Hrt through the va

[Guest audrey michelle]

Hi everyone. I Am new here and was wondering if anyone could share their experience with me if they have gone through the va for hrt. My first appointment is on the 21 of January for just a physical but I plan on letting the doctor know that I am trans by the end of the appointment so I can start appointments to see a therapist and to get started on hrt as soon as possible. I was just wondering how others who have gone this route were treated by the va and also how long did it take from start to getting put on hrt. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

[Charlize]

Welcome Michelle. While i was not in the service i am glad to say hi. Others may well respond we have a lot of vets here.

Please post in the intro forum so you'll get to know more of us.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

Yes, Michelle. I have been on HRT through the VA since 2010.

There are procedures in place to treat transgender patients, so by all means tell your doctor.

My personal experience has been wonderful. Even as far back as 2007, before they were able to prescribe the proper medications, the medical staff were understanding and helpful. They were attempting to connect me with an endocrinologist outside of their jurisdiction when I relocated and found one at the local VA facility.

At that point, it was just a matter of a brief talk with him before I had both of my prescriptions and was assigned to a doctor who had other transgender patients. I was even asked how I wanted to be addressed when I came in for appointments.

I know that others' encounters with the VA may not have been problem-free. But I have nothing but good things to say about the system.

[Guest audrey michelle]

Thank you both so much. That sounds wonderful. I can't wait to start treatment. I've wanted this for so long and I am happy that knowing that I will finally be taking the first steps to being on hrt and being the woman I know I was always meant to be. Just nervous about coming out to my doctor and letting them know I am trans. I hope it goes as good for me as it did for you. Thank you so much for your response.

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

I hope that the attitude I found locally permeates the entire VA medical structure.

As opposed to a private doctor's office, when a patient can sometimes feel rushed and not get the degree of personal attention desired, there was never any pressure to finish the appointment. It was expressed to me many times that the philosophy is to provide whatever attention the veteran needs as a way of saying "thank you". I've found the nurse practitioners especially to be focused upon total care and preventive medicine and always willing to talk and answer questions.

And the VA has been on the cutting edge of medical records computerization.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

[Guest CassieX]

Hi Michelle,

The easiest way to get all the information you need is to do a search for it in the forums. There are oodles of posts on the VA and peoples experiences there, mine included

The VA directive on transgender healthcare is also a good start and you can find it verbatim in these forums. I don't get my HRT directly from the VA as I went a slightly different route but I do get all my labs, endo visits and counseling through them. I do have several friends that do get HRT though the VA but the bottom line for me was to be informed about My possible treatment plan before I talked to my Primary Care for the referral to see an Endocrinologist and later from them to see a Therapist. Doing a little homework really makes the process much easier to navigate and puts you in control rather than relying on the healthcare provider who might not be up to date on the best treatment plans for you.

Good luck on your journey!

Cassie

[Guest audrey michelle]

So I just got don't with my first appointment at the va and it went great. I was super nervous, but I let my dr know that I am transgender and she was very friendly and supportive about it. I met with the other dr who is incharge of transgender patient care and she told me that they will be getting me an appointment ASAP with mental health for an evaluation. Once that is cleared they will be able to get me started on hrt. They already ordered the labs for bloodwork and I have that taken care of and done. I am so happy that they were so supportive and helpful and that soon I will be able to receive hormones and treatment through the va.

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

So I just got don't with my first appointment at the va and it went great.

I'm so glad to hear that, Michelle. You're on your way!