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"Poor treatment for Hypothyroidism"

About: NHS South Norfolk CCG Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital / Endocrinology

(as the patient),

I had radio active treatment for HYPERthyroidism, and it made me HYPOthryoid instead. I was ok for decades on the standard cheap Thyroxine medication. Then a few years ago, something changed drastically, and I became very ill, for nearly 2 years. I had such huge exhaustion I could only leave my house on a 'good' day. I had to stop driving more than a couple of miles, as I couldn't think how to control my car. Once I was too exhausted to call my partner in another room to ask them to make the evening meal, so I rang them on our house phone from my mobile as I lay on the sofa.  Many of my symptoms are extremely debilitating.  I had many tests and appointments with 4 doctors, and pressed my 3rd consultant to let me trial a new medication instead, as I had researched it.   My GP prescribed 4 weeks of this new medication and I got my life back. Fantastic.  

Then my GP was told by my CCG that they weren't allowed to give me any more, because of cost. Never mind that I could now function. 

Only one drug is used in UK, yet a minority of patients need a different drug. This medication ranges between £5 - £25 x 100 tablets in other countries, but NHS pays £920 x 100 tablets. I think it's a shocking waste of taxpayers' money. As it's so expensive, the NHS restrict it to a tiny number of patients. Thousands of others do need it, but we are not allowed as NHS think the cost is too high.   I feel like the peple who need this medication are being penalised for the procurement of the NHS.

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Responses

Response from Sarah Eastwood, PALS Manager, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 6 years ago
Sarah Eastwood
PALS Manager,
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 13/03/2018 at 10:14
Published on Care Opinion at 10:38


Dear Patient

Thank you for the comments you have made about treatment for hypothyroidism. I am sorry to read your concerns. Please contact me at pals@nnuh.nhs.uk and we will see if we can assist you further.

With kind regards

Sarah Eastwood, PALS Manager

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