So...I have an inflammatory arthritic disorder that causes moderate anemia. I was informed by my doctor that they will not start T until I get it under control. I've had issues with anemia for years. I am afraid it will keep me from getting my shots...

Have you dealt with something prohibiting your transition? How did you handle it?

Well, it's hard being stuck in limbo transition wise and I have complete empathy for your situation. My transition was on hold for many years due to my rare genetic disease that causes me to grow tumors in various organs. I don't know how I dealt with it, I just did. I knew if I wanted to live to transition there were things that had to be corrected first. I think part of my drive for fighting was so that I could get to the point where I could transition. Right now I'm on a two year break from scans and surgeries. My largest cancerous tumor is 1.1cm so they're just monitoring it periodically. I'm now on T, had my hysto, and have my doctor's ok to get my top done so I'm planning on that for Summer of next year.

When you're sick transition is still very possible. Don't give up on it but do your best not to dwell on it (which is hard sometimes, I know). Let your doctors help you understand exactly what you need to get done to be able to start hormones. Don't let them just blow it off. I'm not trying to second guess your doctor but I'm anemic and am supposed to take iron supplements but those red pills make it where I can't poop at all. I try to eat A LOT of iron rich foods and have even started to like liver and spinach at this point, lol. Make sure you take a vitamin c supplement too because it aids in your ability to absorb iron. 

Is there any way you could get a second opinion about your care with this? I am having a hard time understanding why they're dead set on saying no way right now. As I said, I'm anemic. I also have cancer, a heart murmur, and am pre diabetic due to pancreatic cysts (what can I say...I'm the picture of health, lol) and as soon as my cancer surgeries were out of the way they started me on HRT. The anemia didn't even come into play. I'm a patient at the National Institute of Health and being studied through research by the American Cancer Society. My docs know what they're doing so that is why I am saying try to get it under control but also (if you're able) get a second opinion from another specialist.

Quote from: Simon on June 03, 2013, 12:37:58 AM

Is there any way you could get a second opinion about your care with this? I am having a hard time understanding why they're dead set on saying no way right now.

In my area...they are the only one. North Carolina isn't the best for having people willing to do HRT for trans* people. Mind you, in the bigger cities, it's better, like Raleigh has a few, but I'm a ways away from there.

Basically the reason for now is the level of my anemia is in the danger zone, even for my regular doctor. Iron rich food AND the pills only bring me to just below baseline...and I have been slacking on both. It's funny, as I am vigilant about my anemic son's intake, and ignore my own...

Simon, take care of yourself!
Wouldn't T help with anemia? I am pretty sure that estrogen does not!
Some guys have a problem with too many red blood cells.  Anemia is MUCH rarer in men.
(Of course there are several types of anemia.)


--Jay

Hope you don't mind me answering but I had anemia before and when my levels dropped too low and I was in danger of getting aplastic anemia the doctor hematologist gave me injections of Procrit. I would seek a second opinion as it doesn't seem like it should prevent you from receiving HRT. I think sometimes some doctors don't understand our condition and use any excuse to deny therapy.

Furthermore, T was used to treat anemia in bone marrow transplant patients in the past so it seems like it would help, not hurt.

http://www.ftmguide.org/ttherapybasics.html#whatkindofchanges

According to Hudsons Guide T increases the red blood cell count in your blood.  I would talk to your doctor and ask them specifically why they're using your anemia as a reason to withhold testosterone for you.  Is your doctor one that you know is definitely trans friendly, because unless it's something specific to your type of anemia I'm struggling to see why it's a reason for them to stop you getting on T.  Of course I'm not a doctor.

Quote from: Adrian_Michael on June 03, 2013, 09:02:20 AM
In my area...they are the only one. North Carolina isn't the best for having people willing to do HRT for trans* people.

I'm in NC too. I agree there aren't many Endos that openly help transguys here. I know there are plenty of resources near Asheville and I know of a few Endos in Charlotte, Raleigh, and one I just found in Winston-Salem. If you need contact info for any of them feel free to message me.

Irony at it's best!!

They called me just 15 minutes ago and told me to come in! I scheduled it for July 5th to give my body a good solid month of iron supplements, just in case, but they looked over my liver panel and said that if my anemia isn't too horrid I should be perfectly fine to start T!

I will openly admit doing the Snoopy dance...LOL

Also...I really don't get this doctor, but I am happy to have the option closer than Raleigh or Winston-Salem(much less Asheville or Charlotte).