Hello,

I finally took the first step and spoke to my GP regarding my desire to transition MTF, with 'stage one' of the medical treatments being HRT. Although incredibly supportive about the whole situation (she actually said after the Q&A period that it was clear that it was a good decision - and she has been my GP for over 8 years!) she was not comfortable overseeing the process (from a medical perspective only - she actually mentioned she has 3 other trans patients, and will of course remain my GP).

She has asked me to provide a trans friendly endo for her to refer me to, and initial research has provided the following list:

Dr Peter V. Clarke
CREDIT VALLEY PROFESSIONAL
2300 EGLINTON AVE W, SUITE 510
MISSISSAUGA ON L5M 2V8
CANADA
1905 820 9233

Dr. Betty Chan
Endocrinologist
1033 Bay Street, suite 201
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3A5
416-515-7194

Dr. John Goodhew
235 Danforth, #301
Toronto, ON
416 461 2200

Dr. Abraham Hirsz
2401 Yonge Street
Suite 209
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 440-8876

Dr. Jerald Bain
Mt.Sinai Hospital
(416) 586-4436

Dr Jossee
ST MICHAEL'S HOSPITAL
30 BOND ST
TORONTO ON M5B 1W8
CANADA
http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/

Dr. Clarke was my first choice, based primarily on location and a review I came across, but my GP was fairly sure he had moved his clinic out to Georgetown.

My next choice is leaning towards Dr. Jossee, but before I make any decisions I was hoping for some input from the community.

Can anyone provide any feedback regarding a good endo in the Toronto (Ontario, Canada) area?

Thanks so much!!!!
-Gwen

P.S. - the Sherbourne Clinic is now up to 2 years for their waiting list!

Quote from: Gwenhyvar on September 26, 2010, 02:58:32 PM
P.S. - the Sherbourne Clinic is now up to 2 years for their waiting list!

And I've heard they're no longer even accepting anyone new for the waiting list... they've effectively got a waiting list for the waiting list.     Not that they'd be an option for me anyway, since I'm outside the City Of Toronto...

Thanks a lot for those endos I'll need them in the future. What do we need to bring to the endo though? A referral from a GP, therapist's/counsellor's letter for HRT, or anything at all? I've always been wondering how the endo plays into the transition process.

Quote from: Meepit on September 26, 2010, 04:36:11 PM
Thanks a lot for those endos I'll need them in the future. What do we need to bring to the endo though? A referral from a GP, therapist's/counsellor's letter for HRT, or anything at all? I've always been wondering how the endo plays into the transition process.

I'm not sure there is an official 'list' of requirements as such. My doctor did not seem to think I needed counseling based on our talk, and I have heard of people getting an official prescription for HRT without a letter. I think it depends on your situation and level of support (although if someone knows for sure please enlighten us!).

I'm going in with only the referral, and suppose I will find out more when I get there. I will be posting updates, so stay tuned!
-Gwen

Quote from: Colleen Ireland on September 26, 2010, 03:01:57 PM
And I've heard they're no longer even accepting anyone new for the waiting list... they've effectively got a waiting list for the waiting list.     Not that they'd be an option for me anyway, since I'm outside the City Of Toronto...

I did speak with the Sherbourne Clinic, and they were VERY nice and VERY helpful. They mentioned that their doctors are GP's and not endo's, and that if your GP was comfortable with it they actually had a very detailed guide for both patients and doctors to get started on HRT. There is a link to it on their main page... look for:

Guidelines and Protocols for Comprehensive Primary Health Care for Trans Clients

It is a pdf, although hard copy is available for a fee, and I did not link it as it has specifics regarding dosages which I believe is against the rules for the forum. It seems pretty comprehensive, and if your GP has some experience with monitoring hormone levels it should be enough to get them started. (or is that get them get you started?) ;-)

Back to my original request however, can anyone recommend a good, trans friendly Endo in the GTA?
-Gwen

Check out Rainbow Health Ontario:

http://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/home.cfm

I think you can search for LGBT friendly providers there.

I think I remember SaraR (sorry if I've got the wrong person) recommending Dr. Goodhew on your list.

Small update for those interested... just got a call from my GP saying that my referral to Dr. Josse was declined. No reason given. I updated the tVox site I received his contact info from to reflect this
http://www.t-vox.org/index.php?title=Endocrinologists#Ontario

Looks like I will try Dr. Goodhew next. Wish me luck.

-Gwen
*frustrated and upset at how slow this is going*

If I had gone to Dr. Betty Chan, I would have had my electrologist, laser tech, and endo in the same building, with 2 on the same floor.

Hey I was wondering if that phone number listed for Dr. John Goodhew is correct or updated because when I google his name this number comes up: (416) 463-6929. Does anyone know which one is correct? Thank you.

This may seem a bit circuitous, but ask your doctor, as they have access to a database of all doctors for the purpose of communication and referrals.

Ack! I believe the 416 461 2200 number is correct, since I called and spoke his receptionist, but my memory is horrid  so I may have looked it up again and used the other one! Very friendly, but also very busy... The receptionist was fairly sure Dr. Goodhew was not accepting any new patients, and after a quick check it was confirmed. Another dead end...

-Gwen

Quote from: Colleen Ireland on September 26, 2010, 03:01:57 PM
And I've heard they're no longer even accepting anyone new for the waiting list... they've effectively got a waiting list for the waiting list.     Not that they'd be an option for me anyway, since I'm outside the City Of Toronto...

That's rather disheartening to hear. I've been waiting so long to be able to move Toronto from Thunder Bay, in order to get into Sherbourne clinic and get evaluated for HRT, and now that I a month and a half away from finishing school and moving down south, I find out it has a 2 year waiting list.

Take heart, Rachel - you don't need Sherbourne (or CAMH, either) to access HRT.  I found a great gender therapist in my area (well, not too far away), and I've been seeing her since Sept. 8 - we've had 6 sessions so far.  I have a particular endo in mind, someone who was recommended to me by my trans friends/mentors.  So I recently heard he has an 8-month waiting list, and so when I saw my therapist this past Tuesday, I asked her to write my HRT letter so I could get on his list asap.  She's already written it, emailed me a copy to check for errors/omissions, and I'll have it in hardcopy week after next when I next see her.  Then I'll take it to my GP, and get him to refer me to the endo.  Then... wait.  Okay, the wait may be months, but I'm waiting until I get the "official" word from CAMH anyway, which is at this point about 3 months away, so then the wait after that won't be too long, and maybe there'll be a cancellation and I might get in sooner.  Anyway, all you need is a letter from a therapist, and an understanding doctor.  I'll contact you by PM if you want, and give you some names I've gotten from Sherbourne (Gender Journeys workshop)...

Quote from: Colleen Ireland on November 20, 2010, 05:53:32 PM
Take heart, Rachel - you don't need Sherbourne (or CAMH, either) to access HRT.  I found a great gender therapist in my area (well, not too far away), and I've been seeing her since Sept. 8 - we've had 6 sessions so far.  I have a particular endo in mind, someone who was recommended to me by my trans friends/mentors.  So I recently heard he has an 8-month waiting list, and so when I saw my therapist this past Tuesday, I asked her to write my HRT letter so I could get on his list asap.  She's already written it, emailed me a copy to check for errors/omissions, and I'll have it in hardcopy week after next when I next see her.  Then I'll take it to my GP, and get him to refer me to the endo.  Then... wait.  Okay, the wait may be months, but I'm waiting until I get the "official" word from CAMH anyway, which is at this point about 3 months away, so then the wait after that won't be too long, and maybe there'll be a cancellation and I might get in sooner.  Anyway, all you need is a letter from a therapist, and an understanding doctor.  I'll contact you by PM if you want, and give you some names I've gotten from Sherbourne (Gender Journeys workshop)...

That's brighter news to hear. I don't have a doctor or a therapist down there yet, since I'm not moving until the end of December, but I'm sure it will be more realistic wait list than Sherbourne's (And I shudder at the thought of CAHM, though I haven't completely disregarded it as an option yet.)  If you can give me any names or phone numbers that would be great. Right now I sort of feel at a dead end, so I can use all the information I can get.

I'll get you some info, Rachel, don't worry.  As I said, HRT is relatively easy to access.  As for surgery, well, if you think that's an option for the future, and you want it covered by OHIP, better get yourself a referral to CAMH ASAP.  At present, the ONLY way to get OHIP coverage is to go through the CAMH program.  I got my doctor to refer me last July, got the intake package in late August, mailed it to them Sept. 3, and my assessment appointment is Jan 11 (just got the letter last week).  So it takes a while, so get going.  You want to be IN the program if you can before the conservatives get elected, trust me.  Otherwise, Thailand may be your best bet...

I have heard nothing but negative reviews in regards to CAMH, so it came as a surprise when the Endo I settled on recommended a specific doctor there quite highly.

I am in the process of filling out the intake package, but am admittedly nervous to have anything to do with them... perhaps why I haven't gotten around to tackling the questionnaire. The package also clearly states that hormones would not be approved without living full time for a minimum of one year as the 'opposite gender'. These requirements are archaic to say the least. Has anyone had a positive experience at CAMH?

Either way, it looks like I might do something with CAMH at a later date, but there is no way I am willing to meet their requirements before hormones!

Colleen, if you would be willing to share the name of your therapist with me I would be grateful. In fact, if anyone knows of an MTF friendly therapist willing to write a letter of recommendation I would greatly appreciate it! I have booked my appointment with the endo for March, but need to bring a referral letter from a therapist for HRT.

Thanks!
-Gwen

Quote from: Colleen Ireland on November 21, 2010, 01:54:56 PM
I'll get you some info, Rachel, don't worry.  As I said, HRT is relatively easy to access.  As for surgery, well, if you think that's an option for the future, and you want it covered by OHIP, better get yourself a referral to CAMH ASAP.  At present, the ONLY way to get OHIP coverage is to go through the CAMH program.  I got my doctor to refer me last July, got the intake package in late August, mailed it to them Sept. 3, and my assessment appointment is Jan 11 (just got the letter last week).  So it takes a while, so get going.  You want to be IN the program if you can before the conservatives get elected, trust me.  Otherwise, Thailand may be your best bet...

Thanks a bunch, Colleen! Yeah, SRS is the only reason that I'm still considering going to CAMH. I do believe my doctor has referred me to them already, but I haven't heard anything from them yet.

Quote from: Gwenhyvar on November 22, 2010, 11:21:04 AM
I have heard nothing but negative reviews in regards to CAMH, so it came as a surprise when the Endo I settled on recommended a specific doctor there quite highly.

I am in the process of filling out the intake package, but am admittedly nervous to have anything to do with them... perhaps why I haven't gotten around to tackling the questionnaire. The package also clearly states that hormones would not be approved without living full time for a minimum of one year as the 'opposite gender'. These requirements are archaic to say the least. Has anyone had a positive experience at CAMH?

Either way, it looks like I might do something with CAMH at a later date, but there is no way I am willing to meet their requirements before hormones!

Colleen, if you would be willing to share the name of your therapist with me I would be grateful. In fact, if anyone knows of an MTF friendly therapist willing to write a letter of recommendation I would greatly appreciate it! I have booked my appointment with the endo for March, but need to bring a referral letter from a therapist for HRT.

Thanks!
-Gwen

Yeah, 1 year of a real life experience just to get on hormones is ridiculous, to say the least. There is no way I'm enduring that, especially when I know that they are going to try to make me feel like I have some kind of mental illness and attempt to convince me that I am a man, when I've known my whole life that I am not. For SRS I would consider, as I really don't have a lot of other options, but not for HRT. I'll go elsewhere.

There is one therapist that I found online, and have contacted for more information (though I'm still waiting to hear back from him). His name is Hershel Russell, and he's actually transgendered, himself, so I feel that I would be more comfortable opening up to him, since he's walked in similar shoes as me. On his website he states that he is certified to assess people for HRT, and that he has written letters of recommendation for hormones. His website is hersheltoronto.ca .