Soya infant formula- were you warned of possible side effects by your GP?

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The reason I ask is I was not when my GP prescribed it for a likely milk allergy/intolerance.
I have since been told by two other GPs that soya formula contains high levels of plane oestrogens which could cause premature puberty- as early as age 7!, possible leaukaemia and cancer risks, severe dental problems etc.
I've done some digging around on the internet and am horrified by what I have found. Sure enough there is a mountain of research which corroberates what these doctors told me. One even said- "I wouldn't want one of my children on it for long."
It's also been suggested that these hormones could effect fertility and cause thyroid problems.
According to the Department of Health, Soya based formulas should only be prescribed by a GP suspecting a milk allergy etc after hydrolised formulas have been tried and refused (Pepti, Nutramigin etc) and even then not to be prescribed to infants under the age of 6 months!!

After trying DD back on her milk formula and her having the same reaction my GP told me she would have to stay on Soya for months. (I don't think so!).
I told him about my concerns and he said " I don't believe it!". Had never heard of anything I had told him.
So....off to another GP who said she totally understood and agreed with my concerns and we have been given Pepti Junior.
I am so cross that DD was given this when another formula should have been tried first, we weren't told of any side effects and she should never have been put on it at 5 weeks old.!
I have printed off loads of info from the web, Department of Health guidance, Food Standards Agency etc and am taking it to my GP next week. . I am also going to ask for a referral to a Dietician. NHS Guidelines state all babies should be referred if there is a suspected allergy/intolerance.
I just wondered if my GPs lack of knowledge was a one-off or you found the same thing when your little ones were given it?
Sorry about the rant but I am mad that my little one's organs could have been damaged(this is the reason it should not be given to babies under 6 months as their reproductive organs are still developing).

After trying DD back on her milk formula and her having the same reaction my GP told me she would have to stay on Soya for months. (I don't think so!).
I told him about my concerns and he said " I don't believe it!". Had never heard of anything I had told him.
So....off to another GP who said she totally understood and agreed with my concerns and we have been given Pepti Junior.
I am so cross that DD was given this when another formula should have been tried first, we weren't told of any side effects and she should never have been put on it at 5 weeks old.!
I have printed off loads of info from the web, Department of Health guidance, Food Standards Agency etc and am taking it to my GP next week. . I am also going to ask for a referral to a Dietician. NHS Guidelines state all babies should be referred if there is a suspected allergy/intolerance.
I just wondered if my GPs lack of knowledge was a one-off or you found the same thing when your little ones were given it?
Sorry about the rant but I am mad that my little one's organs could have been damaged(this is the reason it should not be given to babies under 6 months as their reproductive organs are still developing).

Hi there. My ds1 had a cow's milk protein intolerance and my terrible hv said we 'might as well' try the soya formula before we saw the dietitian, then we would be able to tell the dietitian if he was doing okay on it or not. When we saw the dietitian she said since he seemed to be tolerating it we might as well continue. A couple of months later he developed an intolerance to soya, kept vomiting up his formula, and so then I had two things to avoid in his diet. I really wish I'd never tried it, and now even though he may have grown out of the intolerance, I try to avoid food with soya in it. And yes, I've read some of the same stuff you have. So I'm pretty angry about it all too. Ds1 is 6 now, but I believe the advice was around even then.

I also found out that Soya formula should only be given to babies on the advice of a GP. Why the hell can you buy it in Supermarkets then? It makes you have very little faith in people you are entrusting to assist in the care of the most precious thing in your life.

my DS had a suspected cow milk protein intolerance, I was told by HV to put him on soya to see how he coped with it which I did and in the meantime I practically fought with my GP to get an appointment with a pedotrician (excuse the spelling!) when I finally saw the pedotrician he told me the dangers of soya and to take DS off it immediately and prescribed a hydrolized formula, when I saw my GP about this she told me she had no idea what hydrolized milk was!! and she hadnt heard anything about the dangers of soya milk!! it then took another letter from the pedotrician to my GP to explain what hydrolized he needed, what total idiots!!!

God it's a worry isn't it. I think what we really need- in an ideal world- are paediatric doctors in surgeries/ walk in centres, after all doctors are unfortunately not specialised in diagnosing/ treating our children. Will be interesting to see what my GP says Wed. I am also going to write a letter to the practice manager.