Met with a therapist Saturday as a pre-admission for a trans support group. 

I had told her that my bloodwork was all done and all I need was the referral letter to start HRT.

She goes to tell me that letter of references aren't needed anymore and referred to WPATH SoC.

It's not like she's some fly by night hack.  She's well versed in trans health and I believed her.

I get home and read the SoC and it says that a referral letter is needed unless you're going IC.

So confusing. I sent her an email to clarify. Need to call dr to see what she'll do.

Some places allow IC and others do not. A letter is required if your doctor wants one prior to treatment. It is all up to the individual providers.

In NYC it's pretty much all informed consent now. I am under IC but they work with my therapist. However I did not need a referral letter.

I think it is better this way as you can transition at your own pace and let the doctors deal with HRT and your therapist deal with your emotional well being.

Also it may seem like hormones on demand but it really isn't. The HRT clinics have people who talk to you and counsel you or they may inquire if you have a therapist already.

ImagineKate you are looking great girl!

Quote from: Jaz650 on March 22, 2015, 10:35:04 PM
ImagineKate you are looking great girl!

Thank you Jasmine.

I'm in So-Cal and my Endo asked for the letter.  That said, she does work with insurance and my therapist for the letter.  I'll have it next weekend to take to my Endo.  So, maybe the difference could also be the insurance policy as well. 

Alana

The informed consent model certainly hasn't taken hold around me yet. Every endo within a 2 hour drive of me requires a letter.

It really depends on the provider.  My understand of it is that it depends on the malpractice insurance your treating physical has.  I am in Nor-Cal, with UCSF and they are informed consent.  Interestingly enough I was considered not informed consent (although I was prepared for that on my first visit).  I self medicated at first (not that I am prompting it).  And at my first visit they did not get me to sign the informed consent forms, because they saw it as providing the least amount of harm to the patient.  IE proscribing me legitimate HRT was less harmful than not providing me HRT.

Quote from: jessical on March 22, 2015, 11:23:16 PM
It really depends on the provider.  My understand of it is that it depends on the malpractice insurance your treating physical has.  I am in Nor-Cal, with UCSF and they are informed consent.  Interestingly enough I was considered not informed consent (although I was prepared for that on my first visit).  I self medicated at first (not that I am prompting it).  And at my first visit they did not get me to sign the informed consent forms, because they saw it as providing the least amount of harm to the patient.  IE proscribing me legitimate HRT was less harmful than not providing me HRT.

Just want to note here.....  This is the exception over the normal rule.  If you go running out ad do the diy route you might be dead before you even see a doctor.

Cross gender hormones are dangerous and have caused deaths.  Do your endo.  Research and find one who will work a successful transition. You are totally rewiring your endocrine  system

I did not need a letter or to even speak with a mental health professional before I started HRT, but I went to a special LGBTQ clinic who runs on the informed consent model. It took me 2 visits, one set of lab work, and about a total 45 minutes speaking with a doctor to get my prescription.

I called my doctor and I asked if she really needed it.  If she doesn't I may move up the time table for the oh so important appointment.

Mine needed it and from what I can tell you need 2 for surgery.

My endo needed it too. As far as SRS you generally need two letters or both signing on to one letter has sometimes been done in the past.
Mariah

Quote from: awilliams1701 on March 23, 2015, 05:00:10 PM
Mine needed it and from what I can tell you need 2 for surgery.

Quote from: awilliams1701 on March 23, 2015, 05:00:10 PM
Mine needed it and from what I can tell you need 2 for surgery.

Mine said that I need her for surgery but not HRT

I was able to move up my appt two weeks!!

So excited.  My one therapist will write the letter just in case.

From what I am seeing in the area I live in(Hou TX) informed consent seems to be what most do. I start HRT with my OB/GYN on informed consent, now I am with a Endo from Baylor and he didn't ask for any letter. Just asked if I was seeing a therapist or not. Said I wasn't at the moment, and he just advised that it is best to see a therapist.