What's the best place to pay for baseline blood tests in the UK, prior to starting any kind of hormone treatment?

It's needs to be some place that will a) accept money, b) not ask too many questions (beyond "you trans?" "yes." "cool. let's start"), c) reputable enough that I could at a later date pass on the results to my GP or other medical professional and the numbers wall be taken at face value.

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The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

Since you propose to hand the results to your GP anyway, why not approach them first? See if you can get it done on the NHS first.

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The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

Because the NHS would take at least a month, even assuming the GP and all the other pen pushers are 10% willing. I don't want to have to wait.

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The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

It would take about the same amount of time privately . Waiting will happen regardless.

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Hellfrozeover be a pirate and a Transgenderzone moderator.

I don't stand under the TG umbrella anymore, it's way too bitchy and crowded in there but it's sunny out here

Try this place:

http://www.samedaydoctor.co.uk/index.aspx

I got some blood tests done by them in Manchester and they were great. Really polite and helpful and they will do any test you request.
They quoted me a price over the phone straight away and I got the results really quick.

I think they have a few clinics in London.

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Kelly
xx

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The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

Also, what blood tests exactly should I be asking for? I do actually want to look like I know what I'm talking about when I visit them :S

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The boobs are just a set of metaphors.

At the endo's I get tested for:

Oestradiol
SHBG (I don't know what this is though!)
Testosterone (for Free Androgen Index)

I'm not sure whether it's exactly the same tests for baseline levels. Maybe someone else can confirm.

You don't want to be getting any more tests than is absolutely necessary though because they charge for each one individually.

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Kelly
xx

That list of things checked for looks a little small - I think what you probably mean is that those are what are specifically added to regular tests that have nice neat forms for them already. Typically you regularly get prelactin and a liver function workup done as well (in fact, those two were all I had done in the past). Many practitioners also make use of FSH and LH.

For baseline tests, thyroid function is also typically included, as are full blood counts, and a basic metabolic panel.

One thing to try would be to simply speak to any doctor or nurse you decide to go with. They should be able to spot anything you sisn't know to include.

Do be aware though that if you are having this done in the hope of using these results rather than any long delay from an NHS GIC, they may not be willing to accept these (silly I know). There are also other reasons than simply waiting for test results to get back as to why they can delay starting any hormones.