Hey everyone. I just joined this site and am blown away by all of the information i've learned. I just came out to my mom about knowing i am transgender (ftm), so i feel as if its time to educate myself more and start taking steps. I have found an online therapist that i'm probably going to be doing therapy with to get my hrt letter. so, that is taken care of.
What i was wondering is how i go about finding a doctor to bring this letter to once i get it. i've read that i have to go to an endocrinologist, but is that the only doctor i'll have to see, or does he just prescribe T? Once my therapist tells me she's ready to write an HRT letter for me, what is my next step? Do I just find an endocrinologist and go there? And can i go to any endocrinologist or does it have to be one who specializes in gender related issues? I'm just very lost on the entire process of finding doctors after getting an HRT letter. If someone could list the steps that you took, or know you have to take, once your therapist is ready to write you a T letter, please do so. thanks

it really depends on the doctor. well, at least here in canada (ontario.) i went through an endo because my doctor couldn't prescribe or give me my shots as he didn't know what the doses were, etc. i got my family doctor to refer me to my endo and most won't take you on unless you are referred. my endo prescribed my t and told me a nurse or a doctor could give me my shots. unfortunately, the doctors here weren't willing so i'm on a waiting list to see a doctor who knows how to give the shots and won't mind doing it, unlike the others. endos tend to have a long waiting list and that's why most don't just..give shots and other doctors do or they teach you how and you do it yourself. this is from my understanding though and this was my experience.

for endos though, you need to go to one that is familiar with HRT for trans people. idk if one who isn't will prescribe your t but i would look up trans friendly endos in your area. here's a good site that might help:

http://www.lauras-playground.com/transgender_endocrinologist_list.htm

Thank you very much

Some doctors will also treat you on an informed consent basis depending on where you live and the doctor. You may also want to seek out a local support group if possible since many of them have sort of an "off the books" list of doctors and therapists that are willing to treat trans patients on the condition their names aren't posted for the general public to gain the knowledge that they do treat us. Something else to keep in mind is that some GPs can prescribe hormones...if they have the correct licensing since T is a controlled substance. The doctor I use is a GP and a friend of mine recently started getting his T prescribed by a urologist. The urologist makes sense because they treat for low T in cismen so they have the licensing. Unfortunately there isn't a master list of these great health care professionals, but the local trans community will probably know which doctors to go to and which to avoid.

It's not the case that you have to see an endocrinologist to get T.  So many people seem to believe that.  The same as you don't have to see a therapist and get a letter first.  It will also depend on where in the world you are located - next time, just remember that you should state your country because this really is an international forum with members from all over the globe.

Anyway, as has already been stated - any doctor can prescribe T with informed consent.  The question is WILL they.  Some are hesitant to prescribe T because they don't know anything about it, some are more bold (like my GP) and educate themselves and prescribe it anyway. 

Basically there are a few scenarios that happen to most guys:

a) Find a doctor (any old GP, doesn't matter) - talk to them about your being trans*.  Ask them if they would consider treating you (i.e., prescribing T to you).  Educate them if you need to - go in prepared with information about the risks, process, etc. 

If they agree to treat you, ask them if they will perform blood tests on you to check your base levels.  Then, if they are happy to give you T (with or without informed consent), they usually just write the script, you fill it, done.

b) If the doctor says, "no, I don't feel comfortable giving you T right now - go see a therapist and come back with a psychiatric clearance letter", THEN you need to see a therapist.  They see you for however long, get the letter, go back to the doctor.

c)  If the doctor is happy with the therapist/psych's approval letter, he/she will either write the T script for you or refer you to an endocrinologist. 

d) The endo may run blood tests before treating you.  Then they will be the one to determine your dosage, etc.

That's about all I can think of right now.

My path was an unusual one but something you might be interested in if you have the resources in your area. I saw a ND (Naturopathic Doctor), which might sound weird to people who are not familiar with holistic medicine. They treat patients in much the same was as NPs and MDs, and they are often much cheaper.

My ND saw me on my first appointment, collected my history, and talked about issues with transitioning I might be going through. We went through an Informed Consent sheet and she scheduled me for blood work the following day. I got the results of the blood work and tomorrow I have an appointment to get my shot.

Therapy is never a bad idea but it can be really tiring if you are already self-reflective and have your gender mostly figured out. I have seen a counselor at my school as well who was not very helpful at all.

Quote from: Kreuzfidel on March 07, 2014, 05:30:26 AM
It's not the case that you have to see an endocrinologist to get T.  So many people seem to believe that.  The same as you don't have to see a therapist and get a letter first.  It will also depend on where in the world you are located - next time, just remember that you should state your country because this really is an international forum with members from all over the globe.

Anyway, as has already been stated - any doctor can prescribe T with informed consent.  The question is WILL they.  Some are hesitant to prescribe T because they don't know anything about it, some are more bold (like my GP) and educate themselves and prescribe it anyway. 

Basically there are a few scenarios that happen to most guys:

a) Find a doctor (any old GP, doesn't matter) - talk to them about your being trans*.  Ask them if they would consider treating you (i.e., prescribing T to you).  Educate them if you need to - go in prepared with information about the risks, process, etc. 

Sorry for bumping this ancient thread. I'm in Adelaide, and came across a few posts from you after putting Adelaide and South Australia in the search bar.

I've been self-medicating since last month because of the ->-bleeped-<-ty gender clinic system, and I want to get a legitimate T prescription as soon as possible. I've asked multiple GPs if they could grant me a legitimate prescription, they all told me their hands were tied until I went through Dr Lyons. I was just wondering, would it be alright if I asked you for the name of the GP you saw? Also, it wasn't Dr. Dono***, was it (censoring name because I'm not sure if there's a rule against sharing names here).

Anyway, email me at julius.a.drivas@gmail.com if messaging here isn't an option.