Just had an excellent therapy session.  She's willing to sign off on HRT for me   

Only snag is that I'm traveling over an hour South to see her in the Antelope Valley, and don't have any Endo connections.  So anyone in the AV/ Valencia/Ventura/T-Oaks/Van Nuys or Rancho Cucamonga-San Bernardino? 
Thanks,

-Alana

@Alana_Jane
I know of a few transgender endocrinologists in LA/SF (not sure if this is considered So-Cal or not, due to living near Chicago). In alphabetical order

Dr. Maddie Deutsch - http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/trans?page=ab-deutsch
Dr. Richard Horowitz - http://www.genwell.org/about-us/our-staff/ -
Dr. John O'Dea   - http://odeahormones.com/ - Endo I use for implant method, but expensive

Thank you Frost Pixi,

Dr. Horowitz is close enough....  Any one else??

Thanks,


-Alana

Dr H is a very good doctor. His staff is a little scatter brained at times and sometimes you have to nag him to get what you need but I guess that's not entirely unusual for doctors. He will talk to you and will answer your questions as long as you need him to.

Thank you Eva.  Did you have to get a referral, or just contact his office directly? 
Thanks,

-Alana

Just to update this thread.  I found another thread looking for a GP/Endo in Orange county.  I made an appointment with Sarah Rettenger at her clinic in Orange.  She takes my insurance, so I'll go for a physical, take my therapist's referral letter, and see what my options are. 

-Alana

Quote from: Alana_Jane on January 04, 2015, 05:52:17 AM
Thank you Eva.  Did you have to get a referral, or just contact his office directly? 
Thanks,

-Alana

My therapist and Dr H. work closely together. My therapist sent me over to him to get HRT.

Quote from: Eva Marie on January 17, 2015, 01:02:33 AM
My therapist and Dr H. work closely together. My therapist sent me over to him to get HRT.

Thanks Eva, I'll keep him in mind if Dr. Rettenger doesn't work out. 

As an aside, my therapist hasn't referred anyone to an endocrinologist yet and was wondering what to put in the letter.

-Alana

I'd assume just general TG stuff and you are well adjusted. Not quite sure because i opperated with informed consent, so didn't need one.  Good luck

Quote from: FrostPixie on February 12, 2015, 06:51:29 PM
I'd assume just general TG stuff and you are well adjusted. Not quite sure because i opperated with informed consent, so didn't need one.  Good luck

Thank you Frost Pixi.  I've got my appointment for this Thursday.  I talked to her office last week and was told I didn't need the letter for my first appointment, but probably would before I receive a prescription.  I guess this means another doctors visit before I start HRT.

As an aside I wonder if it'd help if I go dressed?  Can't hurt, and I'll have a fun day out, right?  LOL

-Alana 

Hehe, may as well have fun while out and about.

Thank you Frost Pixi. 

I did have some fun, but it started stressful enough.  It's no fun being stuck behind a series of slow semi-trucks on a two lane road and 20 miles of double strip-no passing, all with the growing realization I'm going to be late.  Once I reached civilization, I called to let them know how late I was going to be.  What's more my phone GPS wasn't finding a satellite signal and couldn't find the location.  Fortunately, I'd mapped it out the night before and went by memory. 

Dr. Sarah Rettinger was great.  We discussed my medical history, what my options are, support groups, my expectations and medications.  She wrote her diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and recommended a follow up.  At this point, I have some lab work to perform, have my therapist write a letter supporting my starting HRT, and in 8 weeks I'll have a follow up and get my initial prescription. 

On my way home I stopped at Panera Bread and had a late lunch.  I also got a chocolate chip muffie.  I figure for this step I only deserve half of it, as I'm half way to starting. 

-Alana

Just to update, and rather than start a new thread.  Last week I went and had my blood drawn and analyzed locally.  Just picked up the results... Hummm interesting... 

As I'm still legally a male, that's what my labs levels are referenced to:

Estradiol:           23.0  pg/ml  (10-42 pg/ml)
Estrone:            41.6  pg/ml  (9-36 pg/ml)
Estrogen total:  64.6 pg/ml   (19-69 pg/ml)

Prolactin:            7.2 ng/ml   (2.1-17.7 ng/ml)
Testosterone:   342  ng/dl  (300-890 ng/dl)

So according to my reference ranges:  My Estradiol is mid-range, Estrone is high, and my total Estrogen level is high normal.  While my testosterone is low normal....  I'm thinking I'm going to have a good initial effect from just testosterone suppression, then once my E-2 level is increased.... watch out. 

-Alana

Quote from: Alana_Jane on March 09, 2015, 11:28:52 PM
So according to my reference ranges:  My Estradiol is mid-range, Estrone is high, and my total Estrogen level is high normal.  While my testosterone is low normal....  I'm thinking I'm going to have a good initial effect from just testosterone suppression, then once my E-2 level is increased.... watch out. 

Alana-

Sounds like your body is primed and ready for HRT I suspect I had low T too prior to HRT but I never got a blood test to prove it. Now I know I have very low T 

Oh, and enjoy the E ticket ride 

Thank you Eva...  I've got a month to wait...

-Alana

Rather than start a new thread, I'll just continue my progress here

I had my follow up with Dr. Sarah Rettinger http://www.rettingerendo.com/  I was her third transgender patent that day, so she's been getting a lot of practice.  We reviewed my info, and my therapy letter didn't meet the WPATH standard.  So, I'm going to work with my new therapist.  As it stands, I did leave with a script for Spiro, with another follow up in a month. 

So, at 8:18 P.M. PDT I began my journey...  LOL, within 6 minutes I had to pee   I woke this morning and felt better than I remember I've felt in a long time...  I know it's really probably placebo...  but I'm really feeling great.  When I get my letter issue dealt with, she's going to start me on injectable EV, if I can find it.  I'll ask my pharmacist to check availability.   Wish me luck...
Hugs,

-Alana

Great news girl and good luck getting your letter situation worked out.   I've had good luck getting my EV prescription filled by Costco. Got my initial one and a refill and at my current dosages that should last me until at least July 

You could try the The Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic on Sunset Blvd and website hscfreeclinicdotorg;  St Johns Well Child and Family Clinic on 58th St., in Los Angeles or their website at w3. wellchilddotorg/transgender-health.

I personally have Kaiser HMO, through my job, work for the local gov't, they offer hrt and even srs/grs coverage. Just ask the operator for a doctor who is sympathetic to transgender issues, since your transgender, if you do go with Kaiser, for assignment to a lgbt friendly doctor.

I also personally tried The Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic back in the mid 90's, and they did have a doctor who treated tg issues, at least hormonally.

My 2 cents

Thank you Sonadora, sorry I'm only replying now as I just saw your post....

Just as an update, I've been on Sprio for the past 3 weeks, it's been a minimal dose twice a day.  Last Thursday I had my follow up,  my Spiro dose has been doubled to what would be in the range of a transitioning dose.  Now I've also got injectible Estradiol Valerate.  I went to the pharmacy on Thursday evening, just as I got home.  Well they had to order it in the 50mg-5mL concentration.  Again, I'm on a minimal dose to get my body used to the new levels, but I get to dose half a normal dose every week, so I get less up and down. 

So, it came in today while I was out of town at my electrolysis appointment with Jeanette at Layla's.  As soon as I got back to town I went over and picked up my vial and syringes.  A couple hours ago I gave me my first dose...  So, now I've reentered puberty and am correcting a hormone im-ballance.  I'm feeling wonderful. 

-Alana

Congrats GF!!  Welcome to the E Class of 2015!!!  Sit back and enjoy the ride!!

Quote from: Alana_Jane on May 09, 2015, 12:48:14 AM
Thank you Sonadora, sorry I'm only replying now as I just saw your post....

Just as an update, I've been on Sprio for the past 3 weeks, it's been a minimal dose twice a day.  Last Thursday I had my follow up,  my Spiro dose has been doubled to what would be in the range of a transitioning dose.  Now I've also got injectible Estradiol Valerate.  I went to the pharmacy on Thursday evening, just as I got home.  Well they had to order it in the 50mg-5mL concentration.  Again, I'm on a minimal dose to get my body used to the new levels, but I get to dose half a normal dose every week, so I get less up and down. 

So, it came in today while I was out of town at my electrolysis appointment with Jeanette at Layla's.  As soon as I got back to town I went over and picked up my vial and syringes.  A couple hours ago I gave me my first dose...  So, now I've reentered puberty and am correcting a hormone im-ballance.  I'm feeling wonderful. 

-Alana