Lack of estrogen?

[Naturally Blonde]

I saw my GP yesterday and the results show from my blood tests that I have hardly any estrogen in my system? and after going through my blood results my GP said this has been the case since 2006, but before 2006 my estrogen levels were very good in 2005 and 2004? Also my blood tests show I have a level of 0.4 for my testoterone levels which also indicates they are very low also. So what am I running on?

There results clearly show why I haven't been getting the physical results I should have. I have begged my GP to put me on estrogen implants but it is proving difficult. I have been on pills and patches for many years but I don't believe they are as effective as implants or injections?

[LordKAT]

The low levels would definitely explain a lot. I would think the injections or implants better. You don't absorb as much from patches and so it is wasted and your digestive system wastes some from pills. Can you go somewhere else to get a script for and filled with injectable E?

[Naturally Blonde]

The low levels would definitely explain a lot. I would think the injections or implants better. You don't absorb as much from patches and so it is wasted and your digestive system wastes some from pills. Can you go somewhere else to get a script for and filled with injectable E?

It's a difficult problem as injectable's are not licensed in the U.K. I will have to import them from overseas and hope I don't buy anything dodgy. As they are not licensed in the U.K I will not get any help or endorsement from my GP.

I'm not sure about implants but I think I may be able to get those over here? but even that has been a difficult fight with my GP and the NHS. The U.K is not the best place to live if you are TS.

[LordKAT]

The not licensed part is why I was wondering if you could go to a doc in another country and get it that way.

[Naturally Blonde]

The not licensed part is why I was wondering if you could go to a doc in another country and get it that way.

It's very hard when your not a resident or registered with GP in another country.

[MillieB]

I've not really known anyone in the U.K who has had implants, most people get okay results from patches although as you have pointed out, I think that the U.K is a bit lacking if you are TS and I have already pretty much ruled out surgery here, I'm just going to see how I get on with patches and from what I can gather, Dr Curtis does at least care about the amount of feminisation that occurs. I think that there are places where you can get injectable E over the net, but whether it's reputable or whether it will be picked up by customs is another matter.

[Chrissty]

I saw my GP yesterday and the results show from my blood tests that I have hardly any estrogen in my system? and after going through my blood results my GP said this has been the case since 2006, but before 2006 my estrogen levels were very good in 2005 and 2004? Also my blood tests show I have a level of 0.4 for my testoterone levels which also indicates they are very low also. So what am I running on?

There results clearly show why I haven't been getting the physical results I should have. I have begged my GP to put me on estrogen implants but it is proving difficult. I have been on pills and patches for many years but I don't believe they are as effective as implants or injections?

Hi NB,

Surely due to the well documented physical risk of Osteoporosis from those results, your GP has no choice but to deal with your lack of hormones, and as such it is his/her problem to find or refer you to a specialist for a suitable delivery method that will work now, regardless of whatever issues they may have had with your status in the past.

To admit to knowing you had a deficiency for the last 4 years and choosing to ignore this issue is tantamount to malpractice even in the UK. With that sort of ammunition maybe it's time to take your case further?

With regard to the implants, as I understand it the levels delivered from the approved ones in the UK will only be enough for contraception, and you would need several to achieve an acceptable dose for HRT purposes which may be impractical.

As always...Good Luck..

Chrissty

[Naturally Blonde]

Hi NB,

Surely due to the well documented physical risk of Osteoporosis from those results, your GP has no choice but to deal with your lack of hormones, and as such it is his/her problem to find or refer you to a specialist for a suitable delivery method that will work now, regardless of whatever issues they may have had with your status in the past.

To admit to knowing you had a deficiency for the last 4 years and choosing to ignore this issue is tantamount to malpractice even in the UK. With that sort of ammunition maybe it's time to take your case further?

With regard to the implants, as I understand it the levels delivered from the approved ones in the UK will only be enough for contraception, and you would need several to achieve an acceptable dose for HRT purposes which may be impractical.

As always...Good Luck..

Chrissty

Hi Chrissy, thanks for your reply. What kind of doses would be exceptable by your standards?
Post Merge: June 14, 2010, 03:35:26 AM

I've not really known anyone in the U.K who has had implants, most people get okay results from patches although as you have pointed out, I think that the U.K is a bit lacking if you are TS and I have already pretty much ruled out surgery here, I'm just going to see how I get on with patches and from what I can gather, Dr Curtis does at least care about the amount of feminisation that occurs. I think that there are places where you can get injectable E over the net, but whether it's reputable or whether it will be picked up by customs is another matter.

Hi Millie, I've not seen Dr Curtis but I think it's probably time I did go and see him. I wasted too many years with the NHS who don't seem to have the same kind of care or expertise as Dr Curtis may have.

As for patches I've tried them for four years and I believe this is why my levels dropped to a low level. Before I was on pills which were a little better but I believe injections or implants will be more beneficial for my own personal situation.

[Chrissty]

Hi Chrissy, thanks for your reply. What kind of doses would be exceptable by your standards?

Hi Hon,

We are not allowed to discuss dosage here or on the other forums I'm on, and I'm no expert; but I understand that the implants were about 10% of what an HRT regime would commonly be (it was also suggested that there was a limit on the capacity of the delivery system in case of accidental release).

The real point is that it is the responsibility of the GP, or consultant to find a delivery method that will correct your hormone levels back to "safe" levels and the dose is prescribed to your needs. If you don't have any T or E the problem to be addressed is the potential risk to your quality of life if left untreated, and gender issues are irrelevant.



Chrissty

[Naturally Blonde]

The real point is that it is the responsibility of the GP, or consultant to find a delivery method that will correct your hormone levels back to "safe" levels and the dose is prescribed to your needs. If you don't have any T or E the problem to be addressed is the potential risk to your quality of life if left untreated, and gender issues are irrelevant.



Chrissty

Thanks for your message Chrissy. My GP is a bit nieve when it comes to my treatment and I find I'm on my own when it comes to finding a solution. I don't have a consultant as such and I only get to see my endo every 9 months.

It does worry me I don't have anything in my system which is probably why I feel so tired all the time.

[MillieB]

It really does sound as though you may need a better (or more informed) G.P

It is alarming that there is such a relaxed attitude towards your general health. I know someone whose blood tests were flagged because her testosterone had gone below normal male levels (the hospital were not aware of her HRT, her G.P knew what the situation was but was still duty bound to call her in.)

That yours doesn't seem concerned that you have and unhealthy lack of estrogen seems really bad.

TC

M x

[Chrissty]

Thanks for your message Chrissy. My GP is a bit nieve when it comes to my treatment and I find I'm on my own when it comes to finding a solution. I don't have a consultant as such and I only get to see my endo every 9 months.

It does worry me I don't have anything in my system which is probably why I feel so tired all the time.

Your welcome hun....

...as you say, tiredness and depression are also documented as a common symptom.

Have you tried phoning NHS Direct for a chat and a second opinion about this? 

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/



Chrissty

[Naturally Blonde]

Your welcome hun....

...as you say, tiredness and depression are also documented as a common symptom.

Have you tried phoning NHS Direct for a chat and a second opinion about this? 

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/



Chrissty

Hi Chrissy, I'm not sure what NHS Direct would be able to do? Because we are GD we wouldn't be viewed as a priority case in the same way a genetic female would. I could of course not mention the fact I was GD and they would then presume otherwise but I'm still not sure what advice they would give apart from change your GP which is what I've been trying to do for the last 6 years! In order to join in another surgery you have to either: be new to the area, or move away for a few years and then come back again in order to register with another surgery in the same town! crazy or what?

[laurita22]

hello, your problem may be the dose of estrogen, and for good feminization have to have a good antiandrogen, also never leave taking the pills you have to take them every day, same time always, this is my advice
kisses

LAURA

[Chrissty]

Hi Chrissy, I'm not sure what NHS Direct would be able to do? Because we are GD we wouldn't be viewed as a priority case in the same way a genetic female would. I could of course not mention the fact I was GD and they would then presume otherwise but I'm still not sure what advice they would give apart from change your GP which is what I've been trying to do for the last 6 years! In order to join in another surgery you have to either: be new to the area, or move away for a few years and then come back again in order to register with another surgery in the same town! crazy or what?

Anybody with hormone deficiency is a priority case, and I know the NHS patient choice rules have changed in the last few years.

I also know the NHS is unbelievably frustrating, but so often you can ask the same question several times than on the 5th attempt get the different answer you need.

My view would be to put your case together for hormone deficiency, demand treatment, if necessary get a formal refusal, then make a formal complaint. Worry about the type of HRT secondary.

Maybe NHS direct can help, maybe not... but neither of us can be sure if you don't' try, and it costs nothing to tell me "I told you so".

I've sent you a suggestion on pm.



Chrissty

[Naturally Blonde]

Anybody with hormone deficiency is a priority case, and I know the NHS patient choice rules have changed in the last few years.

I also know the NHS is unbelievably frustrating, but so often you can ask the same question several times than on the 5th attempt get the different answer you need.

My view would be to put your case together for hormone deficiency, demand treatment, if necessary get a formal refusal, then make a formal complaint. Worry about the type of HRT secondary.

Maybe NHS direct can help, maybe not... but neither of us can be sure if you don't' try, and it costs nothing to tell me "I told you so".

I've sent you a suggestion on pm.



Chrissty

NHS Direct suggested a walk in centre to get a prescription.  I have serious problems with my GP and she won't prescribe a repeat prescription for the medication I have already been on for the last ten years. So if it wasn't for friends giving me some of theirs I wouldn't get any anti - androgens or HRT. I've been trying to change doctor's surgeries but it has been difficult and no one will let me change unless I am new to the area as the other surgeries are full up and won't take on any new patients.

I feel so depressed and over the last ten years have had so much bad luck from the NHS. So from the suggestion I am going to try and get my meds from a walk in centre. I also have some laser booked next week which I have to find the money for. My beard growth has increased due to no medication.

[Chrissty]

NHS Direct suggested a walk in centre to get a prescription.  I have serious problems with my GP and she won't prescribe a repeat prescription for the medication I have already been on for the last ten years. So if it wasn't for friends giving me some of theirs I wouldn't get any anti - androgens or HRT. I've been trying to change doctor's surgeries but it has been difficult and no one will let me change unless I am new to the area as the other surgeries are full up and won't take on any new patients.

I feel so depressed and over the last ten years have had so much bad luck from the NHS. So from the suggestion I am going to try and get my meds from a walk in centre. I also have some laser booked next week which I have to find the money for. My beard growth has increased due to no medication.

Hi NB,

I hope you can get help from the walk in centre, I've used the one at Liverpool St Station in London before and they were pretty good, but I don't know how they would react with a script request. If you have anything that will support your request in writing from your endo (or even your GP) I would take it with you.

As we discussed, so much time has passed in your journey that even turning over some of the older stones that led nowhere before, may yeild a different result now.. 

Good luck next week, and keep in touch...



Chrissty

[Naturally Blonde]

Hi NB,

I hope you can get help from the walk in centre, I've used the one at Liverpool St Station in London before and they were pretty good, but I don't know how they would react with a script request. If you have anything that will support your request in writing from your endo (or even your GP) I would take it with you.

As we discussed, so much time has passed in your journey that even turning over some of the older stones that led nowhere before, may yeild a different result now.. 

Good luck next week, and keep in touch...



Chrissty

I have letters from my endocrinologist and previous receipts from my old repeat scripts. So I should in theory get my meds ok from the walk in centre. Failing that it's a visit to Richard Curtis as he can also make prescriptions. This is how I got started on HRT in the first place in 2003 though a private consultant like Richard and not the NHS.

Also there's definitely no way I'm going to 'turn over old stones' or get involved with any NHS organisations like CX GIC who screwed me over in the past.

[Chrissty]

Also there's definitely no way I'm going to 'turn over old stones' or get involved with any NHS organisations like CX GIC who screwed me over in the past.

...hey.. just a suggestion based on recent feedback, and there are a lot more ways to play the NHS than CHX...

I have letters from my endocrinologist and previous receipts from my old repeat scripts. So I should in theory get my meds ok from the walk in centre. Failing that it's a visit to Richard Curtis as he can also make prescriptions. This is how I got started on HRT in the first place in 2003 though a private consultant like Richard and not the NHS.

...letters sound good ... but if you have to go to Richard, see if you can keep it down to a half hour slot to save some cash rather than repeating the full review with him (by advising of your existing letters when booking)... from what I hear he is reasonable where previous proof of diagnosis is provided..



Chrissty

[Naturally Blonde]

...hey.. just a suggestion based on recent feedback, and there are a lot more ways to play the NHS than CHX...

...letters sound good ... but if you have to go to Richard, see if you can keep it down to a half hour slot to save some cash rather than repeating the full review with him (by advising of your existing letters when booking)... from what I hear he is reasonable where previous proof of diagnosis is provided..



Chrissty

Richard can see all my paperwork, no problem including my SRS referrals and letters from the endocrinologists plus previous receipts of HRT scripts going back to 2001. My original GD diagnosis was made over ten years ago.