TRT on the NHS vs Private treatmet

[energizer bunny]

for those who have went with either route, what are the pros cons.

cost of going private?

waiting time on the NHS?

any other relevant info would be grateful.....


in my position I would rather pay and get it started quickly vs get it free and wait a year!

[Gettingstronger!]

Hi Energizer,

i'm not so clued up on the private route, however from personal experience I wish I took it, I've been trapped in constant back-and-forths with my endocrinologist for the last 11 months. Mine might be an extreme case but to me i've definitely noticed a certain reluctance to start me on testosterone , in spite of the variety of physical, physiological & mental symptoms (as well as a testosterone level of 3.3nmol/L!!)

My advice? Either find a good NHS endo, or go private. If you're based in London I'd be happy to PM you the names of a couple of endos to DEFINITELY avoid.

Cheers
Alex

[marcus300]

Change your doctor he is useless mate, why pay for something what you can get for free?

Demand you see an endo, tell them your symptoms and how its controlling your life. All you need to do is get the right doctor to listen and help you with your complaint. Your problem is your doctor not the system.

[clarky.]

Hi mate your doc dose sound shit when I got referred it took 3 months but that was the normal waiting time the endo I have did not fvck about got started on trt straight away after the tests I got mri, bloods they did find a pituitary tumour though

[energizer bunny]

Hi Energizer,

i'm not so clued up on the private route, however from personal experience I wish I took it, I've been trapped in constant back-and-forths with my endocrinologist for the last 11 months. Mine might be an extreme case but to me i've definitely noticed a certain reluctance to start me on testosterone , in spite of the variety of physical, physiological & mental symptoms (as well as a testosterone level of 3.3nmol/L!!)

My advice? Either find a good NHS endo, or go private. If you're based in London I'd be happy to PM you the names of a couple of endos to DEFINITELY avoid.

Cheers
Alex

this is what I am worried about I don't want this at all!.....how old are you?
how would I know who is a shit endo and who is good through the NHS?

[energizer bunny]

This is the 3rd doc I have had mate...........and he really doesn't understand, with my last results when I was on 10nmo/l he said that was fine, when I protested he basically ignored my question lol...........this is the thing, how do you get the right doctor then get the right endo?.........im leaning to paying so I can start ASAP

[energizer bunny]

Hi mate your doc dose sound shit when I got referred it took 3 months but that was the normal waiting time the endo I have did not fvck about got started on trt straight away after the tests I got mri, bloods they did find a pituitary tumour though

3 months!!! normal waiting time, nah no way.......the way im leaning for I will be getting medication before Christmas.........definitely leaning for paying!

[thisAngelBites]

I always go private for everything, because my hubby's company has very good insurance, and I prefer an arrangement where my doctor literally works FOR me, moneywise.

BUT, you are already paying for NHS healthcare, and with an ongoing expense like TRT, it would be nice to have the NHS foot the bill.

I should think you would have more luck than many, because they are probably on the look out for younger guys who screwed up their HPTA using steroids , and you said you damaged a testicle when you were younger - I would imagine this would make them more likely to treat you better.

I spent a lot of time on the thyroid boards when I first started having non-normal thyroid test results, and I remember a lot of those people needed to get treated on the NHS, and for various reasons kept running into GPs and endos that were not really prepared to help. In the end, I am pretty sure that they said under the NHS, if you go in, and insist to be referred to a particular endo, they HAVE to refer you.

So in that case, you wouldn't need to find a new GP to get you an endo, etc. You would just need to search the internet carefully to find a consultant who actually knew about TRT and actually helped patients (if possible, exchanging emails with the people who went to that dr), and then you go in and tell your GP, *this* is the endo I want to be referred to.

It takes some work upfront, but if you pay out of your pocket, all that monitoring bloodwork (expensive!) etc will be yours to pay, after you have paid into the NHS to cover this sort of thing.

The other alternative is to find a private consultant, and have him test and prescribe and then write to your GP explaining that you need this treatment etc. But still, my Harley St endo would have cost me just shy of £2000 to get to that point.

Best of luck to you.

[clarky.]

Good luck mate honesty you will have to get some tests done to see where the problems are/is that will never happen before Christmas.

[APIs]

Sounds like you guys experience the same TRT issues across the pond too. Interesting...

[Gettingstronger!]

this is what I am worried about I don't want this at all!.....how old are you?
how would I know who is a shit endo and who is good through the NHS?

I'm 24, I experenced gyno during puberty and symptoms of low testosterone since I was 19, I started exploring this seriously in January. I don't know much about endo's outside of the south-west london area if i'm honest, all I can do is drop names of people I've seen, who in my opinion, are awful.

Sounds like you guys experience the same TRT issues across the pond too. Interesting...

It's terrible, 11 months, countless hormone tests, and now I've been prescribed 75mcg Thyroxine, my grandmother takes the same supplement and she's on 125mcg!!! They can't be serious.

[energizer bunny]

cheers for all the replys, they are greatly appreciated...............ive already paid for my own blood tests as the NHS did not provide adequate blood test..............im waiting on some feed back but my head says private to cut all the shit out and have them working for me so to speak.........then as mentioned above hit the NHS in a years time with all my results and specialist reports!

so shit how we have this crap after paying for the NHS all these years!

[Back In Black]

Mate I had a load of wasted time from my previous GP but when I went to see my current GP in July. Had my firs endo appt early sept and they pulled more bloods and made an appt for an MRI (your private doc won't do this) and then had my follow up end oct. From seeing my GP to my first shot was 4 months. If I hadn't had an MRI that would be ducked by about 8 weeks. As you are likely primary you may not have to have an MRI.

I would wait to see your GP and get a referral. Even if that does go to shit you could get a private prescription within 2-3 weeks.

[energizer bunny]

ok cheers mate, ill wait and see what my doc says in 2 weeks!...........if he pisses about im going private.

[energizer bunny]

1 more week before I get to see my doc, either way TRT journey will start!

2 weeks waiting man! come on!

rant over

[clarky.]

1 more week before I get to see my doc, either way TRT journey will start!

2 weeks waiting man! come on!

rant over

not long now mate remember though the endo app will be another wait.

[Back In Black]

Fingers crossed buddy

[energizer bunny]

update

went to the docs today, explained the situation, showed all my tests from the private lab, told him about my injured left testicle, gave him a feel LOL! he can definitely feel the difference and with a bit persuading he is sending me to see a specialist. take it he means endo. Said I should have a letter confirming my appointment within a month!! fuk me they are painfully slow.

what next? will the endo be on my side i.e try to get me on TRT or will I have to try and persuade him/her that I need TRT?

cheers.

[Back In Black]

Hooray

Told you to persist yes it's slow but worth it, you will get a more comprehensive investigation than with the private doc we discussed. Yes, probably an endo but I had to tell my GP who to refer me to.

The endo/specialist will be trying to get you the right course of treatment, whatever that may be. I saw 2 endo's (a male and female) as well as the head of department and they were all helpful. They will want to do at least one more blood test with you.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you bud.

[marcus300]

update

went to the docs today, explained the situation, showed all my tests from the private lab, told him about my injured left testicle, gave him a feel LOL! he can definitely feel the difference and with a bit persuading he is sending me to see a specialist. take it he means endo. Said I should have a letter confirming my appointment within a month!! fuk me they are painfully slow.

what next? will the endo be on my side i.e try to get me on TRT or will I have to try and persuade him/her that I need TRT?

cheers.

Your doctor will need confirmation from the endo so he can justify putting you on and issuing medication. Mine was quick because I made a point it was effecting my whole life and also my job needs me to be mentally capable so it was rushed.

[energizer bunny]

Hooray

Told you to persist yes it's slow but worth it, you will get a more comprehensive investigation than with the private doc we discussed. Yes, probably an endo but I had to tell my GP who to refer me to.

The endo/specialist will be trying to get you the right course of treatment, whatever that may be. I saw 2 endo's (a male and female) as well as the head of department and they were all helpful. They will want to do at least one more blood test with you.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you bud.

cheers mate, has definitely made me a happy to know the ball has started rolling!......will I get a choice in how im treated i.e. gel vs injection?

[energizer bunny]

Your doctor will need confirmation from the endo so he can justify putting you on and issuing medication. Mine was quick because I made a point it was effecting my whole life and also my job needs me to be mentally capable so it was rushed.

did you go straight onto injections? I want this quick as its affecting me big time now, low moods, cognitive ability at college,libido...generally just feel like life is poo ( and its not!!, its pretty damn good!)

do you think my testicular injury will help my case?

[Back In Black]

cheers mate, has definitely made me a happy to know the ball has started rolling!......will I get a choice in how im treated i.e. gel vs injection?

My first endo only discussed nebido at my first appt. when I had my second appt and treatment was authorised she asked if treatment was explained and I just said I wanted nebido. No questions asked.

[marcus300]

did you go straight onto injections? I want this quick as its affecting me big time now, low moods, cognitive ability at college,libido...generally just feel like life is poo ( and its not!!, its pretty damn good!)

do you think my testicular injury will help my case?

I went from gel to test e to nebido . The gel lasted 3 wks and I told them it wasn't working so then went on injections. Everything will help your case don't hold back with how it's effecting your life. If you get a good one you'll go into injections straight off

[energizer bunny]

My first endo only discussed nebido at my first appt. when I had my second appt and treatment was authorised she asked if treatment was explained and I just said I wanted nebido. No questions asked.

well I want nebido/injections.........how can I make sure that I can get this?.........will my job (random hours), training mma (rolling and sweating all over people) swimming (washing it off) pets (slavering/licking my skin) be of any use? haha

[Back In Black]

well I want nebido/injections.........how can I make sure that I can get this?.........will my job (random hours), training mma (rolling and sweating all over people) swimming (washing it off) pets (slavering/licking my skin) be of any use? haha

Just tell them all of it. I don't think it really makes a difference in tems of cost to the NHS. In fact, the Nebido may be slightly cheaper, depending on your protocol

[clarky.]

getting some where now eb

[marcus300]

well I want nebido/injections.........how can I make sure that I can get this?.........will my job (random hours), training mma (rolling and sweating all over people) swimming (washing it off) pets (slavering/licking my skin) be of any use? haha

Nebdo is cheap for them so just tell them that's what you want. If he's a good one and cares for your health he'll sort it without any issues

[energizer bunny]

UPDATE.

Got my letter today and my appointment with the Endo is feb 03 at 1330!.....so much better than I expected so I am happy. unfortunately that is my girlfriends 30th bday wknd and we are away (ill be back in time but ill be a bit worse for wear lol)

[Back In Black]

Good news mate, not long to go. They should just do a blood test and a bit of a physical, cup and cough and all that.

[energizer bunny]

Good news mate, not long to go. They should just do a blood test and a bit of a physical, cup and cough and all that.

maybe a little more because im pushing the damaged testicle side of things, I think this will be my best bet of proper treatment.....so maybe a good old feel haha

[Back In Black]

Oh, they'll definitely have a good feel too mate