Underactive thyroid (armour) GP or consultant

DublinMember

I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid a few years back and was prescribed eltroxin by an endocrinologist.

I then moved overseas and the doctor I went to put me on armour tablets.

So now that I have returned back to Ireland, I need to get a new prescription. After searching through boards, I found Dr Margaret Griffin, who will prescribe Armour. However after calling the mobile number, I got a message advising that she is away until July 12th, and there doesn't appear to be any other way to make an appointment. So I'm concerned my medication will run out by the time I get to see her.

The only other doctor I could find in Dublin, in Blackrock, to be horrendously expensive.

As my thyroid levels are stable, and I've been on the same dosage of Armour for more than 12 months, I feel that I don't need a full consultation, instead I need regular blood tests and a regular prescription.

So I have really a few questions.

Is there any way to make an appointment with Dr Griffin before 12 July? I could only find her mobile number.

How can I find a doctor other than Dr Griffin that will prescribe Armour?

Do I need to keep paying consultant fees? Or will a GP suit?

And is there some way I can get a blood test before seeing a consultant/doctor so that I only need a single appointment in order to get my prescription sorted?

Thanks for your help.

RentDayBlues

Most docs wont prescribe it in Ireland I'm afriad. My doc is fairly progressive, so I'll PM you his details and you can call and ask

cltt97

As said before it will be very difficult and I'd say there is little hope you will find someone in the short term to prescribe it. it is also an off licence medicine and chances are it will have to be ordered in for you, which can take a couple of weeks or longer, so you might consider ringing your oversees doctor, explain the situation and get them to give you a prescription that someone you know oversees can fill for you and post it out to you. this will give you more time to find someone here. I'd also advise that you get a letter or something from this oversees endocrinologist confirming that you were put on armour and how much.
regarding blood tests - you need a referral from a GP for a blood test (in a hospital), so not sure any GP would give you that without seeing you first. some GPs take blood themselves (on certain days) and charge extra for that.
good luck - but I'd say you have little chance of finding a GP that will prescribe it without an endocrinologists recommendation and most of them won't have even heard of it!

DublinMember

Thanks for your replies and thanks for the PM RentDayBlues.

It looks like I'll have to revert to Eltroxin, but at least I have a recommnedation for a good doctor! Thanks !

Sophie_80

Hi All,

I just read through your messages and was hoping you might be able to help me. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and Hashimoto – but this was by a doctor in Germany. I live in Ireland and my German doctor said it’s important I have a doctor in Dublin that can regularly check that I’m getting the right medication (at least at the beginning of the treatment).

It seems to be really difficult to find a doctor for thyroid problems. I was hoping someone here could recommend a doctor?

Thanks for your help!

cltt97

Any normal GP should be able to do this. The norm is to start on 50mcg Eltroxin and go for bloodtests every 6 weeks and increase the dose accordingly. Let us know where (in Dublin) you're based.

lynnsback

DublinMember - what dosage of armour are you on? A certain doc you mentioned will only precribe miniscule amounts (1.5 grains maximum - I am SEVERELY hypo on that dose and need about 4 to feel good); so be careful. Many docs here are so conservative and most do not understand armour or hypothryoidism in general.

armabelle

DublinMember wrote: »

It looks like I'll have to revert to Eltroxin, but at least I have a recommnedation for a good doctor! Thanks !

that is probably what they want!

Gremlinertia

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