And how do you convince a doctor to prescribe NDT? Any advice please

[Woodhouse]

Having reading a few books now and lots on this site, NDT seems like the optimal solution to treating hypothyroid How on earth do you persuade a doctor to prescribe it? Think I might need to go one step at a time though as i need to convince her first that my thyroid is still a problem!

[Clarebear]

Hi Woodhouse - I think you are right with one step at a time. I have managed to get my GP to prescribe NDT but first I was lucky enough that my blood tests showed a possible conversion problem. Have you got some TSH, fT4 and fT3 results to post on here that might help with that?

Although I think this helped convice my sceptical (private) endo to prescribe a trial of NDT for me, really I think it came down to having done my research on here. When I asked had the info to back me up, he reluctantly offered to supervise me on a trial and said he would rather prescribe privately, than me order off the internet.

Then when my GP saw the massive improvement, he agreed to prescribe for me on the NHS.

Sorry I haven't described that very well but hope it might be helpful. xx

[Woodhouse in reply to Clarebear]

Thanks it is helpful Think next stage is to get more info like FT3 and vits/iron etc then I'll be better informed to make my case It takes ages all this which is very frustrating but hopefully will get there

[shaws Administrator]

Hi woodhouse

This is an extract from the British Thyroid Association and you will see that as regards Armour they state it is more variable between batches but Dr Lowe did write to them with scientific proof that levothyroxine has had more recalls than dessicated products but they refused to answer him. I, who is now on a dessicated thyroid product will say, after my experience on levothyroxine, that I have improved beyond what I expected. Others will also say that they cannot get on with it but I believe eveyrone is entitled to a trial if they are still unwell on T4.

I was struck by this extract in which the BTA say that GP's can prescribe for Armour:-

Armour thyroid extract

Armour thyroid extract is desiccated animal thyroid extract which was superseded by

synthetic thyroxine in the 1960s. It must be obtained from the USA. Although not

normally prescribed in the UK, because it is not licensed for use, it can be given

through the NHS if specific arrangements are made on a named patient basis.

According to the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, it is the

decision of individual NHS Trusts as to whether an unlicensed product like Armour is

made available on a NHS or private prescription.

Armour thyroid extract is not recommended by endocrinologists as standard thyroid

hormone replacement treatment, as the amount of thyroid hormone is more variable

between batches than it is in thyroxine tablets. Furthermore, the ratio of T3 to T4 in

Armour thyroid extract tablets is higher than is normally secreted by human thyroid

tissue, resulting in potentially harmful levels of T3 (one grain, about 60 mg, of

desiccated thyroid extract contains about 38mcg of T4 and 9mcg of T3). The

position of the BTA is set out in a statement (british-thyroidassociation..... Although some patients wish to take Armour, for

instance, because they perceive it to be ‘natural’ rather than ‘synthetic’, there have

been no scientific studies that compare it to thyroxine, and there is a theoretical

reason based on the ratio of T3 to T4 to believe it could have adverse effects.

[Woodhouse in reply to shaws]

Thanks It does seem to be a minefield of different opinion and it's good to know who says what Good to know that they CAN prescribe it

[shaws Administrator in reply to Woodhouse]

Many GP's will not, so don't be disapointed - we just have to produce some evidence and hope they will give a trial at least. Most times it is the cost.

[Jackie]

Hi I am allergic to thyroxine so have to take Armour and T3 ( low FT3) but I have to buy my armour on private script. I think you will find only exceptional GP1s will prescribe it as it is "not on their lists" I do know that a lot of non endo consultants do not like it! Stories! Quite a few endo`s will prescribe it, mostly privately but they usually prefer to try T4 ( thyroxine) and T3 first, as " they" think it is better!.

Good luck with getting it!

Jackie

[Woodhouse in reply to Jackie]

How do you go about getting it prescribed privately? I have thought about looking into the option of self medicating by buying through the internet but would prefer to do under guidance of someone Does Dr P do that? Been thinking about trying to see him as I don't live too far away

Edited by Admin in line with our Guidelines

[Jackie]

Hi I am pretty sure that Dr. P advices you, now he is not longer allowed to prescribe.Can I suggest that if you do that you make sure you have TSH T4 and Free T3 tested,now and again You can always use the site for bloods without a doctor! I have mine from a very good and reasonable ( in every way) endo.,she consults at Warwick Nuffield ( leamington Spa. ) on a Saturday. I do not know where you live.D. S. I know is dearer and he will give private scripts.I hope that is some help. Any more info send me a Pm ( click on pretend picture) If you buy from a pharmacist shop around, my script can vary by £100 depending where I go. best wishes,

Jackie

[debjs]

My GP prescribes Armour on a named patient basis. I was very unwell on Levo and same symptoms on T3 so was taken off everything for 3 months and even though have no thyroid improved though of course blood results were all over the place. In the end the consultant said I guess we better try 'pig stuff' but I had already taken info from TUK to my GP and after making some enquiries she was happy to prescribe it.