What was your first Endo appointment like?

[Jeh]

I see the Endo in 5 days. (5 days!!!) I've already had the bloodwork done, got the referral, everything I need. I'm hoping I get put on T right away.

What was your first Endo appointment like? What did you talk about? What questions did they ask? What questions did you ask?

I'm just wondering what this appointment is going to be like. And whether I can start T right away. My bloodwork was fine, except my T level came back high. I do have bipolar disorder, but it's been under control with not so much as a blip for more than a year, and my psychiatrist is on board with me starting T. I will also have a letter from a social worker trans guy who runs the trans group I go to, saying that I've been attending the trans group regularly for some time.

also, what are the chances anything will change in 2 weeks? I have a singing test 2 weeks after the appointment, and I'm paranoid that I'll start T and something will happen in the first 2 weeks. I know that pretty much nothing is going to happen, but it would help to hear it from other guys.

[xAndrewx]

Can't help with the endo info because I went through a family practice doc but as far as changes in the first 2 weeks don't worry there. You're throat might be a little scratchy but it's doubtful it'll effect your singing voice that quick.

[Morgan]

Mine just talked about all the changes I should expect, the health risks, my current diet and exercise regimen, and my current health. She was a GP and not an Endo, but it should be about the same for everybody. I didn't ask any questions because I didn't have any.

No changes other than down there in the first two weeks. And libido... I'm almost 4 months (my counter lies.. I go by 28 day or 4 week months, it goes by 31 day or calendar months lol) on T and I've only just in the past month started to notice that I can't sing as high and my voice cracks constantly now.

[PandaValentine]

My very first endo appointment, wow that was like over a year ago. I still remember it though. He mainly wanted me to do all the talking, see what I knew. Where I live, waiting three months is generally what doctors do before prescribing hormones. THey are allowed to do it sooner, but a lot of them  prefer to follow this idea. He asked me what changes would happen to me, and what methods of testosterone there were. He asked me for a bit of my history, and about my current situation with my family. We went over my medical history, which I've never had any serious concerns with, so it helped with my current situation. He checked my blood pressure while we were in there which was high because I have anxiety, which he understood, but I did notify him it was usually in the average range. We talked about my past therapists and such. It was only an hour appointment.

I remember I went in there thinking that in three months or so I'd be on T, but when I got in I found out it wasn't so simple, especially since I hadn't seen a psychologist who'd okay me for hormones. I ended up crying during the appointment, which I must say, letting my emotions go worked out to my benefit. He told me he had just seen a trans guy before me who he'd told the same thing to and was just like "whatever" to the whole situation. He said my strong emotions towards this, showed him how strongly I felt. Also the fact that I knew SO much about the methods and was really involved in the conversation and even finishing a few of his sentences about T, he got a feeling that I really knew what I was talking about. He said I seemed honest and looked like I really knew who I was, despite being young.

As for the singing voice, I don't really know. After two weeks on T I got a really sore throat, and it wasn't from a cold. I was constantly clearing my throat. Also I noticed that when I got really high pitched my voice would crack. Now I don't know if this has anything to do with my dosage, but if it does, perhaps request to start on a lower dosage? My voice didn't change it's sound until 2/3 months in, but there were times in between it was very hoarse, sounded like I had a bad cough. I remember people were always asking me if I was sick with a cold.

[Tad]

changes in 2 weeks? Nothing with the voice - but I did get a horrible cold within the first week that lasted over a month. Just coincidence. I get a bad cold every year..

[Nikolai_S]

Technically, I saw an adolescent health physician specialising in transgender health. He recorded my weight and blood pressure. He wanted to know my history with gender dysphoria, any psychiatric problems, and reasons for wanting to start testosterone. There were definitely a lot of questions about my mental state, he checked my level of depression and how I had been reacting to my medication, how long and what dose, etc. A lot of questions pertaining to mental stability and physical health. He talked to my mother as well, since I'm a minor. He wanted to know how my family was reacting to the situation, and to make sure I had a support system in place. Questions about what I expected would happen on testosterone, what I saw as the advantages, if I had any reservations or changes I wasn't looking forward to. How my transition has been going so far, my coming out, situations with passing or not passing, my anxieties.

I asked about his experience with transgender issues, how many patients he had seen through HRT, and what his preferred administration of testosterone was (in terms of injection vs gel, location, initial schedule for administration). We discussed the most common complications and what can be expected to change or not change.

He gave me a packet of information and a more thorough questionnaire to fill out and return to him. I gave him my therapist's contact info. It was several appointments until I got a prescription for testosterone, and I had to wait until the appointment after that so he could teach my how to self inject. Things he did at other appointments included addressing my parents' concerns, further discussing mental health, giving me a routine physical, and going over bloodwork results.

I'd say it's unlikely you'll get testosterone the first appointment, unless your psychiatrist has been communicating with the endo ahead of time, and you've already gotten blood tests done. But, every doctor's process is different. Your endo might be much less thorough with the questioning and confirmations. If you do end up getting an injection 2 weeks before the test, I wouldn't worry about it - maybe a lower dose would be a good idea, but all I noticed with my voice was being slightly more comfortable in a lower range. It would just go there more automatically, and that might have been psychological. I didn't lose range at all, or get any crackling.

[Mark]

I didnt get T on my first Endo appointment. He wrote the prescription, but didn't give me a shot. Everyone has changes at different times on T. It is possible for your voice to drop within 2 week. Mine did, and i know other people who's voices dropped within 2 weeks. It wont be a HUGE change though so I really wouldnt worry.