South-east Texas Endocrinologists?

[Emilatron]

I'm sorry if this isn't the right section for this kind of post. I'm not sure where to ask this...

So I live in Baytown, TX. It's right next to Houston, Galveston, all that.

I went through therapy (the talky-talky kind, not the hormone kind) earlier this year and I got my T-letter, I was all ready to start T, but when I went to see Dr. Keith Smith and this man told me that I needed to have a pelvic exam done (and it could only be done by HIM no less!) if he was going to allow me to start testosterone. I talked to all of my friends that took T and none of them were required to have a gyno exam, just bloodtests and the like. Suffice it to say, I will never step foot in Keith Smith's office again. Disgusting!

I found myself at a loss. I gave up the fight for a while because I didn't have money anyway and I didn't know where else I could go.

Well, I recently started my first job and now that I have some amount of money, I want to try again.

The problem is finding an endocrinologist in the area! I would even settle for Dallas since my dad lives there.

I'd really like to know people's experience with endocrinologists in Texas.

If you have information about how trans patients are treated by word of mouth, or what your own experience was like with ANY of the following doctors, please let me know. ANY information is valuable. Google isn't helping much anymore.

Dr April Day
Family Medical Center at Garland
601 Clara Barton Boulevard, Suite 140
Garland, TX 75042

Dr. Jamie Vasquez
2929 Welborn Street
Dallas, TX 75219

Karen K. King, D.O.
9323 Garland Road, Suite 307
Dallas, TX. 75218

Steven Dorfman, M.D.
Endocrinologist
Endocrine Associates of Dallas P.A.
5480 La Sierra Drive
Dallas, TX. 75231

Dr. Luis J. Rodriguez-Rigau, MD
Texas Institute for Reproductive Medicine & Endocrinology
6701 Fannin St Fl 11
Houston, TX 77030

(^This one I'm reluctant about because he's a doctor at the same clinic as Keith Smith so I suspect he'll want a pelvic exam as well. But I don't know for certain, so let me know if you know!)

I really appreciate it in advance, ya'll.

[Sebryn]

Keep in mind that a lot of endo's do not do hormone replacement therapy...many just do diabetes realm hormones. Personally I'd go back to the therapist and get the names of more endos. That is part of what you paid them for. If all else fails look up your local support group and ask to see their list of doctors. Most groups keep one.

[FriendsCallMeChris]

Suggest googling lgbt centers in Houston and giving one of them a call about their resource list. Or talk to a Planned Parenthood center. They usually have a list if they don't do hrt themselves.

[Emilatron]

Thanks guys. I'd rather keep the replies on this one exclusively about experiences with these specific doctors. I've pretty much exhausted all the trans resources in my immediate area so I'm just trying to get some answers about these doctors in particular.

Let me know if you've heard anything about them or experienced something with them.

[Sebryn]

The reason I said to check with your local trans group is because -many- doctors will treat us (many of the ones that do you'd never even think could, for example my endo is actually a GP and another transguy friend of mine gets his T from a urologist) but do not and will not advertise that fact for fear of losing their other patients. Most trans support groups keep a list of doctors and surgeons that will help us and the doctors allow that on the grounds that the information not be published where it could be found by their other patients.

[Kalen]

Dont go to Dr.Dorfman in Dallas I used him and he is awful he looks at his computer the entire time you are in there and his nurses are really rude and they charge you to contact your insurance to try and get them to pay for your hormones.

[Auryn]

Best of luck finding someone. Your experience sounds terrible, and I can definitely say I've never heard of anyone requiring a pelvic exam. Just what sort of practices are down there in Houston? This is the second time I've heard someone have a bad time. The other doctor I've heard bad things about was Dr. Hunter Hammill.

I go to Dr. Jamie Vasquez, myself. The staff is usually good about correctly gendering me, even before I could pass, and the whole process is fairly quick. They were able to battle my insurance company for my T to be covered, and I got my script the first visit. She was very respectful and straightforward. Had a good sense of humor, too. Full blood tests were run, so I do not recommend this office if you are not insured. That's not cheap.