Blood tests in advance

[jo_g]

Hi. I have an appointment in February that I am hoping will lead to authority to see an endocrinologist for HRT. I believe the blood tests can potentially be done via GP, but I was wondering if anyone here got them done before their first appointment with the specialist. My theory being that if I can go to this appointment with the blood test results, I can maybe reduce the overall wait time? My understanding of the blood tests required are as follows:

 

Full blood count

Urea and electrolytes

Liver function

Fasting blood glucose or HbA1C

Lipid profile

Thyroid function

Serum testosterone

Serum estradiol

Serum prolactin

LH and FSH

 

Source: This book (recommended read)

 

Is it worth me seeking these tests so I can take them with me on the day, do you think?

[Carolyn Marie]

I did not get my blood tests done in advance.  Perhaps doing so would have saved me a week or two and a second visit with the doctor.  I don't recall near that many tests being required, either.  The problem is, if you leave something out that the doctor wants, you'll then have to get yet another test done.  If you get tests done in advance and the doctor only needs 2-3  of the tests on your list, you've potentially wasted money on unnecessary tests.

 

A week or two delay in starting HRT doesn't seem a big price to pay for getting exactly what your doctor needs and wants. I'm also doubtful that a lab would do the tests without a doctor's order, so at minimum you would have to see your GP anyway.  In the end its up to you.  Good luck!

 

Carolyn Marie

[SugarMagnolia]

I believe mine were done in advance as a baseline and to make sure there weren't existing issues that would be negatively impacted by HRT

[jo_g]

14 minutes ago, Carolyn Marie said:

The problem is, if you leave something out that the doctor wants, you'll then have to get yet another test done.

 

Yeah. This was the main reason I didn't just book all the tests for tomorrow and you're right; it probably won't add more than a week or two. 

 

Thanks for the replies.

[Raven1981]

Your list seems a little bit long for lab orders.  For myself, I just waited to see the doctor first to get the lab order paper so that way I have what the doctor wants ordered for labs and then I went for labs and 2 weeks later I started on hormones.  If you want to try to go in advance for labs, you can try to call the doctor you have an appt. with and see if maybe they can email you the lab orders to take with you to a lab clinic or place like that some where.  I know for myself now, I go to a lab clinic now for my labs a week prior to my checkups and my doctor just sends over the orders to the lab clinic and I just do a walkin and gets labs and walk out.  I dont know if they have something like that where you are or if maybe you can contact your doctor and see if you can get the order that they want.

 

Hope that this helps out

[jo_g]

On 1/16/2019 at 2:17 PM, Amy LeBlanc said:

I went for labs and 2 weeks later I started on hormones

 

Oh wow. I would love it if it's that quick over here. My latest fear is that I've read some doctors here require a social transition before HRT which is sadly not possible for me at the moment. 

 

That being said, the other day I got asked to speak to a GP who is experienced in gender dysphoria before sending off my referral to the GIC over here (NHS). But as an unexpected and absolutely wonderful bonus, he also booked me in for blood tests, so I'm super excited for that. 

[Raven1981]

I know for myself before even starting HRT, and seeing an Endocrinologist I was seeing a gender therapist first and she normally does 4 sessions before the final word and if you get a letter from her or not to see a Endocrinologist to start HRT.  Well, I continued to see her for a year before starting HRT and then I still see her.  And she helped me out with finding a doctor and with the doctor she helped me out.  When I was seeing my therapist and then to my doctor to start HRT, I was part time transitioning and later went full time.

 

But I know everyone transitions differently and there are different ways in all parts of the world and what doctors and therapist all look for

 

 

[Michelle F]

See your doctor first... He will redo any previous labs you bring in. I had labs done for my primary. Routine labs. When I saw my Transition specialist, two days later, he ordered new labs. Exactly the same labs... Fasting and nowhere  near the list you presented.

 

Plus you left out the four main ones for transitioning. Tests for estradiol and testosterone. 

 

Point is see your doc first!

 

Huggers, Michelle

[Michelle F]

Missed part. You got E T covered partially. There's two tests each

[jo_g]

Cool. Ta much. Fingers crossed the tests my GP booked covers what an endo would want.  

[Michelle F]

I know that talking med dosages are against policy. What about specific labs results; can we share them?

[Cyndee]

Just now, Michelle F said:

I know that talking med dosages are against policy. What about specific labs results; can we share them?

 

Lab results are fine Michelle, although they are personal, for example blood E numbers are shared here occasionally by some.

 

Hugs

 

C -

[Michelle F]

I'm finding in the various groups I've been involved with that E and T levels and the nutrients that are affected are major topics as some people don't eat the foods nor the supplements necessary to replace the nutes that meds leach from your body.  Electrolytes, vitamins and minerals specifically...

[Josie Beth]

I just found out yesterday from Autumn Ashphodel that the vitamin D3 I was taking was too little for this time of year and I thought I was doing good because a nurse told me how much to take but that’s a maintenance level and in winter time it’s not enough. Probably why I got a cold. So yes vitamins and supplements can help replenish or keep from being depleted of vital nutrients.

 

A good way to look at it is: because it’s a second puberty the body is going to scream for nutrition and it’s even worse because the body is bigger than a young person going through puberty. Plus as we age the body is even more depleted of stored nutrients. Our diets are somewhat sterilized of vital nutrients in this day and age unlike our ancestors. So all this kind of makes it imperative to be so much more health and diet conscious or we eat food uninformed based on impulse and cravings. A diet of high calorie intake and low nutrition can complicate transition in many ways. It’s not always the quantity but it’s always the quality.

[Jani]

I think D3 recommendations are all over.  I've heard high doses and low.  My doctor has me on it but not too high. 

[Janeshannon]

I would recommend checking with the prescribing physician about labs before getting any lab work done. My endo, who I haven't seen yet, always used the lab from his hospital and will not authorize prior to the intake appointment. I would have happily gotten the labs done before hand. Finding out that info was well worth the phone call.