Dr Cauchi says the premise of this petition is that there is a difference between Scotland and England, but he disagrees with this.

"This is not a Scottish issue but a UK one."

He explains he would like to see a UK-wide consensus on the issue but the other centres in the UK did not want to engage.

But I believe we must push forward with establishing a consensus statement in Scotland despite this, he adds.

There is a lack of evidence that MRI surveillance alters the life expectancy of those with ocular melanoma he tells the committee, but he points to "many exciting trials" which he would like to see more people given access to.

Dr Cauchi says there is no risk free element of this as MRI scanning comes with risks, but efforts have been made to allow high risk patients to access trials and new treatments.

Image source, bbc

The next petition is calling for ocular melanoma sufferers in Scotland to receive enhanced MRI scans, external with contrast of the liver in an attempt to detect early metastatic disease.

The committee is hearing from Dr Paul Cauchi of the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service, external.

Committee deputy convener Gail Ross asks Dr Cauchi to make an opening statement.

Mr Whittle suggests this petition has gone a long way towards what it was calling for.

He says he would be comfortable with the petition being closed, given changes are being made but will take time to bed in.

This view is echoed by other members of the committee.

Elaine Smith says she would be disappointed if the petition was closed because it would be good to hear from the women affected.

The deputy convener highlights a number of written submissions from women.

The committee agrees to write to NHS Tayside with specific concerns and close the petition.

Ms Smith asks why natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), which Hilary Clinton gets easily in the US, is not being prescribed when people who take it say they are coming back to life.

Why is NDT not available in this country or is it available and people are just not prescribing it, asks the Labour MSP.

Ms Mair says its not recommended by the GMC as it is an unlicensed product and licensed products like T3 and T4 are available.

Ms Smith says when patients buy DTH over the internet from the US they come to life.

Image source, PA

In 2017 we reported drug company Concordia overcharged the NHS by millions for a key thyroid treatment, according to the Competition and Markets Authority has provisionally found.

The CMA said that last year the NHS spent £34m, external on its drug, liothyronine, up from about £600,000 in 2006.

The amount the NHS paid per pack rose from around £4.46 in 2007 to £258.19 by July 2017, an increase of almost 6,000%.

Concordia said, external it did "not believe that competition law has been infringed".

Read more here.

Elaine Smith tells the committee of people who have been put on T4 and, while they might be functioning, "have not been doing particularly well".

She says a price hike was behind decisions to start taking people off T3.

Are there any plans to do any research and talk to any of the people involved, she asks.

Mr FitzPatrick agrees it feels like there is scope for research here, though the chief science office does not commission research itself.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Elaine Smith says NHS Tayside had removed T3 from its formulary and asked if it still was absent.

Mr Fitzpatrick says it is not in the formulary at present, but it is in the process of being put back on.

Alpana Mair says the board has still made it available to people who need it.

Ms Smith asks about the clinical guidelines the minister referred to, saying some of the references in them are 28 years old and out of date.

The minister says the new guidelines have been peer reviewed and we are awaiting the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) work.

Mr Whittle says there are 50% of clinicians who are resistant to using T3.

The peer reviewed guidelines published in March provide some consistency, replies Mr Fitzpatrick.

Image source, Science Photo Library

Hypothyroidism - or an underactive thyroid - affects one in 70 women and one in 1,000 men according to the NHS.

But it can be a tricky disease to diagnose and treat.

Dr Michael Mosley, of Trust Me I'm a Doctor, asks if sufferers are slipping through the net.

Read more.

Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks about the extent of consistency of prescribing at the moment.

Mr FitzPatrick says the picture has improved, while efforts are being made to make the process easier.

For most people T4 would be the preferred treatment but there is a significant number of people where this is not the case, he adds.

'It was like a light had been switched on'

Fran says taking liothyronine (T3) for her thyroid condition "gave her her life back".

But it's a drug the NHS doesn't think should be routinely prescribed. It is set to make a decision this week.

Committee deputy convener Gail Ross asks about engagement with people who cannot access treatment like T3.

Mr Fitzpatrick replies there were a number of people who came forward and he says he has engaged directly with health boards where this is happening.

Ms Ross asks if there are clinicians who do not believe people who come forward with symptoms.

The minister insists progress is being made.

Image source, bbc

Mr FitzPatrick says he remains committed to having a consistent prescribing policy for T3 across Scotland.

All health boards have committed to a holistic review of patients prescribed T3, with it to continue where safe and appropriate he adds.

The minister highlights new NICE guidelines are expected in November, after which the Scottish guidelines will be considered.

Image source, bbc

The first petition of the day is calling for action to ensure GPs and endocrinologists can diagnose thyroid and adrenal disorders, external, and therefore provide the most appropriate treatment.

MSPs are hearing from:

• Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick
• Dr Padmini Mishra from the Scottish government
• Alpana Mair, also from the Scottish government

Image source, Thinkstock/Getty Images

The Public Petitions Committee will begin shortly. It is taking evidence on three petitions this morning.

The first is on effective thyroid and adrenal testing, diagnosis and treatment, external. MSPs will quiz Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick.

The second petition calls for MRI scans for ocular melanoma sufferers, external, with evidence from the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service.

And finally the committee will consider a call for a national strategic framework for Countryside Ranger Services, external. The petitioner, rangers and SNH will be giving evidence.

Image source, SNH

Image source, BBC/PA

Welcome to BBC Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 26 September 2019.

First up, the petitions committee is looking at thyroid disorders, eye cancer and rangers services.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon faces questions from opposition leaders during FMQs at noon.

Then Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton leads a member's debate titled 'Congratulates Doddie Weir OBE and Calls for Automatic Access to Blue Badge Scheme for People with MND'.

After lunch, environment and climate change ministers face portfolio questions.

Then MSPs debate the Scottish National Investment Bank Bill for the first time.