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[Blakeygray]

Hi all.

From what I can gatherit's a postcode lottery regarding whether women can get T on the NHS. 

Some women have been told they can't as it's not licenced and others have,  with varying degrees of negotiating with their gp.

So would those of you who have been given T on the NHS please state whereabouts in the country you are and whether it was from your gp,  or a Menopause clinic.

I'm admit I'm jumping the gun and would like as much ammunition as possible for when I next see my gp.

Thanks.
Blakeygray.

[Annie0710]

I'd gladly help your fight for T, whether it is or isn't the missing link we all deserve the right to try it I think

I'm in Cambridgeshire

I've been asking since 2012 for ALL my hormone levels to be tested, not really understanding the importance of testosterone, I was refused constantly and only had oestrogen and progesterone tested

A strange sequence of events led recently....... I had another UTI and a GP I'd never seen before called me saying she didn't think it'd be a UTI and please see her next morning with a sample, which I did and tested +++

She was worried about possible ovarian cancer because of my symptoms and ordered a scan, scan showed ovaries were not there so I used this as my ammo for T (I had all the symptoms of low T) she wasn't confident prescribing it so contacted a female gynae at the hospital who wrote back saying for me to first consider Tibolone, the GP explained about my hairloss so gynae said to prescribe T under her guidance

I'm very new to it and using less than the recommended dose prescribed but it's making a difference, small steps but nonetheless positive ones.  The only thing I can't say about is hairloss, I'm not sure if it's improving or worsening BUT I seem to be shedding less

I really want to wish you good luck in your fight

X

[Keepgoing]

Hi
I'm in Scotland gp referred me to meno clinic as she wasn't comfortable prescribing it without their input as she didn't know much about it...meno clinic wrote to gp asking her if she would prescribe it as they thought I would benefit from it...they asked her as it is unlicensed and it's up to gp whether they prescribe it or not...luckily with the meno clinic giving instructions on how to use and what to prescribe my doctor willingly gave me it...I have benefited greatly from T and it's just over a month...hope this helps xx

[Blakeygray]

Thank you ladies. I'm in Lancashire and a colleague of mine was told no way by her gp a couple of days ago.

[Annie0710]

Our surgeries meno nurse has joined the surgery lately from the gynae clinic. She was the one who first said I'd benefit from it, but the gps she asked said no way. That got me really fighting. How dare a group of Drs who don't know me have their say on me? Fiancée wants to get married and I couldn't whilst my libido was down the pan, it had always been so good in our relationship before meno

I stumbled across this lovely GP, she's Indian with small children but my god she cares about her patients, she's been there as long as I have and I'd never heard of her, turns out she's the one fiancée saw about his continuous gout attacks and she was astounded he'd never been referred to a specialist to get the correct dose of treatment, he's now under a rheumy and receiving correct dose of meds

I don't think it's postcode lottery, I think it's finding the right GP who will (if they're worried about prescribing) will contact the right gynae, my GP admitted she had no experience but was impressed with how much research I'd done .  I'd asked her if I go private would she prescribe on NHS and she said she would but for me to please wait while she fights my corner for free treatment first.  From our initial phone call to prescription took about a week to 10 days, I honestly thought I'd wait months but she even bypassed gynae appt as I said I don't need a gynae to see me, they need to just know my story

X

[peri]

Hi

I'm in West Yorkshire and I got testosterone no problem about 3 years ago now (well documented on here).  I saw a female GP who was sympathetic and referred me to a Mr Spooner at Rotherham hospital which was the nearest specialist at the time.  Initially he prescribed me intrinsa patches which were marvellous, but then it was discontinued and he prescribed me testogel.  Unfortunately for me I've tried to use it many times and always get a bad reaction (headache, irritability, feel anxious).  Mr Spooner did advise he'd had limited success with it.  I've tried to find another product to see if I have more success with that and from time to time see androfem mentioned on here but sadly I don't think you can get it in the UK.  So that's my journey, I truly believe (like many others on here) that there should be a product specifically tailored for women and would be happy to support a campaign for this - any suggestions ladies? X

[Annie0710]

Drain the T out of the people who decide what can/can't be prescribed and see how they like it ?

X

[Hurdity]

Although I haven't had T prescribed on the NHS ( so far I have managed to get it privately as one box lasts ages - and probably much cheaper than on NHS as I've had a whole box at a time), I would like to relate my experience.

I had visited the doc (GP) several times re tiredness, muscle aches and exhaustion after exercise, had several blood tests, which of course did not include T. This was before the NICE Guidelines. When I mentioned the possibility of T (as I had zero libido too)  her response was - well we can't go measuring testosterone levels of everyone who comes here complaining of tiredness - and then shrugged, said it was an age thing, that she felt achey after riding her horses (!) and that she would refer me for a fibromyalgia diagnosis! I would not go back to this doc anyway but I haven't yet had to test out the new system (following NICE) at my local Health Centre but I do think the tide is now turning due to the NICE Guidelines.

Hurdity x

[Otes73]

I did get prescribed T from my GP, I live in Lancashire. He did seek advice from a gynaecologist with my history and to get advice on dosage etc. He was the one that thought I'd benefit due to my symptoms. I'm lucky my GP is very approachable and sympathetic. I had to have life saving surgery 9 weeks after my hysterectomy 3 years ago and he said at 42 I should be able to try it to help me feel better. We did agree to give it 6 months but if no improvement then give it up. Previously I had been on Tibolone for 6 months which was great other than daily headaches.
X

[Nina]

I had it prescribed privately initially as I was seeing him for other gynae issues, so the T was an add on.

He wrote to gp who now prescribes it on nhs

[Blakeygray]

Thank you all for replying. I've got my appointment next week and will use them and the NICE guidelines  to reassure /convince my gp that it can be prescribed even though it's not licensed.

Annie your response bought a big grin to my face.

[Hurdity]

  - keep this thread updated to let us know how you get on next week and good luck

Hurdity x

[Blakeygray]

Will do.

[Annie0710]

Wishing you lots of luck, I'm finding these threads so interesting and educational

X

[Blakeygray]

Hi everyone. I saw my gp on Monday,  she spoke to the practice manager who refused to prescribe testosterone.

Luckily I went armed with print outs from NICE,  Dr Channay, the British Menopause Society,  the Medical Council's advice on prescribing unlicensed drugs  and quoted those women on here who have had T prescribed on the NHS.

There isn't a menopause clinic  in my area but the female gynae specialist who my gp spoke to, is interested in the  use of testosterone and will be given all the info I presented hopefully.

I've been given Tibolone (84 x 2.5mg) and agreed to see how I get on with these while they get more info and make up their minds about T.

So yes I'm a bit disappointed but hope the Tibolone does the trick.

I'll update once a week and detail any changes. 

Wish me luck ladies.