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[Stillsearching]

18 months ago my gp referred me to a menopause clinic. It's quite a distance to travel but I have been really happy with Mr Parsons, seeing him every 3 months until we were both satisfied with my HRT which includes testosterone. At my last visit he said there was no need to see him again for 12 months unless I gave a problem and he would write to my GP asking them to continue with repeat prescriptions.

This morning I had a call from GP secretary saying they cannot prescribe the testogel because it isn't lisenced. So I guess I'll have to continue going to the clinic.

Why does a gp refer to a specialist but then refuse to follow their advice?

Grrrr. I thought I was doing so well

[Daisydot]

It's Mr Parsons that I see and he's really good at backing you up with uncooperative gps.have you advised him of this,you can email him,and he'll try again with your gp they're such swines aren't they.x

[Dotty]

Unfortunately GPs are under no obligation to prescribe testosterone to women as it isn't licensed for use in women.

[sheila99]

If Mr Parsons can't help I would think you have good grounds for a complaint. Perhaps start by asking the GP (not the secretary) why they think they know better than a consultant and what grounds they have to go against his advice. It is allowed for women under the NICE guidlines. If no progress there then try the practice manager, if this fails there's some info on the citizens advice website on how to complain about your GP.
  Let us know how you get on. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm in the same position soon.

[Hurdity]

Sorry to hear this Stillsearching. I agree it is odd to be referred (through NHS I presume?) and then for the prescription to be disregarded.

Whilst Dotty is quite right that docs are not obliged to prescribe T for women because it (the preparations available) is unlicensed for women, you said that the response from your surgery was that they cannot prescribed it. However this is not true - ie doctors can prescribe medications off licence at their discretion - a subtle difference. If you have been prescribed it then the GP is able to use their discretion to prescribe it - and in some cases (on here) doctors who are uncertain refer to a consultant/gynae for their opinion, and then prescribe it (which is i think what the NICE Guidelines suggest?). In your case it sounds like not can't but won't. As always such inequitability in this which is ludicrous. I saw my gynae GP yesterday and she is totally happy with prescribing T and said she can prescribe what she likes as long as she justifies it - although sometimes there can be comnplaints about cost. This is not an issue at present (the only advantage of there not being a T preparation for women) - because a box of T tubes will last for a long time and becuase men use so much more of it - is relatively cheap!

I would actually pursue this with the GP who referred you.  However if you have been given plenty of T supplies and the clinic is NHS then at least you can get it - but it's the principle that is important. Good luck!

Hurdity x

[Stillsearching]

Positive result

When the secretary rang me this morning I asked her to speak to the GP who referred me. Secretary wasn't happy because she said the GP she had spoken to was the senior partner. Anyway, I have had a very nice phone call from the original gp telling me not to worry and if Mr Parsons had said to prescribe it then she will. Sorted.

[CLKD]

  f or the update!

[Lanzalover]

That's good to hear.

Lanzalover x

[Hurdity]

Great news Stillsearching - just shows it pays to be persistent and not necessarily accept every decision and explanation that it dished out to us!

Hurdity x

[Loo53]

This was my worry when I was given a private prescription by my gynae and it would have cost £43 to get it so I took my script to my GP and asked them to convert it to an NHS prescription thinking oh here we go bet they don't prescribed it but to my surprise they did! However I was prepared for a battle if they didn't.