Medecine out of stock

[newtb]

Went to pharmacy as they owed me some iodothyronine. It's out of stock at the wholesalers and no idea when it will be back.

Can't take thyroxine as all it does is bump up my blood t4 levels.

Emailed my specialist - armour natural thyroid extract is illegal so that's not an option.

Trying not to worry - and failing!

Sorry to hear that OP, drugs do come and go randomly. Hopefully it’s an issue that is quickly resolved. Can your specialist not come up with another suitable alternative?

Would a different pharmacy, perhaps an independent have a supply?

Was the local independent one. Have to see what/if she replies tomorrow. Apparently there've been shortages since June.

The only other treatment for hypothyroidism is thyroxine, which as I said, doesn't work for me.

It’s not illegal to take non desiccated thyroxine like Armour it’s just not licensed in the UK. Many buy it abroad as they feel better on it.

Illegal to prescribe it in France, and has been for some time. Unfortunately, that's where I live.

Can you not buy it online without prescription?

The conversion between thyroxine/iodothyronine and natural dessicated thyroid extract is complicated and I don't know how it works. Then there's the whole question of finding a source that's both affordable and produced correctly.

Had a reply from my specialist who just said to try elsewhere. Good job it's not insulin or diabetics would be dying like flies.

3 years ago when on thyroxine I developed hypothermia, so can't help but worry.

Try different pharmacies. Phone then before you go there. One wholesaler doesn't supply all the chemist's in an area of the UK, hopefully its the same in France.

Thanks for all the replies.

Unfortunately there is only 1 manufacturer for iodothyronine in France. They had a problem with contaminated stock which was recalled. They can give no indication when it will be resolved and the alternative, thyroxine, does absolutely nothing for me.

Just shit-scared of putting on weight as before diagnosed and treated I put on 60kg.

Can you obtain a prescription internationally?

Not sure if I can get an international prescription. It's very hard to get hold of in the UK 'cos the makers upped the cost to about £700/ month. 3 packs (for a month) cost less than 15€.

In the UK would have both a medical and an age exemption. Not quite sure how it would work, though.

Have had a pps in the UK from my old GP who refused to treat me as forrin as it's too complicated, diff prescription pads, loads of forms to complete.

There may be a way, I found today but a pharmacy have to grovel to the makers and fill in loads of forms. They've asked the French association of endocrinologists not to issue any new treatments, but OK for new prescriptions for people already on it.

Complicated sometimes, la belle France !