Ask a trans person!

[JDeere]

Okay health insurance, anyone have any tips for insurance for transfolks? Or some links that I can read over.

Thanks!

[Kelt]

Originally Posted by JDeere

Okay health insurance, anyone have any tips for insurance for transfolks? Or some links that I can read over.

Thanks!

What are you looking for when you say "for transfolks"? Are you looking for coverage of transitional procedures? (Let me know if you find that!) Or are you looking for trans-friendly healthcare providers or what?

Health Insurance here in the states has gotten a lot trickier since 2014 and you are required to carry something, the fines are going up for those who skip and the window of opportunity for signing up is a lot shorter this year.

I've learned a lot this last year but I wouldn't consider any of it to be trans specific.

[JDeere]

Right now trans friendly providers. And then for surgical procedures.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by JDeere

Right now trans friendly providers. And then for surgical procedures.

It is all very complicated. If you want to PM me I can send you in the right direction for what you want to know:

1) information on the insurance system/how to navigate your insurance
2) State laws and where to find them regarding your insurance
2) how to find a gender therapist in your area/online
3) how to find a testosterone provider and what you need to do so that they will prescribe T to you.
4) how to find a surgeon and how to find out their criteria for surgery.
5) the barriers to each of the above.

I can talk all day about the above, but I don't want to ramble on forever and give you (or fill up the thread with), needless information.

If you have specific questions and are willing to tell me what state you live in, and what insurance you have, I can save you hours of research. For a small fee.

It is impossible to discuss these things in generalities.

[JDeere]

Thank you Dapper, I will pm you when I am fully awake and can truly comprehend all of it. I just got back home from being out.

[The Oopster]

Don't know if anyone that can answer this comes on here but not really the question I want to put on my Facebook page.

I've talked to one person but would like to others experience on this.

Has anyone stopped or lowered their testosterone after chest surgery and having a complete hysterectomy?

I'm going to make an appointment in February to talk with my dr when I'm back in his area. Meanwhile I haven't take one since I think Oct. My hysterectomy was done at the end of November. I really haven't felt it necessary and am thinking of holding off till then just to see what it does to my hormone levels and blood counts. At this point I just not sure what the advantages to continuing it would be.

My energy level has been pretty damn good, frame of mind, etc. I don't really care what happens to my facial hair and I got a pretty low voice.

I actually think part of my feeling well might be because my red blood count is leveling out. That its being high was helping me feel sluggish. In fact surgery probably helped that also since I have donated for a while and they didn't have to give me any I probably lost enough to lower the count also.

any experience?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Don't know if anyone that can answer this comes on here but not really the question I want to put on my Facebook page.

I've talked to one person but would like to others experience on this.

Has anyone stopped or lowered their testosterone after chest surgery and having a complete hysterectomy?

I'm going to make an appointment in February to talk with my dr when I'm back in his area. Meanwhile I haven't take one since I think Oct. My hysterectomy was done at the end of November. I really haven't felt it necessary and am thinking of holding off till then just to see what it does to my hormone levels and blood counts. At this point I just not sure what the advantages to continuing it would be.

My energy level has been pretty damn good, frame of mind, etc. I don't really care what happens to my facial hair and I got a pretty low voice.

I actually think part of my feeling well might be because my red blood count is leveling out. That its being high was helping me feel sluggish. In fact surgery probably helped that also since I have donated for a while and they didn't have to give me any I probably lost enough to lower the count also.

any experience?

Removing breasts wouldn't impact T levels.

I have heard around 4 guys talk about this. All 4 said they needed the same amount of T in order to keep the same T levels after removal of their ovaries. I find that interesting because I would think that your body no longer fighting estrogen would mean less testosterone needed for the same amount of T in the body.

I have read that orchidectomy does result in MTFs being able to take much less, or no T blockers.

My understanding is that our bodies need to have one hormone or the other, so it isn't wise to not take any hormones. It negatively impacts things like bone strength. Please consider calling your physician. Maybe you only need to take a small amount to stay healthy.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Don't know if anyone that can answer this comes on here but not really the question I want to put on my Facebook page.

I've talked to one person but would like to others experience on this.

Has anyone stopped or lowered their testosterone after chest surgery and having a complete hysterectomy?

I'm going to make an appointment in February to talk with my dr when I'm back in his area. Meanwhile I haven't take one since I think Oct. My hysterectomy was done at the end of November. I really haven't felt it necessary and am thinking of holding off till then just to see what it does to my hormone levels and blood counts. At this point I just not sure what the advantages to continuing it would be.

My energy level has been pretty damn good, frame of mind, etc. I don't really care what happens to my facial hair and I got a pretty low voice.

I actually think part of my feeling well might be because my red blood count is leveling out. That its being high was helping me feel sluggish. In fact surgery probably helped that also since I have donated for a while and they didn't have to give me any I probably lost enough to lower the count also.

any experience?

I don't recall stopping it for chest surgery and I'm looking at doing a hysto for the possibility of lowering how often I take shots. (I range on fear of needles from ok to near catatonic some times -- it's weird since I self-inject). My general GP recommended me to a gyno for a hysto who believes that having that done will help with me reducing t shots since there will no longer be a fight between hormones. I'll probably be exploring this in 2015 along with possible further bottom surgery.

[Rufusboi]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

Don't know if anyone that can answer this comes on here but not really the question I want to put on my Facebook page.

I've talked to one person but would like to others experience on this.

Has anyone stopped or lowered their testosterone after chest surgery and having a complete hysterectomy?

I'm going to make an appointment in February to talk with my dr when I'm back in his area. Meanwhile I haven't take one since I think Oct. My hysterectomy was done at the end of November. I really haven't felt it necessary and am thinking of holding off till then just to see what it does to my hormone levels and blood counts. At this point I just not sure what the advantages to continuing it would be.

My energy level has been pretty damn good, frame of mind, etc. I don't really care what happens to my facial hair and I got a pretty low voice.

I actually think part of my feeling well might be because my red blood count is leveling out. That its being high was helping me feel sluggish. In fact surgery probably helped that also since I have donated for a while and they didn't have to give me any I probably lost enough to lower the count also.

any experience?

Oopster

I had a complete hysterectomy when I was in my 20's. For years I did not take any hormone replacement. When I went to an endocrinologist to talk about transitioning he informed me I needed to be on some sort of hormone because my body was not producing any hormones which was affecting my health and bone density. He said because my body was not producing any hormone I either need to take estrogen or testosterone. Since I have been on testosterone for 3 years my energy level has risen and I am never sick.

My suggestion is to talk to your doctor before making a decision.

Rufus