Testosterone

[FifiChi]

Has anyone ordered testosterone from the Internet? My GP can't prescribe it. I have to be referred to a menopause specialist. Unfortunately the NHS waiting list has been closed until next year! I will have to go private.

Very surprised to get a call from GP today to say that hospital consultant has agreed that I can have testosterone for low libido subject to a blood test to check I'm not at the top of female range . Going to prescribe 1/8 of a sachet .

GP was actually really pleased as I'm the first female she's managed to get it for and is hopeful that the tide is turning and that she will be able to offer to other peri-meno women without going through a consultant in the future

I asked my GP for it. She said she can't give it to me but has referred me to a menopause clinic.

Just got to wait now ...

I did buy some online from abroad and it made it through customs. But I don't want to use it as it will mess up the blood tests they will do on me when the time comes

I've now been on the prescription for about three weeks. The gel was supposed to last two weeks so I assume my definition of a 'pea sized' amount is different to the manufacturers!

Not much to report - except that when I went to get my next prescription the chemist said there is a nationwide shortage of testosterone and she could not fulfil the prescription. So now I have to schlep around the local chemists to see if anyone can help - and will have to have a week off it now because I've not got time to sort this out before going away tomorrow.

Is anyone else having supply problems? What with this and the HRT issue last year it feels as though the pharma supply chains are a bit of a mess.

Some people can't absorb testosterone and need injections. XH was prescribed capsules but didn't absorb it and needed injections.

I got Androfeme from the Online Clinic in London. It was very straightforward, online application, a few back and forth emails from their doctor over a weekend. They wanted my weight and BP which I was able to get done at one of those machines at the chemist. It was very quick - applied on Thurs and had my cream by Tuesday with a Jubilee bank holiday in between! They did notify my own GP. But expensive, cost £125 in all, I think I will see if they can prescribe Testogel next time as I cannot hold out to this, and chances of being able to get through to my own GP to discuss are pretty remote. But try them if you can, I found it all very easy and still cheaper than a private consultation which is well over £200 even without the drugs.

I went private in the end. I got my Testogel 10 days ago. Big bottle so should last a while

If you went private how did you get a blood test to confirm T levels before starting to use it and then follow up levels? I would like to try this as I think it’s the missing piece of my HRT but not sure GP will play ball.

@MermaidSwimming99 I used Randox. A hormone test was only £50 through them

Thanks @Chesneyhawkes1 i will have a look if i don’t get anywhere with GP.

I got some off my GP. Told them my libido was rock bottom. Did a blood test. Testosterone levels were normal but they let me have some. It started working within a few weeks getting stronger over time. I feel like I like sex again.anf also feel more determined!

when I went to get my next prescription the chemist said there is a nationwide shortage of testosterone and she could not fulfil the prescription

I was told this a few weeks ago, but then a different chemist said it’s just that a particular dose of the sachets have been discontinued, and it is in fact available, just in a different dose.

Ah thanks. What did you do - did your GP need to change the prescription?

Yes, my blood tests showed that I needed less testosterone anyway, so the new lower dose sachets are fine

Everyone who's on testosterone how long til you noticed a difference?

My bloods showed mine was 0.1. I've been using the gel for just over 2 weeks.

Testosterone is available from the NHS, I am on it myself.

Everyone who's on testosterone how long til you noticed a difference?

It’s difficult to say. Longer than two weeks. Probably five or six for me.

It’s area dependent - in my area we aren’t allowed to prescribe testosterone gel on the NHS (for men or women) and aren’t allowed to refer to menopause clinic for that alone.

Women are advised to obtain it privately.

It sucks but what can I do, I don’t make the rules. It’s really difficult as a HCP having to tell women I’m not allowed to prescribe what they may need 😞

It’s also incredibly frustrating being hampered by supply and availability issues.

It sucks but what can I do?

Can you write a private prescription?

It’s area dependent - in my area we aren’t allowed to prescribe testosterone gel on the NHS

are you saying that nhs guidelines don’t cover the whole of the uk?

@SettingsO nope, they’re guidelines. Each prescribing authority can decide and dictate their own regulations based on budget, population parameters etc.

wow I didn’t know that, that’s very interesting!

And just to complicate things even further secondary care can prescribe things we can’t in primary care, some items can only be initiated by a specialist and must be prescribed by them, unless the GP has a shared care agreement.

It makes for some challenging conversations with patients! And contrary to what you might think it frustrates us too, the hoops we have to jump through are similar to yours…

By the way I meant “you” generally, not personally!

@Sidge Surely all GPs are allowed to prescribe testosterone for men in some circumstances? What about men who have had both testes removed for cancer etc? Or do they get another kind of treatment?

@jennakong in my area men requiring testosterone replacement have it prescribed by an endocrinologist, oncologist or urologist (I think). We then give it via a shared care agreement. I’m not aware of any of our patients having it initiated by a GP.

It’s not something we actually give much of, there are pretty limited criteria for giving IM testosterone.