UK Hospital help

[Devil88]

Sorry if I have not put my post in the right section.

I had low tesrosterone durring my teens and as a result was a late developer. I don't recall much penis growth as any changes I went through seemed like a slow process. Doctors said my T levels was borderline low. Im with the NHS and they would not give me any treatment or even let me see a endocrine specialist.

I believe I have not developed to my potential due to my low testosterone durring my teens. Im 22 nearly and still want to recieve treatment. I have given up with being messed about by the NHS and have little information on private health care. So if theres any UK members who have any experience or knowlege with any of this then please let me know.

Cheers in advance

 

[D_Ted Riding Hooded]

I have given up with being messed about by the NHS

Sorry to hear about your problem mate, but I don't think the NHS was set up to help blokes with low testosterone, it's not got an infinite budget, despite what some people think..

Have you tried neither BUPA or Nuffield?

 

[Devil88]

I have been looking at some private health care websites but not made any decisions yet.

I will look into them two, thanks.

 

[TheDeTour]

I dont see why the NHS should not pay, ok this is not a life threatening condition but neither are many other problems that seem to be treated.

When you refer to the "NHS" do you mean your GP or have you seen a hospital consultant? If the sticking point is your GP then you can actually insist on seing a consultant.

If its the Hospital that isnt interested then ask to speak to PAL,s.

I have just gleaned this info from my wife who is a nurse, I suspect the problem is the fact that your condition is described as "borderline" but apparently testosterone treatment is not particularly expensive.

Even if you went to a private clinic you would still need referal by your GP.

Good luck anyway, hope you get your problem sorted

 

[thadjock]

i think treatment with T is controversial, it's very trial and error, and if they don't get the amount right it can make your body stop producing it. and remember dudes that do it for muscle growth have shrinking dik and balls.

you may be past the age where it would help also.

proceed with caution

 

[Devil88]

Thanks for asking your wife D parker & everyone.

I did get a second opinion from another NHS doctor but he said exactly the same. I did get to see a urologist which was at a hospital, but not an endocrine specialist. Every doctor just says they would not prescribe me hormone treatment unless it was absolutely ecessary due to the risk of any side affects. I am (this aside) generally healthy.I had the blood tests when I was 17 and again at 19 both times being told low average to borderline low etc.

I explained I didnt have much sex drive at all & that I thought at that age I was suposed to have high T levels. They just said I was depressed and offered me antideppressants which I refused as I

 

[Devil88]

I refused the antideppressants since I was generally happy. I hope I will be taken more seriously by private healthcare.

 

[Smartalk]

I would see another GP if yours is not prepared to help or refer you. I have had testosterone treatment on the NHS for exactly the same reason as you, orderline testosterone levels. I have had Tablets "Restandol" injections, patches and also implants. Going private may prove expensive due to all the necessary blood tests taht would be required. You will also find that if you have a pre-existing condition most private health companies will not cover you for that condition, also private health companies do not cover prescription costs.

You could also try contacting your PCT (Primary Care Trust) who will be able to tell you if the treatment is available on the NHS in your area.

Hope that has helped, keep us posted on how you get on

Regards

Smartalk

 

[Devil88]

Cheers! Im nearly 22 now, so im not sure if I am still in the low range since I've not had a test for a few years. My sex drive now is the the highest its ever been at the moment.

 

[craig_uk]

I did get a second opinion from another NHS doctor but he said exactly the same. I did get to see a urologist which was at a hospital, but not an endocrine specialist. Every doctor just says they would not prescribe me hormone treatment unless it was absolutely ecessary due to the risk of any side affects. I am (this aside) generally healthy.I had the blood tests when I was 17 and again at 19 both times being told low average to borderline low etc.

It looks like it has nothing to do with the NHS and everything to do the professional opinion of each and every doctor you have seen. It is not something that they would consider unless it was essential. You can ask your GP to refer you to a private doctor but it seems likely he will say exactly the same thing.

 

[col1974]

You may be able to ask a private opinion of an NHS endocrinologist too.
You could claim that refusal to investigate (rather than treat in the first instance) represents a potential risk to your long term mental health.
Have you researched the topic much?

 

[ColonialBoy]

Read in detail Hormone Replacement Therapy - Bodybuilding.com Forums

Basicly, by this stage you should have results for Total Test, Free test, SHBG, Estradiol etc. Based you your age you doctor should be looking at 3 options

1. primary hypogonadism
2. secondary hypogonadism
3. a "restart protocal" like Chrysler All Things Male - Center for Men's Health

Most medical specialists are complete idiots when it comes to male hormone replacement. If your provider wont discuss an aromatase inhibitor and hCG when walk away.

 

[Devil88]

I recently saw another doctor for one last try. This time a female doctor, who seemed to take me seriously. I had blood tests taken but they will take a few weeks. I think where I'm older now I will listen more and treat me different instead of trying to shut me up.

 

[michael_3165]

Remember Private health care are there to make money so they will do anything you like (pretty much without care for the long term effects!). As long as you sign that waiver you can have pretty much what you like.

The NHS shouldn't be funding this kind of thing with all fairness unless it's a life threatening condition or affecting life so much that you can't live with the problem. I know they DO but they shouldn't really.

 

[Devil88]

Cheers guys.

I get what some of you mean about NHS should not be funding treatments which are not essential, but just think, the NHS shells out enough for people who have caused their own problems by smoking or being obese etc. They also are over keen to perscribe anti-depressents to people who don't even require them.

 

[Devil88]

Ill be getting the blood test results soon. Could somebody tell me (or give example) what would be considered low - medium - high Testosterone levels? Cheers for your help!

 

[B_doc23cm]

Read in detail Hormone Replacement Therapy - Bodybuilding.com Forums

Basicly, by this stage you should have results for Total Test, Free test, SHBG, Estradiol etc. Based you your age you doctor should be looking at 3 options

1. primary hypogonadism
2. secondary hypogonadism
3. a "restart protocal" like Chrysler All Things Male - Center for Men's Health

Most medical specialists are complete idiots when it comes to male hormone replacement. If your provider wont discuss an aromatase inhibitor and hCG when walk away.

The other option is that Devil88 might just have a small penis and that is completely normal for him, and the treatment option is to do nothing. There's a difference between genuine hypogonadism and muscle nuts who want to artificially pump themselves up.

Devil88, what exactly do you feel the problem is due to borderline testosterone? If you think your penis is small, what size is it? Are your testicles small? Do you have a high voice, very little pubic or body hair? Did you have a late puberty? Are you short in stature generally?

Without knowing these things, it's difficult to know whether you have a disease that needs treating, or if you're just not happy with your penis.

 

[Devil88]

I am not interested in any kind of bodybuiding. I think I'd feel healthier with higher T since I have symptoms of low T: A lack of energy, low libido, fatigue, loss of muscle & sleep disorders. My penis is five and a half inches in length and 4 inches in girth, but very small still when flacid.

I have read about delayed puberty/interupted puberty etc and things that can affect growth durring this time. I have been told it's possible that hormone treatment could resume growing. I can understand some people thinking maybe my size is just genetics which you could be right. I just don't want to pass on this if more growth is possible, since I did have lower T durring my teens im hopeful I could get bigger.

 

[Smartalk]

Normal Average Hormone Level for a Male:

FSH (Folical Stimulating Hormone) < 60 years 1-6 IU/litre

GH (Growth Hormone) Usually < 10 mIU/litre

LH (Leuteinizing Hormone) < 60 2-9 IU/litre

Testostrone 20-60 years 11-36 nmol/litre (3.2-1.04 micro grams / 100 ml

As you can see there can be quite a variation in Testosterone levels. Some men at the lower level can have a high sex drive, well developed muscles etc. others the complete opposite and need to be ah the higher level of normal. Just because it can be found to be in the normal range albeit at the lower end, some doctors would say there is no problem. When in fact you need to be at the higher end of the normal range for you. A good approachable endocrinologist is what you need to assess the situation. All hormone levels can fluctuate from day to day and time of day, so to get an accurtate reading a number of blood tests need to be done.

Hope this has helped

Cheers

 

[Devil88]

Im getting the results tomoro so Ill give an update soon