A Few Questions

[GammaHunter]

So, since initially coming out, I decided that I would wait a while until transitioning properly, but now I'm thinking maybe I should do it now, after a few changes in my life, but I just have a couple of questions about HRT.

1. In the UK, what options would I have for administering testosterone? I have a very big phobia of needles, and I'd like to avoid them if possible, so I want to know how else I could take it? I've read other things floating around, but they mostly seem to be talking about in America. (Bonus question, where's a good place to get a proper binder in the UK, because all the ones I find are really expensive, and I don't have a huge amount of money)

2. What changes would I expect to get while taking testosterone, and how long would they take to become noticeable? Or is this one of those things where it's different for everyone?

3. What steps do you have to take in order to start HRT? Like, if I made an appointment with my GP, what would I then do? What kind of things would I say?

I think that's all I wanted to know for now, but if I have any more queries, I'll be sure to ask them.

[Elis]

1. There's testogel or Testim (both the same thing but different brand names). It works exactly the same as injection based T (I've been on it for almost 4 months). You have to take it daily though. As for binders you could try GC2B; I think my half top one was £30 including postage.  Or you could try the MORF binder scheme for secondhand binders. They're free; you just have to pay for postage.

2. It's different for everyone really. Voice changes happen with 2 months to a year. Although I noticed a very slight change within 2 weeks. Fat redistribution was noticeable for me within 3 months. And periods stopped within 3 months. Although it can happen at 2 months and if not they can become irregular.

3. You have to go to your GP and ask to be referred to a GIC. You can ask to be referred to anyone; it doesn't have to be the one closest to you. Many GPS aren't familiar with treating trans patients so they may refer you to a general psychiatrist first. This is no longer required so you may need to stand up for yourself. I would just say I'm trans and like to referred to this gender identity clinic.

[GammaHunter]

1. There's testogel or Testim (both the same thing but different brand names). It works exactly the same as injection based T (I've been on it for almost 4 months). You have to take it daily though. As for binders you could try GC2B; I think my half top one was £30 including postage.  Or you could try the MORF binder scheme for secondhand binders. They're free; you just have to pay for postage.

2. It's different for everyone really. Voice changes happen with 2 months to a year. Although I noticed a very slight change within 2 weeks. Fat redistribution was noticeable for me within 3 months. And periods stopped within 3 months. Although it can happen at 2 months and if not they can become irregular.

3. You have to go to your GP and ask to be referred to a GIC. You can ask to be referred to anyone; it doesn't have to be the one closest to you. Many GPS aren't familiar with treating trans patients so they may refer you to a general psychiatrist first. This is no longer required so you may need to stand up for yourself. I would just say I'm trans and like to referred to this gender identity clinic.

Thanks very much, I'll need to make a note of these. For the GIC, would I need to know of a specific one already? I should also point out that I live in Wales, and I have limited transport options.

[Elis]

Thanks very much, I'll need to make a note of these. For the GIC, would I need to know of a specific one already? I should also point out that I live in Wales, and I have limited transport options.

If you lived in England you would. There's a trans woman on who also lives in Wales who made a post saying if you live in Wales you have to be referred to Charring Cross. And go to see a general psychiatrist first. Unless you register with a GP in England. Sorry; I should have asked what part of the UK you were from.

[FTMax]

Topicals are available in the UK just like they are in the US. Like Elis said, the only caveat is you have to apply it daily as opposed to a less frequent interval for injections. Just keep in mind that while you may be able to avoid needles for T, you won't be able to avoid them for lab work.

Underworks and GC2B will both ship internationally, and those are what most people seem to have the best luck with.

Changes and the speed they occur are different for everyone.

I believe in the UK you would make an appointment with your GP who would then refer you to a GIC. I'm not sure how the process goes after that.

[GammaHunter]

Something else I neglected to mention, I'm sixteen, so I'm guessing that'll change things/make it more difficult.

[Elis]

Something else I neglected to mention, I'm sixteen, so I'm guessing that'll change things/make it more difficult.

Yeah; you'll probably have to be referred to the Tavistock clinic in London because you're under 18; which has a long waiting list.

[GammaHunter]

Yeah; you'll probably have to be referred to the Tavistock clinic in London because you're under 18; which has a long waiting list.

All these obstacles are making me think I should stick to my original plan, and wait until I'm eighteen, which is about one year and two months from now. It seems like everything would be much easier then.

[Alexthecat]

All these obstacles are making me think I should stick to my original plan, and wait until I'm eighteen, which is about one year and two months from now. It seems like everything would be much easier then.

It actually might be if the findings in this article are resolved. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-35605956

[Elis]

All these obstacles are making me think I should stick to my original plan, and wait until I'm eighteen, which is about one year and two months from now. It seems like everything would be much easier then.

Yeah; sorry man :/. By the time you get referred to Tavistock you'd probably be 18. I'd ask your GP to refer you to Charring Cross; which typically has a waiting list of 13 months.

[GammaHunter]

Yeah; sorry man :/. By the time you get referred to Tavistock you'd probably be 18. I'd ask your GP to refer you to Charring Cross; which typically has a waiting list of 13 months.

I'll just have to wait it out. I can be patient when I want to be.

[Laura_7]

Here at the links are a few more options:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,204905.msg1821002.html#msg1821002

This might help with parents:
http://www.acceptingdad.com/2013/08/05/to-the-unicorns-dad/

And being in the UK you might contact the mermaids, its a group specifically for transgender youth:
http://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/
"We offer information, support, friendship and shared experiences."


hugs

[Jake]

Hello! I'm a few days late to the party but I'm transitioning through NHS Wales so I can help, maybe! NB: I started medically transitioning as an adult, so I'm a bit sketchy on the details for under-18s.

1. On the NHS, you'll be able to choose Testogel/Testim (topical gel) as an alternative to injectable testosterone, and your endo may even recommend it for initial treatment (mine did, anyway). Personally, I buy Underworks from Amazon for about £33.

3. In Wales, it works a bit different to England (and possibly the rest of the UK) since we don't have any GICs over here. Personally, I just went to my GP and asked for a referral for gender transitioning services. My GP then had to go away and find out who I needed to be referred to, since over here it's not "the nearest GIC", but an intermediary - a psychiatrist, possibly a GID gatekeeper. The waiting list for that appointment should be as long as it usually is for a psych appt (this'll vary depending on where you live, but about a month? Maybe two??).

The psych appt... happens - they mostly just ask you about your transition goals. At this point it would be helpful to emphasise surgery needs, even if it's not a priority for you right now, because if they get any indication that they can drag their feet on this, they will absolutely take the mickey about it. After this, the psych will send a referral to the relevant endocrinologist, probably at your local hospital.

With any luck, you should get an appointment within a month or two (or however long it takes for outpatient appts at your hospital). The first appointment will just be for blood tests, general health checks, and to make sure your paperwork is in order, but as long as everything's fine you should be good to start soon after.

The psychiatrist will also send a letter to the local Gatekeeper (if applicable), who will apply for treatment funding and refer you to Charing Cross. I'm not sure if this is still true if you aren't seeking surgery, but I believe it is.

AFAIK, if you're under 18 when you ask for a referral from your GP, you'll be referred to Tavistock. That being said, I'm not sure (because Wales), and as long as you're comfortable doing so, it may be worth going to your GP to find out for certain. If nothing else, signalling your intent to transition now should help streamline the initial referral(s) later on.

[GammaHunter]

Hello! I'm a few days late to the party but I'm transitioning through NHS Wales so I can help, maybe! NB: I started medically transitioning as an adult, so I'm a bit sketchy on the details for under-18s.

1. On the NHS, you'll be able to choose Testogel/Testim (topical gel) as an alternative to injectable testosterone, and your endo may even recommend it for initial treatment (mine did, anyway). Personally, I buy Underworks from Amazon for about £33.

3. In Wales, it works a bit different to England (and possibly the rest of the UK) since we don't have any GICs over here. Personally, I just went to my GP and asked for a referral for gender transitioning services. My GP then had to go away and find out who I needed to be referred to, since over here it's not "the nearest GIC", but an intermediary - a psychiatrist, possibly a GID gatekeeper. The waiting list for that appointment should be as long as it usually is for a psych appt (this'll vary depending on where you live, but about a month? Maybe two??).

The psych appt... happens - they mostly just ask you about your transition goals. At this point it would be helpful to emphasise surgery needs, even if it's not a priority for you right now, because if they get any indication that they can drag their feet on this, they will absolutely take the mickey about it. After this, the psych will send a referral to the relevant endocrinologist, probably at your local hospital.

With any luck, you should get an appointment within a month or two (or however long it takes for outpatient appts at your hospital). The first appointment will just be for blood tests, general health checks, and to make sure your paperwork is in order, but as long as everything's fine you should be good to start soon after.

The psychiatrist will also send a letter to the local Gatekeeper (if applicable), who will apply for treatment funding and refer you to Charing Cross. I'm not sure if this is still true if you aren't seeking surgery, but I believe it is.

AFAIK, if you're under 18 when you ask for a referral from your GP, you'll be referred to Tavistock. That being said, I'm not sure (because Wales), and as long as you're comfortable doing so, it may be worth going to your GP to find out for certain. If nothing else, signalling your intent to transition now should help streamline the initial referral(s) later on.

Thanks, that's all very good to know. Living in Wales in super annoying (I live in the south east-ish, not terribly far from Cardiff, but in a rather small village), and I've also never actually been to see my new GP. My family changed over to the doctor's surgery somewhere else last year, since the GP in the village where I live is... well I'm not entirely sure, since the last time I went to a doctor was when I was about seven or eight.

After thinking about it, I probably will wait until I'm eighteen, since it's a little over a year away, and it'll make things much easier. Besides, I have other things I want to focus on currently, and it's not too pressing an issue at the moment.