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Very surprised to hear @PaulJThinks say on @BBCr4today that hormone blockers are “fully reversible”.
The #GIDS website itself says that some long-term health risks are still unknown... (1/8)
The #GIDS website itself says that some long-term health risks are still unknown... (1/8)
When I first worked at @TaviAndPort we psychologists used to say blockers were “fully reversible” but stopped doing so after medical colleagues told us the long-term health effects were not fully known.
It’s worrying that the Chief Exec doesn’t appear to be aware of this. (2/8)
It’s worrying that the Chief Exec doesn’t appear to be aware of this. (2/8)
The service’s own figures also suggest that in younger adolescents the hormone blocker may alter the developmental pathway.
For some younger teenagers the blocker may serve to crystallise an identity that was still in formation and which might have had a different outcome. (3/8)
For some younger teenagers the blocker may serve to crystallise an identity that was still in formation and which might have had a different outcome. (3/8)
Like Paul, I’m not an endocrinologist, but I am a clinician.
As a clinician, I think it is crucial that young people and families are given the fullest possible information so that they can then make a properly informed decision before consenting to medical interventions. (4/8)
As a clinician, I think it is crucial that young people and families are given the fullest possible information so that they can then make a properly informed decision before consenting to medical interventions. (4/8)
In the @BBCr4today interview @PaulJThinks also said “less than 50% of people referred to our service actually end up being referred to a hormone treatment”.
As someone who worked in the @TaviAndPort #GIDS service for over four years, this statistic doesn’t ring true. (5/8)
As someone who worked in the @TaviAndPort #GIDS service for over four years, this statistic doesn’t ring true. (5/8)
That less than 50% will receive hormone treatment via the child and adolescent service *itself* is plausible.
However, many more do go on to receive hormones albeit only later via adult services - either by their own choice or due to service pressures. (6/8)
However, many more do go on to receive hormones albeit only later via adult services - either by their own choice or due to service pressures. (6/8)
I regularly had conversations with older adolescents about whether they wanted to wait for adult services where they might be able to start testosterone/oestrogen directly without going on the blocker, as under the adolescent protocol. (7/8)
Many trans boys who’d completed puberty chose to wait for adult services to get testosterone. Some opted to manage their periods in the meantime with eg the mini pill.
I would be grateful if @TaviAndPort could clarify whether the statistic Paul quoted included this group. (8/8)
I would be grateful if @TaviAndPort could clarify whether the statistic Paul quoted included this group. (8/8)
