I received my first Rx for Testosterone on Tuesday. The doctor I received it from is very acclaimed at what she does (she's the Professor and Chairman of Endocrinology at a big Hospital in my State). She was recommended to me by the doctor who is doing my hysto next month.

I did like her and I am almost positive I am her first and only trans patient. She did slip up once when I asked about hormone levels in a man and she said "real men" have a hormone level of blah blah. She did correct herself afterwards and really I'm ok with it. People slip up and I don't think we should be over sensitive to that fact.

When I was talking to her about levels I brought up getting my blood work done and how often I should do so. I am getting it done once after three months of shots. At that time she and I will be discussing if I want to stay at the same dose, take more, or possibly less. She said after that I can just get it done every 6 to 12 months or whatever (yes, she said "or whatever").

Now this lady is at the top of her game but I still questioned her logic. She told me she has been prescribing hormones to men and women for over 30 years and I need to trust her. She said if I were to take the patches or the gels the reading would be stable but since I chose injections the readings will fluctuate and will depend on what day in my shot cycle that I get the blood drawn. She said since I am having a complete hysto and oopho I have to be on something and synthetic T is no more dangerous than synthetic E and she reassures that I will be fine having my blood tested only once or twice a year.

Why do I have such a fear of bad side effects? Has anyone else had this same fear? Does the fear ease up over time or is it always there?

I'm completely stressed about this... 

Blood tests monitor not only your hormone levels, but liver function: Which is important because some medications can be tough on the liver.

My doctor is the same way. I can see the logic in saying, "I have done this for 30 years, I know how you're going to respond to HRT." However, everyone is different and for that reason I think a montly blood test for the first year or whenever a dose is increased is a good idea. If it were me I would get one every week! (If I could afford it too) But I've tried asking my doctor for a blood test order but she tells me the same thing as always. I've tried asking other doctors too and they say, "Well we don't want to step on your endo's toes." I don't know. Not much I can do as this is the only doctor in network in my area, plus, I do like her. Try talking to your doctor. Just tell them you would feel better with montly blood test. If possible look up the levels and stuff that you think should be checked and bring those up too.

Every month? I am thinking more like every 3 months. I pay out of pocket and she told me it'll be between 2 and 4 hundred each test (insanity!!) which will be coming out of my top surgery fund (ack).

I understand being stuck with the same Endo as I am in that position. The one I am seeing is seeing me as a "favor" to one of my other doctors who is her close friend. So I'm paying next to nothing for her services. I am very thankful for that and want it to work out with her.

Thanks for the info though. I am going to bring up checking my liver function with her.

When you start off every couple of months is normal. When you are stable about every 6 months is common. For example if you have high cholesterol you are only checked every 6-12 months as it takes a while for things to change. In the case of liver function tests, as long as you are healthy things don't fluctuate quickly more over a period on months. The standby is of course if you feel bad go and see the doc straight away.

I have been doing labs 4 times per year, for years.

Quote from: Jamie D on November 24, 2012, 02:00:33 AM
I have been doing labs 4 times per year, for years.

They let you out of the cage for a while?