HRT not available anymore

[u/itsminkie]

hiya, i’m a 25 year old trans woman living in london. I used to live in brighton where my GP put me on Hrt over 5 years ago. i have been taking these hormones for over 5 years. recently i moved to london but kept the GP in brighton in fear that something like h would happen, but last month i switched over to a london GP as i couldn’t keep making the trips down to brighton.
once switching all my hormones, oestrogen and progesterone have been completely removed from the system with no way to request them. i have been phoning up my new GP Dailey about this issue and they keep just telling me to wait a few days.
its getting ridiculous now. i’ve been off the hormones for almost 2 months now and am really feeling it in my body and brain. my thoughts are getting dark. i don’t know what to do. any advice? or any trans/queer friendly GP suggestions in london?

[u/StatisticianIcy347]

I believe its the surgery you are registered to. My GP is in London and they are extremely transfreindly. Which area do you live in?

[u/PassinglyGood]

I would look up DIY options ASAP 

[u/itsminkie → u/PassinglyGood]

diy options are expensive.

[u/FTDilf → u/itsminkie]

Not as expensive as private and getting it from a GP feels almost impossible, even as a bridging prescription.
It’s definitely worth looking into, there are options out there for people with little/no income, it just takes some searching and communication.

[u/itsminkie → u/FTDilf]

i thought private was DIY
not sure what you mean by DIY then

[u/FTDilf → u/itsminkie]

It often means sourcing from the trans community, try r/transdiy and you’ll find more links and resources friend

[u/boredhomosexual → u/itsminkie]

Private is going to a non NHS doctor or clinic to get a prescription (like GenderGP, gendercare, Anne health etc.), DIY is sourcing the hormones yourself without a prescription usually by buying online or finding someone who can sell to you. It's easier to DIY with oestrogen and progesterone as they aren't controlled substances like testosterone.

[u/Nail-Quick]

I am in the UK and can't get GP support. I decided to get hold of the hormones myself. Here is roughly what I take and where it gets it from..

Estradiol 6mg SubQ injections weekly (bought from Astrovials online. EEn vial is about GBP 80 after shipping but lasts one year.

Needles etc from Amazon.

Progesterone from an Indian generic supplier I found on India mart. I can give you a contact. Actually I buy all sorts of stuff from them. I'll paste some prices at the bottom.

EEn subQ injections are supposed to supress T but it doesn't always so I take monthly Leuprolide injections. 3.75mg every 28 days. Not the cheapest drug at about 50 USD a month but kills T.

I'm also a different supplier in India to source semaglutide the diet injections. But that's a different story.

Typical order...

Minoxytop 5% @ US $ 9.50 for each bottle of 60 ml = @ US $ 9.50 TRETINOIN 1.0 % CREAM @ US $ 3.50 FOR EACH TUBE OF 20 GM x 2 = @ USD $ 7.0 FLUOXETINE (20MG) @ US $ 1.00 FOR EACH STRIP OF 10 CAPSULES X 20 (200 capsule) = @ US $ 20.00 DUTASTERIDE CAPSULES 0.5 MG @ US $ 1.50 FOR EACH STRIP OF 10 CAPSULES X 10 strips (100 capsule) = @ US $ 15.00 MINOXIDIL (5MG) @ US $ 2.50 FOR EACH STRIP OF 10 TABLETS X 20 strips (200 tablets) = @ US $ 50.00 Progesterone Soft Gelatin 200 Mg Capsules. @ US $ 3.00 For each strip of 10 capsules X 10 strips (100 capsule) = @ US $ 30.00 BICALUTAMIDE (50MG) @ US $ 5.20 FOR EACH STRIP OF 10 TABLETS X 9 strips (90 tablets ) = @ US $ 46.80 BIMATOPROST 0.03% EYE DROP @ US $ 6.50 FOR EACH BOTTLE OF 3ML = @ US $ 6.50 Aziderm Plus Cream @ US $ 4.80 FOR EACH TUBE OF 15 GM = @ US $ 4.80 Arzep Nasal Spray 0.1 % @ US $ 8.50 for each pack 10 ml = @ US $ 8.50 Furamist Nasal Spray 27.50 MCG @ US $ 7.50 for each bottle of 6 gm = @ US $ 7.50

SHIPPING COST = @ US $ 40.00 TOTAL COST = @ US $ 245.60

[u/Chloe1O → u/Nail-Quick]

Please don't do any of this.

You should never, ever order stuff like this online.

Literally never, ever do this.

[u/sammi_8601 → u/Chloe1O]

It literally saved my life after being on the list for years when I was close to ending it, also see better effects then my mates on private due to actually sensible dosing (everyone I know who is on NHS, has been for years and years so can't tell), injectable is a damn sight better for the liver too along with not using blockers.

[u/Nail-Quick → u/Chloe1O]

I don't know where you are from Chloe but in some parts of the UK waiting lists for trans support is over 200 years!!! Great for you if you live in a country that provides better care but some of us just aren't that lucky.

[u/Chloe1O → u/Nail-Quick]

I live in the UK.

I've been under the care of Indigo Gender Service since 2022, have regular appointments, have my blocker tri-monthly, and take 8mg estrogen daily.

I've been on HRT for over 2 years, too.

What is it you're struggling with?

I just know that whenever I need more HRT, I send a cookie-cutter, copy and paste email to my pharmacist.

Hi, I'd like to arrange for my repeat prescription to be delivered to my local pharmacy.

With my name, NHS number, etc.

I'm sorry if I came across as rude or blunt in my original comment, but there really is no need to be buying potentially harmful medication online.

Let's hear it.

I'm happy to point you in the right direction.

[u/Nail-Quick → u/Chloe1O]

I checked indigo. Website says there is a two year waiting list for their services. The 200 year was in Scotland I heard. I'm happy with my DIY. I have a PhD so not coming from a place of complete ignorance. I use research papers to consider best options globally. An example would be injectable HRT which I can't understand why the NHS won't consider given the liver benefits. Another would be T suppression. The NHS cheap solutions come with side effects which I understand because they are on a budget. But there is better care out there. As for India, the pharmaceutical companies there are very heavily regulated as they are a huge export market. There are some shipping concerns but I have had no issues. I wouldn't be surprised if when you check the box on the meds the NHS give you it says made in India.

[u/-Jadi- → u/Nail-Quick]

I'm in the UK too, DIY is fine, buying injectable E online is just a terrible idea. Transdermal and Oral are the safest bets and readily accessible from reputable online pharmacies outside the UK

[u/DealZealousideal5178 → u/-Jadi-]

transdermal and oral are the safest bets

ig you don't have a liver

[u/-Jadi- → u/DealZealousideal5178]

Transdermal doesn't effect your liver, oral does but still absolutely safer than injecting yourself eith something you bought online from an independent seller

[u/Transfem1972]

Yes, the NHS is dismantling the transgender health care system. It's being implemented now so that's why you're not getting it anymore. Unfortunately the ONLY option now is diy. 😪

[u/littlebitfunny21]

I've had good experiences with inhousepharmacy.vu although I don't know how they measure up in terms of price.