Hello everyone.

Just some background info.  I'm on anti-androgens, through my endo, for the past 5 months. He has been hesitant to prescribe me full hrt (ie estrogen) since the beginning, suggesting that I go to the CAMH GID clinic first.  I've tried to explain to him that this isn't required. 

I have (not that great quality) letter from a (very terrible) psychiatrist saying that I'm ready.  And I'll have a letter from my (really good, but not a gender specialist) psychologist saying I'm ready as well. 

Unfortunately he's under the impression that I need to to the CAMH first.

I barely convinced him to start me on anti-androgens to begin with, I had to show him a copy of the standards of care (might as well use them when they come in handy) just to get him to at least let me have the anti-androgens.

What I'm hoping is that someone out there has concrete evidence that you do NOT need to go to the CAMH first.  I'm not even in Toronto.

My only argument so far is to show him the guidelines from the Sherbourne clinic (also in Toronto, but doesn't follow the same guidelines as the CAMH, but does give out prescriptions).

Can anybody please help me?  Does anybody have any resources I could show my endocrinologist?  Anything at all?

My appointment is tomorrow afternoon, and I just want to be prepared in the event that he pulls out the stupid pamphlet for the CAMH GID clinic again. 

Thank you so much in advance.

-Floating



P.S.  I just moved this topic from the Transgender Section as I thought it would be more appropriate here.  Opps. ^_^ o.O

Have your psychiatrist or psychologist call him and explain the standards of care to him that is my best advice.

Hi Wendy,

Thank you so much for your response.

What I'm worried about is that the Standards of Care are not canon, they are merely guidelines or suggested procedures.  They are not the "official" procedure.  What I need to find is some way to prove to him that Gender Identity Clinic at the CAMH is NOT the ultimate authority, just merely one of many institutions with their own set of guidelines.   

So I'm hoping that someone knows where I can find some form of official requirements that need to be met in order to begin HRT in Canada.

Again, Wendy, thank you so much for your reply.

And please, anybody else with any information, please post.
Thank you kindly.

-Floating

There are no national requirements for HRT in Canada.  Most provinces have control over most aspects of health care.  I live in Montreal and was raised in Edmonton.  Having said that, stay away from CAMH, there are very few people outside of the CAMH that have anything good to say about it.  The CPATH (Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health) had a meeting here a couple of weeks ago and discussed what kind of requirements should be in place for HRT.  They recommend following the WPATH SOC (http://www.cpath.ca/2010/04/18/national-standards-of-care/)  I also found on the CPATH website (cpath.ca) a document from the Sherbourne Medical Clinic on trans health (http://www.cpath.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Trans-ProtocolsON.pdf).  I know it might be too late for this appointment, but maybe you can use it to your advantage, or my only other suggestion would be to find another endo/GP to monitor the HRT.

Good luck,
jenna!

Jennajane,

Thanks so much for your reply!  Unfortunately I had my appointment yesterday.  I had gathered enough information through various sources.  And you're right, there are no national requirements. 

And I'm aware of the accusations towards the CAMH - I fully intend to not go there.



Anyway, if anybody is interested.  I had to argue, quite vehemently wit my endocrinologist to get a prescription.  From what I can tell it's a pretty low dosage.  I'm going to be looking into it a bit more, and then consider finding a different doctor for a different prescription.

I was recommended a good endo in a city 2 hours away.  I'm going to consider trying to get an appointment with him.

Anyway, thanks everyone who replied!

-Floating