Another T question from me. Sorry guys but I'm just curious how many doctors visits did you have to go to after getting your letter before your doctor started you?

Is it unrealistic to think that my doctor might start me on a low dose after a consult as long as I get my bloodwork done and adjust it once my results come in? I just have enough for a consult and the T. My bloodwork will be covered by the hospital and then they will bill me so that I can pay it off as I am able. I just won't have the cash for a second doctors visit until after middle of January and don't think I can wait that long anymore.

I took my blood work with me on the first visit and got my first shot that same day.

Arch that's awesome! I wish I could do that. I haven't seen a doctor in a while so I didn't have a script to get the tests done and didn't know which tests I would need. It seems each doctor varies in which tests they ask for (which is why I'll be making a point of reminding my doc that I'm self pay and want only the needed tests done).

I went to my consultation, got my prescription for the bloodwork, got my bloodwork and they shipped me my T 3 days later.

I got my blood tests done before getting my T letter, since I didn't want a delay. My therapist faxed the letter to my physician, and that same day I got a physical, signed a consent form, and got my prescription. Because of his schedule, I couldn't see my physician and get my injection until two weeks later, but if his schedule had been free it could have been almost immediately after the T letter.

I went to 3-4 appointments with him before that, he had me read the standards of care and a few studies on the effects of testosterone, talked to my parents about it, answered questions, gave me a courtesy letter, did some quick psych evaluations, and started taking my blood pressure and weight. Itt depends on the doctor, but I don't see why you couldn't get T right after your T letter.

I've skipped the doctor stage? Psych said he okayed me for T - sent the referal to an endo. Just waiting on the endo appointment then I'll get my T.

Quote from: Michael Alexander on December 22, 2010, 10:27:45 AM
Arch that's awesome! I wish I could do that. I haven't seen a doctor in a while so I didn't have a script to get the tests done and didn't know which tests I would need.

Can you call the relevant doctor in advance, and ask him to send/fax/e-mail you a list of blood tests he wants? Then you can bring the results on your first office visit.

Quote from: Tad on December 22, 2010, 01:19:53 PM
I've skipped the doctor stage? Psych said he okayed me for T - sent the referal to an endo. Just waiting on the endo appointment then I'll get my T.

As far as I know, there is no official "doctor stage." I was also referred directly to the endo, but I wanted all of my ducks in a row, just in case. So I saw my GP ten days before my endo appointment, and told him what I was doing. It's good if the endo has pre-T labs to look at before you get your first shot. He can order the labs right then and there, but he won't get the results till later.

Quote from: Arch on December 22, 2010, 01:34:15 PM
As far as I know, there is no official "doctor stage." I was also referred directly to the endo, but I wanted all of my ducks in a row, just in case. So I saw my GP ten days before my endo appointment, and told him what I was doing. It's good if the endo has pre-T labs to look at before you get your first shot. He can order the labs right then and there, but he won't get the results till later.

Yeah I realize i won`t get my shots on first visit to endo. However my endo is 5 hours away.. so that`s also kind of lame. I know from others around here, you get referred to the endo, you go in and do your labs when your appointment comes up, then they`ll call you to tell you whether you`re healthy for T or not - looking at blood sugar levels and whatnot. If you are, you get your T, if you aren`t you don`t.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think it's irresponsible for any doctor to hand you a script for T *without* seeing your blood test results. Most of us are healthy & have no contra-indications for taking testosterone. But if you haven't had your blood drawn within the past year (and for most of us, let's face it, it's been a LOT longer or we've *never* had a blood panel done), you don't know if you do have a problem. I am not aware of any doctors or clinics who will write this prescription without blood work being in first, and if you do find someone who will, I'd find it suspect.

That doesn't mean you have to pay for multiple doctor appointments though. It just means that you should get the blood work ordered up/done BEFORE you see the doctor OR, in the alternative, you should see the doctor, get the blood work taken care of, and then have the dr.'s office write you the script for T without the need for another appointment/visit (you would just have to physically pick up the prescription or have them mail it to you).

I go to an endo who starts everyone off on a really low dose, so on the first appointment she took blood and gave me my script the same day. I gave myself the shot the next day, which means I got a shot before having blood work results. She's never had anyone have any problems doing it this way, and I don't have to see her again for three months. So, I guess some doctors do it like this. It works well if you don't mind waiting FOREVER for any changes to happen 

Quote from: Tad on December 22, 2010, 01:19:53 PM
I've skipped the doctor stage? Psych said he okayed me for T - sent the referal to an endo. Just waiting on the endo appointment then I'll get my T.

same thing here. i saw a gender specialist who works in a hospital, and i just went to get my blood work done there. the appointment i had with the specialist after getting bloodwork she prescribed me T. i had a total of 4 visits with gender specialists in the past year, although the first 2 were with a different doctor. i got much more accomplished with the second one.

I had all of one appointment with the gender psych. That appointment conssisted of meeting with 3 different people though. One doc appointment to get refered there to begin with. Now an appointment with the endo and I shall have my T.

Yeah Tad I am just seeing a GP instead of an endo.

Sean While I agree the low dose thing will most likely happen. Then bloodwork within 1-2 months. Usually if you don't have any previous issues they aren't worried too much because they monitor it shortly after.

Everyone: Well, saw the physicians assistant and just got home. She doesn't know much about trans patients as she's never had one but she was really good about not using pronouns/using male ones and calling me Michael. She said she has to talk it over with the doc. After one of the docs had already said it wouldn't be a problem now they are unsure and I have to wait until he comes in tomorrow to find out if he approves it or if I wasted my money after I was told there would be no issue and will be referred to a specialist. If they approve it then I get a call tomorrow saying yes and can start T. Then do bloodwork within 1-2 months.  Hopefully they'll give me the go ahead.

Hope everything works out for you Michael and you get on T soon.  My counselor told me in the end it's your decision if you wanna get on T, not the doctors. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's what she told me.

Quote from: Dominick_81 on December 22, 2010, 05:23:03 PM
Hope everything works out for you Michael and you get on T soon.  My counselor told me in the end it's your decision if you wanna get on T, not the doctors. I don't know if that's true or not, but that's what she told me.

Thanks Dominick I hope so too. I think the problem is if that doctor hasn't treated a transguy before they won't want to learn how.

Michael, you might make sure your doctor has access to good medical info in advance--gah, I'm coming up blank, but there's that guide to trans man health, a file that you can get online...Nick Gorton, I think. He's an M.D. I'll find the file and send you the link. You can always e-mail it to your doctor, or print it out and send it by snail mail. Maybe that will ease your worries that he'll not want to deal with you--and if he takes a little time to read it, he'll be educated before you see him.

Quote from: Arch on December 22, 2010, 05:44:54 PM
Michael, you might make sure your doctor has access to good medical info in advance--gah, I'm coming up blank, but there's that guide to trans man health, a file that you can get online...Nick Gorton, I think. He's an M.D. I'll find the file and send you the link. You can always e-mail it to your doctor, or print it out and send it by snail mail. Maybe that will ease your worries that he'll not want to deal with you--and if he takes a little time to read it, he'll be educated before you see him.

Similar I'm thinking


http://www.endo-society.org/guidelines/final/upload/Endocrine-Treatment-of-Transsexual-Persons.pdf

Hey, thank you both for the links They are both very helpful.  I wish I could've actually seen the doctor himself today. I don't think I will be seeing him at all though just his assistant I'll make sure to print those out and bring them both in as a reference guide if they approve me. I just don't get how this doctor can decide if I should start T just based on my talk with his physicians assistant. I mean I do already have my psychologist letter giving me the go ahead but I feel like I should've seen him for at least a few minutes. Plus it would've given me time to gauge his decision. I think if he wouldn't have been out of the office I would've seen him for a minute or two though, maybe.

Wow, that's kind of weird, not seeing the doctor. My endo went over my labs, did a physical exam, and interviewed me pretty extensively.