Not sure what to think about my Doc and his recommendation

[superp]

I have been lurking here for almost a year and talking to some co-workers on HRT. I decided to get blood work done. About 5 months ago I was at 228 Total Test, today am at 167. LH is 2.6 (a bit low). Doc wants an MRI to check my pituitary.
I told my doc I didn't was the gel for many reasons. My doc (urologist) prescribed the Patch (testim?). His last resort is injections because of his concern for spikes and drops in test levels. I mentioned frequency of injections and also Sub-Q ideas. He had never heard of it?! and wasn't convinced.
He says he wants to give it a chance, but I know what most people end up with. The gel did nothing for me.

Thoughts?

I wonder if I should stick with him, or just look for another doc. it is not that I am begging for injections, but I also don't want to be a lab project for a guy who I can challenge for knowledge.

38yrs old
219lbs
15%
Lifting for 18 years.

 

[halfwit]

If you didn't get results from the gel-crap, you probably won't get much from patches as it's the same delivery route. There's just more money in prescribing those forms of testosterone delivery. Injections are king for a reason, sounds to me like he's another glorified diabetes doctor masquerading as someone qualified to treat hormone conditions. I'd politely tell him that you're not interested in patches/creams/gels/pellets/implants/voodoo as you have done your homework and feel that injections would be the best fit.

If he still refuses, I'd definitely see another doctor. A good rule of thumb is to ask what they feel about estradiol, as the ones worth a salt will understand the risks inherent with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and how this should be monitored and managed properly. I had to give up on my doc after finally getting him to give in on shots, but he wouldn't budge on AI's as they're off-label use is in men. I now just use him for my script and let him think he's the one managing my hormones well after I'd taken things into my own hands. Sucks that we're still in TRT's infancy as MANY men suffer from low-T and it's really hard finding qualified care that is covered by insurance. If I had the money, I'd be knocking on IMT's door right now.

 

[superp]

Thanks,

I might start shopping for another doc who understands the protocols. Maybe I will start to interview them! Either I want a doc that understands it all, or one that will let me take the reigns and go with it.

I just hate killing so much time to "see" if something works and then arguing about it. I just have to stay within the insurance.

 

[halfwit]

It's all worth it in the end my friend. I totally understand as I'm sure most guys in this forum do. Finding a qualified doctor that's covered by insurance is definitely a challenge!

 

[Megatron28]

It's all worth it in the end my friend. I totally understand as I'm sure most guys in this forum do. Finding a qualified doctor that's covered by insurance is definitely a challenge!

Where do you live? Maybe someone here can recommend a good local doc that takes insurance.

 

[SolomonGrundy]

i found every step was an improvement. Now if I could have just gone to injections I would, but injections cause the most increase in red blood cells and hematocrit / hemoglobin and impact Cholesterol the hardest, gels work, and the saw tooth blood level patterns are nice and stable, you would be in the 500 to 800 range and possible feel good, trick is to go straight to 2 packets or whatever the highest dose is, unless its fortesta then you can start at 6 or 7
gels are a pain in the ass, but testim is like a sex lure for ladies, one ingredient is a pheromone
Implants are nice after the 1st week because the shit just hurts, but almost 4 months of no worry with blood in the 600s
Injections get you higher and most of use split dose so two injections a week, feel good and mental clarity is greatly improved over gels but some days popping that needle into your thigh can get tough

 

[superp]

Where do you live? Maybe someone here can recommend a good local doc that takes insurance.

I live outside Detroit. Northern side.

 

[newtohrt]

You may have already done this, but I would try a Google search for 'hormone replacement' in your area and see what pops-up. Say, "Hormone Replacement Detroit" or "hormone replacement therapy in Detroit" or "male hormone replacement therapy in Detroit."

 

[SilverBackGorilla]

Good luck, I'm in Michigan too and am having one hell of a time finding a doctor that knows his stuff. I'm not joining some club for thousands of dollars when I have insurance that will cover it. All I need is some schmoe to write the scripts and I'm done.

 

[1693]

You've got Crisler in Lansing but might not take ins.....could you do that yourself?

 

[superp]

I just got a list of docs from a coworker. I will be calling around today. Some of them can be PCPs and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) at the same time. So no more referrals.

 

[Junior.]

Good luck, I'm in Michigan too and am having one hell of a time finding a doctor that knows his stuff. I'm not joining some club for thousands of dollars when I have insurance that will cover it. All I need is some schmoe to write the scripts and I'm done.

I know this thread is way old, I tried to PM you but for whatever reason I can't, anyways, did you ever find a decent doctor, I'm having a hard time finding one and the doc I see now just doesn't know his shit, and he's very resistant to learning anything from me, I don't know if he'll ever come around.

 

[Junior.]

I just got a list of docs from a coworker. I will be calling around today. Some of them can be PCPs and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) at the same time. So no more referrals.

Same question to you superp, did you find a decent doc? and if you did can I get a name? I'm in Michigan too and it's been a slow go with my current doctor.

 

[Daniel_IMT_Staff]

Try a Google Search with good reviews, or book a free consultation with us and we could discuss your options!