Please can someone advise if they have had similar experience.
I put in my usual request at my GP for my thyroxine. I then received a txt message saying rejected on account of being too early and that I was overdue on blood tests. I had never been asked to have a blood test, if so I would have happily had one.
So I went to the practice to collect the blood form which simply said TSH. I tried to explain that I had never been asked to do a blood test. The receptionist was clearly not interested. I said I attend the hospital and have bloods 6 monthly with the consultant endocrinologist. She rudely said he doesn’t issue the drugs we do. So I dutifully went to the local hospital and had the blood test the next day. At which point I went back to the GP practice to say I had been and I was now getting low on my thyroxine. I was told I could only have 2 weeks supply and to come back next day for the prescription. Back again next day for the 2 weeks supply. I then wrote out a request for my 3/12 supply and went back again today to find out it had not been issued no explanation as to why. The receptionist began arguing saying you recently had a 2 week prescription. I explained that was over week ago and this medication was for a lifetime. She said I don’t know why they haven’t been issued and walked off saying come back tomorrow. I could have cried why would a GP want to withhold my medication and not issue my 3/12 supply. I have existing anxiety and this just adding to it. When I go tomorrow it will be the 5th time. If it isn’t issued I will be unable to go until next week due to work commitments. By which time I will be extremely low on my supply.
Any advice would be appreciated as I’m feeling I am being poorly treated.
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Summerlove
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Shocking to be left on what is really a starting dose for so long while symptomatic.Why should we have to fight so hard for a lifelong medication.Is there another GP at the surgery who might be worth a try? I know myself they are in short supply and are obsessed with TSH. Maybe down the line you may have to add a little T3 but it's too early to say as your levo dose is so low.
Impossible to see any GP at the practice. You have to phone at 8am takes hours to get through then they say no appointments try again tomorrow. Been at the practice 4 years never seen a doctor only the nurse.
Could your medication be under review? This only just happened to me. I had to ask three times for my levo prescription and the pharmacy has had to give me tablets to tide me over until the order comes in since it took so long to get my medication reviewed.
Can you go see another doctor ? This is cruel behavior on the doctor and his staff and you should talk to the practice manager if they have someone and take your spouse with you.
Looking At Prebendal posts you’ve been woefully treated
50mcg is only the standard STARTER dose Levo
No wonder you struggle to maintain vitamin levels
When on inadequate dose levothyroxine this results in poor gut function, low stomach acid and poor nutrient absorption as direct result
ESSENTIAL to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 plus vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin at least annually
Low vitamin levels results in poor conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) and as result tends to lower TSH because Ft4 is higher and Ft3 lower
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune
have you had both TPO and TG antibodies tested and/or ultrasound scan of thyroid
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
If this were me I would contact the practice manager, explain what has been happening and insist both on a 25mcg dose increase and also your usual Levo prescription. I hope it goes well for you.
Advice re the surgery. I'd write a letter to the practice manager and say you are not happy with the person with whom you spoke. And ask why you have not been given the meds you need.
Sounds like they will keep you running on a 2 week script otherwise would be in danger of causing harm by withholding necessary medication. If you can afford it (c£25) I would be inclined to do the basic Monitor my health thyroid fingerprick test for t4, tsh and importantly t3. MMH is an nhs lab so the docs at your practice cannot argue with their results. You can get results within a few days if you do it on a Mon/tues. Post your results on here. Whilst you’re waiting, book a nonurgent gp appointment because you’re feeling unwell. Then explain the problems to your GP about accessing the medication and highlight any issues relating to the (probably inadequate ) dosing. Only the GP can alter the frequency/amount. The receptionist clearly hasn’t been well trained by the practice manager which is a separate issue that needs dealing with but you could write to PM to help clarify the policy re having only a 2 week supply and the attitude you’ve experienced from receptionist causing you great stress.
I really hope they do not do that it would be totally impractical and unfair. Would they withhold insulin from diabetics? I don’t think so. I’m even stressing about going up there due to conflict my stress levels are sky high over this
If you are still under the Endo, then the Endo is the one in charge of your dose. They tell the GP what to prescribe. They have done the blood tests and should have sent the results to your GP. So your GP practice does have blood results and should prescribe what the Endo tell them to. Getting your regular prescription at the moment is the most important thing.
The fact you have been badly treated is another matter which can be sorted over the next few weeks, but to not give you a prescription leaves them legally liable. Insist on speaking to the Practice Manager, insist on your regular prescription, and then take it from there. Ask the Practice Manager to liase with the Endo secretary, tell them you are too ill with the stress of all this to fight for a life saving drug.
I hope you get this sorted, and sending a hug to help.
So sorry to hear this, it really makes my blood boil.
Sounds like a good idea to write to the practice manager. If you go this route the good thing is I think you could copy and paste a lot of your letter from your original post in this thread as you've described the situation very clearly.
Best of luck getting it sorted, we're all behind you.
So sorry to hear you are going through this. I used to belong to a practice with all the staff being like this, especially the receptionists, the doctors were never much help and stood up for their staff, saying they were so busy, but while waiting I could hear the staff laughing and discussing their nights out, etc., they don't know what busy is, when I think of some of the jobs I have had. I have moved now and my GP practice in Northumberland couldn't be more different, the staff are lovely, they smile at you, yes and want to help. Could you write to your Endocrinologist and ask them to prescribe at least a monthly prescription?
Excellent advice given above - I would just add that if you are under an Endocrinologist who is carrying out regular blood testing, you can ask for a copy of those results, ( my Endo did this by email, no problem ), which might get you some leverage with your recalcitrant GP. Please keep plugging away.
Thank you for your support. I have all the copies of my bloods with the endo and he always cc in the GP. I have just got back from the GP and surprise surprise prescription not done. Come back tomorrow which will be my 7 th attempt. Apart from my time it’s costing in petrol too. I asked for practice managers name and again surprise previous one has left. They have had so many in 4 years. I have her name now and will be writing to her now. I asked to speak to her of course she was off today.
I am not British so forgive me if I have something off, but didn't someone state that Roseway Labs will also do levothyroxine prescriptions? Does that take one off the NHS covering it? I know most people go there for liothyronine or NDT, but could this not be a possibility?
I am so sorry. You should not have to deal with this utter nonsense.
I am so sorry you are experiencing this. I have always found that if I send an email to the surgery that I do get a response but having said this I already have a "named" GP assigned to me at the surgery. Maybe when you next phone or attend the surgery you could ask for the name of your assigned GP that you registered at the surgery under, and also ask for the surgery's admininistration email address and then address any email you send directly to your assigned GP. It might prove helpful. Hope so, and hope you get this issue sorted.
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