Finding a doctor for starting hormones..

[Caleb]

Thanks man. I think Asheville is a little further away than Charlotte, but I will still most def. look into that area as well. Thank you Ethan!

[Brent123]

Quick semi related question: how did you figure out your school had that kind of therapy? I go to community college and the only type of counseling I saw was for scheduling classes. I'm not exactly sure how to ask about other types of counseling. It would be super rad if they did this at my college but I honestly doubt it.

[Caleb]

Brent... hm let me try and answer your question as best as I can. I go to a pretty well known D1 college. So it's made obvious that there are therapy options available, it's also added in on our tuition regardless if you take advantage of the sessions available. Anyways, we have a "doctors office" on campus. Which also is where there are therapy rooms on the other half of the building. Maybe try to google some stuff about your college. If you can't find anything, maybe try asking your adviser or student resource leader if there are any therapy options available on your campus. They don't need to know why you're asking. Let me know how it goes.

[Brent123]

Yeah I'll try that. I just get nervous asking about it. It would be sweet if they offered stuff like that at though.

[Caleb]

If I were you and were nervous about asking. Just be like yea I'm having a hard time at school and at home and wanted to know if the school offered any therapy or counseling. That's all the details you need to give them. The worse they can say is no.

[Brent123]

Great idea. I never thought of it like that. I'll try this tomorrow if I can make myself work up the courage. If they don't have something like that, maybe they would have a recommendation of a place that does. Who knows? Its worth a shot.

I also emailed my local LGBT Center. Hopefully one of those places can help me out.

[Caleb]

Good. And don't be nervous. Be exited! I've heard the quote, "Courage is only fear that said its prayers." You got this man. I got your back, and I'm sure every other ftm can stand on that as well.

[JessicaH]

I went with my friend Melissa to Dr. Marlow and he is a very kind and friendly guy. He will pretty much let you sign an "informed consent" form then he will write you scripts for HRT. I think about half his practice is for medical weight loss and half is transgender.

The only bad thing is he only focuses on the HRT and won't handle your other medical needs.

[Caleb]

Thank you for the feedback Stacy. When I was looking over some of his stuff online I did notice that his main focus was on weight loss. That is a downfall that he will only help with the HRT though. Is he pretty good at the HRT though? Like he knows what he's doing with it? I also have another question, do you remember what he charged?

[JessicaH]

I think HRT is a much larger part of his business than his website says. His initioal fee is $200 plus labs and he will prescribe meds on first visit. Follow up visits are $100. He does seem very compassionate and knowledgeable.

Good luck!

[Caleb]

Great feedback Stacy. Thank you very much! Once this summer rolls around I will update everyone and how everything goes!

[melissa42013]

Caleb,
I went to Dr. Marlow with Stacy to get my HRT. Most of the practice is weight loss. You can find TG details here:
http://www.marlowesweightloss.com/transgender.html
http://www.marlowesweightloss.com/transgender2.html

I have my follow up visit on April 4th.

-M

[Caleb]

Thank you Melissa. I read over the links you left me. It sounds like he does know what he's talking about and is taking all the safety precautions that he can, which is what I really want. I guess the only thing I don't know about is how it price range compares to others.

[melissa42013]

I think it was pretty reasonable given the amount of time he spent with me. Plus you can get your meds really cheap with a script. Many of them are on Walmart's $4 list. I paid $9 for the E at Walgreens just to avoid the line at WalMart.

On the first visit he sent me for blood work at a lab about 10 min away. I guess insurance covered the cost as I never saw a bill.

You can always go to your GP and see if he will write the script as well. Mine is kind of "churchy" and I am fairly well known locally and didn't want things to get back and embarrass my wife. I'm actually a lot less concerned about it now. It is what it is.

Isn't it ironic though, that we both are trying to get what the other is trying to get rid of?
LOL - M

[Caleb]

Good to know. Haha yes it is very ironic... you want to just trade parts?

[melissa42013]

Sure, want to see if Dr. Marlow can do it? It would probably be less painful to just switch brains though.... lol
(if only they could)

[Caleb]

Haha sure lets ask him!

[melissa42013]

I did ask for a pill to cure me. No luck so I just got on E.

[Caleb]

If only it were that simple. I just recently unveiled to my parents that I'm in a relationship with a female and that this summer I'll be starting T. My mom is not doing good with it at all, she seems so down and depressed. I feel so so bad, because I've done all I can to hold this off as long as possible for her sake, but I'll be graduating college in another year and I need to be ready for the work force. If it were as simple as a pill and bam changes... she may be a little more understanding. Lol.

[kimberly fox]

Any up dates on the doctors that u have talked with I will give Thomas Marlowe, M.D a call monday to see what it will take