The importance of Endocrinology?

[RebeccaFog]

hi Everyone,

   I'm about a week away from receiving HRT. The doctor I'm seeing has had access to my medical files and test results from recent blood tests. The man is not an Endocrinologist, though.  I've been through therapy and evaluation too.

   My question is this: What is the importance of a doctor who specializes in Endocrinology? What do they do? Is there a real advantage, or is seeing an Endocrinologist one of those things that were urgent 25 years ago, but not so much now?

  I'm not trivializing the importance of seeing an Endocrinologist. It's just that it hasn't been really addressed by the doctors I'm seeing at a clinic for GLBIT people.


Thank you for your responses,

Rebecca

[Kate]

It depends on the doctor. I don't have an endo either, "just" a GP who is also my Primary Care Physician.

He's treated TSs before, so it's not entirely new to him. But he's no expert on feminization either, so we actually work TOGETHER on researching and deciding on what to use. *I* like that, especially since I was told that the endos I was referred to are all very strict - their way or no way. So I LOVE how flexible and open-minded my doc is.

Naturally, even as a GP, he is very skilled at reading lab results and making sure my levels are OK. That's the main thing - be SAFE. Even there though, we work together a bit, sharing ideas on things such as why my White Blood Cell count is elevated.

And I especially like having ALL my health care under one doctor, so he can be easily aware of any other problems and how they might affect one another.

Still, an endo should have more skill at knowing what does and doesn't work, and perhaps is more familiar with HRT in general.

Kate

[RebeccaFog]

Thanks, Kate,

   I always seem to struggle with concepts.

[seldom]

If the doctor knows how to handle blood tests and has dealt with trans patients before you should be fine as far as safety.

GLBT clinics in large cities have been adding Endo's on staff.  I have a choice pay an endo hundreds of dollars, or go to the GLBT clinic in DC (Whitman-Walker)  with an endo on staff (who deals exclusively with trans patients) and pay the insurance co-pay and get around the insurance exclusion because my company has an agreement with the clinic not to ask questions or deny claims.

Many GLBT clinics have been offering more trans services because we are the most underserved and discriminated against with regards to the medical community and insurance, yet we are dependant on the medical community more than anybody else.  So they have taken it upon themselves to fill the gaps that they can, and one of the things all TS need, is an endo and HRT. 

[ssindysmith]

Although I don't technically have a Endo both my therapist and GP use the same endo to verify there findings like a radiologist the Dr. can read the film but consults a radiologist to verify the findings.

[Kate]

Just another note...

Being proactive can help too. I get a copy of *every* blood test my doctor runs, and go over the levels myself... and bring up concerns with my him (if he hasn't mentioned something I find worrisome). It's reassuring to me to feel like I'm involved, and not just a passive observer to my health care.

I'm also very, uhm, *obsessive*, lol... so... take that for what it's worth

Kate