Do You Need An Endocrinologist?

[Guest CharlieRose]

Or will a General Practitioner do? 'Cause, see, my doctor's all for helping me out (going to get blood tests tomorrow! *jumps up and down*) but the two endos we've (or, my mom, rather) talked to said they don't deal with our folk. It's California, but I'm 17, which complicates things.

We're looking for endocrinologists now, I found a list online with people that aren't too far away. (Though if you can recommend someone in the Bay/Contra Costa area, we'd still appreciate it) But if my doctor could just write me a prescription it'd be easier, no?

[Guest Martin]

You do not need endos. I've always seen GPs, precisely because I could not find an endo that would work with me. I've never had a problem - and I think GPs are less expensive as well.

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

I don't have an endocrinologist, just a GP. There are times when I wish I had an endo, but not very often. For those of us who are uninsured or underinsured, specialists are expensive.

[Guest CharlieRose]

Awesome! I will chat with my GP tomorrow about it, let you guys know what happens.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

No

I have a prescribing doctor recommended by my therapist - actually, he is an ObGyn - Fertility Clinic Specialist - go figure.

Lizzy

[Paula ult]

My GP is fine with me being trans and treating my diabetes and every day aches and pains but is not comfortable prescribing meds, not much experience i guess, my Endo on the other hand was been treating trans for over 20 years and has lots of experience, i think it's up to the comfort level of the GP or Endo.

Paula

[Guest Joe Cool]

Hey Charlie,

I go through my primary care. She does all my blood work and prescibing. I hope your doc will be willing do to that for you! Let us know how it goes!! Good Luck!!

Joe

[Guest Donna Jean]

Charlie, Hon......

My perscribing doctor is a GP and she has a lot of experience working with Trans folks....I just love her to pieces...

I had written to the LGBT group in Ohio and got her name...Took me in with just a few days notice...thought I'd have to wait months!

Very good experience!

Love...

Donna Jean

[Guest CharlieRose]

Ok, well, bumping this up instead of starting a new one, we did find an endocrinologist who was willing to treat me (this is kind of like college. I had to do all this hoop jumping ahead of time to make sure I had a roommate who was willing to be my roommate, just because I'm transsexual. I'm trans, not a leper! ) and I had an appointment made for like a month ahead of time. So I was excited but grumpy at the same time. Lo and behold, a week or so later the lady calls and is like, "You want to come in tomorrow instead?"

When we got there they were all impressed 'cause I did it the right way, (saw a therapist and got a letter FIRST) and were going to give me my first shot right then (!) but they wanted some pre-T bloodwork and I had to have fasted, and I had already eaten that day so it was put off until the next morning.

45 minutes in traffic later....

I AM (to borrow Neil!'s phrase) A T-REX!

I think I skipped to the car in the parking garage in celebration of my manliness. (Lol. I was thinking, "I think this is the opposite of what I should be doing but I don't care because I'm HAPEEE!") It's been 24 hours now, and I haven't noticed any huge changes. (I can't make up my mind if anything I notice is the T, if it's normal, if it's the placebo effect, or what) But my throat is kind of sore. And yesterday I felt really sweaty. But it was hot. So that might have just been it being hot. I think I should wait before I start speculating, lol.

But it's happening!!

[Guest Eth]

Congratulations Charlie!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest Evan_J]

What ! ! No reactions? In 24 hours you shoulda got a 9inch penis and could talk like Al Green!

I love you bro.

Welcome to T world.

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Cool! Congratulations!

I didn't feel any different after my first shot. Sometimes it takes a while to notice stuff.

The first thing I noticed was that my appetite was OUT OF CONTROL.

[Guest Evan_J]

Cool! Congratulations!

I didn't feel any different after my first shot. Sometimes it takes a while to notice stuff.

The first thing I noticed was that my appetite was OUT OF CONTROL.

Really? The first thing I noticed was I almost wanted to cough. That was a bit of a facitious answer, though it really was the very first thing (like minutes after the shot.)

The first "alteration" thing was a sensation....and no not horniness but in that ...dude. My appetite (and it may have been cuz it couldn't get any bigger) didn't increase but did become different focusing more on meat. I'm one who's tastes have altered; some stuff I enjoy as food now I didn't so much before and some things I rather liked (chocolate) are "only ok" so.....

[Guest Martin]

Congrats!

My first change was either my voice or growth down there.. I'm not sure which, but both changes started within 1-2 weeks. They didn't complete then - that took months - but they started fast. But it's different for everyone.

[Guest CharlieRose]

Thanks, guys!

And funny thing is, my appetite, at least compared with the rest of my family, already is huge. So I dunno. My throat is kind of sore/tingling again for like the fifth time, so I have a feeling that might be the first thing to get going. I bought a bunch of acne prevention stuff that I'm washing my face with every day, though, I'm getting started on that. (I've never had acne, really, and don't want to start. My mom was like, lamenting about it when she read the side effects of T. "You have such flawless skin!")

One thing it certainly *doesn't* do in 24 hours; I had the worst menstrual cramps I've ever had yesterday. I was at a party, too, sitting in the fetal position and trying not to moan for an hour until the tylenol they had kicked in. It was like my ovaries were mad at me. But, yeah, thank god for acetaminophen. (I was still really sleepy, though. That always happens, too.)

[Guest Cody_T]

oh hey, congrats man

Sorry about the cramps, that sucks. Luckily you won't have to deal with them for long.

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

You do not need endos. I've always seen GPs, precisely because I could not find an endo that would work with me. I've never had a problem - and I think GPs are less expensive as well.

I would just as soon loose my counselor and shrink as part of my team and just have my GP to handle the hormones for me. However I have to keep seeing both because thats the way it seems to work in this town. Never mind the endo, I asked my Dr one day how she felt about prescribing hormones for MTF HRT, she told me that she didnt have a problem with it and then dropped the bombshell that she was married to my shrink.