How much do you pay per month for TRT?

[Dean407]

Still awaiting my 2nd blood test results...

In the meantime, I checked my insurance drug list and Depo-Testosterone and Arimidex is covered as Tier 3 drugs. My understanding is that I'd pay up to $40 for a 34 day supply of Tier 3 drugs.

Do I have to but syringes on my own or does that come with the Testosterone? I don't care, I know syringes are pretty cheap...just wondering.

Also, I did NOT see any hCG listed in my covered drugs. Perhaps there is a brand name I am missing, but how much is hCG if I could get a script and ended up using it?

Anyways, my thoughts were 100mg divided into two 50mg shots 3.5 days apart to start out. I'll see what my E2 levels are and talk to my doc about that and hCG.

It does seem to me that I can start TRT for about $40/mo + some misc costs.

What are the rest of you paying per month total?

What is covered by insurance if you have insurance?

Thanks...

Dean

 

[grayrh42]

If you are covered by Insurance things can be a lot cheaper. Will depend on what the Dr prescribes as well. My Dr was fine with the Test, which was only a $5 copay. This was for 10ml vial which is supposed to last me 20 weeks, 100mg per week. I bought my own needles since I was doing twice a week verse once a week pin, they are around $10 for 25. I had some E2 problems so went ahead and got an AI from site sponsor. $50 but will last me 6 months at .25mg E3D. So all in all, about $8 month. All depends on your insurance and if they cover based on the Dr. letter saying you need it.

 

[Virginian]

My insurance is pretty good.

Test is $30/10ml vial (which lasts me about 4 months). Labs are covered 100%. Doctor is $25 copay. I buy my own syringes. I do not use arimidex or hcg.

 

[STAUNCHED427]

$30/10ml Vial... Lucky you, I pay that much for 3ml and in preloaded syringes that I have to transfer into a vial. PITA.

All up costs me $14 per week so $56 a month on just Test/Adex prescriptions... Small price to pay to feel good and live healthy.

This is an AU.

 

[Mprtz]

If you are covered by Insurance things can be a lot cheaper. Will depend on what the Dr prescribes as well. My Dr was fine with the Test, which was only a $5 copay. This was for 10ml vial which is supposed to last me 20 weeks, 100mg per week. I bought my own needles since I was doing twice a week verse once a week pin, they are around $10 for 25. I had some E2 problems so went ahead and got an AI from site sponsor. $50 but will last me 6 months at .25mg E3D. So all in all, about $8 month. All depends on your insurance and if they cover based on the Dr. letter saying you need it.

No multi-use vial should be used for 20 weeks. 28 days "beyond first use date" is the FDA standard. If 10ml vials were all that were available, I would demand a fresh one every 4 weeks (and I'd be willing to pay too).

 

[grayrh42]

No multi-use vial should be used for 20 weeks. 28 days "beyond first use date" is the FDA standard. If 10ml vials were all that were available, I would demand a fresh one every 4 weeks (and I'd be willing to pay too).

Not sure where you are located, but when the vial indicates it is good for over a year, no Dr around here is going to say throw it away after month which is only 1/5 of its prescription life.. Out of pocket is $95 per vial so I would be paying $400 per 5 month's verse $5.

 

[superp]

My Test and Adex are covered. No copay. Needles are $25 for a box of 100. HCG is $70 if I want it.

 

[Mprtz]

Not sure where you are located, but when the vial indicates it is good for over a year, no Dr around here is going to say throw it away after month which is only 1/5 of its prescription life.. Out of pocket is $95 per vial so I would be paying $400 per 5 month's verse $5.

That date is for an unopened vial:

from CDC - Multi-dose vials - Safe Practices for Medical Injections FAQs - Injections Safety :

"In addition, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) General Chapter 797 [16] recommends the following for multi-dose vials of sterile pharmaceuticals: ***8226;If a multi-dose has been opened or accessed (e.g., needle-punctured) the vial should be dated and discarded within 28 days unless the manufacturer specifies a different (shorter or longer) date for that opened vial.
***8226;If a multi-dose vial has not been opened or accessed (e.g., needle-punctured), it should be discarded according to the manufacturer***8217;s expiration date.
The manufacturer***8217;s expiration date refers to the date after which an unopened multi-dose vial should not be used. The beyond-use-date refers to the date after which an opened multi-dose vial should not be used. The beyond-use-date should never exceed the manufacturer***8217;s original expiration date."

 

[grayrh42]

I have seen that link and others like it before. While I understand that this is what the FDA is indicating as a best practice, I know my Dr is not going to allow me to get a new 10ml vial every month. The FDA put the 28 day rule in place mainly for contamination purposes. the Dr will just indicate that you should wipe the vial and the needle with alcohol swabs and ensure that it is stored in a "protected" place.
The first thing a Dr would think if you ask for a new 10ml vial every month would be abuse..
Just my two cents.

 

[Mprtz]

I have seen that link and others like it before. While I understand that this is what the FDA is indicating as a best practice, I know my Dr is not going to allow me to get a new 10ml vial every month. The FDA put the 28 day rule in place mainly for contamination purposes. the Dr will just indicate that you should wipe the vial and the needle with alcohol swabs and ensure that it is stored in a "protected" place.
The first thing a Dr would think if you ask for a new 10ml vial every month would be abuse..
Just my two cents.

Maybe a malpractice lawsuit when you get an infection would change his mind.
The preservatives that keep the vial contents sterile are volatile. When you inject air into the vial you are introducing bacteria from the air even if the vial top and needle are sterile. Once the BA has sufficiently evaporated and given enough time, bacteria can grow.

I don't disagree that your Dr. might take a dim view of the request, but you shouldn't have to risk your health to allay his suspicions.

 

[jozifp103]

why would they make 10mL vials with 200mg/mL if it had to be used in 28 days? Thats 500mg/wk which is way higher than any doc would prescribe. There would be no point to making them...

 

[Mprtz]

why would they make 10mL vials with 200mg/mL if it had to be used in 28 days? Thats 500mg/wk which is way higher than any doc would prescribe. There would be no point to making them...

Because many hospitals use multi-use vials for multiple patients. It's not considered ideal but it is allowed if certain procedures are followed.