Exhausted and at the end of my rope...please help

[Hurtfulsplash]

I've been calling endo's for days and none treat transsexuals. I'm tired of getting the door slammed in my face and I'm starting to feel like a freak. I've called every endo within a 5 hour radius, even clinics that were attached to universities. My doc's office won't help me or even help find someone who will. I already know I'll have to pay for treatment out of pocket so I'm not limited by what insurance the endo will take. Tons of people here are on HRT, so there's got to be people out there helping you. How did you find your docs, even give me their name anonymously if you want to? I'm desperate and need all the suggestions I can get.

[rejennyrated]

Well as I have commented before you don't actualy NEED an endo unless there is a problem.

The standard target blood levels are all published information in medical texts as are recommended dosages. Heck even I can find them in the local public library so any GP worth their salt can actually prescribe them, order up a blood serum level check and adjust doasge accordingly. The only time you actually need to see an endo is if something isn't working or there is some query.

At least that is the way we do things in the UK, but maybe the rules are different where you are.

[Hurtfulsplash]

I was wondering if I actually needed an endo; I just found the meds online and thought of bringing that info to my doc and seeing if she'll monitor me. I feel a bit better now, but I've been disappointed a lot in the past few weeks, this ray of hope might get shot down too.

[kae m]

There are guidelines online elsewhere, you don't necessarily need an endocrinologist with experience treating trans patients, the doctor just needs to understand what the areas of concern may be.  A 5 mile radius is a pretty small area, though...I know some people in my state drive more than 50 miles to the endo I see, and pretty much everyone I've talked to in this state goes to him.  But, all he really does is make sure I'm staying healthy on my current regimen, that my hormone levels are adequate, and of course he writes the prescriptions.  It is nice to know that he has experience with dozens of other patients, if only because he knows how to fill out the forms with my insurance to not get HRT-related treatment kicked off my plan...

Are there any trans resources in your area or reasonably close by?  My therapist is about the only person I found completely on my own, the other people she put me in contact with helped point me in the right direction on the more "practical" things.

[Hurtfulsplash]

Sorry, meant to say 5 hour radius. There are no trans resources here, my therapist said there's only 2-5 transsexual people in the area, all M-F except me. He nor anyone at my docs clinic where able to give me any more information.

[girl_ashley]

I agree, an Endo is not required to receive HRT.  I am getting my care from a clinic in the Washington DC area that specializes in LGBTQ and have only had appointments with a care provider there.

[Hurtfulsplash]

Looks like I'll head back to my doc then; the last time I saw her it was just to get a referral to an endo because I thought that's what I needed to do, so I didn't bother asking if she could help me personally. This is good information to have, I wish I knew sooner, could have saved myself a lot of grief.

[owl]

Hey, i'm getting testosterone from a Trans friendly College called Calvin College here in Michigan. Try community colleges perhaps?

[Naturally Blonde]

I've been calling endo's for days and none treat transsexuals. I'm tired of getting the door slammed in my face and I'm starting to feel like a freak. I've called every endo within a 5 hour radius, even clinics that were attached to universities. My doc's office won't help me or even help find someone who will. I already know I'll have to pay for treatment out of pocket so I'm not limited by what insurance the endo will take. Tons of people here are on HRT, so there's got to be people out there helping you. How did you find your docs, even give me their name anonymously if you want to? I'm desperate and need all the suggestions I can get.

I live in the U.K and I had a similar problem in the beginning but eventually found my present endocrinologist through a series of events and a lot of research. Before I found this one I saw about three endocrinologists my GP referred me to who were useless and knew absolutely nothing about gender dysphoria. If your in transition you need a good endocrinologist.

[Debra]

Yah I couldn't find an endo either. My doc is an ND who has lots of experience in HRT. <3 him!

[Jamie-o]

Of the 4 doctors in my area who prescribe T, one is a pediatrician (and only treats people 25 and under) one is an OB-GYN, and the other 2 are general practitioners who did their internships under the OB-GYN.  So, all you need to find is any doctor who is willing to do the research (or look at the resources you bring in.)  Good luck!

P.S.  Have you ever met the other trans-folk in your area?  Can you get a recommendation from any of them?  Do you have a gender therapist who can recommend someone?  How far are you from the nearest city?  Is there a trans-group of some sort there that you could network with?

[Hurtfulsplash]

I haven't met the trans people in my area, I was told about them from my therapist who can't tell me there names because they are his patients. There's a group in Tallahassee that I can try writing to. Someone else recommended EMORY University, but I'm going to try talking to my GP again before EMORY because of the distance. My therapist isn't helpful at all and turns out to be a back stabbing liar.