How Best Do I Approach My Endocrinologists About Starting Hormone Replacement Therapy?

[Guest TracieV3]

Hello everyone,

First, I am in the process of getting my HRT letter from my psychotherapist, stating that I have already been to counsellings about getting hormones and I am ready to do the next step by starting to take them.

The problem is that I was referred to my endocrinologist by my pain doctor, for physical health problems.

The good news is that in the blood tests he ordered six months ago, I found out what I has suspect for years, and I had tried to get tested for many times. That I have low testosterone levels, and that caused me to have very low energy levels.

My energy levels are so low, along with the pain, I am physically unable to hold a job.

Also, when I met him, I told him that I was a transsexual, and I did plan to go on hormones in the future.

His reaction was unreadable, but professional. This could be a bad thing. I am not sure.

When those blood results came back, he called and he offered to put me on testosterone. I declined. I actually had roid rage during puberty and I did not want to go through that again. I did not like what it did to my body and the way it made me feel. I almost hurt a few people during that time.

I have been considering calling, or e-mailing, for blood tests, and asking some questions before hand. But, the more I think about, I probably need to see the doctor first and talk to him directly. I do not want to risk my personal questions being read by someone I don't know.

That may knock back the time I start hormones about another month or two, to May or June.

When I see my endo, I plan to just give him my letter in person, and asking polite, though directly, to start the hormones treatments. Besides the letter, and my desire to do so, I can also point out that doing something about my hormones level it will help my energy levels and increase my metabolism.

This will help the chances of me being able to get a part-time job. It is a start.

I plan to set up an appointment with my endo in the next few months. I am shooting for a late March, early April appointment to start the ball rolling.

In the meantime, I am losing weight, and saving my money. I want to have a few hundred dollars extra, than I suspect it will cost, at any given time incase something comes up.

Any advise, or help, that you all have on this for me would be very welcome.

Tracie

[Guest Shari]

Tracie,

I don't share the same situation with you exactly. I recently made my first endo appointment and after stressing about it was surprised that it wasn't a big deal and was more or less routine to them. I am simply another patient needing treatment. I hope you discover the same reaction.

Take care Hon,

Shari