Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: culticexecution on February 01, 2013, 12:48:00 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Underage in Washington State
Post by: culticexecution on February 01, 2013, 12:48:00 PM
Post by: culticexecution on February 01, 2013, 12:48:00 PM
Hello, I have a friend who lives in Washington state. More specifically, Spokane. He is going to be 17 this year and he really wants to start T, but it seems like he has to wait until he is 18. I think there is a way for him to start even if he is underage. Though he doesn't know where, neither do I. Does anyone here know if there is any way he can start even if he is underage? What are the steps for it? Also is there any endos or clinics that are trans friendly and can prescribe him T even if he is underage (And that doesn't require a T letter)? Also, if there is any therapists that deal with trans people and that can probably give him a therapist letter quick? Please, any info will help. Seeing as I don't know much about transitioning while being underage; I started at the age of 22.
Title: Re: Underage in Washington State
Post by: kinz on February 01, 2013, 12:52:04 PM
Post by: kinz on February 01, 2013, 12:52:04 PM
i started at age 17, though not in washington. but you need your parents' permission in most states, and endos are wary as all get out about prescribing before 18. basically you just need good luck with an endocrinologist who's willing to do it, and you have to be willing to travel long distances sometimes to find someone who's willing. (i traveled about 2.5 hours round trip to see my old endo.)
Title: Re: Underage in Washington State
Post by: Jayr on February 01, 2013, 01:19:20 PM
Post by: Jayr on February 01, 2013, 01:19:20 PM
No letter? And underage?
Sorry to bust your bubble but the chances of that ever happening are very small.
Not impossible but very unlikely.
MAYBE if he gets his mom or dad to sign a permission slip but even than..without a t letter not many doctors will be okay with that.
Why can't he just do like most of us have done?
You want steps? Here;
Get a therapist, get a t letter. Here again, not many therapist will write a letter for someone underage.
So ask the therapist first if he's okay with that, if not find another one. Also ask how many sessions he forces his patients to see him for before giving them a letter.
If by the time he gets his letter, he's still under age, get a parent to sign a permission slip.
If he's of age just go to an endo and get your t.
If he doesn't want to be diagnosed, that's also fine.
Try his luck, meet endos until one accept his parents(or legal guardian) just signing a permission slip.
Maybe he'll be lucky and he'll fall on an endo that's completely fine with that.
If that doesn't work but he still doesn't want to be diagnosed(or doesn't have the money.)
just wait till he's 18 and go to a clinic that has informed consent.
Sign the papers and get t.
Since taking t without his parents being okay with it would be kinda silly,
I'll assume they're okay with it. Well in my opinion having them talk to an endo would be the best bet.
He better be careful as too not be stuck in the middle though.
Ex. trying to find a job while looking male and having a female name is hard.
But if his parents or him have the money already to pay for his HRT, name change and all, go for it.
but if not, i think it would be a bad idea.
Ex. My girlfriend started HRT at 17, she looks HOT, buuut her mom can't afford a name change,
so you have this stunning girl with a male name, you guessed it. She's unemployed and in a very bad spot.
I was diagnose at 14, got on t at 18.
I saved enough money for a name change and gender change.
I got myself two jobs before hand, and talked to my employers about it.
My parents support me, but I didn't want to suck them dry of their money,
and I didn't want to get myself stuck in a bad situation.
If he can't get t now, it's not the end of the world.
He'll survive without it for a couple more months.
It'll only make him more excited once he does get it.
That's my 2 cent.
(More like my 20$ lolol I need to stop writing so much. Sorry!!)
Sorry to bust your bubble but the chances of that ever happening are very small.
Not impossible but very unlikely.
MAYBE if he gets his mom or dad to sign a permission slip but even than..without a t letter not many doctors will be okay with that.
Why can't he just do like most of us have done?
You want steps? Here;
Get a therapist, get a t letter. Here again, not many therapist will write a letter for someone underage.
So ask the therapist first if he's okay with that, if not find another one. Also ask how many sessions he forces his patients to see him for before giving them a letter.
If by the time he gets his letter, he's still under age, get a parent to sign a permission slip.
If he's of age just go to an endo and get your t.
If he doesn't want to be diagnosed, that's also fine.
Try his luck, meet endos until one accept his parents(or legal guardian) just signing a permission slip.
Maybe he'll be lucky and he'll fall on an endo that's completely fine with that.
If that doesn't work but he still doesn't want to be diagnosed(or doesn't have the money.)
just wait till he's 18 and go to a clinic that has informed consent.
Sign the papers and get t.
Since taking t without his parents being okay with it would be kinda silly,
I'll assume they're okay with it. Well in my opinion having them talk to an endo would be the best bet.
He better be careful as too not be stuck in the middle though.
Ex. trying to find a job while looking male and having a female name is hard.
But if his parents or him have the money already to pay for his HRT, name change and all, go for it.
but if not, i think it would be a bad idea.
Ex. My girlfriend started HRT at 17, she looks HOT, buuut her mom can't afford a name change,
so you have this stunning girl with a male name, you guessed it. She's unemployed and in a very bad spot.
I was diagnose at 14, got on t at 18.
I saved enough money for a name change and gender change.
I got myself two jobs before hand, and talked to my employers about it.
My parents support me, but I didn't want to suck them dry of their money,
and I didn't want to get myself stuck in a bad situation.
If he can't get t now, it's not the end of the world.
He'll survive without it for a couple more months.
It'll only make him more excited once he does get it.
That's my 2 cent.
(More like my 20$ lolol I need to stop writing so much. Sorry!!)
Title: Re: Underage in Washington State
Post by: culticexecution on February 01, 2013, 01:34:36 PM
Post by: culticexecution on February 01, 2013, 01:34:36 PM
Quote from: Jayr on February 01, 2013, 01:19:20 PM
No letter? And underage?
Sorry to bust your bubble but the chances of that ever happening are very small.
Not impossible but very unlikely.
MAYBE if he gets his mom or dad to sign a permission slip but even than..without a t letter not many doctors will be okay with that.
Why can't he just do like most of us have done?
You want steps? Here;
Get a therapist, get a t letter. Here again, not many therapist will write a letter for someone underage.
So ask the therapist first if he's okay with that, if not find another one. Also ask how many sessions he forces his patients to see him for before giving them a letter.
If by the time he gets his letter, he's still under age, get a parent to sign a permission slip.
If he's of age just go to an endo and get your t.
If he doesn't want to be diagnosed, that's also fine.
Try his luck, meet endos until one accept his parents(or legal guardian) just signing a permission slip.
Maybe he'll be lucky and he'll fall on an endo that's completely fine with that.
If that doesn't work but he still doesn't want to be diagnosed(or doesn't have the money.)
just wait till he's 18 and go to a clinic that has informed consent.
Sign the papers and get t.
I was diagnose at 14, got on t at 18.
If he can't get t now, it's not the end of the world.
He'll survive without it for a couple more months.
It'll only make him more excited once he does get it.
That's my 2 cent.
Well, I'm just trying to see all the options he has. I know there are some places that require a T letter. Though, I can see why he would need one even more since he is underage, but I'm just trying to cover all bases here. I actually got T without a T letter, but I did acquire one, just in case. Did not take too long, just three visits. I know he has to be patient with this, but it has been really hard for him and he knows he is ready for this. Just the fact of not knowing what to do is what is basically upsetting him, but this info in itself does give me some insight and I thank you for that. I will discuss this with him and see what we can figure out.
Title: Re: Underage in Washington State
Post by: Jayr on February 01, 2013, 01:45:33 PM
Post by: Jayr on February 01, 2013, 01:45:33 PM
Sorry for editing my thing so often :P
Well for now,
He could workout, I know it helped me.
Lots of upper body could help broaden his shoulders,
and it's always fun being stronger.
If he has a job, he could slowly bring it up with his boss.
If not he could go job hunting for now, it would help him be more financially secure.
Heck, open a savings account now for top surgery!
Waiting sucks! I know trust me, I waiting 4 years for this damn thing.
He just has to keep himself occupied. My mom got me a cat when I came out to her.
She actually helps a lot. Nice to have a little critter asking to be taken care of all the time.
I don't know, these are my ideas. Tell him to try not obsess over it, that can slow down time..A LOT.
Well I hope he figures it out. I'll stop talking so much now :D
Well for now,
He could workout, I know it helped me.
Lots of upper body could help broaden his shoulders,
and it's always fun being stronger.
If he has a job, he could slowly bring it up with his boss.
If not he could go job hunting for now, it would help him be more financially secure.
Heck, open a savings account now for top surgery!
Waiting sucks! I know trust me, I waiting 4 years for this damn thing.
He just has to keep himself occupied. My mom got me a cat when I came out to her.
She actually helps a lot. Nice to have a little critter asking to be taken care of all the time.
I don't know, these are my ideas. Tell him to try not obsess over it, that can slow down time..A LOT.
Well I hope he figures it out. I'll stop talking so much now :D