Ftm consultation and first visit to an endocrinologist?? Please.help

[samsizz22]

Hello everyone my name is Sam and this Wednesday is my consultation, im going to visit an endocrinologist name Miguel Rodriguez in beand im very scared and excited. Excited because im so happy that I finally get to start my testosterone treatment, im scared because I don't want to be let down I really.have no idea what to expect from this. I just want to go in there tell him my story and get the prescription for my testosterone. Does anyone know.how it works?? I.want details but no one knows exactly how it goes. I know that if I started that day I.would be so happy and relieved. My girlfriend is studying to be a nurse and she has experience on giving shots and injections so she could give them to me or teach me.

I want to know what happens when I get there?
What will he make me do?
How can I start the testosterone injections that day?
Or if not how.long will it take to start?
How much is it and where can I get it?
If I get testosterone cream or gel does it work.the same??
Overall I just want to know what my fellow transmen have experienced I know I sound so stupid and ask too many questions im just so nervous and have no good information on it. All I know is that I really want this I can't stop thinking about having a deep voice.and facial hair its my dream like all of yours. Im 19 years old and need this im tired of watching all these guys who reached their goals but not me. Please your advise and personal experiences are a blessing to me I really appreciate this so much thank you all.

[xAndrewx]

Alright here's the thing, I got mine through a family practice doctor and a rather different experience than the rest so I can answer some of those to the best of my knowledge but not all.

First congrats! Now relax man because you're close to starting Testosterone but don't stress because they won't expect you to know everything alright?

I want to know what happens when I get there?
What will he make me do?
How can I start the testosterone injections that day?
Or if not how.long will it take to start?

All of these will depend on your doctor... some prefer to get starting hormone levels which means bloodwork. If they choose to do bloodwork first then you will most likely have to wait to start until they get your results back. Mine did not, she decided to just start me and wait 3 months to get the bloodwork. If they make you wait for bloodwork then when you will start will depend on how long the results take to come in (could be days or a week or so).

How much is it and where can I get it?
If I get testosterone cream or gel does it work the same??

The gel/cream tends to cost more and prices will depend on your dose as well as whether you have insurance. I believe they both just get rubbed on (the doctor will tell you where and how) also many times you cannot let a person or pet have contact with the area that you have placed the gel. Have you decided on that for sure instead of injections? Just letting you know that from what I have heard gel/cream costs more than injections.

Hope this helps. I don't have a lot more info because I went a different path and am on injections. Good luck at your appointment man

[Arch]

Hi, Sam. Welcome to the site.

First of all, congrats on moving forward with your transition. And don't worry about asking questions. Most of us start out that way.

I can't add too much to what Andrew Alexander has said. Unless you go through a recognized trans program, it seems that every doctor is a little different. But I'll tell you how it went for me.

My therapist referred me to an endo. Before I went to my first appointment, I went to my GP and requested blood work. I had to come out to him that visit. That was pretty hard, but he was cool with it.

I took my blood work to my first endo visit. He already had my therapist referral letter. He did an intake interview and a brief physical (no GYN stuff, but he did look at my chest, which was pre-op--I had a serious adrenaline spike). He wrote my scrip and had the nurse give me my first shot. That was it.

For a little while, I went back to the nurse for the T injections until I felt like doing them myself. Now I inject half a dose every week. It keeps my moods stable.

I hope your appointment is low-key. Try not to fret too much about it. Maybe you'll get your first shot then, but try not to be disappointed if you don't. You will soon enough!

[Arch]

By the way, I have heard from a number of guys that gels and creams work more slowly than injections. I haven't read any medical evidence to back this up, though.