So i'm 15 and I have 2 letters/referrals giving me the go ahead to start testosterone but I can't find an endocrinologist who will "treat" someone under 16. I live in Ohio near Warren. Can a general practitioner (GP) give me testosterone? Or am I going to have to wait? I know it's not the long but still  

I was already 18 by the time I knew I was trans and started hormones, so I don't have any personal experience/anecdotes, but usually HRT is not given to people under the age of 16. Usually. If anything, minors are usually thrown on hormone blockers until they're 16-18, depending on whether they can acquire their parent/guardian's consent.

Also, don't look at the therapist's letters as the be-all, end-all approval for HRT. Think of them as confirmation that you're of sound mind to know that you want HRT and are mentally capable of handling it, but it's a doctor's duty to determine whether you physically qualify. The same goes for top surgery letters—your therapist may determine that you're mentally ready to handle that commitment, but if the surgeons in your area require you to wait until you're a year on HRT to get it, then that's out of the therapist's hands. It's pretty difficult to force a doctor's hand, especially as a minor.

All this being said, keep trying, maybe you'll find someone willing to monitor your health under HRT and grant you a prescription for T. 

Quote from: AndrewB on July 07, 2015, 12:25:25 AM
Also, don't look at the therapist's letters as the be-all, end-all approval for HRT. Think of them as confirmation that you're of sound mind to know that you want HRT and are mentally capable of handling it, but it's a doctor's duty to determine whether you physically qualify.

I know :/ it's just that my counselor said he took people 14 and up. So i'm a little disappointed and frustrated. I was so close.

There is a doctor that prescribes hormones right in Warren. That many of our NE Ohio community uses without going to Cleveland. http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_James_A_Nichols.html I'm not sure on his age requirements but those two letters will help.

Have you been to any TransAlive support meetings held in Akron?

Quote from: Alexthecat on July 07, 2015, 01:00:16 AM
There is a doctor that prescribes hormones right in Warren. That many of our NE Ohio community uses without going to Cleveland. http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_James_A_Nichols.html I'm not sure on his age requirements but those two letters will help.

Have you been to any TransAlive support meetings held in Akron?

He's the first one that told us age 16 :[ I see why that age restriction is there but still

Quote from: acidonangles on July 07, 2015, 12:50:10 AM
I know :/ it's just that my counselor said he took people 14 and up. So i'm a little disappointed and frustrated. I was so close.

Your counselor likely said he took kids 14+ because everyone deserves help, and transgender youth without the help it needs can lead to pretty sad instances, such as self-destruction. Like I said, the counselor/therapist can take on whoever he wants, it doesn't mean the physician has a legal obligation to respond with the treatment approved by the therapist. My friend went through something similar with depression while living on an air force base, as she had trouble finding a base therapist or psychiatrist that would attempt treating an adolescent with meds; teenage brain and body chemistry can be unpredictable, especially prepubescent. I'd start asking for hormone blockers, not T, if you exhaust all your resources for getting T.