I'm looking for trans friendly Chicago area endocrinologists.  Preferably in the western suburbs.  I know about the Howard Brown Center in the city, but at my age, I'd prefer to have an endo monitor me.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also looking for another opinion regarding weight and HRT.  My plan was to lose a bunch of weight and start HRT at the end of the year.  I'm doing good, 35+ lbs lost but I'm still above 300 lbs.  Would it be better to get down around 250 before I start HRT or should I just start when I'm mentally ready and just keep working on the weight loss?  I know it's harder on HRT, but I also know my ultimate goal is to get under 200lbs and I know that might take years.  And I'm okay with that.  I'm thinking long term.

Thanks!

Dr. Ettner in Lincolnwood.  I know at least one person who goes to him, and I'll be going there next month.  He's supposedly very well known, and very good - the office staff is very abrasive over the phone, though.

If you can't go to him or don't want to, check Northwestern's medical division.

I'm a patient of Howard Brown and my primary care physician is out of the Aris clinic.  I've been going there since I first came out over eight years ago.  It's not close to me, I live in the far south suburbs.

If you use HB/Aris you will be monitored whether you are under a therapists care or using Trans Hormone Informed Consent (THINC).  Once you start HRT, you will have endo monitoring pretty regularly early on.  But as your body starts to stabilize under the new hormone regimen then the testing will be less often.

I'm sure there are others, but that is just my personal experience.

-Sandy

Thanks, ladies!

Quote from: ChiGirl on May 09, 2015, 10:04:04 PM
Thanks, ladies!

haha, hope everything works out!

Quote from: Ian68 on May 10, 2015, 02:53:06 AM
[emoji23] haha, hope everything works out!

Me too.  I heard good things about Dr Ettner.  And Lincolnwood is my old stomping ground. [emoji2]

Quote from: Ian68 on May 10, 2015, 02:53:06 AM
[emoji23] haha, hope everything works out!

My apologies, Ian. [emoji15] I wasn't really looking WHO responded.  So, thank you, sir! 

Quote from: ChiGirl on May 10, 2015, 01:06:54 PM
My apologies, Ian. [emoji15] I wasn't really looking WHO responded.  So, thank you, sir!

No worries! I only even laughed about it bc other people could be sensitive to it.  No one here would knowingly misgender anyone, and it's an easy mistake given how often I respond in the "MTF forum," where you've probably seen me post before.  I'm not even remotely offended. 

Sorry to hijack this topic

But this is very helpful for me too! I live in the Chicagoland area and I'm seriously considering hormone therapy. My friend recommended Howard Brown, but I keep hearing bad things about it, like how they are negligent, rude and just push pills without caring. Can anyone offer any insight? Or if there are other places I should think about going to?

Thank you

You could have a look here:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,154847.msg1294555.html#msg1294555
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,41983.msg272975.html#msg272975
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,192151.msg1713516.html#msg1713516

Well its up to you...
but remember its a big place... there are a lot of people working there...
and it also depends on you... for example asking for things to be explained...
if you feel someone is rude asking them again, in a nice tone... etc...


hugs

Hi, I ended up at Howard Brown and I'm actually very happy.  I've had nothing but good experiences there.  It's not the warmest environment, but once you get to know some people, they can be very friendly.  They have T Time support groups every 1st & 3rd Monday and on the 1st & 3rd Fridays, they have an After Hours drop in where you can meet people and get info about HRT.  They also have an in-house pharmacy which makes getting your scripts easier. 

Good luck!  And if you have other questions, feel free to pm me.  Or ask them here!

I've only just started, but also travelling to Howard Brown/Aris.  Great experience so far. fun to sneak out in chicago while dressed too.