The Endo that my therapist referred me to won't see me unless I have both my letter and blood work done. They have my letter but they want the initial blood work faxed from my GP doctor first. I told them that my GP probably doesn't know what to order so they gave me a list:
CMP - Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
LH - Luteinizing hormone
LC/MS
Free/Total T
Estradiol
My GP doctor was reluctant yet complied and gave me an ACM lab sheet. I think what convinced him was when I asked him if he has treated any transgender patients, is familiar with the latest DSM manual and the WPATH standards of care. His answer was no and then he pulled out the ACM lab sheet
He didn't know what LC/MS is and the Endo secretary don't know either. I have a message into the Endo to call me about this. In the mean time checking via google it seems to be a more accurate method to measure testosterone. I'm not sure if that is even an option on the ACM lab sheet. But I guess I'll give the Endo some time to call back. Has anyone heard of LC/MS?
A second question I have is on the ACM lab sheet there was T3 Total, T4 Free and Testosterone Total. My GP didn't check any of them and instead wrote free and total testosterone on the bottom of the sheet. I'm wondering if all three should be checked?
Once again a call directly from the Endo would be great, there is no concept of a gender clinic here where I live, so I'm forced to seek out doctors on my own, there is definitely a what came first "The chicken or the egg" complex going on here. It's surprising since I live in a city with one of the worlds top notch medical schools.
