What all goes into finding an endo and what all are they going to want to do?

[Nero]

Still unsure whether to do T before surgery, but looking at all the options.

So, how do I go about finding a trans friendly endo? (Pretty sure my PCP won't want to prescribe T and may even drop me as a patient, which would be sad as I've been seeing him since I was a teen.)

And what all are they going to want to do - how many expensive tests are they going to want to run, etc? I've already had a zillion and one tests run on my hormones and female system, will that do?

Appreciate any info or insight on the endo process.
Thanks.

[Ashley315]

my therapist found mine for me.  As for what all tests they will want to do, it varies from doctor to doctor I'm sure, but at the very least they will want to run some blood tests to check levels and liver functions.  That is however only coming from my MtF experience.  The FtM experience may be way different.

[myles]

Not a lot of advice as I am only one step ahead of you but my therapist is also the one who found my Endo. He had three people I could choose from, they were just suggestions I was also free to go find my own if I wanted.
Myles

[Nero]

Yeah, that's the thing. My therapist is in the Philippines. 

[Renate]

My therapist not only specified my endo, she made an appointment without a boo from me.
The endo has a three month waiting list and I've never heard of anyone in the area who goes to anyone else.

Mine took blood samples, urine samples, EKG and did a basic exam checking for organ swelling/tenderness.
I've yet to receive the lab results or the bill.

[paulault55]

My therapist faxed the Endo they send their TS patients to a recomendation that i start hrt but it was my responsibility to contact his office and make the appointment. Most of the TS patients in Cleveland go to him and i was amazed i only waited a week and a half for my appointment, i had heard up to a three month wait. Mine also took blood samples and did a basic exam checking for organ swelling/tenderness. He follows the SOC and coded it as gender identity and i already know my insurance won't pay for his visit, with the labs most should be covered but i wanted a karyotype test done which is not covered.

Paula.

[myles]

On the what to expect part I was told today mine will do lab work the first appointment then on the second when the labs are back give me the Script. She also likes to start at a lower dose for the first 1-3 months (I am having a hard time getting over that at the moment) then ups it after. I am hearing that everyone is different, talked to another one today that will not give full dose until after 3 months! The 3 month one said $200-$600 in labs depending on your medial history. She is a MD that has done this before and that is what she requires.
Please remember they are all different and some write the script that day others make you wait for labs, varies by the person.
Myles

[FairyGirl]

my therapist also referred me to my hrt doctor, but I found my therapist through a local transgender support group, and they also have a list of recommended local doctors. If you are in or near a larger metropolitan area (I'm in Nashville) you can usually find a local group that will have good info on medical and other resources.  I found them using the web, the third lobe of my brain lol 

[Ms Jessica]

found my endo through a referral from other trans people here, we all live in the same area.  If there are any trans support groups in your area, you might consider asking the attendees who they see for their HRT. 
My endo required recent blood tests, so I got a full panel done, cost me $300 after insurance paid their end of it.  Now I get blood tests every few months to make sure everything's steady. 
Your endo may require a recent blood test just to make sure that things aren't different from where they were at before. 

[Jamie-o]

You might also want to check Yahoo Groups, and similar services, to see if there is a mail group in your area.  I live near the Twin Cities, and got several suggestions from the MNBoyz newsgroup, for example.