TRT UK On NHS

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Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is an effective medical treatment for men whose natural testosterone levels are low. Low testosterone can bring on a multitude of symptoms including fatigue, weight gain, and even loss of muscular strength. Low testosterone symptoms are often misdiagnosed so it’s important to get in touch with a doctor if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or on our main homepage.

There are two main ways of getting TRT Therapy in the UK, through the NHS or through a private clinic like Balance My Hormones. Getting Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) on the NHS is not always a straightforward matter. Despite its excellent standard of care, the NHS often prevents those who really need treatment from getting it. Its centralised structure can stifle doctors’ ability to make decisions on individual cases, the TRT treatments the NHS can offer are limited, and you don’t get much of a say in what treatment you want to receive.

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How TRT Works On The NHS

When you experience symptoms of low testosterone you should visit your GP to discuss them. Depending on their judgment, they will send you off for a testosterone blood test.

It’s not uncommon for GPs to refuse blood tests and put low testosterone symptoms down to mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. A few Balance My Hormones patients, who previously sought out the NHS route, have mentioned they had to insist a blood test was to be taken before actually receiving one.

Once approved for a blood test, your GP will usually send you for two lab tests to confirm a diagnosis of low testosterone. Tests are typically taken before 9 am when testosterone production is supposed to be at its peak.

Once the GP receives the lab results back confirming your diagnosis of low testosterone, they will refer you to an endocrinologist. Then the endocrinologist will decide on your treatment.

Generally speaking, the NHS standardised model of care works well for many medical conditions. Patients visit their doctors with symptoms and then have tests to confirm a diagnosis. They then receive treatment based on a combination of lab tests and symptoms.

The Problem

However, this system has serious flaws when it comes to the treatment of a condition such as low testosterone;

Long wait times

• Unfortunately, The NHS is underfunded and understaffed and consequently waiting times have dramatically increased over the last decade. This means you can be left waiting months, sometimes longer for your first endocrinologist appointment.

Insufficient knowledge

• TRT is a relatively new treatment so GPs often lack sufficient knowledge when it comes to recognising low t symptoms. The result is that many men with low testosterone symptoms are often diagnosed with mood disorders that share similar symptoms.

Low ‘normal’ testosterone levels

• If you get as far as receiving a blood test for low testosterone, the likelihood you will be within the NHS’s ‘low t’ range is quite slim. The NHS requires your levels to be below 8.6 nmol/L which is considered drastically low to most private clinics.

Lack of treatments available

• The NHS will often prescribe testosterone gels and patches over injections because they’re easier to administer and are less expensive. However, the downfall is that they are often less effective and don’t correct low t symptoms for many hypogonadal men. The NHS also does not have access to off-licence medications such as hCG which can be used with TRT to offset potential lowered sperm count.

Whatever happened to treating symptoms first?

Those who do receive proper treatment on the NHS are indeed very fortunate. But there are many who fall foul of the standard care model and are frustrated because they are refused treatment and therefore forced to go on about their life with symptoms.

The Solution

There are undoubtedly GPs and endocrinologists in the NHS who do an excellent job. But in order to qualify for testosterone replacement therapy on the NHS, patients have to jump through countless hoops. It can be a painful process that can frankly feel like a bit of a lottery. At Balance My Hormones you don’t have to wait months to see a specialist. You can start the process with an open mind and experienced hormone replacement therapy the right way. You can get approval for treatment in as little as 48 hours, provided you have the appropriate blood tests and forms complete. If you don’t have a diagnosis of low testosterone, then you don’t pay a doctor’s fee, we aim to treat patients as individuals – not just a lab number. Best of all, you don’t have to go out and visit your doctor. You can have a remote consultation in the comfort of your own home.

The service is concierge so you have the doctor’s email address should you want to ask questions. The staff at Balance My Hormones are also always on hand to assist in other aspects of care. If you want straightforward treatment that’s simple and affordable, get in contact with us today.

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