I recently made a change of who my primary care physician is since I'm 18 now. So, he has no idea who I am at all and this is our first meeting. I have an appointment today at 10:20am, so I hope for a few responses before I leave.
Should I ask him about starting T, should I ask him if he's knows anything about transgender care, should I ask him anything?
I'm going in for a physical exam so this is why I want to know if I should ask him. I was going to ask about my health and how to improve it, along with blood tests (which he might recommend himself). But I just want to know if I should bring up my trans concerns with him.
Anyone?
This is just my opinion and what I do when seeing new health care providers. Because I'm still legally female, I go ahead and tell them I'm transgender (I don't phrase it that way, the T word can be scary for those outside the community) and explain what that means to me. That way we're both on the same page about pronouns, my name, and how to treat me medically.
If you are legally male or it says so on any forms you filled out, he'll need to know your status so it doesn't get awkward or confusing when he goes to examine parts that possibly aren't present (or finds some that he wasn't expecting).
As far as the T goes, do you have an endo or is this who you want to get the prescription from? If it is, go ahead and mention it. If not, either don't worry about it or say that you're looking at getting on hormones soon and would like some baseline blood work run (or whatever you want to do). You can ask if he has experience with transgender care or patients, but I've found that some providers will lie if they haven't to keep you coming back.
Quote from: Kvall on February 05, 2010, 03:04:20 PM
Go ahead and ask him. If he is able to help you, then you have a valuable resource. If he acts phobic and refuses to have anything to do with it, then you can plan ahead that you will probably need to switch providers again.
Exactly what I was gonna say.
Quote from: Kvall on February 05, 2010, 03:04:20 PM
Go ahead and ask him. If he is able to help you, then you have a valuable resource. If he acts phobic and refuses to have anything to do with it, then you can plan ahead that you will probably need to switch providers again.
This. Even if you already have a relationship with him.
I'm seeing my GP for the first time in 3-4 years; last time I went to the office and saw the nurse practitioner I was pre-everything, so while I came out to the nurse, the file is still in F name. I get to go and change everything and see the doc and see if she can still work with me on things (have the endo covered) still. Since we have a relationship (saw her maybe 6x prior) that i don't think she'll have a problem but I could be wrong.
Jay
My GP was the first person i showed my deed poll to and she immediately changed my name and gender at the surgery and with the PCT. Slightly unfortunately they entered me as a new patient with a new nhs number so
now my records don't cross reference which the other doctors at the surgery find slightly confusing
Thanks guys. I missed out on these responses when I went, so I didn't say anything. He saw that I am seeing a therapist about my gender issues and he mentioned it, but I went all "uh huh yeah" when he was like "so you're having problems with gender roles". :-X
He got into this after he took notice of my 'stache. He went on to ask me if I've been to gyno, I'm sure he was looking out for me since my excessive body hair could mean above avg. T levels which could mean polycystic ovarion syndrome or whatever the hell that is. I just went into shy mode and didn't want to disclose that I like my body hair and I want to be a man. Go me. :-\
He ordered blood tests since I need stuff checked because I'm overweight. I hope I get called back in just so I can have the chance to tell him. I was thinking what some of you guys said, that he might be able to help me out and that'd be fantastic.
Thanks again guys. :)
If you plan on keeping him he should know. I told mine, who I've had for a long time, and she didn't bat an eye. She did have many questions though. Luckily she has other FTM patients besides me.
Just an anecdotal story...
I had to get that dreaded gyno test done last month, and ended up getting a general practitioner rather than the actual gynecologist. Which is fine, since it's just a simple test (swab and done) and she's more than capable--been practicing 30+ years, highly respected, my mom's GP, etc. I saw her around this time last year to get some shots that were required before I started T. I was still listed as *female name* on the charts. I didn't see the point in disclosing (didn't plan on seeing her again). I also was afraid of being refused care. I live in a very small, conservative area and, after some rude encounters with medical professionals while I was trying to find a therapist and/or doctor who would help me get started with transition, I pretty much lost all hope that there would be *anyone* experienced with--or even compassionate towards--trans patients.
So I'm sitting in the exam room in a state of serious undress, not knowing that it was her who was going to do the exam. She walks in and starts talking; apparently she remembers me, though I don't yet recognize her as the doc I saw last year. And she just starts talking, asking how I'm doing. I say something along the lines of 'good, except for what's gonna come next.' The rest of the words don't matter; it was more of how she handled it. My name was changed on my chart. She had put two-and-two together already--and was completely unfazed. Didn't bat an eyebrow, acted like it was the most normal 'of course' scenario one could imagine. Asked a few questions, but generally had a decent grasp on the concept of medical transition. She said that when she saw me last year (mind, this was pre-everything), she wondered about me--but, in the name of professional and personal courtesy, didn't ask.
In consideration of everything, she gave me the least invasive, least painful (if only I knew before that they could use such tiny swabs) exam I've ever had. Contrast this to the last gyno, who apparently thought that I was a 'normal, sexually active female' who should have no problem having large objects stuc--well, you get the idea. Sometimes talking to your doctor really does pay off. Before I left, we had a talk about hystos. She agreed that I won't be able to get it locally (Catholic hospital--they won't remove reproductive organs unless absolutely necessary, aka cancer; they're also not especially trans-friendly). So she offered to call the non-religious hospital two hours away (a significant improvement over the 4-6 hours I was previously looking at) and see if there were any gynos willing to work with me--she did, there are, and basically... if you can get an understanding doctor on your side, they can be an incredibly awesome resource for the rest of your transition.
My GP has been doing my yearly gyno check-up/tests for a long time now and that does make it easier. I've been wondering how I'll find a gyno who will be willing to work with me about a hysto. I didn't even think about asking my GP. Erik, thanks for the idea. She tried to help me find an endo and knew of one, but when we contacted him he no longer would work with trans patients. ::)