Questions about my Endochrinologist

[sierra_g]

Hello,
It's been forever since I got on here.
My therapist and I are shooting for my first hormones to start on as close to the first of Dec as possible. I still haven't seen my Endo, but I have talked to the office to make sure they accept transgendered patients, and they do. From how the nurse sounded, the doctor is as excited to see me, as I am him. It should be positive.

So, that being said, I think I have a pretty good grasp on everything, but is there anything I should request, recommend, questions I should ask, etc? Since I am in small town America, I am not expecting him to have a lot of experience, but from what I have heard, self administered shots are the best best. Then come the dissolving tablets, then the swallowing tablets. Is that right?
For anti-androgynes, is there any certain type that works better than others?
I already take Biotin, is there anything else I should get on?

Thank you all so much!
Take care,
Sierra ♥

[sandra-leigh]

I see that you are in your early 30's. That is just old enough that your endo might choose to limit the form of estrogen recommended. By late 30's, patches are the only thing recommended as the other varieties can be hard on the liver.

[sierra_g]

Yes, my liver and kidneys have always been freaking amazing, I am willing to take the risk for a year or two, but anything first pass is very risky. Second pass, I am not concerned about. When I used Nicotine patches, I ended up ripping them off me with a great force. The itch they caused was unbearable! Are Estro patches itchy as well?

[Saffron]

You can get a lot of info here: http://transhealth.vch.ca/resources/library/tcpdocs/guidelines-endocrine.pdf

Also staying in shape will do wonders with HRT and post-op.

[sandra-leigh]

When I used Nicotine patches, I ended up ripping them off me with a great force. The itch they caused was unbearable! Are Estro patches itchy as well?

I have almost never have any kind of itchiness from my estro patches. About the worst I can remember was one particularly hot and humid day when I happened to try putting the patch on my back for the first time; the sweat getting trapped in it was a little annoying until the patch fell off.

However, I think it could well be that manufacturers tend to use similar adhesives, so it could be that you would react to the adhesive on estro patches.

[sierra_g]

You can get a lot of info here: http://transhealth.vch.ca/resources/library/tcpdocs/guidelines-endocrine.pdf

Also staying in shape will do wonders with HRT and post-op.

I walk 3 miles in the morning and 3 miles at night, no red meats and I watch what I put in.

[JohnH]

I take estradiol (form of estrogen) shots once a week with a 0.6 mm by 40 mm (24 gauge by 1 1/2 inch) needles, and it's not bad at all. I don't have any bruising or sore muscles at all.

John

[Stephanie-L]

My endo really pushed the patches as the safest for me (I am 52). I do not have any problems with them, since I figured out how to keep them away from the belt line (the waistband rubbing on them was irritating). Many endos do have at least some experience with trans hormone therapy, and a good one will do some research on the current literature before seeing you. The basics are not rocket science, and as long as your doc is not biased, you should have no problem. Just remember, the goal is to keep your hormones (both male and female) in the normal range of your target gender, and to do that as safely and effectively as possible. I did have a biased endo at first, he kept pushing me to take testosterone, telling me it would make me feel better. I already felt great, I think he was trying to "cure" me, so I dumped him. Good luck to you, and I hope the hormones help you as much as they have me...................Stephanie

[StephanieC]

Shots? omg...I hate needles. It's pills for me.

Good luck!

[sierra_g]

Shots? omg...I hate needles. It's pills for me.

Good luck!

Thank you :)

I am a little worrisome of the shots, but I think if I get on them, it will be the best method. My friend takes the shots and she does great.

[Saffron]

Injections are a matter of practice, there's lots of TS on youtube doing shots, I think it's worth at least the try.