A few questions

[Glassalice]

Okay, so my therapist said that if I feel I am ready that she is right behind me if I want to start HRT. Woo awesome its a dream come true, honestly I think I'm in shock still because I don't think I really believed that this would ever come true.

So my first question I have is when I call an endo's office what exactly do I say? What questions should I ask?

Second I'm worried about being on HRT and not having had any hair removal, I don't want to have hair boobs, that just sounds beyond traumatizing. Should I focus on like some laser hair removal before starting HRT since it will probably lighten up my hair a lot?

Third I don't think I will have a problem being able to buy the actual hormones themselves its the cost of the blood work and stuff that I'm worried about. What cost without insurance covering it should I expect. That or what would I say to a doctor to convince them to put it down as a hormone imbalance to get it covered (My mom has some sort of estrogen imbalance so I have that family history thing maybe to back me up).

Thank you for any help.

[Tammy M]

Won't your therapist provide a contact with a doctor (perhaps an endo) or even fax your referal letter over there and set up the appointment for you.  In my case the therapist sent the letter to the doctor and when I called to set up an appointment they already knew who I was and were expecting me. 

I don't know many people that do hair removal on their body.  Concentrate on your face when you can start hair removal, shave or wax your body and wait for HRT to reduce your body hair.  over time it will happen.

You will need to talk to your doctor, when you get one, about the cost of tests etc.  One good thing is that such tests are only givien every 3-6 months usually.

Sounds like you are on your way so good luck!!

[KayCeeDee]

As Tammy said, your therapist should provide a referral to an endo that works with MTFs.  (That's the kind you'd want anyway.)  So when you call it will be no big deal to them that you're MTF.  Just say you have a referral from your therapist and want to set up your initial appointment for HRT.  Your endo should also be able to figure out how to work it in with your insurance so it is covered, so you don't have to try to convince anyone.

Congratulations on moving to the next step!

[Michelle S.]

Hey,

First, I suggest doing research on local endocrinologists  and gynecologists to see if any specifically state they provide HRT. You'd be surprised. Also, ask your therapist. If they have experience with patients transitioning then they probably know of someone. In my experience, my therapist gave me my letter and the contact info for a local gynecologist who cares for the majority of her patients.

Second, I guess it depends on your level of confidence. I have to tell you HRT is not magic and if things like hairy breasts spook you then be prepared. It took me 4 months on HRT before I finally got over dwelling over all my "masculine" features - and I'm 23 with virtually no body hair or facial hair and a somewhat soft face. So I shouldn't have given it much thought but I did. You truly have to be ready for things to slowly change all while your self-consciousness skyrockets. With that said, hair removal is relatively fast compared to HRT. It's taken 4 sessions, 6 weeks apart to basically remove all but a couple rogue hairs on my face versus 5 months to grow As.  So if you're not incredibly hairy, maybe you'll have the same results. Also, I haven't had laser on my chest yet so I just shave it daily and it takes only a couple seconds in the shower.

Third, don't count your insurance out yet until you've tried it. You might be pleasantly surprised. If it doesn't, it might be a little pricey. I know my bloodwork was like $750, of which insurance covered $680 and the periodic med check visits are $65-100.