So...I got my "permission slip" for HRT a while ago, but something about the episode's been bugging me. When I visited my doctor, I was wondering how we'd get started. All he basically did was write me a script for estradiol and sprionolactone and tell me to visit him in three months. I asked about monitoring my blood hormone levels and he said it was unnecessary and he didn't really intend to start on my next visit. I ask my therapist about it my next visit and she said it's standard procedure.

I know procedures vary wildly and I am not even 35. Still though, I've read enough about hormones to know that they can damage you in ways you'll never notice until it's too late. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but their glib manner didn't help matters.

What's your experience been? What have your doctors had to say on this? Am I being paranoid?

I had bloodwork done before I started.. and then every 3 months.. I see my gyno again on the 12th.. I'm probably going to go the 6 monthly bloodwork after that..

The bloodwork will show if your levels are correct, or at least heading that way.. I also have my liver function tested as I'm taking cyproterone acetate, which can be hard on the liver..

I was told it wasn't needed, but I asked for it anyway. Turned out my estrogen was really low, so I had my dosage upped.

I think it's good to check, just to be sure, since it doesn't hurt to check.

Ya.

I had blood analysis prior to starting HRT.  I am not scheduled to have blood analysis again until April of this year (9 months HRT).

One of my Sister's had her bloodwork checked prior to starting hrt, but I didn't. We use the same Doctor. I asked my sister about that and she said that it was because she had self-medicated before so the Doctor just wanted a baseline. My next appointment is in March. Chances are my estrogen will be increased again since my doctor is starting me out slowly. So maybe when I am at full dosage I will finally have bloodwork drawn.

Isn't it incorrect prodecure to prescribe hormones to someone without knowing their blood work beforehand?

Quote from: kelly_aus on January 01, 2012, 08:15:01 PM
I had bloodwork done before I started.. and then every 3 months.. I see my gyno again on the 12th.. I'm probably going to go the 6 monthly bloodwork after that..

The bloodwork will show if your levels are correct, or at least heading that way.. I also have my liver function tested as I'm taking cyproterone acetate, which can be hard on the liver..

This is the correct procedure. And the same exact method that my doc (who has treated hundreds of MTF patients) also prescribes.

Quote from: MsDazzler on January 02, 2012, 04:02:02 AM
Isn't it incorrect prodecure to prescribe hormones to someone without knowing their blood work beforehand?

Correct. No doctor would simply prescribe medication such as Estradiol, Spiro, et al without knowing someone's baseline starting levels. The patient may already have a super low E2 level or T level. So you simply can not use a one-size-fits-all approach.

These sort of posts really make me question the authenticity of the author of this thread. No blood work before prescribing hormones? Really? 

I don't know how different the procedure is for FTMs, but I also didn't have any starting hormone levels tested when I started HRT. I went through Planned Parenthood and they required a blood test for cholesterol, liver function, and a bunch of other stuff I don't remember, but no hormones. They do want me to come back and have my T levels tested after 6 weeks to make sure I'm in the right range.

I'd been self medicating for about 3 months before going to my doctor. She prescribed me what I had been taking before knowing my bloodwork. However she had me do labs the day she prescribed my meds. I think her logic was that I'm going to take my prescribed dosages anyways, they may as well be prescribed and bought from a local pharmacy. Afterall, if my blood was abnormal she could've always called me and told me to alter my prescription...

But to NOT check levels at all on day 1... I have to say that's pretty scary.

Thank you, everyone for your responses. I knew I should have fought harder for this. I'm glad, though, to learn I'm not the only one.

TBH, there were several things that bothered me about that appointment. I'm really not sure what to make of it. About a month before, he actually did take my blood for an STD screen. I asked him about using that to monitor my hormone levels as well, but he shut me down then too.

Luckily, I know of another doctor I can use who's closer to me, and I don't have to pay to park . Hopefully, this works out.

And I may have my Dr. do bloodwork at my next appointment.

  The usual bloodwork for STD's and liver/kidney/thyroid functions are done first anyway.  I got my latest test for testosterone level done today.  Results probably Wednesday.  Dr. chewed me out royally for not crossdressing yet!  Really!
  Joelene

Quote from: Joelene9 on January 02, 2012, 09:49:50 PM
  The usual bloodwork for STD's and liver/kidney/thyroid functions are done first anyway.  I got my latest test for testosterone level done today.  Results probably Wednesday.  Dr. chewed me out royally for not crossdressing yet!  Really!
  Joelene

My blood work was done to clear me for sperm banking; all they wanted was the STD screen. He made sure he did that and nothing more...

At least I'm getting a better idea of what to ask for. Thank you!

They did the same thing to me. I have told doctors I'm self medicating and that I have no idea what my T or E levels are they don't really care tho I got ONE liver test whitch still didn't tell me anything about my levels.