Starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) (with script)

[Nordic11]

If your Dr won't do the right thing or is providing sloppy care you don't try to "trick" him into the care you want.

+1

Tricking a doctor is just a form of self-medication. You should work with a doctor openly and honestly. They can't help you manage your health if they don't have correct information.

 

[MoparMuscle]

Yeah I posted that about the dude being that high on 125mg- for me it's weird. I had test drop after a month at 200 and I was below the range. finally started going up at 400, but got to a whopping 680 something. I know, no Aromatase inhibitor (AI), no Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), but that's why I'm with Maximus.

My e was in line though at 200mg, plus I always have a high tolerance for things meaning I metabolize quicky - anything with a noticeable half life (and I've taking many things) I half life things out at the low end of the range or lower. So dose and frequency truly need to be customized for an individual by an expert who *doesn't* weight average/normal over the individual - like what Chip does is a great example.

We have to remember half life's, dosages, other factors are all based on small representative (of population) groups - not everyone.

Sorry Mopar,wasn't lecturing you - just used your quote to make a point about extremes and where most docs eff up.

Totally agree. Everyone reacts different. My total test was very high on 200mg a week, your an example of the other end of the spectrum...

SHBG is one thing to monitor, I don't monitor mine because my total t and free t is very high but I do take a natty support to help lower it (unleashed I take 5 caps a day).

 

[soulspyder]

I guess I do need to give the guy a chance first. He hasn't done me wrong on any other healthcare issues so I'll give it a go the "right" way for now. Thanks for all the feedback. I do think though that if you don't take ownership of where your health needs to be you don't care enough. You are right though that I need to give it a try first...

P.S. No sticky to read in testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) section. I hate to be uneducated. Anyone know of a post that would be the "gospel" on this subject. Looking to ed-u-ma-cate myself as much as possible.

 

[TR2838]

+1

Tricking a doctor is just a form of self-medication. You should work with a doctor openly and honestly. They can't help you manage your health if they don't have correct information.

if you want to trick 95% of doctors just ask them what role HCG can play in HRT or any other question that a well informed person on TRT/HCG could answer, and they will be tricked.. Most Docs can't manage your health bc they don't know what the hell they r doing! If you have a good doctor that can prescribe you a good protocol, then good for you. And I mean that sincerely. But, after educating myself on this board and other, I came to the conclusion that it's better to have natural low T than screw around w/ endos and urologist that don't know how to properly treat Low T. They will make you feel worse than you did before being treated by them.
Then I called Chip and I feel better than I ever did in my life..
My point is: If you can't affford a reputable clinic specailizing in HRT.. Or can't afford a few dollars a day to be treated by Maximus, then keep your natural Low T levels bc you'll be better off.. IMHO
To the OP: messing w/ prohormones is definitely not the way to go! Keep asking questions and keep reading. I'm still learning every day

 

[soulspyder]

Ok. After additional research, I am both exited to get my T levels to normal, and aprehensive of the roller coaster ride ahead. No longer wanting to utilize any methods in the original post, just wanting it done "right". My concern though is it is always easier to ask for less than to ask for more "You want more testosterone?!!" your levels are within range!.... (not what my doc said, but thats what concerns me about cutting back too early.

Lab results.

I did my own lab to doublecheck my TRT. My test levels are where they should be already(a bit early right?). This is an afternoon lab and 5 days post injection(fasted).

My e2 also seems exceptionally high. I know this is up to me and my doc, but wouldnt I maybe feel better on a lower dose and some Aromatase inhibitor (AI) or would I be giving up too much T doing that Dose now is 200mg every 7 days. So would I expect the 966 to continue to climb and be WAY to high by the end of the month when doc does "official" labs??

Labs numbers belowthey sent me a "secured" pdf so I cannot cut and paste. All numbers were "normal". Test number typed in below.

e2=91.8
FSH=.2 range 1.5-12.4
LH= <.2 range 1.7-8.6
Test(serum) 966

Metabolic pannel, all numbers normal
CBC with differential. All numbers in range.

*Need feedback on if I should cut my own dose here. I dont want to argue to get cut back, then just have to face an uphill battle, like I said. Also, I might want a smidge extra as my insurance covers it now, but I could be switching jobs soon, which might not...

*Should my test continue to increase (nuts are def shrinking) or level off here. Im great with this test level, but e2 is quite high. I dont want to drop to 100 with no Aromatase inhibitor (AI) just to get e2 "in range" then just have low test and high normal e2...

Edit: not sharing these labs withmy doc, he would be upset that I am getting my own labs done. That said, should I go in early and just say im not feeling right?? Or just ride it out until the 1 month scheduled follow up?

 

[DeusMalo]

Whether you cut your dose of test is a question for you and how do you feel - looks like you are in a good spot BUT your e2 is way outta whack so you definitely aren't in an optimal spot and are probably feeling worse. Not sure cutting test alone will do much there - get an Aromatase inhibitor (AI). And if your nuts are shrinking - fuck that, get your doctor to give you HCG.

Or, rather than self-regulating and playing games with a doctor who probably won't do an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) and/or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) (ongoing), get with Chip who would have started you with the right protocol from the start and you wouldn't have to be asking questions about how to adjust for a doctor's ignorance. You also wouldn't have to worry about pissing a doctor off for doing your own labs (sounds like my doc).

 

[soulspyder]

Whether you cut your dose of test is a question for you and how do you feel - looks like you are in a good spot BUT your e2 is way outta whack so you definitely aren't in an optimal spot and are probably feeling worse. Not sure cutting test alone will do much there - get an Aromatase inhibitor (AI). And if your nuts are shrinking - fuck that, get your doctor to give you HCG.

Or, rather than self-regulating and playing games with a doctor who probably won't do an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) and/or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) (ongoing), get with Chip who would have started you with the right protocol from the start and you wouldn't have to be asking questions about how to adjust for a doctor's ignorance. You also wouldn't have to worry about pissing a doctor off for doing your own labs (sounds like my doc).

Not sure how to tell my doc that I dont think he knows what he's doing. He's been A+++ in every other area and I dont want to piss him off, but also really would like someone else to look at this. I will see what he does, and if he doesn't fix it, I'm going to simple ask if I could maybe see a specialist on this issue (passive enough?) Do labs need to be sent from doc or would I get a copy and send them?

Also, from earlie in post I understand chip doesn't do insurance; but does he provide codes etc so I can file myself?

 

[TR2838]

Show your bloodwork to your doctor.. So what if he gets upset for looking after your own health.. If he won't give you an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) w/ e2 at 90, then you need to move on..

 

[SteelFarmer]

Those whole 8 minutes you get with your Dr is your time and he should listen and do what is best for you. If he gets mad for asking questions about the research you have done, I would move on.
If you go to a specialist they would probably want all new tests.

 

[DeusMalo]

Well, even though I think it, I personally wouldn't tell the doc he doesn't know what he's doing - no purpose, but I do educate myself. I ask the right questions and point my doctor in the right direction (until I hit his limits and he started calling endo's for advice - which didn't go far hence Maximus). I'm not quite sure why you're worried about pissing him off - you are your number one advocate for your health. Be educated, articulate and take an inquirial/passive tone (vs too direct) - should be fine. He might get pissed if you were asking for narcotic pain killers, he wouldn't prescribe and you went elsewhere for those, but this is just HRT.

Just send a copy of your labs to Chip - they don't have to come directly from the doc.

Your right, Maximus doesn't take insurance. It's very, very rare any insurance will cover anything. Not sure about codes - haven't asked. hell, if your insurance covers anything wrt Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), you're doing better than 99.9% out there.

Keep us posted bro.

 

[Bullseye Forever]

well i showed my last endo my lastest test results,including my E2 levels and he wouldnt even look at it,said i didnt need and A.I. so i just gave him a few choice words and walked out and told him to go back to school and learn whats in the real world,and i moved on,my new endo appt is in oct,so im anxious to see what he does,im not expecting much to say the least