I have reached out to the Mazzoni Clinic in Philadelphia. It claims to be an "affordable" route for transitioning for adolescents.
Here is their website: https://www.mazzonicenter.org/health-care/trans-care/trans-clinical-care-services

My question is, are all clinics the same? Will I get the same results on HRT through Mazzoni as opposed to someone else?

It seems too good to be true, especially considering the very low price ranges they gave for HRT. They even said that I don't need a separate psychiatric evaluation to start HRT. I just have to show up to three sessions and I will get a prescription.

They do have physicians and nurse practitioners in their clinic though.

I imagine every clinic has its similarities and differences.

The results you get on HRT won't always be down to the clinic - most of it is about how your body responds to the hormone treatment. And you won't really know how well that is going for at least six to eighteen months.

I'm pretty sure there's some really significant differences; some really good and others unfortunately not.

The really important question is what about ones you can access? Which I don't know, as I don't live in there. My one's great, in Sydney...

I think it helps to put the area/clinic in the title of the post so people who do know might see it and respond.

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 21, 2016, 06:21:42 PM
I imagine every clinic has its similarities and differences.

The results you get on HRT won't always be down to the clinic - most of it is about how your body responds to the hormone treatment. And you won't really know how well that is going for at least six to eighteen months.

I am 18 and still growing. There are new stretch marks on my hips which probably means my bones aren't done growing yet. I imagine that this will allow my hips to widen with HRT, so i'm just concerned about getting the best HRT possible before my growth plates close!

What specific hormone tablets are the best for young people like me?

Quote from: AnonyMs on January 21, 2016, 06:26:35 PM
I'm pretty sure there's some really significant differences; some really good and others unfortunately not.

The really important question is what about ones you can access? Which I don't know, as I don't live in there. My one's great, in Sydney...

I think it helps to put the area/clinic in the title of the post so people who do know might see it and respond.

I can access many different clinics but my health insurance does not cover HRT so it will be expensive. With Mazzoni in Philadelphia, I'm able to get HRT without spending tons of money.

I'm still under my parents' money so I can't spend at will on HRT

Try this in google

    Mazzoni Clinic Philadelphia site:susans.org

You can search though the site's search function, but I never have much luck with that.

Stretch marks can be caused by skeletal growth but they are more likely to be due to weight gain/loss. You might get some hip growth on HRT at that age but it's probably not likely, remember that cis gender puberty includes a lot more hormones than just the sex related ones trans people take.

As to appropriate hormones, you'll have to discuss that with the clinic. At 18 the type of medication is probably going to be determined more by a number of factors including your health and fitness instead of your age.

I have actual experience dealing with various LGBT clinics in this area.

Yes they are slightly different. However they mostly follow the same guidelines. They pretty much collaborate and share ideas on how to make things better. I have the inside track on a few things at my clinic (mt Sinai/Beth Israel NYC) but I'm not sure I'm at liberty to disclose. Let's just say that some of these organizations are working to make everything more accessible to everyone regardless of income and also help those with insurance who might otherwise be navigating a nightmare.

As far as protocols go for hormones and treatment and informed consent they generally follow standard guidelines based on WPATH guidelines. Callen-Lorde in NYC has been a major driver of informed consent and it was developed their protocol in conjunction with major clinics such as Fenway, Howard brown and Mazzoni. So all of them pretty much follow the same protocol.

http://callen-lorde.org/transhealth/

Long story short - if you go to one of these places you will be well taken care of.

As for it being too cheap to be true, they are funded by donations and they get funding as a community health center catering to an underserved community. They bill sliding scale to help out low income people and people without insurance. They are informed consent which basically means - you're an adult, you are presented with the risks, you acknowledge and sign and you get treatment. There is little, almost no gatekeeping. I do informed consent through mt Sinai Beth Israel.

Quote from: richie on January 21, 2016, 06:52:43 PM
I can access many different clinics but my health insurance does not cover HRT so it will be expensive. With Mazzoni in Philadelphia, I'm able to get HRT without spending tons of money.

I'm still under my parents' money so I can't spend at will on HRT

Another option to consider is that if you're going to take pills the big box stores like Walmart and target sell estrogen for $4 and $10 depending on how many you need. It's as good as estrogen obtained anywhere else.

Quote from: iKate on January 21, 2016, 07:25:46 PM
I have actual experience dealing with various LGBT clinics in this area.

Yes they are slightly different. However they mostly follow the same guidelines. They pretty much collaborate and share ideas on how to make things better. I have the inside track on a few things at my clinic (mt Sinai/Beth Israel NYC) but I'm not sure I'm at liberty to disclose. Let's just say that some of these organizations are working to make everything more accessible to everyone regardless of income and also help those with insurance who might otherwise be navigating a nightmare.

As far as protocols go for hormones and treatment and informed consent they generally follow standard guidelines based on WPATH guidelines. Callen-Lorde in NYC has been a major driver of informed consent and it was developed their protocol in conjunction with major clinics such as Fenway, Howard brown and Mazzoni. So all of them pretty much follow the same protocol.

http://callen-lorde.org/transhealth/

Long story short - if you go to one of these places you will be well taken care of.

As for it being too cheap to be true, they are funded by donations and they get funding as a community health center catering to an underserved community. They bill sliding scale to help out low income people and people without insurance. They are informed consent which basically means - you're an adult, you are presented with the risks, you acknowledge and sign and you get treatment. There is little, almost no gatekeeping. I do informed consent through mt Sinai Beth Israel.

Thank you so much for the helpful advice! As long as I transition safely and get the same results as a more "expensive" clinic, I'm happy

Quote from: richie on January 21, 2016, 07:38:25 PM
Thank you so much for the helpful advice! As long as I transition safely and get the same results as a more "expensive" clinic, I'm happy

You mean going to a regular endo? Honestly they are worse than going to an LGBT specialty clinic because most endos don't know about Trans care. Occasionally there may be one or two but they are the exception rather than the rule. Most of them are accustomed to treating diabetics rather than Transgender patients.

Something to consider as well - if you have insurance consider doing your primary care through the clinic. I get all of my primary care taken care of by the same doctors and nurse practitioner that deal with my hormones. There is no back and forth as they are in control of everything. And my health has benefited greatly. It also means all my care is covered by insurance so all I pay is the $15 copay.

Quote from: iKate on January 21, 2016, 07:51:01 PM
You mean going to a regular endo? Honestly they are worse than going to an LGBT specialty clinic because most endos don't know about Trans care. Occasionally there may be one or two but they are the exception rather than the rule. Most of them are accustomed to treating diabetics rather than Transgender patients.

Something to consider as well - if you have insurance consider doing your primary care through the clinic. I get all of my primary care taken care of by the same doctors and nurse practitioner that deal with my hormones. There is no back and forth as they are in control of everything. And my health has benefited greatly. It also means all my care is covered by insurance so all I pay is the $15 copay.

I'll take note! Thank you. I'm definitely sticking to Mazzoni in Philly then.