Starting HRT

[Allison_andrea]

I have read many pieces on this through the different postings. I am wanting to know what some may view as a better route to take in regards to who to start my HRT with.

I have been with my GP for about 11 years now, she has been through a lot of changes in my life from my initial move from California to Oklahoma. She has helped treat depressions/anxiety that I have had as well. The diagnosis for the depression and anxiety came from a psychologist not her, she just took over the medication side and did the blood reviews. I have actually stopped taking my medications for these as we had discussed that some of my issues were coming from my relationship with my spouse (sooner yo be officially ex spouse). The area in which I am worried about is that if it would be hard for her to prescribe and oversee since she knows so much of my past. The parts that worry me are of course the same as many, the initial telling another person about who you are, them judging you, and the rejection of not helping. The part I do think of is that she has all my history and even has monitored my blood work for so many years as it is.

In Oklahoma there seems to only be a very few doctors who will do HRT from what I have read and seen. I know that living in the Bible Belt is a problem on its own, though I also do not want to just move for the benefit of trying to find a state that is a bit more open to the Transwoman.

I have also seen that there is a planned parenthood that does deal with HRT, though I do not want to be looked at as just someone that is trying to force someone to give me the treatment that I seek.

On anothe part I have also seen that the VA has adopted a policy with HRT to include many other pieces such as using pronouns associated to the gender you prefer, the use of facilities based on the gender you prefer, and that they will cover many parts of the transition. I just know that with the VA you have to start from such a bottom part with seeing a new therapist, meeting with the doctors, and then once the doctors and therapists have discussed that they may or may not prescribe a plan. Once again being in Oklahoma I know that things are very much stalled and delayed with the transitioning and accepting the Transwoman.

I thank all for any comments or suggestions you bring forward for me.

[sam1234]

When you first start HRT, its a good idea to go to an endocrinologist. Once you get things settled, many times a GP will take over the level checks and scripting out the hormones. I come from the midwest and have been able to find both. When I first moved here from the east, I had been on hormones for about a decade, but started with an endocrinologist here until I could find a GP willing to monitor me.

Sometimes there are GPs who will work with transgenders and know how to code the hormones for insurance purposes, but they don't advertise it. Recently, when I was having trouble because I had to change Dr.s, the local group gave me a couple of names of Dr.s who work in a large medical group that claims it won't do transgender hormones. The town isn't very big, so its not just in the cities.

Look online for a group in your area and see who they are going to and trust.

sam1234

[warlockmaker]

You should consult a therapist that is knowledgable and this Forum has good ones listed. Some have a relationship with an endo and can have it prescribed, I'm not a fan of using purely an endo without a therapist. There are mental changes that needs to be considered.

[Ms Grace]

An endo is more likely to be aware of specific issues and things to look out for, will know how the drugs interact with given biology, etc. for example my endo is very knowledgeable of that stuff, my doctor is clueless despite being a very good doctor.

[Allison_andrea]

I have had talks with a therapist and there are things that are being discussed and dealt with for certain on that side of the medical/physiological aspect.

The one endocrinologist in my area that I know tends to be booked out between 3-4 months because he is one of the few that do not go much into trying to use personal beliefs, state laws, or other such as a way not to treat.

Just so happen my GP is actually a teacher as well so she does get to be involved in a lot of the current new practices and changes to treatments.

I will surely take all of the advice and see what the therapist recommends.