John O’Dea, MD

Dr O’Dea has been my endocrinologist since 2008. He has conducted my HRT, which has been extremely effective. He is sensitive, and intelligent. I am also a classical pianist, and really enjoy our conversations when I visit. I would highly recommend Dr O’Dea, for any hormonal issue, from HRT to women’s issues. I believe him to be the best in his field, employing a unique, organic perspective, lacking among other physicians. He also has a fun sense of humor. I heartily recommend.

I saw Dr. O’Dea a few years ago for about a year, back when he was at the Screen Actor’s Guild building, not that I knew at the time that that place on Sawtelle Blvd was the Screen Actor’s Guild building.
I did know Francine and Peter. I had no issues with them. If anything, they were nice to me. That was an emotional time for me, but not because of my issue, which caused me to see him, but rather issues with my family and a recent divorce. He asked me to leave, which at the time was for the best. I needed to work my personal life out.
I cannot speak to Dr. O’Dea talking about breasts all the time, but that is his job. His job is to help transsexuals gain breasts and become females. One has to have a passion for his/​her work to be successful. I totally get that and understand that.
I always thought that he was upfront and fair towards me. He explained everything by drawing illustrations on the whiteboard and explaining the differences in details between what he does and others. When I had questions, he answered them in detail. I was a participant in my own treatment, not just a receiver with no explanation whatsoever. I have had that experience. I can understand someone mistaken passion for one’s work, when it comes to this sensitive area.
True, things could have changed in the last 6 to 7 years, since I was there. People change. I changed. I am sure that he changed.
I do not know the new staff, so no comments, but I do have an allergist, who changes staff periodically. One staff member told me that the reduced hours and frequent turnover was to save money and avoid benefits. That may or may not be true here. Sadly, the staff is quite important, because that is who patient’s sees.
Yes, his big cash cow is treating transsexual women, but that is true for every doctor treating transsexual women. That is true for all medical professionals. I recently had a colonoscopy, not by choice, if I might add. The insurance company notified me that the 2-​minute procedure plus waiting time in the recovery room was billed at roughly $ 5,700. That is 2-​minutes guys/​gals. How does one come up with a bill for that kind of money for 2-​minutes. It is the entire medical profession which is the problem, not specifically Dr. O’Dea. I had a nasaloscopy last year. That is a tube stuck in the nose, snap a picture, take the tube out. The time from beginning to end inclusive of talking, the majority of the time, could not have exceeded two minutes, but I think more like 1-​minute. The cost was $ 670. Talk about cash cows. That procedure is a cash cow. Shall I continue?
Dr. O’Dea did provide a good treatment, which reduces medical risks and does help promote the desired goal. I know that first hand. Most doctors in this area just give tablets, which does not benefit the patient.
I am not trying to defend him, not at all. Heck, I got tossed out, although that was entirely my fault and for my benefit. Maybe because I have been at this transition, but my main priority is if a doctor is good, knows his field, and explains thoroughly what he does. A nice bedside manner is nice. The holographic doctor on Star Trek Voyager comes to mind here.

I have numerous medical problems, and I regularly see some of the best physicians in Los Angeles to deal with them. I knew my hormones were contributing to the pain and other issues I was experiencing, but my endocrinologist was of little to no help on the matter and I had tried all manner of anti depressants, diet, exercise, etc. I had almost come to my own conclusion that it was all in my head like my endocrinologist kept telling me.
Dr odea met me after about 8 years of struggling to get along each day for lack of control over pain and my emotions. After a single 2 hour visit, about 15 blood tests, and some application of his knowledge and experience, he was able to surmise what was going on, and better yet, fix it.
He has since followed up with supporting blood work and care, maintaining the most level, happy period in my adult female existence. He isn’t some fly by night chiropractor telling you your thyroid or fibromyalgia will be fixed if you take his $ 500/​a month supplements. He uses hard lab numbers and a different outlook on how the body works to put together a treatment plan that works based on the scientific evidence.
He’s the real deal, folks. Yes, as other reviewers said he’s very straightforward, politically incorrect, and says the F word a whole lot– but he’ll fix you up. If you’ve struggled with hormone issues you know that’s the true pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

I’ve been seeing Doctor O’Dea for just about two years now, and I highly recommend him — if you don’t have a thin skin. He does tell off-​color jokes and acts human and laughs and is politically incorrect — which I personally love about him. Others may not.
He takes as much time with you as you need to fully understand hormones and how they work and how his methods are applied. On my first visit he spent nearly two hours answering my numerous questions, even though the procedure to implant the pellets only took a few minutes. He has shown no less interest or care on my subsequent visits.
He is brilliant and doesn’t suffer fools gladly — which I also love since I’m the same way. Many of his critics are simply endos that are threatened by his methods — but it is remarkable to note how many other endos are using the subcutaneous pellet implant method now. It’s much less work to maintain (an office visit every 3 months instead of daily pills), and much less load on your liver and the results are exceeding my expectations.
The single thing that makes this a four-​star review instead of a five-​star review comes over the price he charges; it is quite a bit more expensive than the alternatives. That said, this is a premium product and certainly justifies the price. So I pay it with just a tinge of regret that perhaps cheaper methods would allow me to save more money for the other procedures I require — but also mindful that cheaper methods may not give me the same results and be much harsher on my liver.