HRT

[SforaNymph]

Hi everyone I am looking to get some insight into other peoples experience on HRT. How many times a year does a person have to get blood done, and see the endro? The reason I ask is because for me I have to plan for the future and put money away to keep me on HRT especially since I live in an area were many jobs do not tolerate such a thing. I currently have prescription cards were I can save 80% off on prescriptions, and I do not have insurance so my first hormone therapy appointment with the doctor is in April, and will cost me $125. How much does basic blood work cost? After a year or two does the dosage go down, as well as the visits to the endro? Sorry for all the questions I am just trying to wrap my head around everything.

Thanks,
Sfora

[Dena]

It depends on the doctor. I have seen treatment plans were you have a blood draw after 30 days but in my case, it will be 3 months. Because I will remain on a reduced dosage, I suspect I might move to 6 months after that but if my dosage were bumped, I would expect another test after 3 months. After about a year if problems aren't detected 3 months testing isn't needed. Mostly they are watching out for liver damage but they can also fine tune your hormone levels to make them more effective.

[SforaNymph]

How much has it cost you being on hormones throughout the years including doctor visits, and blood test?

Thanks,
Sfora

[Dena]

I am not exactly sure yet because I am on a reduced dose, I was off them for about 10 years and I am starting up again and even though I thought it wouldn't, insurance seems to be covering part of it. I am also on pills which many not be the same as what you will receive. Guesstimating without insurance I would say under $1000 over the year without any insurance coverage. In my case, insurance may pick up at least half of that.

[Deborah]

Without insurance HRT was $150 a month for spiro, progesterone, and estradiol.  One blood test is about $400.  The Dr. visit is over $100, but I'm not sure of the exact amount.

After the initial Dr. Appt and blood test there was a follow up at 3 months and then after that every six months.

So the total annual cost without insurance is about $2800.  Without progesterone it would be about $960 less.


Sapere Aude

[SforaNymph]

Thanks for the insight. I know with my 80% off prescription card for injection form of estrogen will be about $8 for 180 with Walgreen which I asked, and with spiro will be about $4 to $5 with Walgreen and my 80% prescription card. See can you stop at anytime if you are not getting bottom surgery?

Thanks for all the help, and answering my questions.

Sfora

[Dena]

You can stop but I don't advise it. Based on outdated information, I stopped 10 years ago and many of the changes reversed themselves. That is the reason I am returning to HRT.

[SforaNymph]

I guess for me its all about the cost of blood work and how many times I have to see the endro since he is over an 1 hour and a half away from me, and I have $4,836 put away for hormones for the next few couple of years, which I try to put $500 to $700 a side from my check to cover hormones just in case I get let go do to my transitioning. So that is why I am asking all these questions. I want to make sure I have money backed up if I do lose my job and can't get one for how ever long it takes for someone to hire me or for Missouri to pass a bill to prevent places from discriminating against Transgender, and Non-binary people.

Thanks,
Sfora

[melissa_h]

If you find a good clinic, costs can be substantially lower.

First visit, with blood work, was about $130 iirc. Second visit was about 2.5 month later and cost $90 with blood work.  Meds are about $40 for a 3 month supply.  No insurance at all, but it's a specialized clinic with good subsidies.

My E got upped, so getting blood done in 2 weeks remotely to save a trip to Chicago, the real trick for me is: can I go to a place that's normally on my insurance, while being referred from a doctor/clinic that isn't?

To the OP, will definitely vary by practitioner on frequency of blood tests, but a good rule of thumb would be to expect them more often following tweaks to your meds.


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[SforaNymph]

I have found a place 6.5 miles from my house and it will only cost me $40 dollars for the doctor visit and I can pay for my blood work on a monthly payment plan. Also I finally got my 85% and 90% off prescription cards today. So I am excited, but still kind of nervous lol. My first appointment is on March 28. I currently now have around $4,836 put away for back up if I ever lose my job over being transgender, and I plan to put more away until I at least reach the age were I get medicare, or medicaid lol.

Sfora