Hello all! My family and I are moving to the UK, and I wanted to get a sense of what I can expect for my hypothyroid treatment.
I am currently taking both T4 (Liothyronine) and NP Thyroid (a type of porcine thyroid). Both doses are somewhat low as my thyroid is still about to manage some production on its own.
Are there doctors in the UK who are willing to prescribe these medications for me? It sounds like the NHS will only prescribe T4 medications. I would love a recommendation if that is something we can do in this group. I will be in southwest London.
Thank you for any advice you may have for me—it is much appreciated!
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Efsmama
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Make sure you bring with you a comprehensive copy of your medical history, preferably with recommendations for future treatment plan. Do you mean treatment on the NHS? It depends where you live but by and large the nhs will not prescribe NDT. In England my understanding is most ICBS have banned it's use. NICE have too. In my area the hospjtal NHS endos are only allowed to prescribe levothyroxine.
Private treatment - yes you will get ndt and liothyronine but not all private endocrinologists will prescribe. Some will it's a case by case situation.
In general, unlicensed medicines are not obtainable within the UK. Some, such as Armour, can be obtained privately. Not sure if anyone currently gets NP Thyroid.
It is legal to buy from abroad - for yourself and members of your household. Which might offer an opening to you. Though there are costs such as taxes on imported goods.
Some get liothyronine prescribed. Again, easier to get privately.
There are few thyroid hormone medicines in common between the UK and other countries. And even when the name looks the same, there can be differences. For example, Sigmapharm liothyronine in the UK is shown with the same formulation as elsewhere but is in 5 and 20 microgram dosages and has different tablet markings. And Eltroxin in the UK is wholly different levothyroxine formulation to Eltroxin in most other countries - and from a different company.
helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world. There is now a specific world desiccated thyroid document.
I highly recommend viewing on a computer screen, or a decent sized tablet, rather than a phone. Even I find it less than satisfactory trying to view them on my phone.
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines - UK
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and also liothyronine available in the UK. Includes injectables and descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.
Contains details of all known desiccated thyroid products including information about several products not considered to be Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT/Desiccated Thyroid Extract/DTE).
Contains details of all levothyroxine, liothyronine and combination products - excluding desiccated thyroid products. Details available vary by country and manufacturer.
The link below takes you to a blog page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones. You will have to scroll down or up to find the link to the document you want.
Which country are you coming from ? In UK you have to pay for your meds unless you go through All the NHS tests. You have to bring with you at least 6 months supply of your meds or more as it takes a long time to get liothyronine here and bring full history ( including blood test results ) of your thyroid condition and health. Some NHS doctors will Not give you liothyronine unless you meet the criteria. Only a hospital endocrinologist can prescribe liothyronine. NHS hospitals and GP 's have been banned from giving/ prescribing NDT. NHS doctors(GP) will only give levothyroxine ( T4) meds to you. If you can pay to go private you might get NDT as well as LIOTHYRONINE. But mainly they prescribe T4 - levothyroxine too.
Average private GP is £50. Private endocrinologist £250 per visit not including tests and prescription charges. Price of levothyroxine tablets private - £ 5 per 28 tablets
Price of liothyronine tablets or capsule £ 55 per 28 tablets or capsules up to £ 250 per 28 tablets ( depends on brand). Private prescription is about £ 25 to 50 for each item. You can take out Private health care here - recommend : Nuffield health.
Length of time to wait for NHS endocrinologist is roughly 6 months to a year.
Private endocrinologist is about 6 weeks to 3 months wait. :/
Seeing a private endocrinologist here does Not guarantee getting prescribed what you usually have. :/
Hello, thanks so much for all the info. I am coming from the US. Doctors here also mostly prescribe Levothyroxine. To get the kind of treatment I use typically means going to functional medicine practitioners here. Is that a pathway to less rigid prescribing there as well?
We don't those here in the UK. :/ It's private or NHS. :/ There is something called Country Health practices for thyroid disease. But they are also limited as to the brands and type of thyroid meds they can prescribe. And very expensive too.
I agree with most of what you wrote Shelleyblue. However I paid £200 (Londin based Endo) first visit. £150 follow up. Out of London £175 first visit and £140 follow up. I saw both Endos within 3 weeks. Both seen in last 12 months. Prices are more expensive in London.
Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email there’s a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3 and a few prescribe NDT
Initial consultation is typically £250 and follow up a little cheaper
Get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing before consultation
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Also VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
What is reason for your hypothyroidism
Autoimmune?
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)
NDT or T3 ….day before test split as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
I developed hypothyroidism in conjunction with Lyme disease about 10 years ago. All my hormonal systems (adrenal, sex, thyroid) went wacky for a while. The Lyme is under control now, but I still require thyroid meds.
sorry, I realized that I didn’t answer all your questions. My antibodies have never been elevated, can the reason for my hypothyroid still be auto immune if that is the case? In terms of vitamins, and supplements, I have a massive pill sorter like an old lady (which if I’m honest, I am closer to being than a young lady) and take a handful in the morning and night. This includes Vitamin D, B vitamins, iron, etc. It has always taken much more of a supplement than the average person for me to raise levels in my body so I take a lot and I am very consistent.
That was a typo on my end, thank you for clarifying! I’ve only ever been on T3 (Liothyronine) and Armor or other NDT meds. I’ve never taken T4-only meds, I’m not opposed to doing so, but I’ve been on what I’m currently taking and on a consistent dose for 5+ years and feel pretty good. I’d rather not rock the boat if I can help it 😅
it is not true that NHS GPs have been banned to prescribe T3, I am prescribed it by my GP and there are many many others. It tends to depend on where you live and the ICB that runs your area. It’s what’s known as a postcode lottery im afraid.
Those of us that have got it have fought long and hard and have had to prove countless times that we need it and need a NHS Endocrinologist that also works with your GP to make it work.
I can give you the name of a private Endo in SW London who is private but also NHS who I can recommend will be helpful if you want to send me a chat.
Endos here in the US are also not very flexible (They tend to discount the idea of subclinical hypothyroidism, and only wants to prescribe T4 and tell you if you still feel poorly. It is all in your head). Can private GPs prescribe thyroid medication in the UK? Functional medicine, doctors and more naturopathic GPs provide better care here.
It sounds like your Endo's are very similar to Endo's over in the UK.
Some private GP's will prescribe thyroid hormones but best to get a recommendation from someone who's seen any particular doctor.
Thyroid UK have a list of doctors and other practitioners. Email info@thyroiduk.org
You can make a post asking for feedback on a few names you pick, remember some work virtually these days too. Feedback has to be by private message so the post will be locked.
I am on T4 & T3 with a private Endo. NHS provides my Levo and I pay for the T3, that was just a lot simpler for me as the area I live in has limited Endos who will prescribe T3 and I didnt want to hang around and wait many months.
If you've never tried just Levo then you might be OK, it does suit the majority.
So are you on T4 and T3? Has that worked well for you? I am not opposed to dropping the NDT in favor of T4, but not if it will lead to feeling worse. 🙃
And you need to be aware that any GP has the right to refuse shared care. That is when a specialist/consultant writes to your GP and advises on a treatment plan, the GP then write the prescription. They can and do refuse, legally are allowed to do so. . Not just on Thyroid but other meds.
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And very expensive too. 
If my doctor won't prescribe NDT, can somebody recommend an online source please?
Doctors in Spain or France prescribing Natural thyroid 
Can I buy Armour in the UK
Dr Gordon Skinner – Sadly Missed
Obtaining NDT on prescription in the UK
