Hypothyroid Medication

So, I'm still awaiting my visa, but might as well get a jump on a few things. Been reading that the hypothyroid medication I've been on for the last decade, Armour/Nature Thyroid, is not licensed in the UK. Anyone know anything about this and how one might go about getting round it? I was on the synthetic options previously, and it wasn't pretty. Thanks!

So, I'm still awaiting my visa, but might as well get a jump on a few things. Been reading that the hypothyroid medication I've been on for the last decade, Armour/Nature Thyroid, is not licensed in the UK. Anyone know anything about this and how one might go about getting round it? I was on the synthetic options previously, and it wasn't pretty. Thanks!

This looks promising.

http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatment/where_to_get_desiccated.html

I'm on Armour and my US doctor set me up to have access to 2 years of medication.  Once I run out in a year and a half I will go back to ordering Thyroid-S online.

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This looks promising.

http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatment/where_to_get_desiccated.html

That does look promising!! Thank you

I'm on Armour and my US doctor set me up to have access to 2 years of medication.  Once I run out in a year and a half I will go back to ordering Thyroid-S online.

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Thyroid-S isn't FDA or MHRA approved, is it? I might be thinking of something else.

Thyroid-S isn't FDA or MHRA approved, is it? I might be thinking of something else.

It isn't. But it's been a Godsend for those who can't get a prescription for Armour. I used it for a couple of years until I found a doctor willing to prescribe Armour.

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It isn't. But it's been a Godsend for those who can't get a prescription for Armour. I used it for a couple of years until I found a doctor willing to prescribe Armour.

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Ah, okay! Yeah, its usually a bit of a fight, but I have taken to showing up with a copy of my dissertation (on Hashimoto's and general hypothyroid disease), and that usually squashes any opposition. I'll look into it, though, just in case! Thanks

Just an interesting update for folks starting out with the NHS system and not knowing what to expect:

I had my first appointment with a GP yesterday. It took quite a bit of time to get the required docs (official mail, my BRP-which isn't normal, but mine was messed up) so I could register, but once that happened, they were able to give me an appointment in about three weeks.

Was super worried as my meds are not licensed in the UK and alternatives are not covered by the NHS. Amazingly, though, I spoke with the GP and gave her my history (had printouts of medical history from US physicians), and she agreed I should try to stay on my existing medication. She's initiating what sounds like a rather long process to get 'named patient' permission from the NHS, but she didn't fight me on it AT ALL.

Very pleasantly surprised!

Will post an update as things progress, as I imagine this process will be a long one and hopefully of interest/benefit to other folks on thyroid meds!

Just an interesting update for folks starting out with the NHS system and not knowing what to expect:

I had my first appointment with a GP yesterday. It took quite a bit of time to get the required docs (official mail, my BRP-which isn't normal, but mine was messed up) so I could register, but once that happened, they were able to give me an appointment in about three weeks.

Was super worried as my meds are not licensed in the UK and alternatives are not covered by the NHS. Amazingly, though, I spoke with the GP and gave her my history (had printouts of medical history from US physicians), and she agreed I should try to stay on my existing medication. She's initiating what sounds like a rather long process to get 'named patient' permission from the NHS, but she didn't fight me on it AT ALL.

Very pleasantly surprised!

Will post an update as things progress, as I imagine this process will be a long one and hopefully of interest/benefit to other folks on thyroid meds!

Great news!  Sounds like you found a great GP right out of the gate!

Just an interesting update for folks starting out with the NHS system and not knowing what to expect:

I had my first appointment with a GP yesterday. It took quite a bit of time to get the required docs (official mail, my BRP-which isn't normal, but mine was messed up) so I could register, but once that happened, they were able to give me an appointment in about three weeks.

Was super worried as my meds are not licensed in the UK and alternatives are not covered by the NHS. Amazingly, though, I spoke with the GP and gave her my history (had printouts of medical history from US physicians), and she agreed I should try to stay on my existing medication. She's initiating what sounds like a rather long process to get 'named patient' permission from the NHS, but she didn't fight me on it AT ALL.

Very pleasantly surprised!

Will post an update as things progress, as I imagine this process will be a long one and hopefully of interest/benefit to other folks on thyroid meds!

Do you have an update on this?

I just had my labs done and have my appointment with my GP in 2 weeks to talk about my meds... synthroid has already been mentioned and I'm not going back on that again. I still have a good amount of Armour left so I'm in no danger of running out in the short term but now I need to plan long term.

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Do you have an update on this?

I just had my labs done and have my appointment with my GP in 2 weeks to talk about my meds... synthroid has already been mentioned and I'm not going back on that again. I still have a good amount of Armour left so I'm in no danger of running out in the short term but now I need to plan long term.

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Not just yet. I have a follow up appointment at the end of this week. I've been on levo since I ran out of armour in December, because the doctor couldn't get armour straight away obviously. To be honest, I'm completely wrecked. Gained a bit of weight, skin is a disaster, hair falling out...the usual fun. Hopefully she's made some progress and I can get this sorted. Will let you know!

I'm a bit curious about this too, as my most effective medication isn't licensed in the UK either (although there are numerous patients who wish it was). It's licensed as eye drops but not nose spray, and the spray costs $300/mo in the US so I can't quite afford to just buy it. I've tried all the alternatives and none are nearly as effective. So... If you have luck I'd love to know the process

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Sadly it doesn't look like I'll be getting my armour thyroid. My GP is sympathetic, but she's said it'll be easier to just try to sort out the best dose of levothyroxin. If I don't stabilise in about six months, she says she'll revisit or consider adding a synthetic T3 like cytomel or something.

C'est la vie...we'll see how it goes, I guess!

Sadly it doesn't look like I'll be getting my armour thyroid. My GP is sympathetic, but she's said it'll be easier to just try to sort out the best dose of levothyroxin. If I don't stabilise in about six months, she says she'll revisit or consider adding a synthetic T3 like cytomel or something.

C'est la vie...we'll see how it goes, I guess!

That sucks, I hope you get your dosage sorted quickly.

That sucks, I hope you get your dosage sorted quickly.

It does, but I knew that was the most likely outcome. If it gets unbearable, I'll fly myself back to the US and get it there! Not ideal, but we do as we must!