So I finally went and spoke to my GP about me starting the medical part of transitioning (totally lucked out because it turns out my GP has worked with three other trans people) so she sent in a referral for a psychologist and a referral to a urologist to start testosterone ... I asked her about an endocrinologist but she said that I need to see a urologist have any of you guys heard of this before?  Or have gone this way to get on T?

Never heard of that route. My GP is based out of an LGBT clinic, and does all of my hormone monitoring and administration herself.

The psychologist I can see, but as to why your Dr. wants you to see a urologist is beyond me. I suppose the Dr. might want to make sure you don't have a UTI before starting, but I haven't heard of this before.

sam1234

The first thing my primary care physician did when I mentioned hormones was refer me to an endo, who referred me to a gender therapist for a 3-session (ended up only being 2) Eval for testosterone. After that it was back to the endo for T. Can't imagine why you'd go see a urologist for hormones, sorry mate. 

I can see why she recommend a urologist, since they usually deal with male reproductive system. I have never seen an endocrinologist either; the specialists are usually more expensive than family doctors, so i just get my T from a gp.

Nope.  Never heard of urologist involvement prior to starting hormones.  My primary care physician referred me to a therapist who then referred me to an endocrinologist to prescribe testosterone. 

My endo is referring me to a urologist, but that's because I already have documented kidney issues (well, the only real issue is only having one). Hormones can pay fun games with the evacuation system though, so maybe that's why?

It maybe that when T is prescribed to cis-males they are sent to a urologist for a check up. Your GP may just be following their usual protocol.

Ok thanks guys ... I know I will get in to see a psychologist before I see a urologist anyway so maybe I'll just ask the psychologist about it as I have no prior medical that would give reason to needing to see a urologist

Actually I have heard of this before and know a few guys who have no urology problems that get their T prescription from a urologist. Many urologists have the correct license required to write the prescription where most others do not...even some endocrinologist doctors don't (many only work in the area of diabetes here for example). Urologists generally have the license because of their male patients with low T and from talking to my kidney/urologist specialist about it later on when I needed a specialist he knows just as much if not more than my GP who works with the trans community when it comes to T and its effects on both male and female bodied people.

Your psychologist probably has an "in" with this certain urologist and knows they'll actually treat/prescribe the T to you. When I saw one my therapist had a whole list of doctors who will work with trans patients. This is probably the case with yours too.

What I would guess, though I think most cis guys also get T from a general practitioner. I think we'd have more in common with a guy with hypogonadism than a guy in andropause, so more appropriate to see an endo. (Actually get mine from my PA. She does all the tests and I can't see that I'd get better treatment from an endo.)

--Jay

Quote from: Cindy on March 14, 2015, 01:13:11 AM
It maybe that when T is prescribed to cis-males they are sent to a urologist for a check up. Your GP may just be following their usual protocol.

I went to a urologist instead of an endo. My Urologist does sex change surgery and offers hrt at a low cost of $50 per month.

Quote from: 2fish on March 20, 2015, 10:44:14 AM
I went to a urologist instead of an endo. My Urologist does sex change surgery and offers hrt at a low cost of $50 per month.

Is that uninsured? If so, that's not bad at all! As far as I could guess, a urologist would have the same required knowledge (especially if he/she self-informed themselves beforehand) as an endo, as both require at least some knowledge in the other's field, I'd assume, due to overlap in patients. I just thought it was odd at first, since everyone here usually gets their prescription from their GP, PCP, or an endo, from what I've seen.

In Japan HRT seems to be prescribed by urologists and through the gynecologist. I went to a gp in the states and their lab did all my blood work while my doc monitored my HRT.

Hi Ayden!

Not sure about this.
I don't think you get prescribed T at a gynecologist/urologist if you are transgender.
Never heard if it in Japan.
I go through a gender clinic to get E injections.
F2M get their T injections there too.

Sonia

Quote from: BeingSonia on March 30, 2015, 05:30:01 AM
Hi Ayden!

Not sure about this.
I don't think you get prescribed T at a gynecologist/urologist if you are transgender.
Never heard if it in Japan.
I go through a gender clinic to get E injections.
F2M get their T injections there too.

Sonia

I'm actually in the process of figuring all this out! I've been referred to urologists by the Osaka Medical College Hospital in Takatsuki as they are not taking new patients, but I have my doubts. I've heard from other trans guys in my area, but I'm still working out my situation.

(As an aside, thank you for your input in the other thread! I'm on the train atm but I am going to respond there too. Always nice to hear from someone else in Japan!)

Hi Ayden!

My understanding was that trangenders have to pass through specialized clinics.
Since it seems you already started the process in the US, it might be faster too.
That would be great.
Good luck!

Sonia