Blood and Hormones The Tests Go On

[VickySGV]

When I began my HRT back in July 2009 my Endo told me that I was going to get a lot more tests blood tests because my HMO was part of a study group collecting data on Cross Sex HRT and as a result I would be getting some tests that I had never seen before.  My HMO is a teaching and research organization which cooperates with University of Southern California (USC) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) medical schools.  I signed a release for my results to be shared with those places since I am not identified as a person, only a study subject they can point to, although I was given an ID key for certain studies I was included in to see where I fitted.  This may not be your individual cases, but it could be that some of the tests you will be to compare you with others to find ways to know what is the  "normal range" for Trans people, since the cross sex effects of hormones and related body chemistry still do not have the amount of data, even world wide, that is really needed to help us stay healthy. You will be given a release to sign if your doctor is taking part in those studies.  If you are going to an LGBT health center, it is likely they are participating in that sort of thing and you have already signed that piece of paper. 

 

I have a genetic blood condition that I have known about since 2003, six years before I began HRT,  that is going to have me spending time in my HMO's Infusion Center today, they let me know about a year ago that I was NOT their only Trans patient with this genetic anomaly and that is just at this medical center in a single part of Southern CA. Other centers in the organization have other Trans patients as well.   The blood condition is called Ferro Hemochromatosis and there is a higher incidence of the gene variation in the Celtic Ancestry Trans People than in the the Cis population of Celtic ancestry folks.  It is a mystery at the minute as to what if anything this relates to as either being a cause of GD or relates to a group of people who have a higher incidence of GD for other reasons, since it is one of those things that comes up and is investigated one way and does not seem to fit, and then a year later something comes up and reopens the case.   I am getting wonderful care and the person who will work with me today may be assigned for the reason of getting to know a Trans person since they have to close monitor me for the half hour the procedure normally takes and chatting is a time passer.  I have been told this is done deliberately and for me it is fun and the staff is happy to see me since I am one of their happy stories as the condition is controlled.  (Most of the other patients in the center are getting other types of Chemo Therapies and while some recover,  I have gently spoken with some of them knowing it may be their last visit there before their cancers take their lives.)  My body is feeling the need for the treatment I will get today but I am in otherwise good health.

 

To get ready for the appointment today I had to have some blood tests done, and it seems that all three of my doctors, GP, Endocrinologist and Hematologist all ganged up on the lab, and I am looking at a list of 23 different tests they took two days ago and other than the one that says I will get the procedure today by its numbers, I am not really sure what some of the others really mean but part of it means that I am getting care.  I have tests for hormone levels that used to give me a "normal range" comparison that no longer give the ranges and I suspect that it is because they no longer compare me to "male" or "female" results which is proper.  Maybe a year from now I will be compared to a Trans specific range, or at least I can hope for it sometime in the future.  The year after I began my HRT I attended a joint session of  WPATH and another TG conference I was actually attending and one of the things I learned from a nationally respected pharmacist was the absolutely minimal information on cross sex hormones and their real interactions that existed at the time.  TEN YEARS AGO the information just was terrible as to Trans specific  pharmacology.  I still keep in touch with some of the people I met and the information is improving and maybe in 20 more years may become truly adequate for our care, but if my blood can give them clues, even with tests that weird me out, I am going to take them, and take a breath and trust my care team.  I would truly hate to be known as a normal Trans person though!. 

[Carolyn Marie]

Best of luck today, Vicky.  I hope you feel better after all this is done.

 

(((HUGS)))

 

Carolyn Marie

[VickySGV]

 

Just now, Carolyn Marie said:

I hope you feel better after all this is done.

.

This is an ongoing thing, I will do it about once more this year.  I do feel a little sluggy a couple of weeks before these things, but they only have to go on for another 20 years if I am lucky. (I'll be in my 90's then)  My point to this is to let other people know that medical tests can be for a whole heap of reasons and that being Trans has its own adventure even when we get our GD into a semblance of control.  As I said above, I am in the best health I have been for years really and have a sense of humor about it.

[Lexi C]

Hey Vicky Fig cross best of luck and feel better

[VickySGV]

Just now, Alex C said:

Hey Vicky Fig cross best of luck and feel better

 

I feel fine.  If I let this go though I would greatly increase my chances for several cancers.  My message was not my appointment that today took an hour and 15 minutes and usually takes less, what I really wanted the rest of you to understand is that we are medically cared for at most of the really good places, and we can trust our medical care teams.  Cis people have my condition, the funny thing is that for some reason Trans people have it more often than Cis people.

[Lexi C]

wow that good to hear..We need all the help we can get. Glad it all want well

[Charlize]

I'm sorry you have to have all these procedures Vicky but it sounds like you've already managed to make lemonade out of the lemons served.  Being at medical procedures where others know their time is limited is such a humbling experience.   Between that and the ability to help others to understand trans folks you're an inspiration.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[VickySGV]

Just to let people know, since I think I overly concerned some people about me, there were 22 things tested and even my Diabetes A1C came back in the desired range but I am still diabetic.  My blood pressure hit the lowest I can remember but was still in the human good health range when I had my blood iron procedure on last Friday and I did a lot of very active outdoor work on Saturday that left me tired, but nothing harmful.  I get to do the same panel of tests next January, so they think I will live that long at least.  I am the healthiest and orneriest I have been in many years.  OH, did I say, that hormone levels are in the normal range for a woman 20 years younger than I am which is about the time women begin menopause and they quit keeping a normal range to compare to., 

[Charlize]

1 minute ago, VickySGV said:

I am the healthiest and orneriest I have been in many years.

Love that!  Keep up the good health and ornery happiness.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Jani]

Those are two great qualities to possess!  

Cheers, Jani