Hi, hoping you can help! I came through the UCHL childrens service as I started transition as a kid, with 6-monthly blood tests and bone density scans (cus blockers). Now I'm 19, I've been told theyre discharging me. "It's up to you to sort your own medical care, if u need an endo, you have to call Charing Cross and ask." How am I supposed to know if my T levels are too low - what are the signs? Do I arrange regular blood tests JIC? What about the bone density scans? Wait time for CC endo appts?
Have you started to see an adult Gender Identity Clinic, whether that’s Charing Cross or another one? If you have then they should take over responsibility for looking at your blood tests. You might not always see an endocrinologist but they should be able to look over your blood tests and arrange for you to see an endocrinologist if necessary. They should also advise how often they wish for you to have blood tests, and when in relation to your injections they should be (if applicable)
If you haven’t yet started to see a GIC, and won’t for a while yet, then it would be a good idea to sort this out as soon as possible. Tavistock and Portman should have arranged for your care to be transferred to them as some GICs (including Charing Cross) have slightly different processes for those transferring from Tavistock compared to those who are being referred by their GP from scratch, so you could try getting in touch with them if it looks as though they haven’t done this. If this isn’t an option and hasn’t happened then you could speak to your GP and ask them to make it clear that you were seeing Tavistock and UCHL and where you are currently in your transition.
In the meantime, continue to have blood tests 6 monthly, even if you don’t have any indications of your testosterone levels being incorrect as there isn’t always any obvious signs (although they can include tiredness, low mood, and irritability). You can arrange these with at your GP practice. Often you might need to discuss it with the GP first to have a blood test form written out. Your GP should be able to have a basic look at your levels to see if anything’s obviously amiss, and there are some documents which can assist them with this if they’re unsure, such as this one written by Dr Seal (the Charing Cross endocrinologist). You could also discuss the possibility of asking for a referral to a local endocrinologist with your GP, especially if you think that it might be a long while before you’re able to see an adult GIC.
Most adult GICs don’t require bone density scans for people who are on testosterone, even if they’re also on hormone blockers as testosterone alone is generally enough to maintain bone density. However, if you’re concerned about this, or your scans in the past have flagged up some issues, then do discuss it with either your GP or the GIC.
