Anyone in the UK on HRT and getting blood tests? I am going through the onboarding process for GAHT via Imago.tg.
Imago provide the full list of tests I need to take, but I can only contact my GP via their online intake forms. They do provide a space to ask for a nurse appointment for a blood test, but I’m a little cagey about outing myself to them if they will not actually help me. They don’t have a way for me to just ask “can i see my GP” so i can talk to them in person.
As for private options, i only seem to see the off-the-shelf stuff at superdrug and the like, and none of their off-the-shelf offerings have the range of tests I need in them.
I’d love some advice from someone in the UK who’s going through this process.
I just tell my GP (specifics via DM if you want) that I need to test [insert hormones here] (eg estradiol, testosterone, progesterone) for unrelated to the purpose of the appointment reasons in addition to testing for low vitamin D or whatever, and they give me a link to book, for free, on the NHS
This GP is pretty good at not asking questions and just doing what you ask for (within limits, they refuse to give a bringing prescription)
If my initial GP enquiry gets stonewalled this week I’ll DM you about your specifics. I’m guessing it’s really a pot luck as to whether your registered GP is cool like that or not. In my experience, usually if I can actually talk to a doctor they can be helpful but the front desk is so adept and efficient at triaging people out of their service it’s a nightmare getting the face-to-face in the first place. Thanks for your response <3.
Well my GP told me that they will not help in any way except to refer me to a GIC so I can wait 2 years just to be seen then fight for my life through a gauntlet of gatekeepers. So fuck that. I did find a drug harm prevention group in my city that does monthly free blood testing for trans folks on HRT so that is my next stop. Idk if they will do the full range of tests that’s required to get started with Imago though so it might end up having to be DIY. But at least there’s a way i can monitor myself.
2 years if you’re lucky… the waitlist can be much longer than that :(
Absolutely, you should continue to take care of yourself and responsibility do DIY in the meantime, but you should check the Google Sheets to see if there’s a supportive GP in your catchment area, they might be able to offer a bridging prescription or at least blood tests.
I’ll keep trying, i really appreciate your supportive words. <3.
