About to move to UK- newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism

Hi guys-

I got my Tier IV visa a week ago and am flying to the UK on the 29th. However, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed about NHS/insurance coverage at the moment. I've had many, many health issues in the last three years and a lot of testing. I've been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis and IBS, as well as PFD and depression (these diseases all often tend to appear with one another).

However, after some recent blood-work, I my GP told me I have hypothyroidism. She referred me to a specialist who I am seeing tomorrow. Now I'm panicking a bit because I really want to be put on medication ASAP, but I am not sure how its going to work with moving to the UK and having my blood levels monitored. This isn't the type of thing you can just write a prescription for and send me on my way- I'll have to be monitored by a doctor there.

My question is, if I see a specialist/go on medication starting tomorrow, will the condition count as pre-existing and not be covered at all by NHS? I probably will anyway since I'm desperate to feel better, but then again if waiting two weeks to see a doctor in the UK for it will make a huge difference financially, perhaps I should.

You're entitled to full NHS coverage, pre-existing conditions included.  It's not like an insurance company.  

ETA: You should make sure to bring copies of your medical records with you, as it might help your GP to make a good transition of treatment for you.

Are you sure I'm entitled to full-coverage, even for chronic conditions? This is from the City University website (I'm going to Goldsmiths, but still...)

"Students on a course of six months or more
Students enrolled on a course that lasts for six months or more are entitled to treatment under the UK's National Health Service (NHS). This also covers any dependants who have accompanied you to the UK.

Most of the services offered by the NHS, such as visiting a doctor, are free of charge. However, some things are chargeable (such as medicines).
....
You are strongly advised to have a medical check-up before you arrive in the UK. If you suffer from a chronic illness, you should arrange treatment before you commence your studies, as pre-existing conditions may not be treated free under the NHS."

You shouldn't have any problems, the not free part is the £7.40 for the prescriptions (and if you need a lot of them there are prepayment plans you can do to make them cheaper). And there are some treatments and prescriptions that just aren't offered on the NHS, which might be what they are suggesting. But they should work with you on an alternative treatment plan.

You can look on the NHS treatment page for hypothyroidism to give you an idea what treatment looks like here and compare it to what they are suggesting in the states for you.

I don't know anything about tier 1 visas, but I do know about the nhs and thyroid conditions. Certain medical conditions entitle you to free prescriptions through the nhs. Thyroid conditions are one of them. If you have this entitlement, you can get ALL your prescriptions free, even those unrelated to the qualifying condition.

You are entitled to NHS coverage. My wife is American and diagnosed with a thyroid condition and that is one condition that entitles you to free medication on all prescriptions not just the thyroid medication, speak to the practice nurse at your GP's. They gave my wife the forms straight away when she was diagnosed.

The NHS covers pre-existing conditions, it doesn't work like health insurance.

I don't know anything about tier 1 visas, but I do know about the nhs and thyroid conditions. Certain medical conditions entitle you to free prescriptions through the nhs. Thyroid conditions are one of them. If you have this entitlement, you can get ALL your prescriptions free, even those unrelated to the qualifying condition.

I always forget that! I always just think some kinds of benefit and pregnancy qualifies one for the free prescriptions! Well spotted!

Are you sure I'm entitled to full-coverage, even for chronic conditions? This is from the City University website (I'm going to Goldsmiths, but still...)

As others have said, the NHS is not like health insurance. There's not really any such thing as 'having a pre-existing condition' on the NHS because everyone is entitled to treatment for just about anything (some drugs/treatment are not offered by the NHS, but that just means you might need to go private and pay for it yourself or with health insurance). The thing is that some people may not be able to get their treatment for free... visitors and people on certain visas may have to pay for certain types of treatment, but they are still entitled to be treated for their condition.

In terms of chronic conditions, people with certain chronic conditions (thyroid problems, diabetes etc.) can actually get all their prescriptions for free in England (as has already been mentioned in the thread). Prescriptions in Wales and Scotland are free anyway (for everyone). Also, pregnant women and people on certain government benefits can also get their prescriptions for free, and birth control is free for everyone.

My cousin, who is English has IBS and was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. This doesn't answer your specific question; but he has had excellent treatment in the UK... far comparable with that which is offered in the States. Also, my great-aunt had hypothyroidism and was treated well. Just saying NHS is pretty decent overall. Wishing you lots of luck and feeling well and on your way!

Up here in Scotland NHS prescriptions are now free full stop..

Also echoing the advice to bring copies of your tests and records.  I was diagnosed as insulin resistant before coming to the UK, but when I got here I found the tests were different and they used different measures to look at hormone levels.  My doctor was very relieved when I was able to produce a copy of my test results as it helped him understand specifically what I was facing.  He knew the general terminology, but wasn't able to know the degree for me (just as a random example--forgive me if I'm slightly off, diabetes blood sugar levels is measured in the 10s and hundreds in the US but from 1-5 in the UK, so the first time I heard someone talk about their blood sugar being a 3, I wondered how they survived )

Anyway, it took him longer and required some work, but my doctor copied my test results and arranged to meet with me again after he'd had time to get into his medical dictionaries and translate what all the numbers meant into the same system used in the UK.  This then helped him make decisions about my treatment without just subjecting me to the same battery of tests I'd already done a few months earlier.

I've found treatment to be quite balanced and fair overall--you sometimes have to wait a bit longer, but they are pretty good about making sure you are taken care of, and if it's really important, they do get to you pretty quickly usually and make sure you have help.  Good luck!

Up here in Scotland NHS prescriptions are now free full stop..

Yes, and I love it.  I get a few meds for my autoimmune condition (which wasn't one of the 'exempt conditions') and saving a few £££ every month helps!

(And Rx's are free in Wales and Northern Ireland as well for anyone reading this thread    - but for Wales and Scotland, you can only get them free if you're getting care from a Welsh or Scottish GP or get an exemption certificate and get your Rx's from a Welsh or Scottish Pharmacy.  All scripts are free in NI though!)

And I love the NHS and I really love my rheumatologist on the NHS, he's amazing!

He knew the general terminology, but wasn't able to know the degree for me (just as a random example--forgive me if I'm slightly off, diabetes blood sugar levels is measured in the 10s and hundreds in the US but from 1-5 in the UK, so the first time I heard someone talk about their blood sugar being a 3, I wondered how they survived )

Yeah in the US and certain parts of Europe, blood sugar levels are measured in mg/dl.  But in the UK, Canada, Australia, other parts of Europe, blood glucose levels are measured in mmol/L.  So a person without diabetes would in the US have typical fasting glucose levels of 70 mg/dl- 140 mg/dl but in the UK that's 3.8-7.8 mmol/L. 

Even the HbA1c (which essentially tells someone their 'average' reading over 3 months, though its not that simple) is slightly different in the UK, though I think after this year it is supposed to become universal worldwide. 

So this is quite helpful for anyone with Diabetes to know, as the meters and test results you get in either country are different. 

I guess my long winded response is, for anyone, with any condition, its helpful to find out what the actual meaning of your test results are, how they're measured, etc.  Usually they say this is best discussed through a GP or Nurse, etc so you don't panic, or misinterpret, etc but if you're me and you're curious and read loads and loads of medical journals ,etc, you just try and bash through it anyways. Lol!