Hi - I have been posting on the Androgyne board here - and, I thought maybe the kind folks here, on the Intersex board, might be able to tell me where, and how, I could get my chromosomes tested. I was going to ask my primary doc about it, but if someone here, has a better idea, I am open to anything! Thanks much - I just feel that getting tested, might help me to explain things - even to myself! JinJan.
Depends as usual on where you live. Chromosome testing is pretty simple your family Dr can organise it, you just need a cheek swab. If the Dr needs a reason, which they probably will you need to tell him you think you are inter-sexed.
But lots of TG people are not inter- sexed on chromosomes. I'm an XY female. Doesn't make any difference to me.
Thank you, Cindy - I understand, that it shouldn't make a difference to me - I think I am wanting this, more to help me explain it to my hubby - he tends to be a 'facts' type person. And, truthfully, I am still having trouble explaining this to myself - sounds like you have made peace with it all - I am happy for you - I hope to be in that place, sometime, too! Thanks again, JinJan.
I had a karyotype of the blood done at Cedars Sinai - they did a good job. Any doctor could order this and insurance covers this. Karyotype will show things like XX, XY, XXY, XXYY, XXX etc. I had a regular DNA analysis done of blood and two skin types - the regular DNA of the blood showed the chromosomes, skin is more tricky. Any DNA lab can run blood, no doctor needs to be involved and it's not that expensive ($300-$1200). However, if your XXY or some other variant, that may not show up on a regular DNA test. DNA will do good on XX or XY only. I'm still looking for a good laboratory to redo the skin as there were issues and good lab equals REALLY expensive - like new car expensive. Insurance doesn't cover that.
In the end, I'm me. It's up to you on how important it is. I'm looking for health reasons, I'm transitioning to a woman because that's what I am.
Yeah, not worth that much money to find out, for me anyway lol.