how can i get a list of endriconologist in englan who will prescribe armour t3 t4 i live in wales where armour is banned

[Issy]

It isnt banned in Wales - or in Englan. It is available if your GP believes it is of benefit to you and other drugs will not be of benefit to you.

[Issy]

It is very difficult to find a GP who will prescribe Armour.

[Hidden]

thankyou for your reply my doc insists banned in wales as no doc in wales could monitor brenda

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Not quite clear what you are saying here?

As far as I know, the legal status of desiccated thyroid (such as Armour) is identical in England and Wales.

Standard syntheticT3 and T4, of course, can be prescribed anywhere in the UK.

Do you mean that all the Welsh PCTs have said they will not fund desiccated thyroid? If so, getting an England-based endocrinologist might not help as you could expect problems when requesting a repeat prescription from your GP.

[Hidden]

thanks helvella i only know what my gp told me. syas i would have to see a thyroid spec in england and obtain private scripts from him/her, no chemist in wales stocks armour brenda

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Hidden]

Almost any pharmacy can obtain Armour! All they need is account account with the specialist pharmaceuticals importer called Idis.

How about going to any pharmacy and asking if they have an account?

The pharmacy doesn't actually need to stock any - they simply need to be able to order some as and when needed. Should arrive within a few days most of the time.

People here certainly have said they get theirs through Boots. But around here, it was easier through a small, local pharmacy.

Nothing can force your GP to prescribe it. And, even if willing, your PCT might refuse to allow it to be funded. And any doctor in Wales could prescribe desiccated thyroid privately if they really wanted.

[Clarebear in reply to helvella]

Yes my local pharmacy who had never got hold of Armour before my prescription for it, get it through Idis (in spite of me telling them that it is cheaper through Pharmarama), as apparently the MHRA tell them which importer/wholesaler they have to use.

[shaws Administrator]

You don't give your history in the profile, so I assume you are hypothroid. If so you can post your latest thyroid gland blood tests including the ranges (figures in brackets) in another post and someone will comment upon them together with dose.

If your GP hasn't already done so ask your him/her to do a B12 and Vit d, plus iron, ferritin and folate.

My suggestion is this (I am not medically qualified) that all you may need is an increase in your meds or, if that doesn't make you feel better ask for a trial of T3 to your T4. If that works it will save you a lot of bother.

You may be able to get a private doctor or Endo who will let you trial Armour (but it doesn't work for everyone) but of course it could be expensive if you take into account the Fees plus the purchase of Armour. I think your GP should still take your blood tests which you can fax to the private person who will then advise you to increase/decrease your dose, although the main criteria should be 'how do you feel'.

This is an excerpt from Dr Toft ex President of the British Thyroid Association and you will see how low your TSH can go (it should definitely be under 1). It can even be suppressed and he also says if you don't feel well on levothyroxine you could add some T3 to the T4:-

The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range – 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

******

Many people do well on levothyroxine but they must be on an adequate dose to relieve symptoms. GP's shouldn't keep you within the reference range. I understand the desperation to get well and I am on a dessicated product at present.

[Jackie]

Hi Even some endo`s do not like Armour, their preference ( unless it does not work ) is usually Levo and T3. Have you had a Free T3 test? If so, even if it means you need to pay for it, then if T3 low, you may be able to prove to your GP that you need it. I, like lots of people need my FT3 to be near the top of range. My NHS Labs will no longer do FT3 tests,costs, so I have the intermediate test from Blue Horizon, see TUK bloods quote TUK 10 and with that it coasts about £ 60. Blue Horizon are really a well known Lab ( TDL ) used by all the private hospitals so doctors know they can be trusted!I have armour from my endo on a private script and also T3 on NHS fro GP. It is can work out quite expensive. to buy armour and always a problem in hospital as doctors hate it!

Jackie

[Hidden]

Pharmacies:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Might be helpful:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

If you would like our list of Private GPs drop me an email - [e-mail]

Louise

x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thankyou louise i would appreciate very much appreciate a list from. everyone is so supportive regars brenda not sure how all this works i amnot expert on technicals. like computers.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Brenda

I will drop you an email tomorrow - I have deleted your email from here though as I'm not sure that you wanted everyone to have it!

Louise

xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thanks louise told you iwas not to technical regards brenda

[Zephyrbear]

Personally, I think you're GP is telling you lies in order to stop you from asking for NDT. It is not banned in Wales or anywhere else. It is not an illegal substance and there is no reason for it to be banned. I would go back to your GP, challenge him and if he persists in this lie, report him and change your GP!

[Hidden in reply to Zephyrbear]

Hi Zephyrbear, well long story my friend came over from Malta took tonsilitis got free Dr appointment and free antibiotics I was so annoyed as i have had to pay for the last 9 years for my armour wrote to my mp he wrote to the trust they cameback and said Armour was not llicensed form of treatment and he also said that he queried how icame to get itas i told him in that my gp who has now left the practice gave me a private prescription i was so annoyed that i phoned him up andtold him that thousands of people were on it Ialso said thank god i can buy it as i had years of hell before i got it i live in Scotland where they tell you nobody pays for prescriptions what a lod of crap!!! Anne

[Hidden]

thanks zep even the private endi i saw told me the same armour banned inwales