[UK NHS] Missing 4 weeks of HRT, how will I change?

[Anonymouth]

Hello,

I started on testogel about 3 years ago. I'm 27, fully out as male, stopped having periods as soon as I started HRT. I've had chest surgery and have had a consultation for bottom surgery, while should be scheduled for next month.

Here's the problem: Apparently there's a manufacturing problem with Testogel and I can't get it anywhere. I've tried phoning around all the pharmacies around me and further out and none have it in stock. I told my GP about it, who said there may be alternatives, but because I'm the only transgender patient they've ever had, they have no clue about what effect switching to a different gel might have or if there's a difference in dosage. They told me they've sent a letter to Leighton Seal at the Gender Identity Clinic in London so I phoned them and the receptionist said there's a response time of at least 4 weeks. I asked her what I could do to get hormones because I'll have nothing in that time, and she said to wait 4 weeks. I phoned the doctor and said "Yeah I phoned the GIC and they said an alternative is fine", but the GP wants it in writing from them.

I wish I had found out about the problem sooner so I could have had it sorted, but I only found out when I was trying to collect the prescription from my local pharmacy. I don't think I've been so upset, scared and angry in my life.

What will happen to me in 4 weeks? Will I revert back like these 3 years never happened? Will my chest start to grow again, requiring more surgery? Should I expect my surgery to be delayed, and will the "2 years on testosterone" requirement be reset? Do I have any kind of legal case against this?

Thank you for any information you may have.

Kai D

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place. Not much has been done in the way of studies on this subject but reverting if any shouldn't be noticeable. Your period could resume however as long as you have been on T it's likely your reproductive system may take a few months to recover. I know its scary and the thought is uncomfortable but just as T didn't transform you overnight, E will take a while to have much of an effect on you.

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[Kylo]

Can't you switch to Tostran or Testim? The pump dosages are demarked on the containers so you can take the same amount of T you normally do.

[Oblivion]

There's no manufacturing problem with testogel. This has come up so often over the past month and the GICs are messing everyone about by not warning us beforehand. Besins, the manufacturing company, have been contacted by someone I know and they've stated that they're not discontinuing it, it's still available. If you get your pharmacy to call up the manufacturing company they can send them testogel from their reserved storage. There's only become a problem because there were recently supply difficulties with one of the other gels (testim I think) so a lot of people switched over to testogel hence why there doesn't seem to be any. I'd really recommend asking your pharmacy to directly contact the manufacturing company and ask if they're able to send some.

If you don't take T for a month your mood will probably become out of whack, you'll likely become quite fatigued. You don't need to worry about reverting back to pre-T though, not at all. Body fat redistribution may change things around a bit but one month really wont make a difference physically. Shark week may return so I'd be careful of that. Legally there isn't really a leg to stand on, dude. It's happening to every other trans guy in the country right now and everyone's panicking. You don't need to worry about delays with surgery or the '2 years on T' rule either. When are you expecting to have surgery?

I hope that somewhat helped to ease your mind. I can find the actual comments about what the manufacturing company said if you want, just let me know.

[Anonymouth]

There's no manufacturing problem with testogel. This has come up so often over the past month and the GICs are messing everyone about by not warning us beforehand. Besins, the manufacturing company, have been contacted by someone I know and they've stated that they're not discontinuing it, it's still available. If you get your pharmacy to call up the manufacturing company they can send them testogel from their reserved storage. There's only become a problem because there were recently supply difficulties with one of the other gels (testim I think) so a lot of people switched over to testogel hence why there doesn't seem to be any. I'd really recommend asking your pharmacy to directly contact the manufacturing company and ask if they're able to send some.

If you don't take T for a month your mood will probably become out of whack, you'll likely become quite fatigued. You don't need to worry about reverting back to pre-T though, not at all. Body fat redistribution may change things around a bit but one month really wont make a difference physically. Shark week may return so I'd be careful of that. Legally there isn't really a leg to stand on, dude. It's happening to every other trans guy in the country right now and everyone's panicking. You don't need to worry about delays with surgery or the '2 years on T' rule either. When are you expecting to have surgery?

I hope that somewhat helped to ease your mind. I can find the actual comments about what the manufacturing company said if you want, just let me know.

Thank you for your replies everyone.

Sadly my pharmacy is a bit on the transphobic side so they don't like to do much for me, I'll ask and see if they will though (The pitfalls of living in a tiny countryside town where everyone has known you since you were born).

I mentioned Testim to the GP, but they said they've never heard of it so they need it in writing from the GIC. My GP has been in touch with the GIC many times saying that no one is trained to treat me, and Leighton Seal always responds saying to treat me like a man who needs HRT and that I should've been having ultrasound scans and smear tests for the past 2 years. Ah well.

Surgery should be in about a month, possibly less than that. The surgeon gave me a estimate waiting time of 3 months back in August.

Could I have the comments please? I'd like to arm myself with them before I contact the pharmacy so they'll hopefully understand what's happening. Failing that, I can always try another pharmacy that might put in the effort.

Thank you!

[Elis]

I had this recently. The pharmacy said there was a manufacturing problem so I couldn't get my testogel prescription. So I asked my Dr if I could go on Testim; so after 3 weeks Testim was available. This was a month or so ago so I haven't checked yet whether testogel is back in stock yet.

Those 3 weeks were the worst. My dysphoria and anxiety skyrocketed, I had 0 energy and some spotting occurred which was super fun but apart from that no other changes I've noticed. I was seriously worried my chest would perk up again but it didn't happen thank god.

[Charlotte F]

Hi Kai

I don't know if it might help but I get my prescriptions (albeit for different products) from clearchemist.co.uk.  They list Testogel as something they supply.  They are a legitimate chemist (linked to a Dr Helen Webberley of GenderGP) so will need your prescription but they have always been very fast and well priced with my orders in the past

Could be worth dropping them an email or giving them a call to find out if they have any

Charlotte

[Anonymouth]

Hi Kai

I don't know if it might help but I get my prescriptions (albeit for different products) from clearchemist.co.uk.  They list Testogel as something they supply.  They are a legitimate chemist (linked to a Dr Helen Webberley of GenderGP) so will need your prescription but they have always been very fast and well priced with my orders in the past

Could be worth dropping them an email or giving them a call to find out if they have any

Charlotte

Thank you so much! I phoned them and they do have it in stock. I've ordered it with next day delivery and I'll send off my prescription with recorded delivery today. Hopefully I'll get it soon!

[Oblivion]

This is from someone who called them
"I have just phoned Besins who make testogel. They are still making testogel, they have no plans to stop - in the last month they have sold 2 months worth (possibly due to the Testim problems, though he didn't say that). They are aware that there are temporary fluctuations which are causing supply problems.

They have sent a letter to every pharmacy in the coutnry saying that if there are any problems with supply to contact them directly. They are also happy for patients to contact them if there are issues and they will advise."

And I'm unable to find a way to link the picture but someone emailed and the gist of it was that they're committed to continue supplying and will send out if they're contacted on 01773441700 and the pharmacy can place an order.

Glad to hear you've found a way to purchase it, I hope it's not too expensive.

[Charlotte F]

Thank you so much! I phoned them and they do have it in stock. I've ordered it with next day delivery and I'll send off my prescription with recorded delivery today. Hopefully I'll get it soon!

I'm glad they could help - I can only imagine how stressful it must be

[CursedFireDean]

Hey man,
I am 3 years on T and just recently was also off of T for 4 weeks (I think it ended up being 5) because of insurance problems. Long story short I was told to wait to fill my prescription to hear from them for approval, but then my doctor's office didn't send the approval form for weeks and only finally did because I was calling them twice a week about it.

Here's what I noticed-
- Right before I got back on T, my lower area smell became more "female" ie I started to smell like how I smelled during my period.
-  More emotional starting around 2-3 weeks or so. It got pretty bad. I was super moody for a while.

It looks like others gave you some good things to try to not stop T, so I hope you're able to get an alternative set! 4 weeks isn't the end of the world but it certainly doesn't feel good. 

[Anonymouth]

This is from someone who called them
"I have just phoned Besins who make testogel. They are still making testogel, they have no plans to stop - in the last month they have sold 2 months worth (possibly due to the Testim problems, though he didn't say that). They are aware that there are temporary fluctuations which are causing supply problems.

They have sent a letter to every pharmacy in the coutnry saying that if there are any problems with supply to contact them directly. They are also happy for patients to contact them if there are issues and they will advise."

And I'm unable to find a way to link the picture but someone emailed and the gist of it was that they're committed to continue supplying and will send out if they're contacted on 01773441700 and the pharmacy can place an order.

Glad to hear you've found a way to purchase it, I hope it's not too expensive.

Thank you, I'll get the pharmacy to contact them anyway because I don't want all this hassle next month too.

It was £8.60 because I had an NHS prescription that I had to send off to them, and £6.99 for delivery. The delivery was so high because I wanted the fastest possible, so it's not too bad really. Definitely better than nothing.