specific tests....

[mickie88]

does anyone know of the names of specific tests they do for hrt for mtf people. if this kind of discussion is not allowed publicy please send me what you know in a pm. i have found a doc who is willing to do my hrt, but i would like to know what to be prepared for, especially if i tell them to code my insurance as a hormonal imbalance?


Thank you,

~Mekayla~

[Valerie Elizabeth]

The list is at a website that has dosages, so I will not post the site.  However, if you want it, you can PM me.  Here is the list from that site.  I added some summaries, as well as links to the complete test.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a frequently ordered panel of tests that gives your doctor important information about the current status of your kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as of your blood sugar and blood proteins. Abnormal results, and especially combinations of abnormal results, can indicate a problem that needs to be addressed. The CMP is typically a group of 14 specific tests that have been approved, named, and assigned a CPT code (a Current Procedural Terminology number) as a panel by Medicare, although labs may adjust the number of tests up or down. Since the majority of insurance companies also use these names and CPT codes in their claim processing, this grouping of tests has become standardized throughout the United States.

Complete Blood Count

# The Complete Blood Count (CBC) test is an automated count of the cells in the blood. A standard CBC includes the following: number of white blood cells (WBC)
# number of red blood cells (RBC)
# hemoglobin content (Hgb)
# hematocrit (Hct)
# mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
# mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
# mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
# platelet count and volume

The results of a CBC can provide information about not only the number of cell types but also can give an indication of the size, shape, and some of the physical characteristics of the cells. In addition, a WBC differential (identifies different types of WBCs) may be ordered and can be done on the same instrument or performed manually.

Lipid Profile

The lipid profile is a group of tests that are often ordered together to determine risk of coronary heart disease. They are tests that have been shown to be good indicators of whether someone is likely to have a heart attack or stroke caused by blockage of blood vessels or hardening of the arteries (atherosclerois). The lipid profile typically includes:

    * Total cholesterol
    * High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) — often called good cholesterol
    * Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) —often called bad cholesterol
    * Triglycerides

An extended profile may also include:

    * Very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C)

Sometimes the report will include additional calculated values such as the Cholesterol/HDL ratio or a risk score based on lipid profile results, age, sex, and other risk factors.

Testosterone Total
Testosterone Free

The total testosterone is the total amount of testosterone in the blood, 90% or more which is bound up by other proteins in the blood and therefore not biologically active. The free testosterone level is a measure of the testosterone that is available to the cells. The total is usually in the range from 350-1000 ng/dL and the free testosterone is in the range of 50-250 pg/ml. Levels can decrease just with age and with advancing HIV disease. Lower levels are not just associated with decreased libido, but with decreasing muscle mass.

PT/PTT

Prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) tests are used to evaluate the extrinsic coagulation system. They may also aid in screening for congenital deficiencies of factors II, V, VII, X as well as deficiencies of prothrombin dysfibrinogenemia, and afibrinogenemia. Levels of PT and PTT can determine heparin effect, warfarin anticoagulant therapy, liver failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), vitamin K deficiency.

Urinalysis - I did not have done, but it may be done.

A urinalysis is a group of tests that detect and semi-quantitatively measure various compounds that are eliminated in the urine, including the byproducts of normal and abnormal metabolism as well as cells, including bacteria, and cellular fragments. Urine is produced by the kidneys, located on either side of the spine at the bottom of the ribcage. The kidneys filter wastes and metabolic byproducts out of the blood, help regulate the amount of water in the body, and conserve proteins, electrolytes, and other compounds that the body can reuse. Anything that is not needed is excreted in the urine and travels from the kidneys to the bladder, through the urethra, and out of the body. Urine is generally yellow and relatively clear, but every time someone urinates, the color, quantity, concentration, and content of the urine will be slightly different because of varying constituents.

Many disorders can be diagnosed in their early stages by detecting abnormalities in the urine. These include increased concentrations of constituents that are not usually found in significant quantities in the urine, such as: glucose, protein, bilirubin, red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, and bacteria. They may be present because there are elevated concentrations of the substance in the blood and the body is trying to decrease blood levels by "dumping" them in the urine, because kidney disease has made the kidneys less effective at filtering, or in the case of bacteria, due to an infection.

Estrogen - This test is not recommended at the site, but my endocrinologist ordered this as well.

Estrone tests may be done to aid in the diagnosis of an ovarian tumor, Turner's syndrome, and hypopituitarism. In males, it may help in the diagnosis of the cause of gynecomastia or in the detection of estrogen-producing tumors.

Estradiol levels are used to help evaluate ovarian function. Estradiol helps diagnose the cause of precocious puberty in girls and gynecomastia in men. Its main use has been in the differential diagnosis of amenorrhea (for example, to determine whether the cause is menopause, pregnancy, or a medical problem). In assisted reproductive technology (ART), serial measurements are used to monitor follicle development in the ovary in the days prior to in-vitro fertilization. Estradiol is also sometimes used to monitor menopausal hormone replacement therapy.

Estriol, along with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP maternal), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and inhibin-A (an ovarian and placental hormone) tests, are used to assess the risk of carrying a fetus with certain abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.

I think that is everything.  If there are any discrepancies, let me know.  I think most of these tests are pretty routine.  My insurance company didn't have a problem paying for them.

[paulault55]

My Endo is a stickler for following rules    and all my tests were coded for gender related and my insurance won't cover it, i plan on seeing which tests he wants done next time and I'll have my gp have them done and code them for diabetes. I also had a Karyotype test done, normal XY btw. This was my first visit with my Endo so i assume a more complete series of tests were done. Below is what was tested:

WBC, RBC, HEMOGLOBIN, HEMATOCRIT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW-CV, PLT, MPV, NEUTROPHILS, NEUTROPHIL#,LYMPHOCYTES, LYMPHOCYTES#, MONOCYTES, MONOCYTES#, EOSINOPHIL, EOSINOPHIL#, BASOPHILS, BASOPHIL#, GLU, SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CHLORIDE, CARBON DIOXIDE, BUN, CREATININE, CALCIUM, ANION GAP, TOTAL PROTEIN, ALBUMIN, BILIRUBIN DIRECT, BILIRUBIN TOTAL, ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE, ALT, AST, CHOLESTEROL, TRIGLYCERIDES, HDL CHOLESTEROL, NON-HDL, CHOLESTEROL RATIO, LDL, LDL/HDL RATIO, PROLACTIN, TSH HS, TESTOSTERONE, ESTRA.

[mickie88]

according to the mother of my children, the gyno i'm going to go see can be talked into just about anything and her cousin loves him for that, so after all i'm still seeing a doc that a family member sees just not hers. so i bet if i ask, he'll do it.

anybody can tell me about how many viles of blood they will need to take?  (since i have to go alone and don't like the sight of my own blood)

[Tanya1]

the gyno can be talked into just about anything

I'm sure there is a limit as to how far he will go. He surely ain't going to prescribe anyone crack cocaine.

But HRT will do, it's normal substances in the body.

[Tristan]

Normally 2-6 depending on your past medical history and age