I'm 19 years old and have been taking supplements for a few years since I haven't been able to get actual testosterone and i'm really needing it. I'm not sure how to get it or where to start. I am not seeing anyone that specializes in transgender people but I am seeing a psychiatrist and my family dr/physican and i'm in counseling. I live in ohio right on lake erie.

Tell the person you are seeing that you want T and would like a referral. They may be able to point you to a local doctor who will prescribe it and write a letter telling them so.

"Lake Erie" is pretty vague but Dr Thomas Murphy at Metrohealth in Cleveland is an endocrinologist who handles HRT for a ton of trans patients in northern Ohio. He'll need a letter from a therapist beforehand, I believe.

If you're wondering about a therapist experienced with trans issues, and if you're anywhere near Richmond Heights or Rocky River, Brooke Kroto ( http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/name/Brooke_H_Kroto_LISW_Richmond+Heights_Ohio_56178 ) definitely knows a lot about how the process works in Ohio, and what doctors to go to etc. I have no idea what she's like if you actually need therapy though.

Quote from: lonewolfcorey5 on November 03, 2013, 10:29:31 AM
I'm 19 years old and have been taking supplements for a few years since I haven't been able to get actual testosterone and i'm really needing it. I'm not sure how to get it or where to start. I am not seeing anyone that specializes in transgender people but I am seeing a psychiatrist and my family dr/physican and i'm in counseling. I live in ohio right on lake erie.

The thing about ohio is (was born and raised there) they arent exactly *pro Trans* and this makes it hard for alot of people to transition while living there.There are more high end areas that will do HRT as stated above but there are alot of harder issues while living there as well.You cant change gender marker,alot of areas are more *hick* areas and have a very conservative outlook.I hope they change the law and allow you to change your gender marker,otherwise transition in ohio will be nearly impossible-though with a few good points like just HRT.I would take Rossiters advice or get one online that will support letters and all you do is take it to an endo or something and give them the letter,telling them you need to HRT or just move out of the state to a Pro Trans area that has better support.

Quote from: Chaos on November 04, 2013, 06:14:01 PM
I hope they change the law and allow you to change your gender marker,otherwise transition in ohio will be nearly impossible-though with a few good points like just HRT.

Not really sure why you'd word it like that, for most people HRT is a far more important part of transition than changing their birth certificate.  Yeah, you can't change it if you're born in Ohio, but when do people even use those? It's not too hard to change your drivers license, you can get on HRT there and Dr Medalie in Cleveland does top surgery. It's far from "impossible".

I don't live in Ohio anymore but it doesn't seem significantly worse than other places for ease of transition. I mean if you're near a big city you'll probably be fine, regardless of what state you're in.

Quote from: Rossiter on November 04, 2013, 07:34:03 PM
Not really sure why you'd word it like that, for most people HRT is a far more important part of transition than changing their birth certificate.  Yeah, you can't change it if you're born in Ohio, but when do people even use those? It's not too hard to change your drivers license, you can get on HRT there and Dr Medalie in Cleveland does top surgery. It's far from "impossible".

I don't live in Ohio anymore but it doesn't seem significantly worse than other places for ease of transition. I mean if you're near a big city you'll probably be fine, regardless of what state you're in.

Im assuming that you took what i said and maybe assumed something different then what i ment? But i will explain.As i was explaining the *full* transition for someone in ohio,only part of that is gender marker for your birth certificate.did i say that it IS the most important aspect? of course not and why i came to the rest of my statement.I personally plan to use it to its full advantage.That is if/when i am allowed to change it.

And as i also said
*though with a few good points* this included the *high end areas* like you said for example,In cleveland but i came from Chillicothe.A small hick town that was NOT pro trans*.Now if someone who had the money and ways to travel all the way from across ohio and into cleveland,then more power to them but if NOT,then the small resources they do have-would be best spent in faster ways.For example,online and letters will be mailed to you.

So in a nut shell from what i said was
If you do NOT live in the *high end areas* then your best bet is to put those small resources into online or move out of state or even county.move to cleveland and on a personal note,it will be harder with the gender marker but most Trans* people HATE having a male ID with a F marker.Unless thats just me? *shrugs* anyway good luck to the OP

Quote from: Chaos on November 04, 2013, 07:49:31 PM
Im assuming that you took what i said and maybe assumed something different then what i ment? But i will explain.As i was explaining the *full* transition for someone in ohio,only part of that is gender marker for your birth certificate.did i say that it IS the most important aspect? of course not and why i came to the rest of my statement.I personally plan to use it to its full advantage.That is if/when i am allowed to change it.

And as i also said
*though with a few good points* this included the *high end areas* like you said for example,In cleveland but i came from Chillicothe.A small hick town that was NOT pro trans*.Now if someone who had the money and ways to travel all the way from across ohio and into cleveland,then more power to them but if NOT,then the small resources they do have-would be best spent in faster ways.For example,online and letters will be mailed to you.

So in a nut shell from what i said was
If you do NOT live in the *high end areas* then your best bet is to put those small resources into online or move out of state or even county.move to cleveland and on a personal note,it will be harder with the gender marker but most Trans* people HATE having a male ID with a F marker.Unless thats just me? *shrugs* anyway good luck to the OP

I live in Ohio and changed my gender marker on my ID. It was very easy, actually.

I transition in a land far, far away from the cornfields of Lake Erie. I would have never wanted to come out as myself there and try to get any help. I admire anyone that does. They may be my hope for change. The Buckeye will always be a thorn in my side until the gender marker can be amended on birth certificates. Oh and yes it does have a negative effect. I wish I was born anywhere but there and two other states.

Quote from: G on November 04, 2013, 10:07:22 PM
I live in Ohio and changed my gender marker on my ID. It was very easy, actually.

Really? hmm i guess you could if you were sneaky enough.Though to get an ID you would need a birth cert.You will have to fill me in on how you bypassed it

Quote from: Skittles on November 05, 2013, 12:13:55 AM
I transition in a land far, far away from the cornfields of Lake Erie. I would have never wanted to come out as myself there and try to get any help. I admire anyone that does. They may be my hope for change. The Buckeye will always be a thorn in my side until the gender marker can be amended on birth certificates. Oh and yes it does have a negative effect. I wish I was born anywhere but there and two other states.

Yes.For someone with full intent to transition,it indeed is a thorn.I do hope this changes and as with the OP,they make HRT more accessible in more places then the bigger parts of the state

Quote from: Chaos on November 05, 2013, 02:42:30 AM
Really? hmm i guess you could if you were sneaky enough.Though to get an ID you would need a birth cert.You will have to fill me in on how you bypassed it

There's nothing to bypass really. It's a really straight forward process. If you want to know details, pm me, I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Quote from: Chaos on November 04, 2013, 06:14:01 PM
The thing about ohio is (was born and raised there) they arent exactly *pro Trans* and this makes it hard for alot of people to transition while living there.There are more high end areas that will do HRT as stated above but there are alot of harder issues while living there as well.You cant change gender marker,alot of areas are more *hick* areas and have a very conservative outlook.I hope they change the law and allow you to change your gender marker,otherwise transition in ohio will be nearly impossible-though with a few good points like just HRT.I would take Rossiters advice or get one online that will support letters and all you do is take it to an endo or something and give them the letter,telling them you need to HRT or just move out of the state to a Pro Trans area that has better support.

yea it is definitely hard to get resources around here lol so glad to hear im not alone in ohio though n thanks to everyone for helping me out, I did find a endro....however that's spelled n said lol that's only 20 mins away so i'm gonna make an appointment to meet with him n see what can be done. Thanks again for everyones advice it helped me out big time.

Quote from: G on November 04, 2013, 10:07:22 PM
I live in Ohio and changed my gender marker on my ID. It was very easy, actually.

I have my gender marker changed as well on my id I found that pretty easy also.

Quote from: lonewolfcorey5 on November 06, 2013, 04:23:21 PM
yea it is definitely hard to get resources around here lol so glad to hear im not alone in ohio though n thanks to everyone for helping me out, I did find a endro....however that's spelled n said lol that's only 20 mins away so i'm gonna make an appointment to meet with him n see what can be done. Thanks again for everyones advice it helped me out big time.

Awesome news! and no problem.Good luck and i hope it all works out

Quote from: lonewolfcorey5 on November 06, 2013, 04:24:54 PM
I have my gender marker changed as well on my id I found that pretty easy also.

Damn lol seems im the only one not in the loop.Im defo gonna have to look into it

Quote from: Chaos on November 07, 2013, 04:48:36 AM
Damn lol seems im the only one not in the loop.Im defo gonna have to look into it

I think if you go to transohio.org you can find out how to do it

The Pride Clinic through MetroHealth in Cleveland is amazing. I get my T and all my check ups there and it's been a great experience. I'm going through the name and gender marker change now, so feel free to PM me with any Ohio specific questions!

Would be nice if I knew of any services for anything trans friendly closer to akron. Cleveland is an hour away. Little far for anything besides top surgery.

Alex. I'll shoot you a PM with some info!

Dr. Henry Ng.  He's awesome, but he does have appointments in a scary part of Cleveland so if you're prissy about that, (no shame, I used to be,) it might be an obstacle.  But he's very open-minded and he's not Murphy.  Personally I've had some bad experiences with Murphy.  Yah, Ohio sucks major league.  But I do recommend Dr. Ng.  He is highly involved with this one internet project to compile LGBT-friendly medical doctors to have a database, I forget what the exact name is.