Susan's Place Transgender Resources

will be starting hrt in the next week or so and im curious how long it took for yall to get the labwork back so you could get your perscription from the dr?

with my doctor it takes about a week for the results to come back.  and my doctor issued HRT on that day.

My doctor didn't even do an initial test. He just prescribed hormones and said get lab work in three months and come back for another visit.

I got my prescriptions at the first appointment. I was told not to start taking anything until I had the bloodwork done - I had that done the very next morning.

it takes longer to send the test result than it does to do the test. High volume labs will have the results within 30 mins or less of receiving the sample.

Mine took two weeks to come back, but it was at an extremely high volume clinic in Washington DC so they have a lot of people coming and a lot of bloodwork to process.

He put me straight on Estrogen at the initial visit. Told me to come back in 3 weeks with a set of bloods.

At that second visit he put me on Spiro & Provera (progesterone)

At the third visit he doubled the E & Provera.

He's a good man. Worth every hug I give him when I visit.

Huggs
Catherine

Catherine, and everyone else I guess, did you see a family practice doctor or endocrinologist?

Quote from: MaidofOrleans on October 18, 2012, 01:28:21 AM
My doctor didn't even do an initial test. He just prescribed hormones and said get lab work in three months and come back for another visit.

My endo did something similar. He told me to get a blood test and start HRT. Then, about 3 weeks in I went for a second blood test. I then had follow-up appointment a little after that to compare the two test results. I can't remember the numbers, though.

I also go to a clinic that is very high volume.

I get the blood-work drawn there and then they send it out. Now that I'm just shy of my 1 year mark of hrt I'm switching to every 6 months for monitoring, but for the past year it's been monitored every 3. I'd go in for blood and then usually a week later I'd go back for my appointment.

Before starting, I got blood-work done there and again a week later went in so that we could decide on the proper starting dosages. It's been a balancing act but it seems like my doc has gotten the cocktail just right now.

Hi KayCeeDee

Quote from: KayCeeDee on October 25, 2012, 11:44:17 AM
Catherine, and everyone else I guess, did you see a family practice doctor or endocrinologist?

I referred myself to a new Endo, dropped a few Psych names during the initial 15 min meet and greet. Chatted about what I wanted to do, then he wrote the E script, gave him a hug and left.

Real nice cuddly guy, married unfortunately  :laugh:

I tend to visit first then arrange the referrals about a fortnight later, if I don't forget.  ;D 

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

Quote from: KayCeeDee on October 25, 2012, 11:44:17 AM
Catherine, and everyone else I guess, did you see a family practice doctor or endocrinologist?

I started with my GP hoping to get a referral. BlueShield denied the referal, so I just began researching and calling endo's in my area. I ended up working with one who had worked with trans* persons before.

I was referred to my endo, had a chat with him, walked out with my E script and referral for the blood work.
As soon as he got the blood work, I was given the all clear to start.

About two months after the initial blood test. My endo wanted me to make sure that this is what I wanted. Because the blood work, which took a month, and multiple test/blood draws, came back with some interesting results, to which she thought that DHT treatment would be a better route. I had already decided upon HRT that day that all the results finally came back, but regardless she made me wait another month. Its all cool though. She just wanted what was best for me and what I truly wanted. She wouldn't be a very good doctor if she just let me prescribe myself meds through her!

It was about a week and a half for me.