As a child under 5yrs of age my government exposed me and many others to radiation in Hanford WA

[Stargazer99]

It took the government 60 yrs to tell me because a reporter went to work on Hanford and found it out.
It takes two types of thyroid for me to function. United Health Care kept telling pharmacy they had allowed the thyroid prescription to be filled. Which was true for one of the thyroids but not the other one so they denied coverage. United either pulled a fast one or the checkers for United meds not needed. United informed the pharmacy they had filled the prescription. the problem was they made that conclusion only on the one prescription they had ok'd but not the other one because they were too stupid to check it out. It was recorded in my file as I had taken the 2nd one for over 2 yrs. I have a weak heart and not having the 2nd thyroid probably killed me eventually. I had to spell out both thyroid names before it dawned on United Health Care they had only filled the one. I guess it was just too difficult to read my file where they would have found their error. This is one example of why for profit business should NEVER be involved in health care

[Ms. Toad]

1. That particular mistake isn't really connected to for profit healthcare.

We've been fighting to get my spouse's continuous glucose monitors covered by Medicare for 3 weeks. She's on insulin, and is regularly having (life-threatening) lows overnight. If the alarm doesn't wake us up, she might not wake up. It turned out to be just a series of miscommunications, missed communication, the the complexity of a medical device which can be covered by both Rx coverage and medical coverage. I'm familiar with that battle because I've been alerting people who are paying for glucose testing supplies of the free option for a couple of decades. Unfortunately my doctor (and his office) weren't familiar with both - and instead of communicating with us, they sent a note to the pharmacy, believed the problem was solved, ignored two messages and two phone calls from us telling them the problem wasn't solved, and ultimately (today) finally completed the precertification needed for Medicare to pay for it through Part B, rather than Part D.

I'm guessing you're on synthroid (levothyroxine) and cytomel (liothyronine). Most people are only on the former. I'm on both - my doctor is a bit of a thyroid wonk, so he believes in checking numbers most doctors ignore.

Virtually no medical provider (other than my doctor) can even pronounce either one - but especially the second one. Fewer still have a clue what they are for - or that they are different. I suspect it was the same kind of screw up which people (not necessarily corporations) make when they encounter unfamiliar medications. It might even have been the pharmacy incorrectly entering the name of the second medication in, or the doctor's staff not realizing they were different - which would have triggered a denial by United Health Care.

Way too much carelessness in medicine - but it happens in both for-profit and not-for-profit. As to the DME issue I ran into, it has been far harder to navigate Medicare than several for-profit plan I've had (on this issue, on other diabetic supplies, and eyeglasses post-cataract surgery).

I agree with your basic premise that for-profit entities should not be in charge of access to health care. There shouldn't be middlemen companies making a profit off of providing/gate-keeping access to health care.

And I'm all in on a solid health care rant. I just disagree that this particular example is limited to for-profit companies.

[IbogaProject]

4. Type 1 here

Last edited Tue Jan 6, 2026, 01:09 PM - Edit history (1)

I really advise olive oil as a supplement to the diet it can provide caloric energy outside of the insulin carbohydrate paradigm. I feel it provides me a solid backup energy source. Cannabis in very low amounts can make those lows less serious. Yes lows are best avoided all together but THC is neuroprotective and subjectively expands the comfort range for blood sugar levels. Good luck getting the CGM it is amazing how much filling in most to all the glucose history can help improve life. Final tip melatonin can lower the body's insulin requirements, I guess I take 30 to 40% less than typical for my weight and caloric consumption.

[soldierant]

2. I'm betting those are T-3 and T-4.

Neither of which is covered by Medicare.

When I was diagnosed with low thyroid in the late sixties or early seventies (I don't remember exactly - it's been a minute), I was prescribed Armour thyroid, which is a complete thyroid from natural sources. (I'm pretty sure that T-3 and T-4 are both synthetic ) Medicare doesn't cover Armour either, and yes, it's pricey. But it's effective. I would warn anyone that if you are prescribed too much (and it can happen with the best intentions - bodies have a nasty habit of changing) any thyroid can make you more vulnerable to osteoporosis. Out of all populations, the people most susceptible to osteoporosis are white women. But anyone taking thyroid should have its blood concentration monitored. I wish you the best. Send me a DU message if a felloe patient can answer any other questions.

[Ms. Toad]

7. That depends on the formulary for the plan you are on.

Some cover the natural version and some don't. (Unlike the medical part of original Medicare, the drug care is a lot more varied. Look around during the next open enrollment. You might find one that covers it.)

[soldierant]

9. Thank you, but I think I'll stick with the pharmacy

I have been using for 30 years, You can't put a dollar value on trust. And my HRA reimburses me. And if I go to another part D provider I will lose my HRA. That's a no brainer.

[Ms. Toad]

10. My point was that it isn't Medicare that refuses to cover it -

But the specific plan you are on.

That said, most part D plans use similar pharmacy networks, so you wouldn't necessarily have to switch pharmacies, and HRA plans (employer-sponsored accounts) shouldn't be tied to specific part D plans (unless you are in a retirement-linked health care plan, which is slightly different than a Medicare Advantage plan, and which may have more restrictions)

[Stargazer99]

8. You are correct T3 and T4

[Stargazer99]

3. Thank your reply as now I understand better now-yes I take the both and did not know that was not the norm

It took me 5 days of communication with doctor's office, the pharmacy and United Health to make them understand there were two names even though I spelled both thyroids name to each enitity. I thank you for taking time to help me understand

[progree]

5. Did you reply to the person you intended to reply to? /nt

[Ms. Toad]

6. My dad and I have Hashimotos.

He only takes one. I take both.

When doctors look at the thyroid average numbers (I didn't remember the name of the test), most people look ok with just one. But when they do extra tests to break down the components the components that make up the average are out of balance.

Most doctors just look at the average, and if the patient isn't complaining, don't look any farther. That's my dad. I had a different doctor - my diagnosis was out of the blue. I had no symptoms - my doctor just tests everyone. And once diagnosed, he goes bananas trying to get the perfect balance. But a friend of my dad's has to fight to get her doctor to do the more refined tests.

So just with a universe of 3, care is all over the place - but most folks I know with Hashimotos are only on levothyroxine.

Glad you're getting both - and that you got the insurance straightened out.