Hi, I really need help. I went to this doctor in orlando florida and thought he worked with transgender issues like HRT and all that stuff. He said he was willing to help me and then 2 weeks later he said he couldn't. I went there today and he basically told me that it was illegal for him to prescribe testosterone to a female and he couldn't do that. But he said he could prescribe estrogen if I was a male to female. And I don't understand because if it is sooo illegal then why are there so many FTMs on the internet that I found that has successfully got on testosterone and transitioned?

He told me that I would have to go out of the country to do it or buy testosterone online. I wouldn't want to buy it online because I'm not a doctor. I don't know what dose I should put myself on and I don't want to mess myself up. It's better to go to a doctor that handles these issues well. I've tried looking for information on doctors in florida that do HRT but I couldn't find anything. I want something that can take my insurance. I have aetna hmo. I did find a doctor called Robert M Faber but he didn't accept my plan of aetna HMO. The doctor I went to said that it's usually out of pocket if you go to a doctor.

Can anyone please help? Thank you. I'm looking for a doctor or endocrinologist in orlando florida or around that area. I searched everywhere and couldn't find anything.

Quote from: andrews49 on September 06, 2013, 05:05:41 PM
Hi, I really need help. I went to this doctor in orlando florida and thought he worked with transgender issues like HRT and all that stuff. He said he was willing to help me and then 2 weeks later he said he couldn't. I went there today and he basically told me that it was illegal for him to prescribe testosterone to a female and he couldn't do that. But he said he could prescribe estrogen if I was a male to female. And I don't understand because if it is sooo illegal then why are there so many FTMs on the internet that I found that has successfully got on testosterone and transitioned?

He told me that I would have to go out of the country to do it or buy testosterone online. I wouldn't want to buy it online because I'm not a doctor. I don't know what dose I should put myself on and I don't want to mess myself up. It's better to go to a doctor that handles these issues well. I've tried looking for information on doctors in florida that do HRT but I couldn't find anything. I want something that can take my insurance. I have aetna hmo. I did find a doctor called Robert M Faber but he didn't accept my plan of aetna HMO. The doctor I went to said that it's usually out of pocket if you go to a doctor.

Can anyone please help? Thank you. I'm looking for a doctor or endocrinologist in orlando florida or around that area. I searched everywhere and couldn't find anything.

There is Dr. Barry in Orlando. Did you try her? My friend goes to her.

Quote from: androidnick on September 06, 2013, 06:19:51 PM
The reality is you might have to travel. That was going to be my only option because I live in a worse area than Orlando. I live in a super conservative part of Florida. However, this is what I did. Sometimes you aren't going to find things online. I called my local Planned Parenthood and they actually have a referral list. There was a doctor 15 minutes away that in 2 years of research I did, I never would have found. And he isn't even an endocrinologist. He is a surgeon. So I got super lucky. He doesn't take insurance but that's fine because I have a job and I live at home. My first visit was 200. It included his own assessment, and the shot of T. I'm going to see if at any point he will give me a prescription so I can do the shots at home because it is a tad ridiculous to pay 100 bucks every time I see him. But whatever. I'll see how it goes. I don't want to seem too pushy with him especially since it hasn't even been a month. But yeah, I will pay 100 bucks the next visit.
If you need help with anything, just message me or whatever. I live in Florida and I know how crappy it can be.

Thank you so much for the information. I'm going to be calling my local planned parenthood soon and see what happens and what they say. If I have any more questions I'll be sure to go to you.

Quote from: Darrin Scott on September 07, 2013, 11:32:07 AM
There is Dr. Barry in Orlando. Did you try her? My friend goes to her.

I looked her up and I don't think she accepts my insurance. I don't really have alot of money so I can't pay out of pocket. But I'll ask around planned parenthood and ask my therapist for some recomendations.

If you live anywhere near Jacksonville you should look up "Jacksonville Center for Reproductive Medicine" thats where I go and they are great about transgender. The entire staff is respectful and asks what name and gender you would like in their charts and call you by your chosen name. I don't know what insurance they take as I had to paid out of pocket not having insurance in the state, but even then they are really affordable.

So, still no luck. I talked to my therapist today and he didn't know any doctors in my area that worked with FTM patients to get testosterone. I even called the planned parenthood close to me and they couldn't provide any help. I can't travel to another state or pay out of pocket for a doctor that doesn't accept my insurance.

Planned Parenthood?? I've heard you should CALL and not never drop by.

--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on September 26, 2013, 10:30:57 PM
Planned Parenthood?? I've heard you should CALL and not never drop by.

--Jay

Yeah, I know. I did call them and they couldn't help me. Some Planned Parenthood places do hormones but mine didn't and they didn't give me any resources. It's the only one close to me.

Just called Dr. Brenda Barry's office and she does do hormone therapy for FTMs. But the first initial appointment is 200 dollars. Then for injections its usually 65-100 dollars. The lady said she stays in the 65 dollar range. I wish they accepted insurance because it said that on their website and the appointment is too expensive. But the injections don't seem that bad. At least I have some hope.

Are you able to get to gainsville? I went to a Doc in Gainsville and paid $80 or so for the first appointment and got my T through Stroheckers and injected myself. If you're interested, I can PM you information.

$143 per month for hormone injections!!!!!!  I pay $11.81 on average per month. Learn to self inject and save yourself one hell of a load of cash. A first visit with blood work outside of insurance can be mighty pricey so I would expect a larger bill than $200 once you pay for the visit and lab work.

Quote from: Darrin Scott on September 30, 2013, 10:30:14 AM
Are you able to get to gainsville? I went to a Doc in Gainsville and paid $80 or so for the first appointment and got my T through Stroheckers and injected myself. If you're interested, I can PM you information.

I'm not able to go to gainseville. That's 1 hour and 55 mins from me and I don't have a car so my parents drive me anywhere and they would not go there just for a doctors appointment.

EDIT: I would like some information though and I PMed you.

Quote from: LordKAT on September 30, 2013, 10:31:24 AM
$143 per month for hormone injections!!!!!!  I pay $11.81 on average per month. Learn to self inject and save yourself one hell of a load of cash. A first visit with blood work outside of insurance can be mighty pricey so I would expect a larger bill than $200 once you pay for the visit and lab work.

I've seen alot of self injection videos on youtube and researched it all and I think I would be able to do it. I just want to find a doctor I can work with so they can check my hormone levels and see if everythings right and if I have the right dose and all of that.

I'm guessing that everything is out of pocket if you want to get hormone therapy because the 2 doctors I called did not accept insurance. I guess they put they accept insurance on their site for other things and not hrt.

Used Jacksonville Center for Reproductive Medicine and maybe I'm just cheap, but nearly $500 just for an HRT consultation is anything but affordable. This didn't include the bloodwork, physical, t prescription or anything else.

In Florida do you need to see a therapist in order to get approval to get T? Is there any shortcuts? I'm so lost on the process

Quote from: ajenk24 on March 05, 2016, 01:02:47 PM
In Florida do you need to see a therapist in order to get approval to get T? Is there any shortcuts? I'm so lost on the process

States don't make the rules, individual doctors do. The majority of the time, a doctor will want a mental health referral. But it really depends what kinds of resources are around. Ultimately a medical doctor is giving you a prescription to get testosterone, and some of them want a mental health referral and some do not.

If there are LGBTQ resources/clinics/support groups around, those are a good place to ask. The phrase you are looking for is "informed consent HRT". You could also try calling endocrinologists and asking. Planned Parenthood locations sometimes offer HRT. If there are no LGBTQ resources nearby, I would call your nearest PP and see if they offer it or know another location that does.

I know this post was started in 2013, but wanted to add my Dr. here for reference.

I live in polk County

Dr Hana Clements in Lakeland, she has many transgender patients she cares for FTM and MTF.
I have been going to her since 2012 and 110% pleased with her as both, my general and hormone Dr.

She is very proactive with the treatment and is ready to get your letters for name change or surgeries when you're at that point.

hope this helps others

Quote from: Darrin Scott on September 30, 2013, 10:30:14 AM
Are you able to get to gainsville? I went to a Doc in Gainsville and paid $80 or so for the first appointment and got my T through Stroheckers and injected myself. If you're interested, I can PM you information.

I know this topic is way old, but I do live close to gainesville and was wondering if you (or anyone with the info) could point me in the right direction. I found this thread through a google search and made a profile specifically to look into it, but my account is brand new and therefore, I can't PM anybody yet. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to Susan's Place. A little searching turned up a couple of links you might want to look at. Be careful with the second link as often transgender treatment means they took a class in it. You will want to ask how many transgender patients they have treated and what their policy on writing letters is because at some point you may need letters for treatment. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

http://gainesvillepride.org

https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_detail.php?profid=232603&sid=1480868787.9886_7766&city=Gainesville&county=Alachua&state=FL&spec=187&ref=1&tr=ResultsProfileBtn

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