Turned down for HRT by the endo

[BeverlyAnn]

Said I was too old and too many family factors created a risk.  Came home and cried for a while.

[Deborah]

I'm sorry to hear that.  It is a tremendous disappointment.  Can you make an appointment to get another opinion from a different Dr?


Sapere Aude

[Beth Andrea]

I don't think age, by itself, is a factor. Maybe this Endo is buased?

+1 on getting a second opinion...also legitimate risk factors are assessed based on a "benefits to risks" balance. Again, bias is suggested.

Imho

[Laura_Squirrel]

Said I was too old and too many family factors created a risk.  Came home and cried for a while.

too many family factors?

Did they explain what that meant?

[Dena]

Something is very fishy here because I just restarted HRT and I am only two years younger than you. In addition, you will lose your source of T shortly and you should have something to replace it with. I would suggest you have your therapist talk with the Endo and determine what is going on and if there is a physical reason, perhaps not a transition dose but a moderate dose or a low dose would be acceptable. Otherwise, you need to contact another doctor for a second opinion.

[Ms Grace]

Hugs. Definitely get a second opinion.

[BeverlyAnn]

During dinner Miss Dee and I were talking about a second opinion.  The family factors are primarily my father died at 59 of a heart attack, my brother died at 56 of a heart attack.  Plus during the nine years I was her caregiver after my mom developed dementia, I put on some weight and that was another factor along with pain from bad knees and three back operations keep me from exercising like I should. As far as bias, no that would not be a reason as she is one of the two endos in Atlanta who have a large number of transgender patients.  Several of my friends have gone to her for HRT.  The other option is informed consent.  I know of one clinic downtown that does informed consent and I believe Deborah goes to another that offers it.  What she told me is not the end of the world but it was a huge emotional blow.  I will admit the first thought through my mind was I have a full prescription of sleeping pills but I chased that thought out pretty fast.  The doctor tried to paint a rosy picture that the orchiectomy will provide a lot of the same effects and I do know there is a calm associated with it.  But what she was trying to tell me could happen probably isn't.

[Dena]

I am pretty sure the orchiectomy will make a difference as well as a social transition. In my transition, I was still under the influence of T and the social transition was sufficient for me to feel comfortable with my self had surgery not been available.
It is possible that the doctor would take another look at you if you lose some of the weight? I don't know how well you can move around, but I am able to lose weight by walking and diet. My legs are in good shape but I would prefer not to damage them so I am staying away from jogging or running.

[suzifrommd]

During dinner Miss Dee and I were talking about a second opinion.  The family factors are primarily my father died at 59 of a heart attack, my brother died at 56 of a heart attack.  Plus during the nine years I was her caregiver after my mom developed dementia, I put on some weight and that was another factor along with pain from bad knees and three back operations keep me from exercising like I should. As far as bias, no that would not be a reason as she is one of the two endos in Atlanta who have a large number of transgender patients.  Several of my friends have gone to her for HRT.  The other option is informed consent.  I know of one clinic downtown that does informed consent and I believe Deborah goes to another that offers it.  What she told me is not the end of the world but it was a huge emotional blow.  I will admit the first thought through my mind was I have a full prescription of sleeping pills but I chased that thought out pretty fast.  The doctor tried to paint a rosy picture that the orchiectomy will provide a lot of the same effects and I do know there is a calm associated with it.  But what she was trying to tell me could happen probably isn't.

None of these are reasons why you shouldn't be chemically yourself. There are cis women whose fathers had heart attacks, whose mothers had dementia, who are a bit overweight and who've had joint problems.

They tolerate estrogen just fine.

There is no reason you shouldn't either.

I diagnose you with physician hyposophaly, a common condition (which I just made up) characterized by a doctor who just doesn't know enough.

Please find yourself another, more trans-friendly, doctor who understands why you need what you need.

[JLT1]

The risk of stroke and heart attack are higher for individuals on HRT only when combined with smoking.  PERIOD.

Your endo needs to read recent research rather than trust 12-year old poorly conducted and poorly controlled studies.

Get a new endo.  This one is to far behind.  In the long term, THAT is dangerous.

Hugs

Jen

[stephaniec]

I'm 64 with Rheumatoid arthritis throughout my entire skeletal system. I can't exercise and struggle with getting my weight down. No ones ever told me I'm at risk.

[BeverlyAnn]

The risk of stroke and heart attack are higher for individuals on HRT only when combined with smoking.  PERIOD.

Your endo needs to read recent research rather than trust 12-year old poorly conducted and poorly controlled studies.

Get a new endo.  This one is to far behind.  In the long term, THAT is dangerous.

Hugs

Jen

Jen, I was a smoker for a number of years but quit in April of 2007.  So going on nine years since I quit.

Thanks everyone, I was in a really bad dark place this afternoon and y'all have helped a lot.  I think I will get my therapist to fax my letter to Dr. Tangpricha's office.  Since he literally co-wrote the book regarding endocrine treatment of transgender people, if he says no also I'll take it as gospel.  Of course it may take 6 months to get an appointment.

[JLT1]

Hey,

I quit only 4 years ago.  But that can still have an impact (not common after nine years.)  I would suggest a scan to look at your circlatory system (heart and lungs) and one to look at the blood flow in your brain.  If they are clear, you are good to go.  If not, consider an orchi followed by HRT using estradiol  (KayXo calls it bioidentical).  Think patches, sublingual, injections, implants or coated pills.....  This lowers the dose.  And loose weight. Sorry.  (I had to lose 70 lbs.  It can be done.)

Do not give up hope!!!

To old?  That one is not smart. 

Hugs

Jen

[Adena]

Beverly Ann please listen to the advice of Jen and others. There are very, very few cases were the risks of a trans person having HRT outweigh the risks of not having it. I doubt seriously based on the phraseology of your endo that he or she is up with the full body of research on this. Seems shamefully and woefully insensitive to your situation.

[BeverlyAnn]

If not, consider an orchi followed by HRT using estradiol  (KayXo calls it bioidentical).  Think patches, sublingual, injections, implants or coated pills.....  This lowers the dose.  And loose weight. Sorry.  (I had to lose 70 lbs.  It can be done.)
Jen

I've gone from the first notch on my belt to the fourth so I've lost some weight.  But 70 is about what I need to lose also.  Mom had an old exercise bike in the basement that I need to move out from behind some things and use.  The orchi is happening next Monday anyway.  Medical reasons for that are orchalgia on the left side severe enough to bend me over and 10X cancer risk on the right sdie.  Patches..no.  Every patch I've ever used for anything blisters me where the stickum touches.  Everything else would be a go unless I had to inject myself.   Makes me shudder just to think of it.

[Dena]

Everything else would be a go unless I had to inject myself.   Makes me shudder just to think of it.

Dee might be willing to inject you. An opportunity to get revenge on any past transgressions you may have had

[KristyWalker]

I am not medically trained but I take Warferin to reduce my stroke risk due to me having a mechanical aortic valve. I do not know if it would help you not to mention the annoyance of monthly blood work if not more often if it comes back either high or low. I do not know if it would help but at least worth asking.

Sent from my SM-G920T1 using Tapatalk

[AnonyMs]

I don't know how much these concerns are due to weight, but you might find my experience helpful.

I have had medical issues due to weight, and one specialist told me I should stop taking estrogen. That wasn't going to happen. To cut a long story short, I increased it instead and felt so much better I managed to get my weight under control, and now I don't have medical issues anymore. Its absolutely amazing what losing weight has done to my health, but I could never manage it when I was depressed.

I lost weight by pretty much starving myself, and with the help of a prescription diet drug. I did no exercise; it was hard enough sometimes just standing up. It was a bit extreme, but I had a period of motivation and wanted to take full advantage of it.

[BeverlyAnn]

Dee might be willing to inject you. An opportunity to get revenge on any past transgressions you may have had

Oh I'm absolutely sure she would be willing to jab me with something sharp given the chance.   Goes all the way back to when we were dating.  We were sitting on the sofa in her apartment watching TV and she was sewing.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw her turn and look at me so I turned real quick and kissed her.  She had a pin in her mouth, point out. 

[JLT1]

This is getting a little weird.  You sound similar to me four years ago when I  started....

Testicle pain....yep
Loose weight....yep
Reaction to adhesives....yep.

Any way....I'm starting coated estradiol pills in a couple weeks.  Estradiol can't be absorbed in the stomach so they coat them so they dissolve and are absorbed in the small intestine.  I'll let you know what I find out....

Hugs

Jen