Options for HRT (MTF) after letter (Endo vs ?)

[Kamyu]

Hey all,

So, what are the options on HRT once you get your letter? I know there's the endocrinologist route. But what if you can't find one nearby that does HRT or won't do it due to not being comfortable doing it for the Trans population. I've read some go to a gynacologist to do their HRT. How about your General Practitioner? Did you have to find someone yourself or were you referred to someone by your GP or Therapist?

Please share which route you go with for your HRT and any stories of difficulties you ran into with some routes.

Thank you,

~Kamyu

[suzifrommd]

Did you have to find someone yourself or were you referred to someone by your GP or Therapist?

Please share which route you go with for your HRT and any stories of difficulties you ran into with some routes.

I went to other trans women in my area and asked them where they were getting their hormones. One name kept coming up. I went to him and he's been very supportive and a great doctor. He's a GP but very knowledgeable about HRT.

Do you know any trans people in your area? It's helpful to make contact for all sorts of reasons.

[KayXo]

Yes! Asking other transsgendered girls in your local area or a center that helps such people will lead you to someone for sure.

I'm under the care of my family doctor and an endocrinologist who has more experience treating transsexuals. Gynecologist is fine too. Dentist is NOT! 

[Ms Grace]

I got a couple of recommendations via the local gender centre. Turned out a majority of trans people in my city see this one particular endo on the list.

[Eva Marie]

I was new to the L.A. area so I didn't know anyone and I had just admitted to myself that I needed therapy. I had absolutely no idea of how to locate a good gender therapist in L.A. but I had happened to make a friend on another online forum that lives in the same area that I do so I asked her who she would suggest for a therapist. She told me who her therapist was and highly recommended her so I made an appointment with her and began seeing her. That therapist turned out to be absolutely awesome, and she works in partnership with an endocrinologist that is nearby her therapist practice, so when I got my hormone letter I just took it over to him and got started on full-strength HRT.

So like everyone has has suggested - find some trans people in your area and ask them. If you don't know any trans people now would be a good time to join a trans support group, or if you have a LGBT support center in your area that's another good resource where you can ask questions.

[Kamyu]

Hi all,

Thank you for your suggestions and experiences so far. Please feel free to continue to share.

I live in a somewhat smaller to mid size town and any major city centers are at minimum 3 to 4 hours away. Looking online, I haven't been able to find much for LGBT support groups in the area and I don't know any transgendered people either. However, I did find one place in town that says they offer LGBT services and referrals. I don't think they do HRT, but they might be able to refer. The place I found is the local Planned Parenthood Center.

I will have to ask my therapist about them. The therapist I'm seeing is like one of the only ones in the area that has experience with transgender issues. I was already planning on asking them if they knew anyone or anyplace in the area that does HRT for Transgender individuals as they told me they have several transgender clients currently that are in all stages of transition from just beginning to SRS.

It's weird, plenty of Endo's all around but not sure if any will do HRT for Transgender individuals. I'll find out eventually as I'm working through my GP and Therapist and they should be able to find someone that can do it once I get my letter to start HRT.

Wish me luck on the start of my journey. I am looking forward to this new path and what possibilities will emerge. I don't know where I will end up, but the journey should be enlightening.

~Kamyu

[Jenna Marie]

I went to an endo at first, but now (4 years on HRT, 2 years post-op), I'm switching to having just a GP prescribe my hormones. He can write the same prescription she can, and run the same basic blood tests.  I appreciated having an expert opinion early on, but at this point my dose is clearly stable and I'm basically the same as a menopausal cis woman.

Some Planned Parenthood branches do in fact handle trans HRT, even.

[Amy1988]

Hey all,

So, what are the options on HRT once you get your letter? I know there's the endocrinologist route. But what if you can't find one nearby that does HRT or won't do it due to not being comfortable doing it for the Trans population. I've read some go to a gynacologist to do their HRT. How about your General Practitioner? Did you have to find someone yourself or were you referred to someone by your GP or Therapist?

Please share which route you go with for your HRT and any stories of difficulties you ran into with some routes.

Thank you,

~Kamyu

My doctor is an internal medicine specialist.  He told me that he could provide endocrine referral for the orchiectomy that I plan on getting.