Last night when Obama referred to the fact that 34 states offered 4 or less insurance companies to chose from, I thought he was moving towards allowing us to purchase health coverage across state lines. He moved on quickly to our need for choice and competition for the insurance companies to keep them honest. He made a strong point of holding private insurance companies accountable. Obama’s solution was not what I had hoped, instead it was the government “Public Option”! In other words, he is going to force private insurance companies to compete with government backed Public Option, to keep them honest?
Obama talked about the waste in Medicare, if there is so much waste then why do we need to wait for a Health Care/Insurance Reform bill to cut out or cut down existing waste? If he is so sure there is waste, has been able to identify where the waste is, can make this determination and know just how much money the government would save, what are we waiting for … let’s stop this waste immediately!
This week I personally experienced Medicare waste, however it is not caused by inefficiency or bad medical practice … It’s caused by my Doctors fear of Malpractice Insurance and the lack of tort reform. I had no idea that a medication that I have taken for over 20+ years, Armour Thyroid for the treatment for people with Hypothyroidism, is now a medical controversy.
The problem I’m experiencing is a shortage of Armour Thyroid, (for further information see below) because of this shortage all the other generic formulas that contain both T3 and T4 are running short in supply. The only prescription medications for hypothyroid still available are the synthetics which contain only T4. My doctor would not prescribe “2″ medications that would give me both the T3 and T4 (which my body needs) because there is (10 year) controversy in the medical community over the 2 medications. He was honest with me and told me the only reason he couldn’t prescribe these medications was that it posed a potential problem for his malpractice insurance. When I reminded him that I feel terrible on Synthroid and asked him what I could do … He referred me to a specialist, Endocrinologist, who specializes in body chemistry … The first appointment they have available is December 23, 2009. That is a little over 3 1/2 months from now.
Waste: short visit to primary care physician for prescription refill vs new doctor, 1st Doctors Office Visit (higher cost), additional blood tests, ultra sound of the thyroid gland and a possible CAT scan. In addition, a follow up visit to go over the test results and prescribe medication. And additional cost to Medicare – a min of $1,000
Effect to Patient: body chemistry will radically change causing loss of energy, depression and mental confusion. Having to adapt to a new synthetic medication takes 2-4 weeks, then changing again to the needed medication with a wait time of 3 1/2 + months, once a new prescription is issued, an addition 2-4 weeks to having your body chemistry balance … although it can be more difficult to adjust the dosage at this point. (My appointment is December 23 … the day before the beginning of Christmas holidays … which means it will be sometime in January before all test can be done, back to doctor and a 2nd appointment made, final results to get a new prescription).
Cause: Lack of Tort Reform and Doctors fear of Malpractice Insurance guidelines
The additional information below provides more specific details if you are interested in either the problem with Armour Thyroid or dealing with Hypothyroidism.
Your thyroid gland controls your metabolism (cellular energy) and when it’s low, every system in the body is affected. Hypothyroidism is fairly common for women over 60.
Low thyroid affects the immune system (chronic sinusitis, colds, flu), brain chemistry (low moods, anxiety, ADHD, poor memory), reproductive system (infertility, PMS, irregular menstrual cycles), digestive system (constipation, bloating, gas), sleep/wake cycle (poor sleep), nervous system (tingling/pain in hands, feet), pain threshold (more pain) headaches, and of course overall energy or metabolism (and weight control).
I have had hypothyroidism for over 20 years and have been taking a medication called Armour Thyroid. With Armour, I have no problems and no side effects. Armour is a brand and made from naturally desiccated thyroid product. Armour contains both T3 and T4, which are hormones that feed the thyroid gand. Synthetic thyroid products contain only T4. Suddenly the supply of Armour Thyroid has become next to impossible to find. According to their web site:
Statement from Forest Laboratories Re: Availability of Armour Thyroid
Forest Laboratories and its supplier understand how frustrating the back order situation of Armour Thyroid is for patients, and we apologize for the supply interruption.
Forest Laboratories is working closely with its supplier of the product’s active ingredient, powdered Thyroid gland, and both companies are working diligently to return to normal supply levels as quickly as possible.
There are many complicated steps involved in the supply chain for a naturally desiccated thyroid product like Armour Thyroid. One factor in the supply interruption involves the manufacturing of a sufficient quantity of powdered Thyroid gland. American Laboratories, Inc., the sole U.S. supplier of Thyroid Powder Products, is working as quickly as possible to provide Forest with a sufficient quantity of this ingredient.
Forest is addressing the backlog of Armour Thyroid as quickly as possible, however, we are not prepared at this time to give a definitive date by which the product will be fully restocked.
Please check for future updates on the availability of Armour Thyroid through the Forest product availability toll-free hotline at (866) 927-3260.
In the meantime, we encourage patients to speak with their physician regarding appropriate treatment for their condition.
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