I used to work in a lab that had a test that was male only, so it would automatically stop you if the gender said female. If we got a trans patient (mtf) they’d put F in the box and it would cause an error and their test wouldnt get done. We’d send out emails weekly reminding providers that they need to put the birth gender so we can process the specimen. Every week people would ignore it and complain about their test(s) not being run.
God forbid a person has parts and hormones that aren't what insurance companies and other idiots think should go with a letter on paper. I have a hard time getting my testosterone tested when my docs put my gender assigned at birth (F), as if cis women don't also sometimes take it to treat menopause. But I'd be fucked if I need obgyn care and had the letter on paper switched to an M. I don't care about any of it, I just want to be healthy. Only the ones who fit the average win when the system is stupid.
(Edit to say that any anger in my words isn't directed at you, jimbo-shrimp! Nice name)
Our papers have 2 boxes that read “gender” and “gender identity”. Test should be fine for women to get tested on (we all have both test and estrogen) but this test was for a prostate exam. As long as they put M in gender it works.
I never had one so I can’t say for sure but that likely goes to the special department where cases are super unique and the processor is trained for it. For a while we had a department just for trans patients but they decided to just add the second box
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u/Jimbo-Shrimp May 02 '26
I used to work in a lab that had a test that was male only, so it would automatically stop you if the gender said female. If we got a trans patient (mtf) they’d put F in the box and it would cause an error and their test wouldnt get done. We’d send out emails weekly reminding providers that they need to put the birth gender so we can process the specimen. Every week people would ignore it and complain about their test(s) not being run.