Hello,

I have hypothyroidism and take synthroid (levothyroxine). I am planning on moving to Turkey in April, and I'm wondering how easy it will be for me to get this pill in a pharmacy. When I was studying in Turkey in 2007, I got the pills from the university health center, but that required me to have blood tests at the health center in order to verify my levels. I should be getting one last blood test in the U.S. in March, and my doctor will write out my prescription for me to take to Turkey with me. Will my empty pill bottles and my Rx from the U.S. be enough to get the medication from a pharmacy?

I probably won't be able to take too much along with me, as I'll be losing my current insurance in the end of March and I'm not able to get more than three months at a time anyway.

Thanks very much for any help,
E

Hi,

Great news. You can get levothyroxine from any pharmacy in Istanbul without a prescription or blood test. You just tell the amount you take, and they'll give you some off the shelf. They have it in 25, 50, 100 and 200 microgram tablets. Each box of 30 is about 3-4 liras.

Thank you so much for your reply! It's very comforting to know that I won't need to go to a doctor as soon as I arrive. I am, of course, planning on getting my blood tested regularly as in the U.S, but it will probably take me a little while to find a doc and get insurance set up.

By the way, does anyone know how approximately how much a doctor's appointment and simple blood test (for thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH]) would cost without coverage? Just wondering.

I also have thyroid problems and take Synthroid (T4) as well, but I also take a medication in U.S.called Cytomel (T3) . Will I be able to get this medicine in Istanbul?
Any help or info will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Meck

All chemists stock thyroid medication in various strengths and you do not require any prescription to obtain them. They are very inexpensive. Mine cost me around 3 lira for a months supply.

Blood tests from my local private hosptital are also easily available and I think I paid about 80 lira the last time I used them,however I then discovered I could go to the Devlet( State) Hospital and get the tests done a lot cheaper. I had them done just before Christmas and paid just 15 lira.

Hope that is useful to you.

saffie