Transition Frustrations

[Wendy_Marie]

I have been involved in the Transition process for almost two full years now...HRT was a slow start for me as my Physician was overly cautious with prescribing me hormones due to my family medical history...I accepted this as a good thing.

Lately though I find myself becoming increasingly frustrated at what seem to be a lack of competency in the medical community here in my area, and especially with my Doc.....problem is, here in Spfld Mo, Population of 159,000 plus some....there are few Docs willing to prescribe and monitor Transfolks.

I had a typical frustrating exchange with a Lab Tech this morning that went something like.

Lab Tech: Mr. Owens I am calling this morning to tell you that the results of your blood panels show that your Testosterone levels are extremely low......may want to make sure your Doc gives you something to bump that up. And your Estrogen levels are abnormally high as well.

Me: Well that is most likely because I am on a Feminizing HRT program as I am Transgender...and I prefer either Ms. Owens or Wendy.

Lab Tech: That's not listed in my medical chart..No, Wait, Wait....there it is...Guess I should have read through it huh?

I post this just to point out to other who may be just getting started that just because they wear a White Lab Coat and have that degree, certificate or diploma hanging on the wall...it doesn't always make them competent, especially when dealing with us Transfolk.

I really believe that the best person on your Medical/Transition team is you...Educate yourself and be ever vigilant for this kind of mistake and incompetency....it's very prevalent in my area, so most likely is in yours as well.

[LeaP]

My primary care physician is a post-op. Moreover, she's local, as in a 10 minute drive across town. Something I'm grateful for every time I read of the difficulties that others have.

[Aprilrain]

im confused? have you changed your name and gender marker?

[Kaitlyn Michele]

I really believe that the best person on your Medical/Transition team is you...Educate yourself and be ever vigilant for this kind of mistake and incompetency....it's very prevalent in my area, so most likely is in yours as well.

Exactly...

this is true of all things medical...of course, part of being vigilant and educated is to get the best people to help you..

for what its worth Wendy, even throughout full transition, little stuff like that will bite you all the time....deeds, liens, old marketing materials, old medical records, credit records...stuff pops up all the time... and in my experience people have been pretty nice about it but they don't read those little notes at the bottom....

[Beverley Sims]

It is always good to get a grasp on your medical treatment history and run it through with with any one that needs to know, like the lab technician.
A lot of details are overlooked and you do have to give them a friendly reminder.
Do not get upset about it as all it does is make the other party less caring of you.
The more helpful and friendly you are is usually returned in kind.
It may even save your life.

[kellycan27]

Here the lab techs are not allowed to give out test results to the patient, and they certainly never give treatment advice. That would be up to the doctor.

[Badtranny]

im confused? have you changed your name and gender marker?

No. She's transitioning rather slowly and is likely still living as a man. Just like I did in my first two years of HRT. ;-)