Hey,

So today I had my first appointment about going on T at the Howard Brown Health Center and it looks like I will be starting next month right before I fly to my summer job. So I just wanted to know about flying with T/needles because I don't want to have a bad experience flying and such.

I planned on flying with just carry on luggage but I don't really know much about flying with medication etc. Thanks in advance!

I don't think that you'll be allowed to take the syringes on the plane with you. They make exceptions for certain medications like insulin, but you have to get a letter from your doctor and talk to someone from the airline beforehand to see if they're going to want to store your medication for you. It doesn't seem likely that testosterone is the kind of medicine you could convince anyone to let you carry with you, since it's something that only needs to be injected weekly/bi-weekly.

When I fly I will be gone from June 1-August 28 so I would need to be able to take it with somehow which is why I'm asking now so that I am ready/know what to expect/need to do sorta thing since I have to have a way of taking it with me.

My flight is also booked round trip which I think would show why I would be bringing it with.

I honestly don't know what the airlines will allow as far as medication goes. I'm just speculating that they aren't going to be sensitive about it. Like if a person taking steroids for health reasons, or even a cis-guy who needed testosterone injections bi-weekly, were to come up with the same problem, I just don't think they'd allow the syringes/needles on the plane. I know from experience that you shouldn't have any trouble putting it all in a checked bag, but it seems unlikely they'll let you have it in your carry-on.

Here's what I've been able to find...

"We come across this every day with passengers who have special needs," she says. "They just need to package them [the syringes] with their medications so it's obvious they're needed for a medical reason."

Your journey through security also is going to be easier if you give the screener a heads-up that you have medical supplies with you, as a sort of preemptive move.

The American Diabetes Assn., whose website has an entire section devoted to diabetic travelers, and the TSA recommend that a doctor's note accompany your medications.

"The letter should explain what you need to do for your diabetes, such as take diabetes pills or insulin shots," the ADA website says. "It should list insulin, syringes and any other medications or devices you use." (Even if your condition is not diabetes, substitute the correct noun and supplies and the advice still makes sense.)


So, when traveling include a letter from your doctor stating that you have a prescription for needles, syringes and your testosterone....and that it's medically necessary.

you wont have a problem. Put them in your carry on.

I flew from phx to california last year and had to take my T shot while there.  I put my syringe and the T vial in my carry on and just let the security people know I had meds with the needle, I had NO problem. The vial box had my name on it so if they asked I could show my I.D.

Thank you to everyone who answered. I ended up just calling TSA directly and then they emailed this for me as well regarding it:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific guidance for carrying liquid and or injectable medications through security screening checkpoints and onboard commercial aircraft.   Travelers should notify the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) at the checkpoint if they are carrying this type of medication and supplies.  Passengers may present medical documentation regarding a medical condition to help inform TSOs; however this documentation is not required, nor will it exempt passengers from the screening process.

Medications and related supplies—including prescription, over-the-counter items, and homeopathic—are allowed through the security checkpoint in quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces.  Medical items in containers larger than 3.4 ounces must be placed in a bin with no other items and declared to the TSO for additional screening.  Although medications are not subject to limitations, passengers are encouraged to limit the quantities they pack in their carry-on bags to what they will reasonably need for the duration of their itinerary, allowing for delays.  TSA does not require passengers to have medications in their original prescription bottles; however, some states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication which passengers may need to comply.

In addition, it may be helpful to know that the limit of one carry-on and one personal item (purse, briefcase, or computer case) does not apply to medical supplies, equipment, mobility aids, and or assistive devices carried by a person with a disability.  After undergoing security screening, the following items may be carried through the security checkpoint:

•       Vials or boxes of individual vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers, preloaded syringes, and an unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by injectable medication.
•       Sharps disposal containers or similar hard-surface disposal containers for storing used syringes and test strips.
•       An unlimited number of used syringes when transported in a Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.

Cooling liquids or gels used to keep medicine and medical supplies cold are not bound by 3-1-1 requirements and may be presented at the screening checkpoint in a frozen or partially-frozen state.

We recommend that travelers provide advance notice to their airline or travel agent if assistance at the airport is required.  Travelers requiring a companion or assistant to accompany them through the screening checkpoint to reach their gate should speak with their airline representative about obtaining a gate pass for companions before entering the screening checkpoint.

For the most current information on TSA security screening procedures, we encourage travelers to visit our Web site at www.tsa.gov.


We hope this information is helpful.TSA Contact Center

TSA Contact Center