While i sadly turn 65 next month and enter the Medicare system, the good news is that my Senior Advantage insurance, Kaiser, includes both HRT and GCS in their plans. I'm hoping to begin HRT before year's end.
I was born with one testicle that didn't descend and when it became cancerous in my 30's, i had it removed. So, given my probable lower testosterone levels, can i expect to have better results than if i had both testicles? I'd read in other places that women my age respond much slower to HRT, so i'm hoping my one testicle is actually an advantage in this situation. Are there others who had a similar situation who can chime in?
Thanks,
Laura
I had one damaged testicle. Puberty was induced at age 15 when I had undescended testicles and no natural puberty. They dropped, but I found out in my late 20s that my motile sperm count was half normal. I never had testosterone measured until just before HRT, where I got a reading of 650 (normal).
Starting at age 62, after 5 years on finasteride, a weak anti-androgen for prostate enlargement treatment, I've been on a low starter dose. Despite that, I've gone from moobs to a Tanner Stage 2, and quickly heading for 3 on one side (typical... The other side will catch up.). I'm about a 36A on top this week. That's about 6 weeks of Estrodiol and 10 weeks on spiro.
This bodes well for the future. I was surprised at this for my age, but it isn't uncommon. You might get a very good result!
Oh, I'm a Kaiser Northern California patient. They've been excellent for me.
Thanks Michelle. this is good to hear. While I've not has positive experiences with Kaiser (i'm N. CA too) in the past, i'm glad they provide full services for transgenders. I've read some stories about the wait time for therapy and GCS, but i'm looking forward to the transition.
Is it typical for us "more mature" women to receive low doses of E?
Laura
I initially contacted Kaiser psych Dept in a state of crisis. They talked me down and got me an appointment a week later. My second appointment I presented as myself, and my third about 6 weeks after my first I brought my spouse as we had arranged. That was the last time she went with me. Didn't like what she heard. The next appt 8 weeks in I was referred to a gender specialist associated with Oakland MST. I could have asked for HRT from the second visit. I waited to work thru some issues.
I saw the endocrinologist the day after I asked for HRT. That was pure luck. More typical waits are 3 weeks. Initial dosage is up to the endocrinologist, you, and your health.
Quote from: lauraelliott1951 on August 24, 2016, 11:57:44 AM
Thanks Michelle. this is good to hear. While I've not has positive experiences with Kaiser (i'm N. CA too) in the past, i'm glad they provide full services for transgenders. I've read some stories about the wait time for therapy and GCS, but i'm looking forward to the transition.
Is it typical for us "more mature" women to receive low doses of E?
Laura
I have Kaiser/Group Health in WA and am on medicare. I love Group Health. They have saved my life twice once literally when I presented with sepsis after a botched angio. I met my therapist in April. She submitted the letter about six weeks ago. I began estradiol last week. I can't complain because I was sure they would turn me down because of heart problems. Already I am so calm and feel relatively worry free for the first time in a long long time. Neither of my testicles dropped until my senior year in high school. Plus my thumb is longer than when I am erect, both in length and circumference..
Quote from: DawnOday on August 24, 2016, 07:10:54 PM
I have Kaiser/Group Health in WA and am on medicare.
Dawn. You can NOT be on Medicare. You look much too young.
I'd read stories from other N. CA Kaiser transwomen who said they only needed one appointment with the Kaiser shrink before being referred. I'm currently in therapy with a private therapist whom i trust, and I'm not certain about repeating all the steps with someone from Kaiser. My main fear of going to Kaiser is whether they'll determine i have sufficient "dysphoria" to grant me the magic pills. I'd rather not go presenting as a woman, mainly i'm so self-conscious about my inability to pass, but if i go as a man, perhaps they'll think i'm not dysphoric enough.
i know i'm over thinking this. thank you all for your help..
Laura
Quote from: lauraelliott1951 on August 23, 2016, 11:23:37 PM
So, given my probable lower testosterone levels, can i expect to have better results than if i had both testicles?
While I'm not a doctor, I would guess one is much better than 2.
Also, as a side note, I've noticed that since starting HRT I've become a lot more breasty and a lot less teste.
Quote from: Jane Emily on August 24, 2016, 07:53:34 PM
Also, as a side note, I've noticed that since starting HRT I've become a lot more breasty and a lot less teste.
Thank you Jane for making me laugh.
Laura
Yup. One visit, then HRT can be authorized. It's their 'modified informed consent' setup.
Quote from: lauraelliott1951 on August 24, 2016, 07:43:53 PM
My main fear of going to Kaiser is whether they'll determine i have sufficient "dysphoria" to grant me the magic pills. I'd rather not go presenting as a woman, mainly i'm so self-conscious about my inability to pass, but if i go as a man, perhaps they'll think i'm not dysphoric enough.
The staff in Kaiser is pretty well trained to be tolerant. You might get accidentally misgendered, but that's about the worst that will happen. The Psych department receptionist "Ma'am"ed me on my first visit, and there is no way I passed.
(https://www.susans.org/forums/gallery/0/47977-020516141200.jpeg)
Brrrr... I can't believe how much I've changed in a few months!
I'm pretty sure this is what got me moved over to the gender specialist. The doc never wanted to see that wig again. :)
Quote from: lauraelliott1951 on August 24, 2016, 08:16:39 PM
Thank you Jane
It's a little know secret known only to the transgender community that transition can actually be fun.
But, shhhhhhhhhhh. Don't tell anybody.
Quote from: lauraelliott1951 on August 23, 2016, 11:23:37 PM
I was born with one testicle that didn't descend and when it became cancerous in my 30's, i had it removed. So, given my probable lower testosterone levels, can i expect to have better results than if i had both testicles?
When only one testicle is removed, the remaining one works twice as hard to "pick up the slack."
"Having a unilateral orchidectomy (one testicle removed) should not affect the overall circulating testosterone level in the body, providing the remaining testicle is healthy and can produce enough testosterone to make up for any deficit. However in some men such as those who have had, or are having chemotherapy, testosterone production in the remaining testicle may be affected. This is usually not permanent but it may take quite a while after treatment for testosterone levels to recover."
https://orchid-cancer.org.uk/testicular-cancer/testosterone-replacement-therapy/
[EDIT: So if it's been 30 years, it's actually more likely that you have normal testosterone levels at this point.]