Are some private endos prescribing NDT so they can keep you as a private patient?!

[Smpeat]

Corresponding with a member on here today I found in writing a brief description of my private treatment that I am beginning to question some Endo’s motivation for trialling NDT first rather than Liothyronine. Is it maybe a cynical plan to keep you private as NDT is not available on the NHS whereas Liothyronine can be prescribed on the NHS if a good case is put forward for it?

I feel a bit trapped now as I am doing ok on NDT, although still have some annoying symptoms, but finding the private costs too much. I think my private Endo would be willing to trial me on Liothyronine but the thought of having to go through a change of meds is just too daunting. Just wish he had tried me with Liothyronine first. By now I could possibly be having treatment on the NHS and have more money to do things that make life worth living!

[Hidden]

Everyone’s different but I haven’t found that to be my experience of private health care at all. Did you express any interest in trying NDT?

I’ve found some dr just out right prefer NDT over synthetic meds as I was told you can adjust dose a lil quicker, it’s a bit more gentle and you can go more off things like symptoms and body temp etc. (just what a dr told me last year)

I was prescribed t3 privately to try first as it is cheaper than NDT. What I like about private care is that it’s so much more about what I want to do as the patient and being guided by the doctor rather than just told!

[Smpeat in reply to Hidden]

That’s all very well but I am a pensioner with no work pension, so it’s a strain to keep well.

[Hidden in reply to Smpeat]

I’m not well enough to work either currently.I was just answering your question based on my experience w private care.

[Smpeat in reply to Hidden]

Yes thank you just expressing my general frustration.

[Hidden in reply to Smpeat]

Ah okay, sorry! I totally agree with you btw! I feel it’s totally backward we have to pay to get the care we need, makes my blood boil.

[AKatieD]

I started on NDT over 10 years ago and feel in an ideal world it is a better solution with the variety of thyroid hormones in it. But a few years ago there were quality issues with some brands and Armour is soo expensive, so I switched to T3 to be certain of a consistent product.

Never had either from NHS and no help from g.p so self source. Very few people get anything other than T4 from NH S so you would be very lucky to get anything different there.

Agree that private health care is more focussed on your needs and takes your wants into account, rather than just cost. If you say to them you would like T3 I am sure they would help you switch as it was not a big deal.

[Patriciawoodward]

I was referred to a consultant endocrinologist and decided to go private to get a quick response as I was not well on levothyroxine only. As soon as I was stable on liothyronine, which really didn’t take too long in improving some of the worst symptoms, the private endocrinologist referred me back to the NHS. He also said that if my GP demurred in writing me up for T3 on NHS he would write to him and explain why he had to do so.

So in my experience going private first was a good choice. I now have my combined therapy through NHS prescriptions, and I am now free of hypo symptoms.

[Smpeat in reply to Patriciawoodward]

That sounds great. My regret is I didn’t think it through and agreed to start with NDT with the private Endo as was desperate to change my medication, I was loosing a lot of weight while on Levo only but GP didn’t think it was related to my Hashimoto’s. Now on NDT with a good level of FT3 my weight is now normal. If I had started on Liothyronine would I have had the same result, who knows?

I’m not confident to self medicate so need medical support, just wish I could get back into the NHS but it means changing to Liothyronine, Will it work for me as well as the NDT does? Need to discuss with private Endo.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

If you are settled and know what you are doing you can probably get a private prescription for NDT from Roseway Labs and this would cost you £50 for initial consultation and £30 every six months thereafter. … just a thought, I’m a big fan, I’ve never seen an endo, their pharmacist prescriber has been super helpful. My lio costs me £60 every 3 months.