How to find an endocrinologist?

[Guest Nova Maria]

I've done a significant amount of soul searching, and I really feel that it's time for me to start HRT.

So how do I find a doctor? Can I just waltz into any endocrinologists' office and ask for antiandrogens? Or is the process slightly more complex than that?

Thanks!

Nova

[MackenzieB]

In general most will want a letter from a therapist.Your state may be different. I know that in California I did hrt without a letter. In Washington state it's a law (per my Doc ayway).

[Guest]

Hi Nova,

The process starts with the Gender Therapist (for now). After assessing you, the therapist can write a letter for the Endo doctor approving you for HRT. The common rule for this is to have seen the GT for 3 months, but this varies. Most Endocrinologists don't deal with HRT (as I found out from four different providers). My GT recommended a doctor to go to and it was easy after that.

It may sound like many hoops to go through, but I started with the GT in late January, and had my HRT on April 1.

Do you have local support groups where you live? They're the best way to find local GT's; If not, there's Google. The Laura's Playground main page does list GT's by location, but, it's probably incomplete.

Best of luck to you!

Love, Megan

[Carolyn Marie]

If you do find a G.T., chances are good that they will have a couple of endocrinologists or other experiences doctors to refer you to. They usually develop a relationship and referral system. It makes the search for a doctor a lot easier and quicker. When you find your G.T., do ask them about that, and even if they write a letter for you. Mine didn't - she just gave me the doctor's contact info and spoke to the doctor in advance. The rest was easy.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Robin Winter]

It always kinda bugs me that I can't offer anything for posts like this one. With the way our health care system works, everything pretty much takes care of itself. GP sends referral to GT, GT sends referral to Endo/Surgeon(s). The only step actually initiated by me was my initial request for a therapy referral to my GP. After receiving the referral letter, they just sort of make the appointments and send me a letter with the date/time/location etc.

The downside to this is we get very little choice with who we see, but I've been blessed with wonderful people all around thus far.

[Guest Mia J]

Hi Nova,

In Colorado there are few if any endos that do transsexual HRT. However, there are some MDs that do it as a fairly large part of their practice and are very good at it. In Colorado I do not think there is any informed consent so you will need a letter from a gender therapist. A good gender therapist in my opinion is a must and it will depend on your progress how long it takes to get a letter. It is usually around three months.

The good news is we have a lot of wonderful therapist in the state on the front range. At 17 you will most likely need parental permission to start HRT.

Mia

[Guest Mia J]

One more thing,

Here is a state by state list of some of the gender therapist posted here on Laura's

http://www.lauras-playground.com/gender_therapists.htm

You can also get more information from the resource page at the Gender Identity Center of Colorado:

http://www.gicofcolo.org/resources/metrodenver.aspx

Mia