Hormones Without Letters

[Guest oogie292]

Does anyone know of a Dr in RI or MA that will perscribe hormones without a therapist letter? I had a letter and lost it and my previous therapist retired so Im not sure what to do. And Im definatly not about to buy them online. Advice?

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I doubt any reputable doctor will prescribe HRT without a therapists letter - its CYA and malpractice insurance issues for them - protection for you.

See if you can get a duplicate of the letter you had.

Dang, I got my therapist letter and was on the phone making an appointment immediately - FAXed them a copy before the ink was dry!

Lizzy

[Guest JaniceW]

Are you anywhere near Boston? You could contact the Fenway Center and ask about doctors that follow the "Informed Consent" model for HRT. The "Informed Consent" model is not self-medicating but it is also not the SOC. Doctors who follow informed consent will give all the information about HRT its effects and risks and then have you sign a consent form saying you understand the information and want the HRT.

That's about the only way I know of to get legitimate HRT without a letter of recommentdation.

[Guest harvester52]

I got my HRT on informed consent. I still have to do all the blood tests, regularly see my doctor, etc. but I didn't have to go through the therapist. It was the only way my HMO handled transgender HRT. I lived in Oregon at the time, and now live in Ohio... I don't know of anybody in RI or MA. I have Kaiser health insurance, and that's how they do it. I don't know if you have Kaiser out where you're at, but you could look into it.

- BC

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Well I do want to have the SRS, which means I have to use a therapist anyway. I don't know if a therapist would accept that I was on HRT through informed consent as it isn't SOC, but I suppose it depends on the circumstances. My therapist main benefit is she kept me from killing myself.

Transitioning is extremely difficult.

Lizzy

[Guest Donna Jean]

Transitioning is extremely difficult.

Lizzy

Gee, ya think that ya put enough emphasis on it there, Lizzy....

Yes..difficult, to say the least....

Well, informed consent seems to work, none the less, later, one will still need therapists letters for SRS...

So much to do!

Huggs

Donna Jean

[Guest angie]

I didn't find transition to be difficult at all,it was being prescribed

my HRT that was the hassle.I waited for so many years(7) to start my

physical journey I was chomping at the bit when I was finally given the

permission I had been asking for for some many years.I was More Than Ready.

To me transition was a coming home of sorts.

Angie

[Guest Jo-I-Dunno]

As for the original question: yes, there is a relatively new system where doctors offer informed consent programs. I don't know of any specific doctors in RI or MA, but in-general, the informed consent system is used at LGBT health clinics where the main goal is making sure people aren't messing with stuff on the streets. In which case, I'd start your search with LGBT health centers in big cities.

In my case, my therapist said "find a doctor who will administer HRT, then we'll talk about letters of recommendation". I think he was trying to send me on a wild goose chase. But in my research, I found an informed consent place and started HRT... quicker than my therapist was expecting. He said I was going too fast and he couldn't "treat" me any longer, so I stopped seeing him.

Well I do want to have the SRS, which means I have to use a therapist anyway. I don't know if a therapist would accept that I was on HRT through informed consent as it isn't SOC, but I suppose it depends on the circumstances.

The important thing when recommending a patient for SRS is overwhelming evidence of the ability (and need) for the patient to operate in the world as the opposite sex. This almost always means a RLE. If you're obtaining hormones illegally and/or dangerously, obviously a therapist wants you to sort that out before SRS. But if you're receiving HRT from a doctor, I don't think your therapist is going to say "You didn't do it according to protocol. You don't get to have SRS."

[Guest Ann Onymous]

Well I do want to have the SRS, which means I have to use a therapist anyway. I don't know if a therapist would accept that I was on HRT through informed consent as it isn't SOC, but I suppose it depends on the circumstances.

Fortunately there are LOTS of providers who do not insist on some insipid standards of care checklist and instead look at the PATIENT and what is in the patient's best interests. I avoided anyone related to the gender mills...once I went outside of the box, my life was infinitely easier. And the surgeon did not look at how many other transsexuals had been treated by the therapist...in fact, my second letter came from a professor at the school where I finished my undergrad work.

Informed consent has existed for a long time if you dug long enough. My HRT was started before I found the person who later became my primary letter writer for surgery (hard to call her a therapist since there were not really any issues that warranted therapy).

[Carolyn Marie]

I think there are many variations on this theme, and if you live in or near a major city, its probably to your benefit in finding a doctor who will prescribe HRT without a formal letter.

In my case, I did the usual thing and saw a G.T. After four months I asked her about a letter. She told me that in her practice (with 4-5 other psychologists) they don't believe in letters, or in being "gatekeepers." When the patient feels they are ready, and the therapist agrees, they make an informal referral to one of two doctors that know their practice and trust them. My G.T. was more than willing, and I saw the doctor a few weeks later. I am certain that if I had inquired earlier, I could have started HRT earlier. But I had a lot of issues, so I was glad I waited. The system worked the way it was supposed to, and I never did get am "HRT letter."

Carolyn Marie

[Guest JaniceW]

Carolyn,

Interesting story. I started with an on-line therapist who gave me my HRT letter. I started HRT with my endo and then switched to a face to face therapist. After a few month with my new therapist I asked her for an HRT letter too, so I would have a completed file with her. She gave the second one, so I now have two if you need one.

[Guest klopkr]

yes some doctors do prescribe with out letters from therapists but it really depends on the circumstances

i am evidence of that fact

DON'T COUNT ON IT THOUGH

I'm going to get a letter soon anyways... you know just in case i ever need it

[Guest Donna Jean]

yes some doctors do prescribe with out letters from therapists but it really depends on the circumstances

That is true.....

But the main reason that doctors want a letter from a therapist saying that you are ready is to prevent a lawsuit from you later.

There are people that start taking HRT and realize that it's not for them...the doctor doesn't want to get sued if someone changes their mind and now has a set of breasts.

Donna Jean

[Guest KimberlyF]

That is true.....

But the main reason that doctors want a letter from a therapist saying that you are ready is to prevent a lawsuit from you later.

There are people that start taking HRT and realize that it's not for them...the doctor doesn't want to get sued if someone changes their mind and now has a set of breasts.

Donna Jean

In my informed consent program I had to sign a mountain of paperwork with nuggets like Estrogen will not allow a MtF to get pregnant and testosterone will not grow a penis on a FtM. They aren't gonna get sued without a letter from a therapist.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

This topic has confused me

HAD my HRT letter and had a hard time finding anyone that would honor it - not my regular family practitioner doctor, my endo, nor the first two doctors I contacted. All are afraid of lawsuits I think - the last two saying they could not because they were in a partnership.

And if people here at Laura's could get HRT without a letter, why do they complain so much?

I don't get it.

Lizzy

[Guest Donna Jean]

In my informed consent program I had to sign a mountain of paperwork with nuggets like Estrogen will not allow a MtF to get pregnant and testosterone will not grow a penis on a FtM. They aren't gonna get sued without a letter from a therapist.

Kim, I'm not talking about doctors in informed consent situations....I'm talking about most Endos.

They want a letter before prescribing hormones...

Huggs

Donna Jean

[Guest Cafe.Bike.Girl]

My doctor prescribed HRT without a letter BUT I did have 5 years of well documented therapy that I signed to be released and she spoke with a consultant before making any decisions on her own. I'm sure things will get more complicated later but if you can get any previous history documents I don't see why it couldn't help bring you back on track with a cooperative doctor.

[kyennamo]

There is a place i use in philadelphia called the mazzoni center. I have a letter and im about to see an endo tomorrow actually but i didnt wanna wait a few months back and went the informed consent route. I only mention the place in philly in case someone reads this down the line. The place could be helpfull. Whether you are near there or even if you look them up and call them. you can ask if they can put you in touch with someone in your area. i know a few feople that have actually done that with success.