Do you ask your GP about HRT even if not in therapy at the moment?

[Heather Shay]

I've struggled with gender identity all my life but the last time I saw a therapist he was treating my depression and anxiety (that he had before and told me to have GP prescribe zoloft). This last time I tried self-medicating on estrogen and blockers and my wife caught me and told me to see him again and I did but he really avoided the gender issue other than saying it was alright to fantasize. It's been almost another 5 years since stopping the self medication and seeing the therapist. I am looking into a couple gender identity women specialists but I have my annual physical next Monday and wanted to ask my doctor about going on HRT to see if that helps with the depression. Zoloft does help somewhat (when I'm not on it - I get anger and frustration issues and I don't like that person at all). But the zoloft let's me cope but the gender issue and CD'ing keep coming and this time it's even stronger.

[Jackie C.]

Depends on if your doctor is trained in administering HRT. Not all of them are. Mine, for example, is not. I get my HRT through an endocrinologist out of UofM. Either way, part of WPATH standards say you need to be evaluated by a gender therapist and given a letter of recommendation before you start HRT. However, there are some places that will start you on HRT with just your signature on a form of informed consent. Usually Planned Parenthood if they have an endo on staff. Before you start, there will be blood work so letting your doctor know could get him to run the tests in advance. Whoever ends up administering your HRT might want to do their own tests though so it might just be giving the doctor some extra blood for no reason.

 

Hugs!

[Heather Shay]

thank you - I am a bit scatter brained right now - you mentioned that to me - in 1 ear - out the other. I will see if he can do the HRT but will look at Planned Parenthood as well and continue search for therapist. They draw blood each year anyway so and extra vial or two won't hurt.

[Heather Shay]

Looks like Mansfield Ohio PP has LGBTQ services that include referrals - so I'll call them when they are open (calls only according to web site) and set up an appointment. THANK YOU...another small step....

[Jackie C.]

Hey, the small steps add up.

 

Hugs!

[Heather Shay]

Hey Jackie,

 

And I see a woman endocrinologist nearby and maybe my doctor  can refer me to her if he says trying with a consent form will be okay. I will let him know the many years of struggle and the various therapists along the way and that I'm waiting on a couple specialists right now. THANKS AGAIN - you are much too kind.

[Tori M]

After getting a serious blood disorder 2 years ago and then hypothyroidism 1-1/2 years ago, I have learned a lot about body organ interactions.  Hormones and related chemicals are created, balanced and used by several different organs and imbalances can be very dangerous, leading to all sorts of other problems like bone deterioration for one.  Nearly a decade ago, I self-medicated (continuing on a previous prescribed regimen) for a while using gray market (imported) meds, but after a while it seemed like they weren't working.  The sources kept changing and I got leery of their authenticity so I stopped.  My oncologists have asked me repeatedly about that "experiment", causing me to wonder if I screwed something up.

 

So, last week, I told my primary care physician about my plans to see an endocrinologist at a women's clinic to see about resuming HRT.  He took extra blood to check liver and kidney function and hormone levels as well as the expected thyroid function test.  He said this gives him a baseline in his records system to monitor in case any changes crop up in the conditions he is treating after I re-start HRT.  For example, it might change my blood cholesterol.  Physicians/specialists don't all monitor the same things and they don't all share test results.  He asked me twice and warned me once that an endocrinologist be involved to monitor the fine detail levels of the changes that HRT will make to my blood composition and organ functions.  Endos are the real experts on how all these chemicals affect each other, which from my research, there are a lot of possible interactions.  In my case, I don't think my PCP/PM wanted to be responsible alone for prescribing HRT.

 

I guess my recommendation to your question, @Shay, is to keep all of your medical professionals in the loop and, if you possibly can, get an endo involved.  I am not taking therapy at the moment either.  That's my choice until someone tells me otherwise.  Keeping you healthy is their job but you are the one who ultimately decides on your treatments.

 

On a side note, I grew to hate Zoloft.  It made me feel emotionally numb. From my experience, I think it's possible that HRT might affect your emotional status, so talk with your doctor or therapist if you notice changes.

[Heather Shay]

thank you SO much for yourxinaights. i bought what sounds like a similar regimen of gray market. my PSA went a little over  4 so my doctor had me see a specialists...i had 2 prostate biopsies , the first said no cancer but not normal, so the second was a little better. a  test showed a shadow on my hip so  i also had a bone biopsy. I stopped the gray market and now 4 years down the line the PSA has stayed a little under 4 and I learned my lesson on self-medicating. 

so i think i will,talk to my GP and get the blood tests. There is a woman endo,nearby and i will,ask about,being referred to her i he agrees and she is knowledgable about,hrt.

 

Thank you,so much, it is very comforting to hear from you.