Need a little help from those seeing an endo

[Asako]

Today, I saw my therapist again. One of the things we talked about was the next direction for me to consider going in to further go down my path. I chose HRT. We talked a bit about what all to consider in choosing an endocrinologist.

Here's what questions that have come up that require answers to help pick out a good endo that I can trust with my well being.

Does the endo have interest in treating any transsexual person? How much experience do they have in doing so? How long until the effects are permanent? How much will the dosage perscribed cost? How often will it need to be refilled? What methods do they use for HRT?

Second thing I need help with. Broaching the subject with my parents. I live at home with them and that means they have a front row seat of everything. Over all, I'd like to keep the doors open to give them a chance to see what I physically and mentally go through as well as the options available to me.

EDIT:
Questions posed by ValRom for an endo:
What types of complications have you seen in MtF therapy? How did you treat/advise on those? How many of those situations have you seen? what would you consider to be an aggressive approach? conservative approach? what are the benefits/problems of pills vs. injections vs. patches, etc.?

[Traci Elizabeth]

WOW! That is a mouth full for sure. The best place for those answers is with your therapist and then an endocrinologist in person. Each one of us are different and we each travel our own road unlike any other. SO we could not answer you specific questions.

[Asako]

I'm not asking any of you to answer them. I'm asking yall to give me more questions to use to help me pick a good endo that I can trust. ^.^ Sorry for that misunderstanding. I had accidentally posted the thread thanks to a certain enter key on the side of my keyboard. So, I was in a rush to finish typing out the rest of the post. Guess I missed something. ^.^;

[LaurenS.]

I believe the most important question for the endo is how much experience do they have in the trans field? Is your therapist experienced with gender therapy? I would think he/she would have someone they would reccommend.

Lauren

[elizabethamy]

I'm seeing an endo soon, not to push for HRT but to ask if hormonal imbalances or other endo considerations are playing a role in my newly formed (or newly conscious) GID. I haven't sought a trans expert because I frankly want an absolutely objective (not advocacy) opinion and the performance of whatever tests the doctor deems appropriate. I realize this is a different route than what you are proposing, Asako, but you might consider it. Of course any of us would run screaming and never return to an endo who seemed dismissive or transphobic. But objective and willing to seek answers and solve problems -- that's where I'd like to start. If it finally turns out that I decide I am truly TS, then it will be time to bring in the pro-trans "experts." Something to consider...

[elizabethamy]

ValRom, great advice. I'll definitely try to ascertain the level of knowledge before I get in too deep, as should Asako or anyone else.

[Asako]

ValRom, great advice. I'll definitely try to ascertain the level of knowledge before I get in too deep, as should Asako or anyone else.That is exactly why I'm asking for others to help me find more questions to ask an endo before I settle on which one I want to see. In my personal opinion, hormone therapy can be dangerous if done by an unknowledgeable or inexperienced doctor.

@ValRom:What do mom and dad know? Uh, not a whole lot. Mom knows I'm seeing a therapist but I have no idea if dad knows. They do "know". The door is open for them to see my therapist with me if/when they want to know more. I've honestly hidden the effects of my depression as best I could from them. I don't like making them worry needlessly but this is something that they have to know about. They've seen me wearing forms and haven't asked anything about it. They have talked about it between each other a few times but mom didn't mention anything they talked about. Needless to say, I still have a roof over my head, food to eat, and clothes to wear so I can safely say they aren't reacting unfavorably or badly about it after having a year or so to take it in.

[giuseppina]

Hello Asako

You have a good list of questions for your endocrinologist. One addition: What is your all-inclusive complication rate?

About your parents: In Canada (where I live), you must authorise in writing that your parents may talk to your health practitioners. If you don't authorise this disclosure, it is considered professional misconduct to break confidentiality; this dealt with severely by the regulating agencies. Practitioners have been known to lose their licences to practise over this issue.

[Asako]

One addition: What is your all-inclusive complication rate?Hrm, complication rate? I'm assuming you're referring to the rate of patients that contract life-long medical issues from HRT. Is that correct?

As for where I live, that would be Texas in the USA. While embarrassing to say, I am a self-dubbed sheeple(A) in terms of state and federal law in terms of what my health practitioners may or may not do. I do know that if my therapist thought I would attempt suicide, that she would be obligated by law to take the necessary steps to do something about it.

(A)sheep-like people that are led along without thinking for themselves

[Asako]

Broaching the subject with my parents.While I'm going out for a bit tonight, it has been set in motion. Come what may. Standing still and doing nothing isn't an option, no matter how much I may be scared of the talk.

[Bree-asaurus]

Hrm, complication rate? I'm assuming you're referring to the rate of patients that contract life-long medical issues from HRT. Is that correct?

As for where I live, that would be Texas in the USA. While embarrassing to say, I am a self-dubbed sheeple(A) in terms of state and federal law in terms of what my health practitioners may or may not do. I do know that if my therapist thought I would attempt suicide, that she would be obligated by law to take the necessary steps to do something about it.

(A)sheep-like people that are led along without thinking for themselves

Where abouts in Texas are you? I can help you out if you're in or near San Antonio.

[Stephenie S]

Some of these questions seem a bit naive to me. Would you actually question your doctor's "complication" rate? Huh? Do you do that now to your regular doc? Really?

"Uh, doc? How many patients have you lost? Oh, and how many of your patients don't get better when you treat them?"

To me, these questions seem to be just more roadblocks you are putting up in your own way. Endocrinologists are TRAINED in hormone therapy. MOST of them do very little transgender work. There just are not that many TG people out there. An endo who does not feel qualified to treat you will TELL you so. You do NOT need to question them about their professional "complication" rate. If someone were to question me in that manner I would refuse to treat them solely on that basis. I would assume they were looking only for trouble and I don't need professional trouble, thank you very much.

You are not going to be able to even see an endo without a referral of some sort. In the US, endocrinologists are specialists. Specialists generally don't see patients without a referral from a PCP or a therapist. When and if you do call an endo, you will not speak with the endo themselves anyway. You will speak to the receptionist or the nurse who will want to know WHY you are calling before making the appointment. While it is of course not required, most experienced GENDER therapists (which is where you should be starting anyway) will already have a professional relationship with an endo to which they can refer you to.

Good luck with all of this. Caution is advised, but please don't try to second guess a professional's qualifications. If you don't like a therapist or doctor, walk away, but a quack is not gonna tell you he or she is a quack anyway.

Often the best place to find this kind of information is by referral from other TG women who have gone before. Do some research on the internet. Ask here. Also try to find local LGBT organizations. They may have some help for you too.

Stephie

[StaceyJane]

Where abouts in Texas are you? I can help you out if you're in or near San Antonio.
I was going to ask the same question except I live near Austin.

[Asako]

Specialists generally don't see patients without a referral from a PCP or a therapist.My therapist and I have discussed hormones a few times and during the last visit, she advised I look around and find an endo who I trust to handle me properly. Hence, why i started this thread in the first place. I know next to nothing about spotting a good doctor at all. Hence, why I'm asking for advice on what questions one may want to ask to feel out just how knowledgeable a doctor is on the subject of HRT. Would you rather go flying by the seat of your pants with the first endo who'll do the treatment or look around until you find one that knows what they're doing? That is exactly what I'm wanting to do.


To those wondering what area I'm in, Abilene area.

[Stephenie S]

Try to get a recommendation from someone who has gone before.

Try: West Texas Gender Alliance
PO Box 6726
Abilene, Texas 79605

Start your endo search with: Dr James Dunn
1904 Pine Street
Suite 200
Abilene, Texas

Stephenie

[Amber99]

Oh yeah I heard about my Endo from somebody else who had a good experience with them but I still had to get a reference from a doctor. I just embarrassingly asked my family doctor for it and he said it was no problem.

[Jessinthesprings]

I don't think you need to go to a endo. I visit a general physician. He's sympothedic and does well. I do suggest finding someone who is experianced in transgender care. You want your levels correct and there is no one size fits all prescription.

I get my dosages in 3 month spans and without insurance it runs roughly $130.00 at Walmart.

You can get patches, oral, or injections. I use oral so I have no experiance with the others.