Heya,

Just wondering how many tests you need to have done when on T?  Like how many times did you need to go to the doctor when beginning T and how many do you go to once established on T?

Cheers

Dexter

Hi Dexter this is Yeti, (Garrett),
Well I saw the Endo twice before getting my prescription.  First appt. we talked over general health issues and knowledge about if I knew what was going to happen.  Also the blood work was ordered.  Lots of tests are needed to make sure your blood is healthy and so is the rest of you.  Once those were back and I saw the doctor again the prescription was written.  If you don't have good instructions on self injections pm me for a medical link with great ones.  Some Doc's will teach some won't.  Now I've only had my second dose and will have my third appointment soon.  Appointments all depend on you and your Doc.  Your physiology and the dosage itself need to be monitored and adjusted.  There really is no concrete answer for that part of the question.  Some guys come across various issues and either chat with friends, put it on tube, etc. or some just call the Doc which I personally vote for that's what they are there for.  That might add to your appointments.  Just leave it in the air as to how many but follow whatever scheduled regimen your Doctor and yourself come up with.  Being an active part of your own HRT is not a bad thing at all.  Sometimes we need to advocate.  In the aspect you do not like your Doctor don't just stick with them unless you have to.  Find one you like and can communicate with without problems.  That is also important as far as how many visits.  My first Endo seemed great and I have no complaints until the part of her office didn't answer phones for anything, didn't return messages when left, wouldn't try to get my T pre authorization and then here's your prescription and two blood draw slips and come back in three months.  "What if I need to see you before three months time?"  Oh the ER can handle anything and they'll take care of you."  I got a new endo and he has better answers for questions and has seen FTM's before where the other hadn't.  Good luck with the new you!

My endo specializes in trans medicine, and he really knew the drill.  I got a T prescription at my first appointment.

Quote from: Utterly Confused on February 28, 2018, 04:27:54 AM
Just wondering how many tests you need to have done when on T?  Like how many times did you need to go to the doctor when beginning T and how many do you go to once established on T?

When you first start out, how many times you go in will probably depend on your doctor. Some will play it safer than others and want you in more often. Probably also going to depend on your overall health and the initial blood test results. If you have any other health concerns expect they will monitor you more closely to begin with as well. But ideally you're going to want to have blood drawn every 2-3 months the first year following your start date.

This will help the doctor figure out what dose is right for you, when you need to change it, etc. It will also give them an idea of how your blood cells will change on T. As you reach the T range the doctor wants you at, and your levels become stable, and there are no issues with your CBC or liver, the doctor will likely reduce the number of times you have to have blood drawn.

But you will have to have blood drawn to check your T levels (and CBC, liver function, etc etc) yearly for the rest of your life. Fair warning. I have to have my thyroid tested yearly so i'm going to plan to do it all at once.

It's best to go to an endocrinologist with trans experience, so they can discuss all this with you at your consult appointment. They will also go over all the potential side effects to make sure that you're aware of them. To get into an endocrinologist for T you'll more than likely need a referral from a therapist. If you don't have a therapist or there is no endocrinologist that will see you for HRT, the next best option is some sort of gender clinic. Some may have therapists on staff to give referrals or may operate on informed consent (no therapist but will go over the side effects before prescribing).

Some guys go to their GP, or to a clinic like Planned Parenthood. Not all GPs will prescribe HRT, not all Planned Parenthood clinics will either. When going this route be cautious and make sure the prescribing doctor knows what they're doing. I've heard from a few guys that went these routes and where never told they had to do follow up blood work.

I went to a clinic that is run by an endocrinologist who is trans experienced. I see his PA, for the most part, but i've met and spoken to him as well. My first visit with the PA was a good 30 minutes long and we discussed the pros/cons, what i was looking forward to, what i wasn't, my concerns, etc. I have a clotting disorder and he reviewed my charts from my hematologist and consulted with the Dr who said it was fine per the hematologists notes and his experience. We discussed how i was going to keep an eye on my blood cell counts and what to do if they got too high. He wrote me the script at the end of that appointment pending my blood work results. A week later I had to go back in to review those results and a nurse showed me how to inject (i do subQ). I've been back twice since (i just hit my six month mark btw) and had my dose changed both times - i go back again in May and we're hoping i won't have to change the dose, if things are well i won't have to go back again until September/October.

Good luck!

I had one battery of blood tests at the GP prior to getting signed off on T, one blood draw filling about 5 or 6 vials. Was to test for everything from liver function to natural hormone levels to RBC count. Since it all came back ok, got the T, then there were blood tests every 2-3 months for the first year, then it's supposed to be every 6 months after for the next, then yearly if everything is ok after that permanently.

I've noticed it's a bit different for everyone, perhaps depending on the country and even the doctor/endo and what type of T you're on. But for me, when I first was to start taking T they tested my levels prior, which for me were abnormal cause I was self-medding. Which I stopped before I got the prescribed T, but still had it in my system so it showed up on the tests. I was honest about that. They gave me a moral preach about it but it didn't affect that I could still get the prescribed T.

After starting T I got tests done again after about 6 months. Then after that I've done tests usually once a year, except from when I had some issues then it was twice a year for a while to make sure it was fine. It's usually 4 vials of blood drawn, and they check T levels, cholesterol, red blood cells, white blood cells, liver values and a bunch of other stuff I don't keep track of. They rarely ever check my E levels. I always have to be fasting 12 hours prior to getting the blood drawn, and it has to be done between 8 and 10 am on the day, and as close as possible before a next shot. I take my shots once every 14th week, so that requires a bit of timing. I'm on Nebido.

Then I have a meeting with my endo a couple of weeks after the blood tests are drawn (takes some time to get them analysed) and endo usually checks my blood pressure and heart rate which is simple and quick. And then we discuss the results from the blood tests and how things are going with the T for me and if some adjustments with the dose/frequency needs to be done.

My endo is not specialised in trans stuff but she knows some and is very professional, always helpful, kind and caring. I've had 3 different endo's since I started T though, but they've all been good at what they do and respectful. I live on a small island that doesn't have any specialised trans health care, so I do what I can with what's available here. For surgery and when I saw a gender therapist I had/have to travel to the main land. I don't see a gender therapist anymore, just a regular one.