight forward with managing thyroid health issues.

When either hyper or hypo - the body's own set point for metabolism is disturbed and the body will struggle to extract key nutrients through one's food no matter how well and clean you eat.

Core strength vitamins and minerals -such as ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D tend to nose dive through their ranges which can, unnecessarily compromise, your health further - so please try and get these additional blood tests run and we can advise as to optimum levels ratheer than NHS ranges which is some cases are too wide to be taken seriously.

[Misty2015 in reply to pennyannie]

Yes I’ve had an ultra sound which confirmed the lumps were not cancerous. I can feel them on the outside of my neck but they don’t affect eating or drinking. Will try and see if I can find my blood test results. I’ve got another test on the 9th November and I’ll need another one 6 weeks after that. and I’ve got a follow up appointment on the 6th December.

[pennyannie in reply to Misty2015]

Yes - that sounds about right - as your T3 and T4 fall back down the Carbimazole needs reducing so a bit of a balancing act finding a dose of the AT drug that is ' just enough ' and tick you over - hopefully with no side effects :

Have you found some relief of symptoms ?

I was very well on the AT drug - just wished I could have stayed on it long term.

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Hope that makes sense

[Dakie]

I live in the UK and have underactive thyroid, I now have an exemption card on ALL prescriptions. I had no idea!, my GP filled out a form for me the day he put me on thyroxine and my card arrived a few days later! I am also on HRT and when I went to collect that prescription and pay, I was told by the pharmacist no charge as I have my exemption card!, I assumed it was only for my thyroid medication but she told me it's for all medication. Haven't paid for my HRT for almost 2 years now

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Dakie]

Misty2015 has an overactive thyroid and the rules are quite different.

[Dakie in reply to Jaydee1507]

Oh didn't realise that I do apologise

[Mixteca]

You only qualify for free prescriptions if on state benefits/a very low income as far as I know. Much money to be made there.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Mixteca]

It is rather more complicated than that, I'm afraid. You can be on some benefits and not get prescription charge exemption.

[Mixteca in reply to helvella]

It is no doubt more complicated and I can only speak from experience, having been exempt for many years based on income (or rather lack of it).