Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi everyone I am looking to get some insight into other peoples experience on HRT. How many times a year does a person have to get blood done, and see the endro? The reason I ask is because for me I have to plan for the future and put money away to keep me on HRT especially since I live in an area were many jobs do not tolerate such a thing. I currently have prescription cards were I can save 80% off on prescriptions, and I do not have insurance so my first hormone therapy appointment with the doctor is in April, and will cost me $125. How much does basic blood work cost? After a year or two does the dosage go down, as well as the visits to the endro? Sorry for all the questions I am just trying to wrap my head around everything.

Thanks,
Sfora

It depends on the doctor. I have seen treatment plans were you have a blood draw after 30 days but in my case, it will be 3 months. Because I will remain on a reduced dosage, I suspect I might move to 6 months after that but if my dosage were bumped, I would expect another test after 3 months. After about a year if problems aren't detected 3 months testing isn't needed. Mostly they are watching out for liver damage but they can also fine tune your hormone levels to make them more effective.

How much has it cost you being on hormones throughout the years including doctor visits, and blood test?

Thanks,
Sfora

I am not exactly sure yet because I am on a reduced dose, I was off them for about 10 years and I am starting up again and even though I thought it wouldn't, insurance seems to be covering part of it. I am also on pills which many not be the same as what you will receive. Guesstimating without insurance I would say under $1000 over the year without any insurance coverage. In my case, insurance may pick up at least half of that.

Without insurance HRT was $150 a month for spiro, progesterone, and estradiol.  One blood test is about $400.  The Dr. visit is over $100, but I'm not sure of the exact amount.

After the initial Dr. Appt and blood test there was a follow up at 3 months and then after that every six months.

So the total annual cost without insurance is about $2800.  Without progesterone it would be about $960 less.


Sapere Aude

Thanks for the insight. I know with my 80% off prescription card for injection form of estrogen will be about $8 for 180 with Walgreen which I asked, and with spiro will be about $4 to $5 with Walgreen and my 80% prescription card. See can you stop at anytime if you are not getting bottom surgery?

Thanks for all the help, and answering my questions.

Sfora

You can stop but I don't advise it. Based on outdated information, I stopped 10 years ago and many of the changes reversed themselves. That is the reason I am returning to HRT.

I guess for me its all about the cost of blood work and how many times I have to see the endro since he is over an 1 hour and a half away from me, and I have $4,836 put away for hormones for the next few couple of years, which I try to put $500 to $700 a side from my check to cover hormones just in case I get let go do to my transitioning. So that is why I am asking all these questions. I want to make sure I have money backed up if I do lose my job and can't get one for how ever long it takes for someone to hire me or for Missouri to pass a bill to prevent places from discriminating against Transgender, and Non-binary people.

Thanks,
Sfora

If you find a good clinic, costs can be substantially lower.

First visit, with blood work, was about $130 iirc. Second visit was about 2.5 month later and cost $90 with blood work.  Meds are about $40 for a 3 month supply.  No insurance at all, but it's a specialized clinic with good subsidies.

My E got upped, so getting blood done in 2 weeks remotely to save a trip to Chicago, the real trick for me is: can I go to a place that's normally on my insurance, while being referred from a doctor/clinic that isn't?

To the OP, will definitely vary by practitioner on frequency of blood tests, but a good rule of thumb would be to expect them more often following tweaks to your meds.


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I have found a place 6.5 miles from my house and it will only cost me $40 dollars for the doctor visit and I can pay for my blood work on a monthly payment plan. Also I finally got my 85% and 90% off prescription cards today. So I am excited, but still kind of nervous lol. My first appointment is on March 28. I currently now have around $4,836 put away for back up if I ever lose my job over being transgender, and I plan to put more away until I at least reach the age were I get medicare, or medicaid lol.

Sfora