Having a Really Difficult Time

[taylorhbic]

I found an endo that does hrt but they will not see me even with a referral for some reason. The only other endo in this area isn't taking patients. My insurance company said "we have done the best we can and we can look for more endos" shortly after saying this though they hung up on me. My only other options seems too self medicate but if my dad finds out he will be very angry. This is the only option there seems too because I cannot for the life of me find an endo that can help me. Ive tried planned parent hood and they said they are "working on seeing transgender people" but it could take a little while for them too implement anything.

[ImagineKate]

You don't need an endocrinologist. Any doctor will do, as long as they understand HRT.

Local people should be able to help you.

Why would the first endo not see you though? Are you under 18? Parental consent issues? Those are the only two things I could see preventing you.

[taylorhbic]

im 19. I needed the referral too see someone out of network but they, according too my care physician "just don't wanna". my insurance company and my pcp say I have too see an endo :/ idk how too find a doctor that knows anything abt hrt let alone an endo that does.

[Jill F]

Please don't self-medicate.  If something goes wrong, you could end up having HRT delayed, denied, hospitalized or worse.

Sometimes OBGYNs will prescribe HRT- can you try this or talk to other transpeople in your area about the doctors they use? 

[taylorhbic]

I live in a texas city that isn't that progressive I looked there are no trans-groups here.

[Emjay]

Please don't self-medicate.  If something goes wrong, you could end up having HRT delayed, denied, hospitalized or worse.

^^This...  Not to lecture you but yes, please please please don't self medicate. 

Are you seeing a therapist?  Maybe they can recommend someone if so, that's how I found mine.  He's actually a GP but works with several transgender patients here in Indy.  I can see your pcp wanting you to see an endo but I wonder why would your insurance require it?  I changed to my HRT doctor as my pcp when he started treating me, just made more sense to keep everything together since I could.

Good luck, I'm sure something will work out for you!

[lilredneckgirl]

Ok.  a  big  question,  HAVE  YOU  HAD  THE  REQUIRED  COUNSLING? 
  you  will  need  a  letter  of  approval  from  a  counsler,  preferably  with  a  PHD  in  gender  issues,  before  any  doctor  of  any  type  will  start  you  on  HRT. 
  @ you  just  cant  get  an  insurance  company  referral  and  expect  the  doctors  to  get  started. 

Self  medication  admistration  is  folly.    you  cant  run  the  blood  tests,  moniter  levels,  etc,  chances  are  good,  you  will  do  more  harm  then  good.  Get  into  counsling,  get  the  letter  of  approval  from  the  shrink,  then  things  should  go  smoothly. 

[taylorhbic]

There are some doctors that will prescribe without a therapist letter. Do more research.

[Eveline]

Honey, is there an LGBT community center near you? Maybe they can provide the name of a local (or at least not too distant) physician that specializes in treating trans folks. I'm not sure how this would play with your insurance provider, but worth investigating?

[mmmmm]

Some endo's follow trans health-care standards and require psychiatrists recommendation letter, which means you need to be in the therapy with licenced and system approved gender therapist (not just some random therapist), and they often work together as a multidisciplinary team ( I'm not shure about Texas, but things often work like this in some parts of US and all over Europe )... You can definitely find an endo who just doesn't care, and will be willing to take you based on informed consent.. Best thing to do would be to ask other transsexual people in your area.

[ImagineKate]

Yeah some will require a referral from a therapist and others will do informed consent. I have a therapist but I do informed consent where I sign paperwork and acknowledge the risks.

I think planned parenthood does it as well.

[taylorhbic]

like I said in a previous post the planned parent hood here is "working on incorporating trans related services"

[taylorhbic]

Just got off the phone with my insurance they looked and found 1 doctor in this whole area who can do it but she is not taking any new patients and as far as ever taking new patients she is "unsure". They gave an ok on me self medicating.

[kelly_aus]

Just got off the phone with my insurance they looked and found 1 doctor in this whole area who can do it but she is not taking any new patients and as far as ever taking new patients she is "unsure". They gave an ok on me self medicating.

Your insurance company gave you medical advice? Advice that is dangerous? 

[Ms Grace]

I hope your insurance covers you if you do self medicate and it goes wrong, because there's a pretty good chance it will go wrong. There is no safe way to do it by yourself. There is no average, no "safe dose fits all".

I appreciate your frustrations. Please try looking through these topics from Susan's and see if an of them are helpful...

https://www.google.com.au/#q=endocrinologist+HRT+texas+site:www.susans.org&safe=off

[Rachel]

Hi Taylor, I did a search on a site and came up with these names (below). They may give you a lead if they do not provide care. Also, call the Children's Hospital 's ( Houston, Dallas and Cooks in Fort Worth). Ask for their Social Work Department (sexuality Department if they have one) and ask them for assistance locating a Doctor for CHT (contra hormone therapy) or HRT.

Texas

Texas Institute for Reprodutive Medicine & Endocrinology
Dr Keith Smith
7400 Fannin Street, Suite 850
Houston, TX. 77054
Phone : (713) 791-1874

Steven Dorfman, M.D.
Endocrinologist
Endocrine Associates of Dallas P.A.
5480 La Sierra Drive
Dallas, TX. 75231
Phone : (214) 363-5535

Karen K. King, D.O.
9323 Garland Road, Suite 307
Dallas, TX. 75218
Phone : (214) 328-7400