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[Ladybt28]

Hi TraceyE - go to the top of the forum and go to the contact us part - click there and it tells you about email consult requests.
Also if you put Dr Currie consultations or such like into the search box you will find posts about how best to approach it.
x

[Tracey E]

Thank you! 

[Hurdity]

Thank you so much for collating this information in an easy to access way

I have some questions to anyone using testosterone as part of HRT

1)  if you went private,  how much did it cost for a consultation?  And can you then get a GP to keep prescribing testosterone?
 
2) If you got a GP to prescribe testosterone to you,   how did you start the conversation?  I've twice asked different GP's in my practice to do so and they said they didn't do it

3) if you got your GP to refer you to a meno clinic,   how did you get them to do so?

4)  if you privately source your testosterone,   do you get Androfeme [which seems more expensive] or do you find a way to get testogel or tonstran?   

thanks in advance

Hi Miss-Shelf

If I haven't said so already -

I initially went privately in early 2015 but this was before the NICE Guidelines came out. It cost £190 and a box of Testogel about £30 but this lasted 18 months! I managed to get another box by phoning the hospital ( 65 miles away) and paid another £20 for the prescription + the cost of another box which lasted another 18 months. That specialist has now retired so last May went to my own GP (the gynae specialist at my practice) and she prescribed it for me - and I'm still using that box - she does lots of stuff off licence. However there is no guarantee that your doc will continue to prescribe what a private consultant prescribes because despite the NICE Guidelines there is no licensed product for women in UK unfortunately.

When I asked my normal GP about doing a blood tests for testosterone (this was pre 2015) she said we can't go round testing everyone who complains ofr tiredness for tesosterone and that was that - she wanted to refer me for possible fibromyalgia diagnosis and I wasn't having any of that!

There is also a thread in private lives I started called Testosterone Here We Go which might have a few points of interest? I'll bump it for you...

Hope this helps and good luck

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Bump for lolalolajone

Hurdity x

[CherryC]

Hi - sorry if it's already on here somewhere, but does anyone know if it's imperative to keep opened Testogel sachets in the fridge (as I read this somewhere).  I don't particularly want to keep it in the fridge for all to see! I used to use Testim and it wasn't necessary to keep that in the fridge but it did have a closable cap. I am planning to use a paperclip or suchlike to close up the sachet in use over the week but hoping it doesn't need to be in the fridge!

[Dotty]

Hi I've read some reports that it should be kept in fridge, but I don't keep it in fridge. I leave it on bathroom window sill x

[Yorkshire Girl]

I don't keep my testogel in the fridge, didn't even know that it should be!

[Hurdity]

I used the sachets for 3 years and kept them in the bathroom in make-up bag with paper clip to seal. I hadn't heard of that either - the consultant I saw did not mention this! It also does not mention anything at all about storage in the product info - although the sachets are designed to be used completely by men.... I am sure they use half sachets etc sometimes though or 1.5 sachets?

Hurdity x

[Wrensong]

I think the info about Testogel needing refrigeration is on the Chelsea & Westminster NHS Trust website.  There is a chart listing HRT preparations under the heading "HRT continuation/discharge plans for GPs". I saw it when googling something else a few weeks ago & mentioned it to a friend who had been prescribed Testogel.  She had not been told it needed refrigeration.  I don't use it myself, but asked at my local pharmacy where the pharmacist did a search & told me the Chelsea & Westminster details are incorrect.  To qualify this, she printed off the Testogel product characteristics which say there are NO special storage instructions - i.e. it doesn't need refrigeration.  Unfortunately I've shredded the printout now, so I can't quote exactly - but that was the gist of it.

[CherryC]

Thank you for your replies. Ah that's interesting Wrensong - when I collected the prescription from Boots, the pharmacist had printed out a leaflet from the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on 'Testosterone replacement for female androgen deficiency syndrome' and within the leaflet it says 'Testogel 50mg/5mls in foil sachet. Second line choice if Testim unavailable. It should be sealed and stored in the fridge once opened.'  Sounds like the information may be incorrect in the leaflet (which I assume came from their webiste).  I am going to leave it out of the fridge, but sealed by paperclip as Hurdity mentioned.  Thanks x

[Joaniepat]

The information on the PIL that there are no special storage instructions would refer to unopened sachets. It is only licensed for men and they would be using whole sachets. Thus, the C&W recommendation applies to opened sachets only.

JP x

[Wrensong]

Thank you Joaniepat - I was wondering that after posting.  I was prescribed it a few years ago but never got around to trying it as we could never get my basic HRT regime right.  I was simply told (by a very reputable Meno specialist) to keep the sachet closed with a paper clip, as Hurdity does & to make a sachet last 10-14 days - no mention of refrigeration.
Wx

[Wrensong]

Cherry - you could maybe email the manufacturer to ask what should be done when used by women - i.e. when a sachet has to last for many days?
Wx

[CherryC]

I will try and do that Wrensong and will report back if I have a response. Thanks x

[Ladybt28]

I have eventually replied to your PM Cherry x