Medical exemption on prescriptions

[EclipseMoon]

Hi all,

Has anyone had any success claiming medical exemption on their Levothyroxine prescription due to sub-clinical hypothyroidism?

My GP has given me the exemption form as I’ll be having Levo for life but she said under current guidelines as I’m classed as ‘sub clinical’ she isn’t sure I can claim the prescription for free.

Has anyone managed this?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Prescription charge exemption in England, for specific medical conditions, says:

myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement)

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-if-you-...

'myxoedema' being pretty much a synonym for hypothyroidism.

If you need thyroid hormone replacement, you are entitled to exemption. There is nothing to say how bad, how serious, your condition needs to be.

Until you get an exemption certificate, read this on the same link:

You may get an NHS prescription charge refund if:

you get an NHS refund form (FP57) when you pay - you cannot get one later

your medical exemption certificate covers the date you paid for your NHS prescription

[EclipseMoon in reply to helvella]

Thanks, yeah I read those and got advice from the NHS medical exemption line. They said it’s all down to my doctor. Doctor says she doesn’t know so I guess I’ll wait and see what happens when I return the form!

[RedApple Administrator in reply to EclipseMoon]

Thyroid hormone is classed as an 'essential' medicine, which is why you don't have to pay for it. Your GP just needs to sign the form to say that you need it.

[EclipseMoon in reply to RedApple]

That’s what I thought, she thinks as I’m sub clinical it doesn’t count!

[RedApple Administrator in reply to EclipseMoon]

She's wrong! It's the need for thyroid hormone, not the test numbers that qualify you. Perhaps another GP with more sense could sign it instead. It doesn't have to be any particular GP, just one at the practise that issues the prescriptions.

[EclipseMoon in reply to RedApple]

I agree, I’ll see if she’ll sign it and try a different GP if not

[Italiangirl123 in reply to EclipseMoon]

Not only do you get exemption from prescription charges for levo but also for all other medications that you may ever be prescribed.

[GreenTealSeal]

hello,

I am subclincal and got the form accepted no problem a few months back.

I just ticked the box for hypothyroidism and there was no push back so worth a shot.

[EclipseMoon in reply to GreenTealSeal]

That’s good to hear, if this GP won’t sign it I’ll try another one!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your results show you have Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroid disease) you are hypothyroid as a result and therefore replacement thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) is essential

[TiggerMe]

I think most of us here are still classed as subclinical just because we didn't reach a TSH 10 level before starting treatment... wheels generally fall off way before then 🙃

I didn't have a problem getting the exemption

[HealthStarDust]

Technically, if you receive thyroid treatment such a Levothyroxine then you are eligible for the exemption and any doctor can sign the form. Clearly, some GPs are daft.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to HealthStarDust]

Almost - but not quite.

Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism - yes.

Levothyroxine as part of block and replace for hyperthyroidism - probably no. (But there seems to be a logical argument that the person is iatrogenically hypothyroid. Difficult to persuade anyone who is not supportive.)

Clearly, some GPs are daft. - clearly so!

[HealthStarDust in reply to helvella]

That’s the thing… at the end of the day all it comes down to is whether the GP wants to sign the form or not. For example, “Levothyroxine as part of block and replace for hyperthyroidism”, many are happy to sign for this probably due to the exact logical reason you’ve spelled out!

Too many daft GPs.

[Pebble23]

HiI had no difficulty getting the exemption with sub clinical.

[Doris11]

I get it I didn’t know it was on the list but the pharmacist told me ❤️

[EclipseMoon in reply to Doris11]

Thanks, I’m going to try!