Should I Tell my Doctor I'm Trans?

[Vincent Johnson]

{Mods, if this isn't in the right area, please move it}

Hello! I have been visiting my doctor lately, for over a year. I just recently had an appointment with her on upping the dosage of my meds. (Prozac) I got to thinking, should I tell her that I am transgender? Can she deny me medical help if I tell her? Is it pointless?

The doctor I visit is in the Northeast Arkansas area if that is any indication.

I am just wanting to make a step forward in my transition, and although she may not know how to help, I don't necessarily want to miss an opportunity of her knowing of some resources...

[KathyLauren]

{Mods, if this isn't in the right area, please move it}

Hello! I have been visiting my doctor lately, for over a year. I just recently had an appointment with her on upping the dosage of my meds. (Prozac) I got to thinking, should I tell her that I am transgender? Can she deny me medical help if I tell her? Is it pointless?

The doctor I visit is in the Northeast Arkansas area if that is any indication.

I am just wanting to make a step forward in my transition, and although she may not know how to help, I don't necessarily want to miss an opportunity of her knowing of some resources...

It is not likely that she can deny you treatment for being trans.  However, some states have some barbaric laws about that kind of thing, so you should check the situation in your state regarding non-discrimination.

Assuming she operates with civilized standards, it would be to your advantage to tell her.  She can help you find therapists, endocrinologists, or other professionals that you will need if you decide to transition.  She will also need to know about any hormone prescriptions you get in order to ensure there are no conflicts with other meds that you may need.

[2Wendy2]

I found a Dr. to handle just the transition stuff. Because he is like an hour and a half away, I kept my doctor in town for routine stuff like colds, shots, regular Dr. stuff. When I updated my med list I decided to tell them about the Estradiol, Progesterone and Spiro. The Dr. (a young female) asked why I was taking them I told her I was Trans. Her entire demeanor toward me changed from jovial to distant and cold. I told her about the other doctor far away and asked if she would be interested in taking over my transition, she could not say NO fast enough.

I have not been back to her nor her clinic, which is large and well respected in this region. What is interesting is that the clinic this Dr. works for has previously been sued and lost for refusing to treat TS people.

I decided to use the far away Dr. for everything and use local walk in clinics when I get sick.

[CatherineVeraGat]

I would tell her so she could help you to find other therapists, and other kinds of doctors. And so that you and your doctor is on the same page for everything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dan]

I thought it would be unethical for a doctor to deny treatment to anybody who requires it. WTF is the world coming to?

[JinnieY]

Hi Vincent!

May I ask if you are on HRT or perhaps you are seeing a different doctor? I think it is important to acknowledge the doctor about your transition. If you are on HRT and the doctor doesn't know, she might be concerned about your lab result (blood work). If you are on HRT, I think it is a good way to go to the same pharmacy because they have your full medical record.

In terms of your concern being denied for the access of care, I think it is illegal to do so because healthcare professionals are obligated to take care of patients who are in need.

Jinnie

[Dena]

Often being transgender causes depression and people find they can reduce or eliminate antidepressants when they go on hormones because they feel better. Yes I know that Prozac is used to treat other condition but some of those might also improve as you treat your gender dysphoria. The doctors should know what is going on with the rest of your life to better determine the amount of Prozac you should be taking.

[Vincent Johnson]

@JinnieY I am not on HRT. I only visit that main doctor I go to for almost everything. I haven't gotten on HRT because I am not sure about Missouri and Arkansas's laws on going on HRT for FtMs.

@Dena I am not sure about Missouri and Arkansas's laws on going on HRT for FtMs. I am taking Prozac for social phobia and seasonal depression, and my dosage has just recently been raised because my seasonal depression has kicked in. I am scared to bring it up to her, as she might try to deny medical treatment all together and I feel that I won't have another doctor to go to.

[Janes Groove]

In terms of your concern being denied for the access of care, I think it is illegal to do so because healthcare professionals are obligated to take care of patients who are in need.

You would think but sadly, no.*


*It happened to me.

[Sarah.VanDistel]

I found a Dr. to handle just the transition stuff. Because he is like an hour and a half away, I kept my doctor in town for routine stuff like colds, shots, regular Dr. stuff. When I updated my med list I decided to tell them about the Estradiol, Progesterone and Spiro. The Dr. (a young female) asked why I was taking them I told her I was Trans. Her entire demeanor toward me changed from jovial to distant and cold. I told her about the other doctor far away and asked if she would be interested in taking over my transition, she could not say NO fast enough.

I have not been back to her nor her clinic, which is large and well respected in this region. What is interesting is that the clinic this Dr. works for has previously been sued and lost for refusing to treat TS people.

I decided to use the far away Dr. for everything and use local walk in clinics when I get sick.

Hi Wendy!

I'm sorry about this totally unacceptable attitude of your general practitioner. As a physician myself, I feel ashamed to have her as a colleague. Physicians are supposed to be objective, scientific, compassionate... their purpose is to promote health, relieve suffering, cure diseases... I can only see ignorance and/or personal reasons (prejudice) for her attitude, both incompatible with an ethical practice of our profession. A shame, really... I wish you the best of lucks in finding the good physician you deserve.

Hugs, Sarah

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

[2Wendy2]

Thank you so much Sarah! Although it is not the most convenient situation it is working out by using my transition Dr. who is a GP (Primary Care) Dr. for most everything and the walkin for when I get sickly.

[Julia1996]

Just because someone is a doctor doesn't mean they can't be just as ignorant as anyone else when it comes to trans people. I see a gyn for my hrt but I needed to find a new GP after mine moved to another city. The first one I went to was transphobic. I hadn't mentioned I was trans because I didn't want to start with that. After he started looking through my medication list he asked about the large doses of spiro and estrogen. So I told him I was trans. He asked how long I had been on hrt and I told him 2 years. Then he said that meant I had started it at 17 and he asked me if I had been buying hrt medications from the internet since a 17 year old needed parental consent.  I told him I had had parental consent when I started and he started going on about that was awful and it could qualify as child abuse and what was wrong with my parents, blah blah. Then he said if I stayed on hrt a lot of the changes to my body would be irreversible and to stop now. Then he actually told me to just go ahead and be gay!  So I totally just got up and left. This wasn't an old guy either. He was about my dad's age. (37-40). The next Dr I went to is a young female. She couldn't have been nicer. She even told me that if something happened with my gyn she would fill my hrt medications until I found a new one. I don't think it matters if a Dr is younger or older, male or female. Its just like luck of the draw. Drs are just people and some of them are transphobic dicks.
Julia

[Sarah.VanDistel]

Just because someone is a doctor doesn't mean they can't be just as ignorant as anyone else when it comes to trans people. I see a gyn for my hrt but I needed to find a new GP after mine moved to another city. The first one I went to was transphobic. I hadn't mentioned I was trans because I didn't want to start with that. After he started looking through my medication list he asked about the large doses of spiro and estrogen. So I told him I was trans. He asked how long I had been on hrt and I told him 2 years. Then he said that meant I had started it at 17 and he asked me if I had been buying hrt medications from the internet since a 17 year old needed parental consent.  I told him I had had parental consent when I started and he started going on about that was awful and it could qualify as child abuse and what was wrong with my parents, blah blah. Then he said if I stayed on hrt a lot of the changes to my body would be irreversible and to stop now. Then he actually told me to just go ahead and be gay!  So I totally just got up and left. This wasn't an old guy either. He was about my dad's age. (37-40). The next Dr I went to is a young female. She couldn't have been nicer. She even told me that if something happened with my gyn she would fill my hrt medications until I found a new one. I don't think it matters if a Dr is younger or older, male or female. Its just like luck of the draw. Drs are just people and some of them are transphobic dicks.
Julia

Omg, Julia! [emoji33]  I wasn't aware of so much transphobia among doctors! I mean, yeah, in the general population this doesn't really surprise me, but doctors are NOT supposed to let their personal convictions interfere with how they treat their patients. This is wrong on so many levels... It's unethical, it's unscientific, it's cruel... I get it when a doctor who declines helping you on grounds that she has no experience with HRT in trans*, but at least tries to redirect you to a colleague who knows. But the case you describe is repulsive. I'm really sorry for this and truly happy that you've found a GP who is trans-understanding. Hugs, Sarah

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

[elkie-t]

I don't think it matters if a Dr is younger or older, male or female. Its just like luck of the draw. Drs are just people and some of them are transphobic dicks.
Julia

I think statistically your chances are better with younger generation (but by younger I mean 20sh, not 40sh) and I found female generally better accept mtf than male (for a female, it's probably a subconscious validation that the fair sex is better and mtf is no longer perceived as a male, an aggressor and a potential partner; for a male it might be a subconscious threat).

[Toni]

I am somewhat in the same boat, talking about formally starting HRT with the VA as well as a private clinic.  I have had a woman GP for my healthcare even before I knew I was trans and she was great and I didn't mind seeing her even though my trans wasn't an issue.  She gave prostate exams and never once hurt me, the male GP I had before her hurt me several times giving that exam and has left me feeling very ill at ease about the prospect of a male GP for exams or especially this trans issue.  Well, fast forward and I've had to own this for a while now and as uneasy as I was about the male doctor I was to see about HRT, turns out that as soon as he entered the room he announced he was gay and that he knew what a lot of the issues I was facing were about and I should put my mind at ease, he was there to help in any way he could.  I was equally nervous about my dealings with the VA, but it turns out they were equally nervous about me!  I'm in the Hill Country in Texas and it seems I'm the first self proclaimed trans person that they've had and a bit of a celebrity :-).  They were asking all sort of questions about how should they address me and what did I want to be called and were all worried about some sort of perceived etiquette with the newly acquired trans person.  In the end I was assuring them that I only wanted to be looked at like anyone else and no special handling was required and that Toni works with a Y or an I.  I ended talking with a big, self proclaimed biker looking nurse who it turns out couldn't have been nicer.  He said he had LBGT friends who he valued as good friends and nothing else mattered to him.  So there you have a couple of pleasant outcomes in spite of our apprehension and the fact is that sooner or later you'll have to own this.  Tell the truth and don't be sheepish about who you are.  Give your caretakers the same opportunity you would ask of others and if you're not happy, be your own advocate and say no thanks and find someone else.

[Janes Groove]

In my case it was an entire Medicaid clinic that has a staff of 18 doctors and twice as many nurse practitioners.  They are all complicit in a conspiracy to deny transgender health care while taking federal dollars.  All because the founder was a member of the clergy or a prominent religion.  It's really stunning when one gets bit in the rear end by "religious freedom" in 2017.

[Gertrude]

In my case it was an entire Medicaid clinic that has a staff of 18 doctors and twice as many nurse practitioners.  They are all complicit in a conspiracy to deny transgender health care while taking federal dollars.  All because the founder was a member of the clergy or a prominent religion.  It's really stunning when one gets bit in the rear end by "religious freedom" in 2017.

I didn't realize that Colorado was so conservative as a state. Colorado Springs yes, as one goes north, it changes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kendra]

With the exception of a few countries where it is illegal to be transgender, I think it's best to tell a doctor without hesitation.  This is information they need to correctly handle your health care.  Dena brought up a great specific example.  If you postpone the conversation you run the risk of accidentally not getting good health care through no fault of the doctor. 

If this particular doctor is in the wrong profession you need to know as soon as possible.  I think Julia did the right thing to immediately leave.  Wendy I am glad you switched clinics.  Jane, sorry to hear you encountered an entire clinic full of people who are not interested in your health - I cannot call them professionals.  In an extreme case I would be taking a short break in the lobby on my way out the door to write down exactly what was said.

Vincent, if you don't have any other doctors in your area this sounds more difficult.  Or if this is a case where you're seeing a shared family doctor and other family members might ask questions if you request a different doctor.  You need to make a decision based on the long term health requirements of most important person, and that is you. 

My general practitioner is near retirement age with several decades' experience.  He has taught at a top medical school but I am his first transgender patient.  Within the first 5 minutes I told him I am transgender (I am not full time yet).  He told me he doesn't have any experience with transgender patients - I admire his honesty - and he seems sincerely interested.  He plans to cover everything he normally would, and check with my endocrinologist (same clinic) for trans-specific topics.

[Rachel]

Perhaps you could call your local LGBT center and see if there are LGBT friendly physicians in your area. Also, if there is a trans group in your area you could go to group and ask where the others go  for HRT. You may want to call planned parenthood in your area. That particular center may not provide HRT but they may know of sympathetic physicians.

I would definitely tell your current physician. In rural areas and areas in the bible belt there may be some more probability of a doctor that is uncomfortable treating a trans patient. I am in Philadelphia and there are doctors that will not treat a trans patient or treat them differently after they find out they are trans. There are also many many more good physicians that are perfectly fine working with a trans patient.

I go to a LGBT center that specializes in Trans, LGB and people with HIV and AIDS. They have a PCP center, mental health, pharmacy, HIV wall in testing,  a food bank and clothing bank and group. It is in Philly and it is Mazzoni. I love going there.

[Vincent Johnson]

@Rachel Lynn I sadly do not know of any local LGBT centers or any trans specific groups in my area. There aren't even any therapists that work with trans people within 2 hours of me. At least, not that I know of, and that makes my mother rather sad as she is wanting to find a trans-friendly therapist for me.

@Kendra The only family I really associate with or care about is my mother and my siblings. All of which are aware that I am transgender and are actually working on finding help for me. That is partially why I was asking if I should tell my doctor. As of currently, there aren't many doctors in my area, but she definitely isn't the only doctor out there. If this helps any, she is located near a major college campus that has transgender students enrolled and students from all over the country and even abroad. So maybe me telling her I'm transgender won't be too much of a shock?