HRT pre-physical question

[Jenna]

My therapist and I are looking at getting my letter to start HRT soon.  Before I take the next step she wants me to get a physical to make sure there are no medical contraindications to hormone treatment.  I was wondering if I should get such a physical done by my primary care provider or try to find an endocrinologist?

[LordKAT]

Either one works. Thanks to the things that happen in life, my endo IS my primary physician.

[Andaya]

A physical is always a good idea but double check that whoever is going to be prescribing you the hormones doesn't want to do their own physical and tests. Who are you going to take the letter to? The best thing might be to keep all your medical providers in the loop so you don't have redundant testing.

Congratulations on taking your first step!

[Jenna]

Andaya,

That is exactly why I was thinking of having an endo do the physical, so I don't end up having to do it twice.  I also thought he/she might be more familiar with hormone therapy than a PCP.  I've just never seen an endo before, so I didn't know if physicals were something they actually do.

[Andaya]

That's a good idea. You've gone a different route to my HRT since I went for informed consent from a clinic that handled every medical issue so I'm not positive. Who do you plan on taking the letter from your therapist to? I would give them a call and ask what they suggest. The PCP might be perfect to at least ask for advice. For me, the doctor who reviewed my initial lab results was the one who did my physical.

[Madison Leigh]

A physical is always a good idea but double check that whoever is going to be prescribing you the hormones doesn't want to do their own physical and tests. Who are you going to take the letter to? The best thing might be to keep all your medical providers in the loop so you don't have redundant testing.

Congratulations on taking your first step!

I would concur.  I spoke to both my GP and the Doctor who is supervising my HRT up front and both have been great about things.  If I need blood work or anything in regards to the HRT, my GP handles it so I can drive 5 minutes up to her office or the lab versus having to drive 90 minutes each way to see the other Doctor.