Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Finding An Endocrinologist


Guest

Recommended Posts

Many have asked where to find an Endocrinologist. This link allows you to search for one by Zipcode http://www.hormone.org/ . A simple anonymous phone call can tell you if they are Transgender friendly or not. Recent AMA documents have made it illegal to discriminate against Transgender people in medical Care. Most endos will require a letter from a therapist for cross hormone therapy.

Laura

Link to comment
  • 2 months later...
Guest Elizabeth K

Just an observation - it may be difficult to find a sympathetic AND knowlegable Endocrinologist. My wife and I have both been treated by an Endocrinologist for several years (she-thyroid, me-diabetes II) We decided that I would 'come-out' to him to ask for advice on a therapist - and he wasn't sure what to do. He suggested a psychiatrist - when I researched, this psychiatrist specialized in geriatrics.

I am certain he would work with me if I begin hormone treatment, but the point is he had no idea of how to help me GET help.

I believe that this shows it is better to locate and meet with a competent therapist first, one with gender identity disfunction experience, THEN look for an Endocrinologist. In any case, your therapist will have suggestions on an Endocrinologist.

I will probably stay with my current Endocrinolgist as it is important to consider all aspects when mixing diabetes treatments with gender reassignment medication. Most people won't have that complication - so go for it.

This is directed more toward transsexuals or those who want to find out if they are.

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...
Guest YaManShane

I don't think is has to be an Endocrinologist to put you on hormones. I think it just gotta be a medical doctor who knows about trans issues. The guy who put me on hormones is just a regular doctor. he deals with adolescents and transgendered patients. is there any advantage to going with an endo though? or is he more likely to put you on hormones than a regular doctor.

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

I started going to an Electrolysis/Laser clinic and she told me about a regular MD in the same area that dealt with transgender patients for HRT treatments. I think that if the doctor is familiar with the effects of Hormone therapy on the male body then it would be alright to go to them rather than an endocrinologist; if not then it would be safer to seek out an endocrinologist who has dealt with transgender patients.

I don't think is has to be an Endocrinologist to put you on hormones. I think it just gotta be a medical doctor who knows about trans issues. The guy who put me on hormones is just a regular doctor. he deals with adolescents and transgendered patients. is there any advantage to going with an endo though? or is he more likely to put you on hormones than a regular doctor.
Link to comment
I started going to an Electrolysis/Laser clinic and she told me about a regular MD in the same area that dealt with transgender patients for HRT treatments. I think that if the doctor is familiar with the effects of Hormone therapy on the male body then it would be alright to go to them rather than an endocrinologist; if not then it would be safer to seek out an endocrinologist who has dealt with transgender patients.

The key issue is a familiarity with transgendered patients. A good doctor who has treated patients with Contra Hormone Therapy can regulate the hormones and analyze the blood work just fine - I just don't want to be the first for any kind of doctor. They should require a letter from a therapist if they don't it is the robot waving his arms and shouting, "Warning, warning, danger, Will Robinson!"

Love ya,

Sally

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...
Guest rayne1

My doctor's office has tried all over the surrounding towns within 70 mile radius and no Endocrinologist feels capable of treating me for HRT and has denied the doctor's referral request. Has anyone living in the Springfield, Gainsville, West Plains, Missouri area had any luck in obtaining a doctor or Endocrinologist who can treat me for HRT? I already have the therapy letter.

Link to comment
Guest Donna Jean
My doctor's office has tried all over the surrounding towns within 70 mile radius and no Endocrinologist feels capable of treating me for HRT and has denied the doctor's referral request. Has anyone living in the Springfield, Gainsville, West Plains, Missouri area had any luck in obtaining a doctor or Endocrinologist who can treat me for HRT? I already have the therapy letter.

Hey, Hon....

I live in the sticks of Ohio and maybe you can try what worked for me...I have a GP doctor that prescribes for me and monitors...I couldn't find an Endo so I Googled LGBT sites in Ohio and e-mailed them and got an answer of the Dr. that I go to now..Its 100 miles one way, but it was my best bet...My regular doc wouldn't do it because of the group he is in and liability...yadda...yadda...yadda...

I also Googled "Trans " sites in Ohio and got some answers back...worth a try!

Worked for me, Hon...and I was getting desparate!

Endos are few and far between...mostly in the bigger cities!

Give me a holler, Sweetie...let me know.....OK?

****HUGGS****

Donna Jean

Link to comment
Guest Little Sara
The key issue is a familiarity with transgendered patients. A good doctor who has treated patients with Contra Hormone Therapy can regulate the hormones and analyze the blood work just fine - I just don't want to be the first for any kind of doctor.

I agree the doctor should be familiar with trans patients. I don't agree that they know their stuff necessarily however, even if they've had experience. Much like a doctor who always prescribed anti-depressants might know nothing about anti-depressants. The first doctor I went to went by protocol tables from studies done in NYC in the 1960s, which have high doses of some types of estradiol, and very low doses of some others. And he won't negotiate, he goes by-the-book with his protocols, wether they're flawed or not he doesn't care.

They should require a letter from a therapist if they don't it is the robot waving his arms and shouting, "Warning, warning, danger, Will Robinson!"

In my opinion they should not require a diagnosis. The doctor I mentioned who is rigid about his dosages? Dozens of people go see him every week, and at least a few dozen of trans people go there every 3 months to see him (and get refills). He doesn't require a diagnosis...and that's the main reason trans people go see him. Getting a diagnosis is VERY hard here, and most people in their 15-25s don't have a fortune to spend on weekly sessions to see a therapist do umms and aahhs and wonder about the meaning of life, for 150$ an hour.

Link to comment
Guest rayne1

Donna Jean:

Thank you for your suggestions.

I too live in a rural community away from everything. I did try to contact some of what are supposed to be support forums in Springfield that I found on the internet, but no reply from any of them so far. I did find one Endocrinologist 234 miles one way in St. Louis, but that is ridiculous to drive that far each time. I did see one forum comment about a GP that they had gone to in Springfield, which is 65 miles one way for me, but how much they are familiar with transsexual patients. I will try and call her tomorrow to see if she will be able to see me and prescribe the hormones and doing the necessary blood tests to monitor them. If that does not work out I am stumped as to where to go. My family physician does not know anything about it and so I cannot get anything from her.

Hey, Hon....

I live in the sticks of Ohio and maybe you can try what worked for me...I have a GP doctor that prescribes for me and monitors...I couldn't find an Endo so I Googled LGBT sites in Ohio and e-mailed them and got an answer of the Dr. that I go to now..Its 100 miles one way, but it was my best bet...My regular doc wouldn't do it because of the group he is in and liability...yadda...yadda...yadda...

I also Googled "Trans " sites in Ohio and got some answers back...worth a try!

Worked for me, Hon...and I was getting desparate!

Endos are few and far between...mostly in the bigger cities!

Give me a holler, Sweetie...let me know.....OK?

****HUGGS****

Donna Jean

Link to comment
Guest Donna Jean

Rayne...I became fairly freaked out when I realized that I had hit a dead end...and I was looking in surrounding states..I mean REALLY far...Pittsburgh, Pa.....Wheeling W.Va......Indianapolis, Ind..Northern Kentucky..I wasn't going to be stopped, but I lucked out...

I think that it is just a matter of lots of networking and keeping track of what you're doing..Once I got my Doc...I just completely went limp!....lol

Let me know how it's going.....OK?

HUGGS

Donna Jean

Link to comment
Guest rayne1

Yes, I know what you mean. You get to this point and there is another stumbling block

I ran across one person who had gone to a GP , but when I tried to get in touch with the doctor, I was told they don't do feminizing HRT. I google one site Nationwide Synergy which is a e-mail doctor doing HRT. I heard back from him and he wants medical history faxed to him by my local GP. I just e-mailed him back to be sure that he was aware of my circumstances and the type of HRT I wanted him to do. I can get the necessary blood tests from my local clinic. We will see what kind of response I get from him later.

Rayne...I became fairly freaked out when I realized that I had hit a dead end...and I was looking in surrounding states..I mean REALLY far...Pittsburgh, Pa.....Wheeling W.Va......Indianapolis, Ind..Northern Kentucky..I wasn't going to be stopped, but I lucked out...

I think that it is just a matter of lots of networking and keeping track of what you're doing..Once I got my Doc...I just completely went limp!....lol

Let me know how it's going.....OK?

HUGGS

Donna Jean

Link to comment
Guest Donna Jean

Rayne......

OMG...I know where you are at, Hon...I really do.....

Let me know what he says....OK?

Wishing you VERY MUCH LUCK!!!!!

Huggs

Donna Jean

Link to comment
  • 1 year later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 3 months later...
Guest jennifer normal

After reading how many of us are working the maze I realize how fortunate I am. I feel so bad for all of those still in the search. I would definitely give endorsements but can't say how ethical that would be. I want to say,and they very well may visit here how much I appreciate their care. I'll have to check but I hope I can share it with you. With loving thoughts,Jennifer

Link to comment
  • 5 months later...
  • 9 months later...
Guest kimberly5669

Donna i saw where you live in ohio and i am a mtf wishing to start on hrt and i was wondering who you went and saw to get started i also live in ohio

Link to comment

Rayne:

I work for Family & Community Medicine at the University of Missouri Hospitals & Clinics here in Columbia, Mo. We have 3 Family Practice Doctors who prescribe HRT for transgendered males and females. Dr Amanda Swenson and Dr Anne Fitzsimmons both practice on the Green Team at Green Meadows Clinic 3217 S Providence Road. To call for an appointment: 573-884-7733. Dr Swenson has agreed to treat me with HRT. Dr Fitzsimmons is out on medical leave following surgery. Dr Carrie Reust who practices at our Keene Family Medicine Clinic, 305 N Keene St, Suite 203, Columbia, Mo. To call for an appointment call 573-882-8000. I know all three doctors both professionally and personally and all three have extensive experience treating Transgendered patients and are both great Doctors and kind, understanding people. Dr Swenson moved to Columbia from Madison Wis where she treated many Trans people at University Hospital and Clinics in Madison Wisconsin for seven years prior to moving to Columbia two years ago. I know she is accepting new patients. PM me if you need any additional information, Hugs Kathryn Julia

Link to comment
Guest ValerieD

My therapist recommended that I start searching for an endocrinologist that knows about trans issues so she has someone to write the letter to when she does that. Any idea of how to find one? I'm in the Potsdam, NY area most of the time so there isn't much around (I can't even find anything with the site on the first post because I can't expand the radius beyond 10 miles and there's nothing found for either Potsdam or Massena).

I technically live in Rochester which would have a better chance of finding someone, but I'm home so rarely that it would be a good idea to get someone in the north country if I can. Theoretically I could attempt a day trip to Syracuse but it wouldn't be fun (would have the advantage that it would matter less if I was in Rochester or Potsdam).

Link to comment
  • 2 months later...

Does Green Meadows Clinic in Columbia require a letter from your therapist?

They do before they will start HRT. Having a good therapist in your corner will help make transitioning easier and help you understand your gender issues better. HRT therapy also requires medical monitoring and lab tests to ensure that you are not damaging your liver. They also monitor lipid levels as well as a complete blood chemistry panel to watch for over production of certain blood cells or abnormal clotting which could lead to a clot which could lead to a stroke or heart attack. On a personal note, my GP knows my medical background and I have built up a level of trust with him. I consult with Dr Swenson about HRT dosages and forward her recommendations on to my GP doctor. Dr L my GP monitors my lab levels and I share them with Dr Swenson on a regular basis. I also have juvenile diabetes, wear an insulin pump and this adds a complication to my medical care. I take my medical care very seriously. Work closely with physicians that I trust and I tend to take a conservative approach to HRT Therapy. Hormones are very powerful drugs that can hurt you, so no buying them from overseas sources. Yes, the Standards of Care can be a pain sometimes, but they are in place to keep you safe. I pm'd you with my therapists information. She is extremely good and very easy to work with. Therapists can generally help you understand you better and whether it takes a month or three months before they make the decision to recommend HRT Therapy, that time is well spent in preparing you for a life long decision that is going to radically change relationships you may have. It may affect jobs, marriages go sour, and a host of other issues that you have to face along the journey to a final destination of living as your true self. We tend to focus on the prize and forget about the issues that occur along the way to the prize. I waited decades to arive where I am at today. Hard, you bet. Do it alone, no way. This journey requires bringing supporters along the journey. It's hard. It's a decision that nobody would make if they didn't need to. But there comes a point in your life that you can't live the lie any more. You want to come out of the shadows. If you are at that point in your life, all of us on Laura's stand ready to support and help you. Just ask. KathrynJulia

Link to comment
  • 9 months later...
Guest sophia.gentry58

I wished I'd come across this post before spending all afternoon today looking for an Endocrinologist, to no avail. :( Tomorrow I will look for an MD who is experienced in Transgen issues and is sympathetic to my needs and concerns.

Sophia

Link to comment
  • Admin

Sophia, I just posted this link in your HRT Regimen Post, but here it is again, these folks are in Tulsa http://www.lgbtcenters.org/Centers/Oklahoma/90/Oklahomans-for-Equality.aspx They may know where a local person is that can help you. Your actual in office visits with and Endo will probably be one or two per year, and they may be able to work with your GP to supervise you on a more frequent basis.

Link to comment
Guest sophia.gentry58

Thanks so much Vicky! Please forgive me for having you to repeat yourself. There is such a wealth of information here I feel like being in a maze. I'll have to do a better job a tracing my steps so as not to get lost. :)

Sophia

Sophia, I just posted this link in your HRT Regimen Post, but here it is again, these folks are in Tulsa http://www.lgbtcenters.org/Centers/Oklahoma/90/Oklahomans-for-Equality.aspx They may know where a local person is that can help you. Your actual in office visits with and Endo will probably be one or two per year, and they may be able to work with your GP to supervise you on a more frequent basis.

Link to comment
  • Dev unpinned this topic

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   5 Members, 0 Anonymous, 150 Guests (See full list)

    • Abigail Genevieve
    • MaeBe
    • VickySGV
    • Stefi
    • Susie
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.6k
    • Total Posts
      768k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,014
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Quillian
    Newest Member
    Quillian
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. l.demiurge
      l.demiurge
  • Posts

    • Davie
      Except for this thung thwister: Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle sifter, in sifting a sieve full of unsifted thistles, thrust three-thousand thistles through the thick of his thumb. Now if, Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle sifter, in sifting a sieve full of of unsifted thistles, thrust three-thousand thistles through the thick of his thumb, how many thistles can'st thou thrust through the thick of thy thumb . . . in sifting a sieve-full of unsifted thistles? Success to the successful thistle sifter!
    • VickySGV
      You have given you and us a big clue right there.  I hope you have shared this observation with your Endocrinologist and are willing to take their advice about changing that behavior.    Non prescribed herbal or animal supplements can have a negative effect on your body's use of your available hormones.  Also, your genetics are going to be controlling what your body is going to do with your hormones, and again, that is for you to consult with your Endocrinologists.  On this site none of us are licensed medical personnel and we cannot give you advice on your health more than what your doctor can.  We have rules that we enforce against our members advising about "Folk Remedies" because we have had members who have gone that route and badly damaged their health and quality of life.  Only thing I can go anywhere on, is that maybe if you change your expectations of what should happen, you will at least not be in danger of harming yourself from anxiety.
    • Timi
      Hi @violet r!    Thank you so much for sharing. I'm so glad you found this place. I hope you find as much comfort and support here as I have.    -Timi    
    • marysssia
      Hi lovely people,   I'm a 25 yo MtF woman, and I've been suffering from low estrogen issues since October 2023. I completely lost my feminine libido, my breast completely stopped growing, my estrogen levels dropped by a lot (despite NOT decreasing my E dosage) and thus my dysphoria drastically increased. I think it is worth mentioning that, for my health issues, I had been taking ----- Lamotrigine for months & had been on ketogenic diet, and these things seem to be a culprit of my current issue. I weaned off Lamotrigine some time ago and gave up on keto diet, but it still doesn't seem to help. My estrogen is still low (44 ng/ml) and my libido hasn't come back yet. In general, I struggle with my dysphoria so much because of that and, to be honest, I don't know what to do. I've tried so many dietary supplements, yet I didn't get any effects from them. My endocrinologist didn't know how to help me. She only suggested to increase my daily estrogen dose (to 3x per day ------sublingual estrogen tablets and 3x per day ------ estrogen gel applied to armpits or thighs), which I did, without any effect.   Please, help me. Prior to keto diet & Lamotrigine treatment, I'd never had experience like that. I'm basically helpless and have no clue what to do. Having to deal with low estrogen is a horrible experience to me and it affects my life severely.   BTW, my T levels are always within female range.   Do you have any clue what exactly I should do?
    • April Marie
      I love wearing a jeans skirt!! That looks like airport carpet. Safe travels if you're flying!!
    • Maddee
      Flight faraway forthcoming Fabulous forum friends 😊😊🎸🦂
    • Maddee
    • KathyLauren
      One of our cats is polydactyl.  He has 7 toes on each front paw and 5 on each back paw, for 24 toes total.   Another one, an ex-feral who, at the time, was free to roam, climbed 50 feet up a tree without having any thought about how he was going to get down.  His pal climed down backwards, but he couldn't.  He ended up coming down by leaping from branch to branch.  Which nearly gave us heart attacks, because he only has one eye and therefore has no depth perception.   The other ex-feral (both are now indoor cats) obviously does not have those soft pads on his feet.  At night, when we are in bed, we can hear him stomping around the house.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      The two o'clock Onshoring meeting was going well.  Taylor was leading, inviting other people up to speak on their specialties. Aerial photogrammetry and surveying, including the exact boundary, were out for contract signature  Gibson had handled that - Manufacturing was supposed to, but somehow hadn't happened.  Legal issues from Legal. Accounting reported on current costs, including all upkeep, guard salaries, etc.  Manufacturing was supposed to give those numbers, but they hadn't.   The downside was the VP of Manufacturing.  He had arrived at the meeting red-faced, his tie askew, clutching a bottle. It smelled strongly of vodka. He had never done anything in his twenty years of being VP of Manufacturing, and he did not like being asked now.   "Mr. ----, do you have the inventory we asked for?" Taylor asked politely.  VP Gibson had asked him to have his people go through the plant and not only inventory but assess the operational status of every piece of equipment.  They needed to know what they had. "I'm not going to take any f---- orders from a g-d- tra---," he snarled. "God knows what kind of perverts it has dragged into our fair city and bangs every night." "That is completely out of line." That was Gibson.  Taylor controlled herself.  That was a shot at Bob, not just at Taylor.  She was glad Bob was not there to do something stupid.  Had Mrs. McCarthy been talking? What had she said?  Was she given to embellishment?  Taylor took a deep breath. "I'm not sorry.  You f--- can take this stupid onshoring --- and shove it up your -" "That is quite enough."  This was the head of HR. "You can take your sissy ways and sashay -" "You are fired." "You can't fire me." "Oh, yes I can," said the office manager.  The VP took another swig from his bottle. "Try it."  He looked uncertain. "I will have you removed.  Are you going to leave on your own?  I am calling the police to help you leave." And he dialed the number. He stomped out cursing. They heard him noisily go down the hall.  This was the front conference room.  He actually went through security and out the door, throwing his badge on the ground on his way.  The guard picked it up. They could see this through the glass wall. "Can you fire a VP?" "The Board told me that if anyone gives me problems they should be shown the door. Even a VP.  I can fire everyone here. I won't, of course. Those were problems." "Are you alright, Taylor?" She nodded.  "I've heard worse.  Shall we continue?" And they did.   The last item was that certain business people in China had been arrested, and the corporation that had been supporting them all these years had been dissolved.  They were on their own, and the Board was dead serious on straightening things out.  After this meeting, Taylor believed it.  She did not attend the meeting to discuss how to distribute the few duties the VP of Manufacturing had done.  That was ultimately up to the Board.    
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Lunch was at Cabaret, still free.  The place was quiet: it was the sort of place you took a business client to impress them, and the few other people were in business suits.  Most of the legal profession was there.   She told him of the morning's frustrations, breaking her own rule about confidentiality.  She asked Karen how the branding was going, and Karen had snapped back that she had not started on it yet - they had all these proposals.  Taylor had explained that it was important, for the two o'clock meeting, and Karen told her to do it herself.  Karen pointed out that Taylor could not touch her - her uncle was on the Board and her brother was VP of Manufacturing.  Nor would the two computer guys go out to the plant - they were playing some kind of MMORPG and simply not available. If she wanted the pictures, she should go.  Mary prayed an Ave Maria, but both she and Brenda were racing to get the proposal out. The client wanted it Friday for review.   She didn't bring up what Mrs. McCarthy had told her.  She wasn't sure how to approach it.  She thought of telling her of a 'something more comfortable' she had bought in case he ever DID show up at her door. It was in the bottom drawer of her dresser, ready to go.  Instead she talked about moving to a place with a garage.  Several of the abandoned houses had one, and they had been maintained well with China cash.   Bob had finally realized that when he was introduced as Bob, Taylor's boyfriend, that was just how things were done here. Other people had introduced each other in terms of family relationships, which were strong.  Long before you found out anything else about someone, you knew how they were related.  Family kept people from leaving Millville.    "What is the real name of this town, anyway?"   She laughed.  "I am trying to find that out.  It's 'Welcome to Millvale' when you come into town from the north, and 'Welcome to Millville' on the south.  I have counted two other variants."   "What a town. Roosevelt is like that, with the families, but there is only one spelling."  
    • Ashley0616
      Nothing wrong with that. I'm glad that you found what makes you happy! Just curious what does your wife think? If it's too personal I understand.
    • Ashley0616
    • Ashley0616
      – According to a recent survey, the most popular name for a dog is Max. Other popular names include Molly, Sam, Zach, and Maggie.
    • Ashley0616
    • Ashley0616
      Either new environment/ not potty trained
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...