Prescription NHS - Armour

[QUE6T-33]

Reading blogs/posts - seems some NHS GP's prescribe Armour, some won't,

What is the GMC's guideline on it's use? Is it permitted, under their guidelines?

Private Dr. is prescribing & know NHS/GP aint going to like!

Penny

[shaws Administrator]

This is an extract of a communication I received from the GMC. It is the doctors decision whether or not they prescribe on a named-patient basis:-

You also mention that your GP would not prescribe dessicated thyroid hormone for you on a ‘named patient basis’ (i.e prescribing unlicensed medicines). You indicate that doctors are worried about the possibility of disciplinary action by the GMC for that type of prescribing and so you may wish to be aware that paragraph 18 of the GMC’s Good Practice in Prescribing Medicines guidance says that doctors can prescribe unlicensed medicines and sets out the factors doctors must consider when issuing such prescriptions.

Finally, with regard to complaints about doctors, I can inform you that anyone can complain to the GMC about an individual doctor and that complaints are disclosed to doctors at an early stage of the GMC’s investigation process. We have a statutory obligation to investigate complaints that suggest a doctor’s fitness to practise may be impaired or that they may be a risk to public or patient safety. However, the GMC cannot order a doctor to provide the treatment a person wants. You can find more information about our complaint’s process (including a list of Fitness to Practice and Investigation Committee decisions) on our website at the following link: gmc-uk.org/concerns/complai...

I hope that this information is helpful in deciding how best to pursue your concerns about arrangements in the NHS for access to diagnostic tests and treatment for hypothyroidism.

*******

This is an extract from the BTA about Armour Thyroid and despite being reminded on a scientific basis that this statement is False - they do not amend it.

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Armour thyroid extract is desiccated animal thyroid extract which was superseded by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

*****

So, you will understand that we are at the mercy of opinions that are untrue, as I am well on dessicated thyroid. Levothyroxine made me more ill than before diagnosis and gave me far more /palps/illhealth/discomfort and pain .

[QUE6T-33 in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws,

I dont Know here we'd be , if it wasn't for the help we get from eachother. And Shaws, that was real helpful. Thanks very much for taking time.

Guess its while ago, but can I ask for idea of what your Thyroid Profile was at start of meds.

Thanks

Penny

[shaws Administrator in reply to QUE6T-33]

This took over 3 years.

I was undiagnosed. I had already consulted doctor about hoarseness and I didn't smoke who said I was fine. Got steadily more unwell and paid privately for two ENT doctors., the first two years before diagnosis who, after a barium swallow told me I had a post cricoid web and would choke if I didn't have a procedure (which I did - nothing there). I realised, eventually that the part of my neck he had indicated on the x-ray was my thyroid not a web.

I saw my GP and said I wanted a whole body scan as something was seriously wrong with me and I would pay for it myself. He reassured me - took blood tests and phoned me at home saying everything was fine - nothing wrong.

Feeling so bad. the next ENT diagnosed 'reflux' (as I was complaining of severe nausea). Went on a trip - visited the A&E (heart playing up). Collapsed at airport on way home. Straight to A&E, kept in overnight - had all tests, ran on treadmill - discharged next day with 'probably vira with high cholesteroll'. Was so ill asked for a home visit at 10pm two days laterl. Wouldn't.come - frantic husband. Friend suggested 'thyroid'- got blood test form, test at 8 a.m. and GP phoned two hours later to tell me to come and get a prescription. TSH was 100 and began 25mcg levo.

No one did a thyroid gland blood test and I was ignorant at that time too.

[QUE6T-33 in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws,

Yes no exactly what you went thro' its along, expensive journey to reach diagnosis. Glad you got there. And thanks for helping.

One more question, what made you change to Armour?

Thanks

Penny

[shaws Administrator in reply to QUE6T-33]

I haven't tried Armour but a couple of other NDT's but the one that suits me is Naturethroid plus some T3.

When I stopped levo I felt a lot better. I had begun to take T3 only and increased but I felt I could get a little better still, so I tried some NDT's.and eventually that worked for me.

[beverly8980 in reply to shaws]

Did synthroid help you

[shaws Administrator in reply to beverly8980]

No, (synthroid is USA) we in the UK get prescribed a generic levothyroxine. A few did get prescribed Eltroxin and appear to do well on it. On levo, I got even more unwell with many more symptoms. The Endo then added T3 and I felt a big improvement. I then got Eltroxin one week and, again, it was an improvement in my health but I now wanted to try other options as, by this time, I had joined Thyroiduk.org and got the info from them. I am well on either T3 alone or Naturethroid.

[Jackie]

Hi, yes some do. Mine will not even though allergic to levo. I have a private script form my endo, annoying, Try hard first!

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Clarebear]

My GP does but I live in fear of him changing his mind... Xx

[Hidden]

Mine cited cost, £30 a month

[Sparkles99]

Hello Shaws

Can I ask where you get your nature throid from? My GP won't prescribe armour anything other than levo.

Thank you