25% of the population of Greece have Thyroid Problems ???

[Guest guest]

My daughter in-law who lives in Greece told me that 25% of the

population have thyroid problems. I find that this number is quite

high if true. There is also another problem over there. She was told

by her doctor that the medication Thyroxin (T4) is no longer

available due to manufacturing problems, and that she has to find a

sustitute medication or another source on her own.

Remember folks this is in Greece and not in the United States or

Western Europe. I did look up the medication and found that there is

an over all problem with the manufacture of this medication as the

FDA has pulled it from the market and required all manufacturers to

recertify and apply for manufacture and distribution again.

The problem is that the drug has a short shelf life and becomes

inactive. As a result it will have no or bennificial effect over time.

She had asked me to try and obtain this drug for her in the U.S., but

it is a prescription drug to begin with and it appears that it is not

readily available. I am aware of a drug called Synthroid which has

been available for over 40 years, but not thyroxin.

She also told me that she might be able to get it over the counter in

the UK. However, I am not familiar with British law regarding

prescriptions. Just to review, She is Greek. I am not. Her doctor has

told here that there are no other medications available in Greece as

Thyroxin is the only one permitted due to licensing, and that it is

her responsibility to find the medication even though is is not

effective.

The bottom line is that I would like a suggestion as to the viability

of her statement and a suggestion as to where she can go for

treatment. She had a thyroidectomy a number of years ago, and needs

this medication for obvious reasons.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Dick Fr....

Please reply to rfranklin@...

Remember, Never approach a bull from the front, a mule from the rear

or a fool from any direction.

[Guest guest]

I want to thank everyone who responded to my message this morning. I

have forwarded a number of the replies to my Son in Greece. I also

had an extensive phone conversation regarding this matter earlier in

the day. It is interesting that as of this morning their newspaper

announced that Thyroxine T4 was banned. There is no mention of a

replacement.

It appears that his epidemic was caoused by the fire and explosioin

of the Chernobyl Atomic Reactor. The prevailing winds carried high

concentrations of radioactivity into Yugoslavia, Albania, Afganastan,

Italy, Macedonia and Greece. All of these countries are suffering

with a high incidence of Thyroid diseases and cancers. In addiditon

to the airborne radioactivity, the radiation contamination was

introduced into the food chain as well. It appears that no one took

it very seriously since there was no acute reaction.

The main problem is that there doesn't seem to be enough effective

medication available, nor is there a complete understanding of how to

package and maintain the medication due to its short shelf life.

This looks like a good opportunity for the drug manufactures in this

country to come to the rescue.

Thanks again for your replies. It looks as if I have a lot of

homework to do.

Dick lin (rfranklin@...)

Never approach a bull from the front, a mule from the rear

or a fool from any direction.