Advice needed for breast growth

[Cindy]

I'm in Adelaide and I am a member of ANZPATH so I can suggest a therapist for you.

[mikidiki]

The restriction on dosage info is to prevent people from using that info to self med - something that can be very dangerous, something one of the members here recently discovered. DVT is no fun - and can mean the end of any hormones at all.

I'm not sure where in Australia you are, but there are plenty of therapists and doctors around who follow the WPATH Standards of Care.. There's really no excuse for self-medding here in Australia. Both my therapist and gyno are members of ANZPATH (Aus & NZ Professional Association of Trans Health) and are also members of WPATH (World Professional Association of Trans Health). I'm in Adelaide. I know of similar services being available in most states. Your GP is also acting in a manner that in contrary to AMA guidelines.. Heck, I know a gyno in Melbourne who is willing to treat me should I ever move back there.

Now, as far as breast growth is concerned.. I am under the care of an experienced medical professional. I've been on E for about 20 months and was on an anti-androgen for the first year - I had some issues with it and had to stop taking it. My E levels are within the norms for a woman. My T level is way below the norms for a woman. My gyno is generally happy with my other results - things like LFT, FSH, SHBG etc, etc.. And after all that, I still have less than a AA cup. The women in my family are generally large breasted. I've had plenty of other physical changes, just not much in the way of boobs. You may never get particularly large boobs - just like some natal women never have much.. Diet, genetics, hormone receptivity are all factors that come in to play.

It's good that you have noticed the differences between the various websites.. There's a reason there is such variation - HRT is something that is highly dependant on the person. Some things work for some and not for others.. I was on oral E.. It started off fine, but then my E level started a slow, steady decline - which we caught before it got too low. I'm now on an alternate delivery method, which is working even better than the oral delivery - and no, it's not shots..

Thanks for the info. Do you think it's a good idea that I make an appt to see an endo? Would any endo be able to assist me? I live in Melbourne.

[kelly_aus]

Thanks for the info. Do you think it's a good idea that I make an appt to see an endo? Would any endo be able to assist me? I live in Melbourne.

You are going to need to see a gender therapist first.

I know some of you reading are going to suggest that under the V7 SoC's, no therapy is required - go back and read them carefully..

[NotThereYet]

Does anybody else use transdermal? My doctor says it reduces the chances of clots...

What our resident physician (Cindy) say about this?

[Cindy]

Does anybody else use transdermal? My doctor says it reduces the chances of clots...

What our resident physician (Cindy) say about this?

Hee Heee

No specific medical advice from me.

[NotThereYet]

Hee Heee

No specific medical advice from me.

Come on, doctor, what should I do? It hurts when I do that...
:-)

[mikidiki]

Just came back from GP - got a referral to see an Endo - he wasn't sure if she will be able to assist me though as he believes she only sees biological females but he isn't sure. I will call up to find out if she sees transgender patients.

Also got a pathology request to check for: FBE, u & e, chol, F.gluc, lfts, testosterone, oestrogen

I believe that covers everything. In relation to ANZPATH - one of the doctors on there is the one that I originally contacted who to be honest was not very helpful and told me that he isn't going to help me as I would need to be living as a full time female for 1 year before he would even think of prescribing any female hormones etc. Hence why the reason I chose to self medicate.

[Jamie D]

Come on, doctor, what should I do? It hurts when I do that...
:-)

If I am not mistaken, Cindy is a pathologist, which is a very technical medical specialty.  She is the best in Australia.  The best.

[Jamie D]

Just came back from GP - got a referral to see an Endo - he wasn't sure if she will be able to assist me though as he believes she only sees biological females but he isn't sure. I will call up to find out if she sees transgender patients.

Also got a pathology request to check for: FBE, u & e, chol, F.gluc, lfts, testosterone, oestrogen

I believe that covers everything. In relation to ANZPATH - one of the doctors on there is the one that I originally contacted who to be honest was not very helpful and told me that he isn't going to help me as I would need to be living as a full time female for 1 year before he would even think of prescribing any female hormones etc. Hence why the reason I chose to self medicate.

That requirement, to have 1-year RLE before HRT was cruel.  I understand the need for a psychological evaluation.  I hope the new Standards of Care will eliminate that outdated relic of a regulation.

[mikidiki]

That requirement, to have  1-year RLE before HRT was cruel.  I understand the need for a psychological evaluation.  I hope the new Standards of Care will eliminate that outdated relic of a regulation.

Well everytime I go to him for my regular STD check up he brushes it off when I mention being on estrogen - he tells me to speak to the doctor who prescribes it - he won't even check my blood work! Melbourne seems very archaic when it comes to trans assistance. Not many people are willing to assist you unless you walk in the room in "drag" everytime I see him and this person is one of the top doctors who deals with this sort of thing!

[Cindy]

If I am not mistaken, Cindy is a pathologist, which is a very technical medical specialty.  She is the best in Australia.  The best.

At what?

Quincindy

[NotThereYet]

If I am not mistaken, Cindy is a pathologist, which is a very technical medical specialty.  She is the best in Australia.  The best.

I believe you. The thing is that she was supposed to reply:" just don't do that!", but she didn't. So, either in Australia they don't have this very old joke about people seeking free medical advice from physicians at social events (like parties, etc), or she's heard it so many times that she simply ignores it when she hears it now. :-)

[Cindy]

I did post but I didn't hit the reply button! I'm talking on skype at the same time and must have got distracted.

Last time I got a plumber she asked me for $250 for a ten minute tap correction. I told her that was more I charged as a pathologist! She said yes that's why I changed professions.

[NotThereYet]

I did post but I didn't hit the reply button! I'm talking on skype at the same time and must have got distracted.

Last time I got a plumber she asked me for $250 for a ten minute tap correction. I told her that was more I charged as a pathologist! She said yes that's why I changed professions.

Also funny! :-)

On that note, good night Cindy, and everybody else: I am going to bed.

Andrea :-)

[mikidiki]

I did post but I didn't hit the reply button! I'm talking on skype at the same time and must have got distracted.

Last time I got a plumber she asked me for $250 for a ten minute tap correction. I told her that was more I charged as a pathologist! She said yes that's why I changed professions.

Cindy, I am unable to reply to the messages - I cannot locate a reply button 

[Cindy]

Sorry you need 15 posts.

I'll contact you with my email address

[spacial]

Come on, doctor, what should I do? It hurts when I do that...
:-)

Seriously?

You do what your own Dr has told you to do, unless you're a total fool.

[suzifrommd]

That requirement, to have 1-year RLE before HRT was cruel.  I understand the need for a psychological evaluation.  I hope the new Standards of Care will eliminate that outdated relic of a regulation.

The new SOC say very explicitly (page 25) that it is up to the patient when he/she is ready for hormones.

The 1-year RLE requirement was worse than cruel it was stupid and counterproductive. Trans people simply got do-it-yourself HRT on the Internet and destroyed their health. What was supposed to be protecting us was killing us.

[kelly_aus]

Just came back from GP - got a referral to see an Endo - he wasn't sure if she will be able to assist me though as he believes she only sees biological females but he isn't sure. I will call up to find out if she sees transgender patients.

Endo is unlikely to treat you without a referral from a therapist.. An assessment by a therapist is still needed under the new SoC's.

Also got a pathology request to check for: FBE, u & e, chol, F.gluc, lfts, testosterone, oestrogen

Nope, missed a few of the things my gyno checks.. And unless you actually know how to read them, you are not getting any real benefit..

I believe that covers everything. In relation to ANZPATH - one of the doctors on there is the one that I originally contacted who to be honest was not very helpful and told me that he isn't going to help me as I would need to be living as a full time female for 1 year before he would even think of prescribing any female hormones etc. Hence why the reason I chose to self medicate.

None of the Melbourne-based therapists I spoke to wanted me to have any RLE prior to hormones - this was mid-2010. The last 2 versions of the Standards of Care had no requirements for RLE before hormones. I can't comment further back than that, I've never read them. I'm pretty sure I could pick up my phone tomorrow and find a therapist to start out with - one that doesn't require anything before hand. How many have you actually spoken to? Or are you trying to avoid seeing a therapist because you are not actually a trans person?

EDIT: I've also never had an issue with my libido - while I was on an anti-androgen or not.. Yes, it's changed - but I'm still more than interested and still capable.

[Catherine Sarah]

Just came back from GP - got a referral to see an Endo - he wasn't sure if she will be able to assist me though as he believes she only sees biological females but he isn't sure. I will call up to find out if she sees transgender patients.

Also got a pathology request to check for: FBE, u & e, chol, F.gluc, lfts, testosterone, oestrogen

I believe that covers everything. In relation to ANZPATH - one of the doctors on there is the one that I originally contacted who to be honest was not very helpful and told me that he isn't going to help me as I would need to be living as a full time female for 1 year before he would even think of prescribing any female hormones etc. Hence why the reason I chose to self medicate.

Hi Mikidiki,

As Cindy commented Melbourne is very archaic in their treatment of the TG community. May I suggest you contact the Monash Centre and seek your referrals through there. It is NOT a requirement for 1 year RLE prior to HRT. That's rubbish.

Hope you can get some assistance in Melb.

Huggs
Catherine