Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Topic started by: Jo-is-amazing on July 28, 2014, 04:56:34 AM

Title: 1st appointment for HRT, What to expect?
Post by: Jo-is-amazing on July 28, 2014, 04:56:34 AM
Hi everyone :P
So my therapist recommended that I see a G.P. in Brisbane named Fiona Bishop, in order to 'get the ball rolling' on hrt.
Does anyone know her, or what to expect from a first- HRT kind of an appointment with a G.P

and if anyone has seen her before, (however unlikely that is) or heard anything about her I would love to hear it :P

GP= General practitioner
Title: Re: 1st appointment for HRT, What to expect?
Post by: Emily1996 on July 28, 2014, 05:43:52 AM
How long did you wait in order to get the letter?
Title: Re: 1st appointment for HRT, What to expect?
Post by: Ms Grace on July 28, 2014, 06:22:37 AM
Most likely you will be asked some questions about your health (and whether you smoke, drink, etc) and family health history (cancer, liver, etc), she'll weigh you, give you a blood pressure check, etc. She may ask if you've taken any hormones previously - it's important you answer truthfully. She may check around your chest area for any glandular development. There's a high likelihood she'll check the size of your testes, this will gauge how much of a testosterone factory you have down there. Unless you have already had a blood test she'll probably send you off for one and it won't be until she see's the results that she may start you on a low dose with a follow up in six or eight weeks.

Good luck!
Title: Re: 1st appointment for HRT, What to expect?
Post by: Jo-is-amazing on July 28, 2014, 07:01:34 AM
Thankee Grace <3
I'm just a little nervous is all :P
Title: Re: 1st appointment for HRT, What to expect?
Post by: Ms Grace on July 28, 2014, 07:04:56 AM
As long as your health is good and the other factors check out she should be able to help you. I can't speak for her - I'm in Sydney - but my endo is a great guy.
Title: Re: 1st appointment for HRT, What to expect?
Post by: Brenda E on July 28, 2014, 08:12:01 AM
After the excitement leading up to the appointment, be prepared for the let down of walking out with a prescription for T-blockers only.  That was the hardest thing about it for me: I had expected to leave with a prescription for low-dose HRT (spiro and estradiol), but until the first blood work comes back, some docs will take things very slowly and add medications one at a time.

Apart from the "surprise" prostate exam (might just have been my doc who did that ???), expect a fairly routine, in-depth physical exam.  Lengthy history, prodding here and there, a little blood taken.

Most doctors who are therapist-recommended are wonderful.  Trans-friendly, nice people, really understanding.  You'll enjoy it!  (Well, apart from the aforementioned awkward moment, you'll enjoy it.)
Title: Re: 1st appointment for HRT, What to expect?
Post by: Ms Grace on July 28, 2014, 08:18:42 AM
I'm glad to say I didn't get my prostate checked!!