HRT in the UK

[blue.lotus]

I have recently moved to the UK a couple of months ago and I came with enough hormones to last me for about three months but now I have reached the point where I no longer have enough and I'm not sure how to start HRT in the UK. I've been taking hormones now for several years, so I would hate to have to go through therapy or something of the sort again to be able to take them.

Could anyone please help guide me with this? I am so unsure of what to do and it's a completely new country for me so I don't know how anything works :/ any input would be greatly appreciated on how I can start hormones in the UK

[Casady]

I don't suppose it will be easy to start obtaining HRT without having to undergo some form of checks first, but I would suggest contacting GenderGP. They're mentioned in other posts on here (so worth doing a search within the forums and reading comments posted by others) and their website can be found easily enough via Google.

Best of luck!

Casady

[pamelatransuk]

Hello Bluelotus

I thoroughly recommend GenderGP. I am very happy with their overall transgender service.

There are several GenderGP threads on Susans and many UK Susans members are registered with them.

I wish you the best of luck.

Hugs

Pamela

[big kim]

Sign on with a regular Doctor, they will write you a prescription. Boots or most other chain chemists should have them.

[blue.lotus]

Sign on with a regular Doctor, they will write you a prescription. Boots or most other chain chemists should have them.

With any doctor, does it have to be a specialist or are all of them able to handle HRT? Im from the US and normally over there it's only certain doctors that handle HRT, usually specialists.

[blue.lotus]

Thank you for your replies. GenderGP seems to be a little costly though to signup with them.

[sophie1904]

Any GP can prescribe HRT although a lot of them won't without you being referred to a GIC (Gender Identity Clinic) first.

GenderGP is rare in that they will but as you've discovered it costs money.

I wouldn't approach it as a new prescription - register with your GP and advise that you are looking to continue an existing program of care.

As someone moving from the UK to the US, I really hope I don't need to go through a 6 month period to get HRT again

[blue.lotus]

Any GP can prescribe HRT although a lot of them won't without you being referred to a GIC (Gender Identity Clinic) first.

GenderGP is rare in that they will but as you've discovered it costs money.

I wouldn't approach it as a new prescription - register with your GP and advise that you are looking to continue an existing program of care.

As someone moving from the UK to the US, I really hope I don't need to go through a 6 month period to get HRT again

Hopefully being referred by a GIC won't be necessary considering I'm already on hormones but need to continue care. Thank you for replying I'll have to look at doctors in my area and I suppose last resort would be GenderGP though I read a little more on they're website and it says that the costs can be lowered with GP.

I Wish you the best of luck with moving to the US From personal experience, I didn't have to go through any waiting period in the US; I was able to find a doctor and she prescribed hormones on the first appointment. I suppose it depends on the doctor in the US.

[pamelatransuk]

Hello Sophie

I agree that it would be better for someone moving either to UK or to US, to explain it is an application for continuation of HRT as opposed to new prescription.

I wish you happiness on your move to US.


Hello again Bluelotus

Yes. If a local doctor refuses to prescribe hormones, then as you say you may register with GenderGP and afterwards arrange a "Shared Care Agreement" between your local NHSGP and GenderGP as I have, such that you may obtain your medication under NHS.

Good luck whichever option(s) you choose.


Hugs to you both

Pamela 

[sandrauk]

Kim
Have you done that with your own GP?
If so did you go private or through the NHS?

[sandrauk]

Thank you for your replies. GenderGP seems to be a little costly though to signup with them.

They will also charge £30 per month plus the cost of filling your prescriptions

[sandrauk]

Hello Sophie

I agree that it would be better for someone moving either to UK or to US, to explain it is an application for continuation of HRT as opposed to new prescription.

I wish you happiness on your move to US.


Hello again Bluelotus

Yes. If a local doctor refuses to prescribe hormones, then as you say you may register with GenderGP and afterwards arrange a "Shared Care Agreement" between your local NHSGP and GenderGP as I have, such that you may obtain your medication under NHS.

Good luck whichever option(s) you choose.


Hugs to you both

Pamela

I went through and payed for the whole process only to have my GP refuse an agreement. That's why I am back with < not allowed >.

    < Edit made by moderator TOS 8B>

[big kim]

I was already registered with my GP when Charing Cross sent him the letter to prescribe HRT. I went through the NHS

[AnneK]

I went through and payed for the whole process only to have my GP refuse an agreement.

WOW!!!

In Ontario, if a doctor refuses to provide service for religious or moral grounds, then they MUST refer to a doctor who will.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/01/31/ontario-doctors-who-object-to-treatment-on-moral-or-religious-grounds-must-give-referral-court.html

[pamelatransuk]

I went through and payed for the whole process only to have my GP refuse an agreement. That's why I am back with < not allowed >.

    < Edit made by moderator TOS 8B>

Hello Sandra

I am sorry to hear about the GP refusal. I note that if you remain with GenderGP, you must pay the prescription charge aswell as the monthly charge.

I suggest you consider changing your GP to a more accommodating one but the decisions is yours of course.

I wish you success.

Hugs

Pamela

[sandrauk]

Hello Sandra

I am sorry to hear about the GP refusal. I note that if you remain with GenderGP, you must pay the prescription charge aswell as the monthly charge.

I suggest you consider changing your GP to a more accommodating one but the decisions is yours of course.

I wish you success.

Hugs

Pamela

Hi Pamela

I don't think that would help. My doctor referred it to the county group to ask for permission, so any other doctor in the county would probably give the same answer.

To be honest I'm fed up with the whole process and being treated like someone who doesn't know my own mind.

I live in the same town as dr w. so I suspect that may have a bearing

[Devlyn]

With any doctor, does it have to be a specialist or are all of them able to handle HRT? Im from the US and normally over there it's only certain doctors that handle HRT, usually specialists.

I'm visiting the UK from the US, I brought enough for six months with me. I'll be back in the states and may pick up another six month prescription while I'm there. Then I'll probably be switching to a UK doctor, I expect that showing my medical records should make getting a prescription a fairly straightforward matter. I'm curious, are you here on a passport, or a visa? If visa, which type?

Hi Pamela

I don't think that would help. My doctor referred it to the county group to ask for permission, so any other doctor in the county would probably give the same answer.

To be honest I'm fed up with the whole process and being treated like someone who doesn't know my own mind.

I live in the same town as dr w. so I suspect that may have a bearing

If you've been self medicating, you can ask a GIC doctor for a bridging prescription, but bypassing the GIC without going through Gender GP isn't likely to work, at least from what I've heard.

Hugs, Devlyn

[blue.lotus]

I'm visiting the UK from the US, I brought enough for six months with me. I'll be back in the states and may pick up another six month prescription while I'm there. Then I'll probably be switching to a UK doctor, I expect that showing my medical records should make getting a prescription a fairly straightforward matter. I'm curious, are you here on a passport, or a visa? If visa, which type?

If you've been self medicating, you can ask a GIC doctor for a bridging prescription, but bypassing the GIC without going through Gender GP isn't likely to work, at least from what I've heard.

Hugs, Devlyn

I am here as a family member of an EEA citizen

[Devlyn]

I am here as a family member of an EEA citizen

Thanks.  I'm looking into a partner, fiancé, or spouse visa.

Hugs, Devlyn

[blue.lotus]

I will have to go through GenderGP I suppose at least for the moment until I figure out the process better and am able to find a GP; I called an office today that had a doctor who apparently has worked with transgender in the past but since it is not in my area, I can't register with them.

Thank you all for your help!