Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

How does it work here? Do I just go to a family doctor and ask for a referral to a specialist (endocrynologist)?
Are you treated by an MD or ND?
Do they test TSH, Ft3 and Ft4 ot only TSH?
Would I need to pay for tests?
Do I need to pay for thyroxine? Can a family doctor give me a prescription?

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

I took Thyroxine in England. I am also an insulin dependent diabetic.

When I first arrived, I took all my medication to a walk in clinic and they examined me, asked me questions and then issued me with a prescription. This has been continued by my family doctor. The equivalent of Thyroxine in Alberta is called Synthroid.

Blood tests required by a doctor are free in Alberta. Prescriptions are not. My medical plan requires me to pay $4 for 100 tablets.

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

When I first got here (BC) I went to a walk in clinic and showed them my prescription bottle and told them when I last had a blood test. They wrote me a repeat prescription and gave a prescription for a blood test a year after my last one.

I get a blood test every year which I don't pay for. I pay for the thyroxine - I get a year's supply as it works out cheaper than refilling every month as there is only one prescription fee.

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

If your drugs are covered under fair phamacare, you are better off getting 90 days at a time, as this is all fair pharmacare will cover in one go. If you get a years worth, the other 9 months you are getting now, won't go towards your fair pharmacare deductible.

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

Are you moving to BC? As you will need to wait for your healthcare to kick in.

I'm hypothyroid and pregnant so currently requring monthly blood tests, which are $60 a time, they test all yes. There are not many family practices taking patients where i am so you just go to a walk in centre and i will stick with that one and that particular doctor unless i move.

When i have had my baby i will refer myself or get the doctor to refer me to a endocrinologist as i am interested in having T3 replaced also as UK only replace T4.

I got several repeat prescriptions over a few months before we arrived in BC in October to last me through my period when i am not covered.

Hope that helps :)

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

I'm hypo, I have free blood tests in Saskatchewan. I pay about $0 for my tablets but both my husband I have medical coverage.

I get tested for full blood work once a year, THS, T3, T4 every 6 months. I was tested yesterday for Thyroid antibodies, that's a first on me, I've never been informed about that before.

The treatment I get in Sask is very good.

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

Thank you, yes, this is very useful. I arrived in Vancouver in October, currently in Europe. I'm aleady covered by my partner's work, but not sure about the provincial healthcare. I have 200 tablets at the moment which will last me for ... 200 days. But I've just been diagnosed with Hashimoto's, so have had my dosage changed and need to have my blood tests done every 4 weeks, so this is my main worry. Thank you for the input!

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

I also just had my antibodies tested (mainland Europe, privately) and they came positive which means I have Hashimoto's. Im very disappointed with the treatment I had in the UK. They ONLY EVER tested TSH! The norms in the UK are also different from everywhere else in Europe. And when TSH is within the norm (mine always was), then they dont see it as a problem. Now I'm sure you know what it feels like to have TSH 3.68. Just because it's within the norm, doesn't mean I'm fine. I've been going privately do an endo in Europe and had everything else tested. My Ft3 and Ft4 levels are really low and the antibodies test is positive too. I'm really worried that when I go to a doctor in Canada, they will also base my treatment (or lack of treatment) on TSH only.

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

Thank you everyone for your replies. All very interesting.

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

Poor you, I know how you feel. I was always refused medication in the UK cos I was borderline and even though I had regular blood tests only my TSH was ever tested. I am in the normal range now with my synthyroid but it doesn't seem to be enough at the moment and I feel like I did years ago, hence the antibodies test.

I can only speak about Saskatchewan but the doctors here have been great. I just have to wait for the results of my last test to see why I'm feeling crap.

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

I found the UK absolutely rubbish with treating any type of Thyroid disorder, i was originally diagnosed when i was 16 (i'm now 32) with hyperthyroid and had total thyroidectomy at 20 and they never seem to have got my dosing correct, i feel that both T4 and T3 should be replaced as that is what my body is missing, but because of the cost they won't there is a petition going through currently to try and make this happen, so can't wait to see a Endo here!

They definitely will not just base it on TSH from my experience so far and that is 3 blood tests all with TSH, Free T4 and T3!

Keep us updated as i would be interested to know how you get on.

Good Luck

Anna :starsmile:

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

I'm hyper, my bloodtest's in BC are free but let's just say the monitoring or lack of it since my arrival in Canada so far has been crap. In the UK I used to go to a specific thyroid clinic, in Canada I have to take myself to the docs every few months to tell them I think I need a blood test and not once has anybody called me back to talk about the result, my med dose or even took my blood pressure (I check my blood pressure myself in rexall). I need to ask for my free T4 to be measured and have to check for my bloodtest result online via Vancouver coastal health's online result system My Ehealth. This post reminds me I should probable go to the docs and prompt them again :thumbdown:

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

Has anyone been to the thyroid clinic in St Paul's Hospital (BC)?
I've also heard that dr Thompson is supposed to be good. Has anyone seen him?
Let's keep this thread going as there's lots of useful info.

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

Umm no but i'm gonna google him!! :)

Re: Anyone with thyroid problems in Canada?
 

I have just been diagnosed as hypothyroid after years of asking for tests in the Uk my GP here said that my symptoms were hypo, she tested TSH t3 and t4. No charge for the tests. am o n Synthroid which is cheap. Am hoping to get antibodies tested as I am coeliac so this could be Hashimoto's. Am happy to be seen just by my GP but she hasn't mentioned a referral. Am also having B12 shots and they are dirt cheap, much cheaper than the tabs.