Testosterone

[Hoarce]

I have been under the impression testosterone replacement therapy was the way I should go. A person 10+ years younger than me has been on it for a year or two and swears by it. That is why I went to a Doctor after my separation. I did learn a few things.

The primary reasons I'm not on T therapy is 1) my T level shot up and 2) it was explained to me that once you are on it, your natural production level stops. All well and good, but if for some reason you stop taking it, your T level crashes. It can take from one to two years to get your natural production going again.

If my T level was still falling, I'm sure I'd end up on T therapy. But since I'm feeling high on life again, I am going to work on diet, conditioning and chasing Tigerest type young ladies:D

I'm not a Doctor nor play one on TV.

[Guest Mr. X]

I'm on testosterone and absolutely love it. Been using it for about three-four years now.

Ton's of other health benefits beyond the sexual component. Do your own independent research on testosterone. Use a smart, like minded doctor who is also using hormone replacement for themselves.

Its cheap as far as I'm concerned and worth every penny.

[Guest Skibum]

Mr X, would you mind sharing a ballpark amount for a year's worth of it? Were you able to get any insurance coverage for it? Lol.

[Guest Mr. X]

I spend less than $500 for a years worth of testosterone or about $40 a month. Plus I have my blood levels monitored by my doctor about twice a year and there is a cost for that.

I'm private pay for this with a specialty MD outside of insurance. You'll need to check with yours.

A lot of different factors for anyone interested to consider so do your research. If you're a healthy twenty something year old, I think you'd be stupid to get on it.

FYI: They do not just give out testosterone upon request. It all starts with blood work to determine your T levels. I was low and really glad that I found out.

[Guest Skibum]

Thanks for the info!

[Hoarce]

Mr X. Just curious as to your age. Also any information as to length of time someone can use it in years and any possible downsides.

I agree testosterone is a volatile issue amongst the medical profession. Some say no one should below 500 or 600 while others say you need to get below 200 to be treated.

I am going to give it 6 months to adjust to my new circumstances. After that, I might be looking at T again.

[pitbull]

Mr X. Just curious as to your age. Also any information as to length of time someone can use it in years and any possible downsides.

I agree testosterone is a volatile issue amongst the medical profession. Some say no one should below 500 or 600 while others say you need to get below 200 to be treated.

I am going to give it 6 months to adjust to my new circumstances. After that, I might be looking at T again.

The baseline level is essentially the level of the HIGHEST naturally occurring testosterone, hence the debate out what is truly "normal." We know that MMA fighters such as Vitor Belfort (who just knocked out his considerably younger opponent with a spinning kick) are WAY HIGH but still "OK" due to this discrepancy about what is "normal."

[synoches]

I've been on testosterone for a couple years now and did a ton of research before making the plunge. I'm in my late 30's, btw. Here are a few points:

Insurance will generally pay if your doctor says you need the treatment. Most doctors follow a rule of requiring testosterone levels to be under 300. HMO scenarios may have stricter guidelines (Kaiser requires <240). The blood draw to test is quick and easy so if you're thinking about it, you might as well get the test done.

Don't plan on ever being on and off Testosterone. Whether or not it works out this way, consider it a permanent choice. If you go off, your levels will plummet and you will be very miserable until they go up again and that could take a while (and may never go back up to pre-treatment levels).

There are various forms of application including gels, creams, patches, injections, etc. Injections come in generic form and are the cheapest option if insurance isn't on your side. Many patients prefer injections, especially if they're allowed to self-inject at home.

[pitbull]

I've been on testosterone for a couple years now and did a ton of research before making the plunge. I'm in my late 30's, btw. Here are a few points:

Insurance will generally pay if your doctor says you need the treatment. Most doctors follow a rule of requiring testosterone levels to be under 300. HMO scenarios may have stricter guidelines (Kaiser requires <240). The blood draw to test is quick and easy so if you're thinking about it, you might as well get the test done.

Don't plan on ever being on and off Testosterone. Whether or not it works out this way, consider it a permanent choice. If you go off, your levels will plummet and you will be very miserable until they go up again and that could take a while (and may never go back up to pre-treatment levels).

There are various forms of application including gels, creams, patches, injections, etc. Injections come in generic form and are the cheapest option if insurance isn't on your side. Many patients prefer injections, especially if they're allowed to self-inject at home.

Interesting indeed. To make a "permanent choice" like that in your 30s -- well, just seems like you have saddled yourself with injections and financial outlay for the rest of your life.

My question to you is: What is the best thing about TRT? Why is it so "great"?

[synoches]

Interesting indeed. To make a "permanent choice" like that in your 30s -- well, just seems like you have saddled yourself with injections and financial outlay for the rest of your life.

My question to you is: What is the best thing about TRT? Why is it so "great"?

There's a lot of permanent choices we saddle ourselves with, some even earlier in life, and this is one of my least costly. TRT can be like the fountain of youth when you've found yourself feeling twice your real age. Feeling like an old man (tired all the time, low sex drive, poor concentration, weight-gain, weakening muscles and low endurance) before your time is no way to live.

[pitbull]

There's a lot of permanent choices we saddle ourselves with, some even earlier in life, and this is one of my least costly. TRT can be like the fountain of youth when you've found yourself feeling twice your real age. Feeling like an old man (tired all the time, low sex drive, poor concentration, weight-gain, weakening muscles and low endurance) before your time is no way to live.

I hear you. Good luck and be well.

[fly007rod]

I get a shot once a month. Nothing $ out of pocket and I think insurance pays around $35.

[dredrocker]

andro gel gives me more energy...but if your looking for a better boner try viagra

[vince27-3007]

Just had the test done and was told normal range was 9-30, I was 12

anyone with similar numbers care to share, looking for energy much more than sexual benefits.

Thanks

[Guest]

I've been getting injections for a few years now. Don't know what my numbers were prior to the injections but my doc says I am now in the normal range. Get one every 3 - 4 weeks depending on how much activity is anticipated. My PPO plan covers part of it with my portion being $36. I get blood drawn twice a year for it and other tests.

[Libertarian]

You could try Clomid. This is one Doctors' opinion in the link. In medicine there is always risk vs benefit. No one size fits all.

http://shiramillermd.com/blog/clomid-men-testosterone-alternative.html

[colorful]

I have no insurance and I am wondering about the cost of the Doctor visit.If you have a doctor you would recommend and how much it cost to visit,please pm me.

Thanks

[synoches]

Clomid sounds interesting for those with secondary hypogonadism (like myself).

Concerning no insurance, check out a men's health clinic (like http://www.coloradomenshealthclinic.com). Those places tend to focus on testosterone and usually don't accept insurance anyway. That site I posted lists treatment rates.

[Old_Timer]

Mr X. Just curious as to your age. Also any information as to length of time someone can use it in years and any possible downsides.

I agree testosterone is a volatile issue amongst the medical profession. Some say no one should below 500 or 600 while others say you need to get below 200 to be treated.

I am going to give it 6 months to adjust to my new circumstances. After that, I might be looking at T again.

Hoarce,

I'm in my 60s and at my age primary hypogonadism is quite common. If you still have some testosterone output, it would be best not to suppress by using supplementation until you have a diagnosis.

Then you want to maintain your T level so that it stays balanced. HRT is not the sort of thing you want to go off and on. Once you're there, you don't go back. That's why it is important to get a diagnosis.

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is not just for sexual performance. Male menopause is called andropause, and its as real as female menopause. Hypogonadism can make men feel miserable. We experience the hot flashes and chills that are common in menopause. We get cranky, and feel flu-like symptoms in our muscles and joints. I hate the feeling.

There are other plenty of causes of primary hypogonadism other than andropause, which hits you in your 50s. Many medical modalities, for instance, long-term opiod treatment for chronic pain, suppress the lutein cycle, which regulates T production in men, and estrogen production in women -- same mechanism, different hormone. It causes primary hypogonadism.

As for treatment, patches have proven poor efficacy. Gels are better, but they're more expensive. Testosterone cypionate is the injectable oil, and is the most cost effective formulation.

For the cypionate, you can either go to your doc every two or three weeks for an injection, or self inject weekly (my preferred method.) this keeps levels steady. Your doc will Rx, and your levels should be checked once or twice a year when you reach steady state.

If you go for the self inject method, here's some advice.

You can buy a big bottle (10ml) of T. cypionate 200mg/ml for about $80 at Walmart with a coupon from GoodRX.com. For me, that bottle lasts over 3 months. Syringes and needles are cheap -- about $8 for 3 months. You'll need a small 25 g needle for injection (usually comes with syringe), but because the cypionate formulation is so thick, it is easier to use a bigger needle for drawing up the medication, so ask for an equal amount of 18g needles for drawing. then get instruction on maintaining sterile protocol for drawing, changing the needle, injecting, and disposing.

Through my insurance, I get a 3 month supply of T cyp. for $10. Office visits to inject used to cost me $20 a month, and w/o insurance, much more.

Good luck and stay healthy.

[LargeHam]

Have been on injections and gels for 2 years. Gels didn't work and am back on self injections. One piece of advice. I started taking a zinc supplement to thwart the body's tendency to to convert testosterone to estrogen, especially when it thinks it has too much T, such as right after an injection. Has to do with liver functions and enzymes. Anyway, the zinc really helps stop the sawtooth effect of injections (high T after injection, then decreasing until the next dose). I can tell from many effects across my body that this is working for me. Thought I would pass it on.

[synoches]

Have been on injections and gels for 2 years. Gels didn't work and am back on self injections. One piece of advice. I started taking a zinc supplement to thwart the body's tendency to to convert testosterone to estrogen, especially when it thinks it has too much T, such as right after an injection. Has to do with liver functions and enzymes. Anyway, the zinc really helps stop the sawtooth effect of injections (high T after injection, then decreasing until the next dose). I can tell from many effects across my body that this is working for me. Thought I would pass it on.

Thanks, LargeHam, I'm going to give ZMA a try.

[Yyyguy2]

I also am not a medical doctor nor do I play one on TV. One of the facts of life is that belly fat absorbs testosterone, 2 yrs ago after heart surgery, I aggressive fought to lose weight and when the belly shrunk the T levels went up and without replacement or T stimulation products. The gym and several century bike rides and you be up for it whenever.

[Guest mtndew]

I am in my mid 30s and suspected my T levels might be low. I took a private blood panel test and it was indeed determined that my T levels were low. I was referred to a physician for TRT. The physician refused to treat me until I'm at least the age of 40. I've called several other docs and they all say legally that 40 is the minimum age most of them will treat just due to the legal risks.

I just don't understand why this is such a taboo field of medicine? I guess it's all the stigma around people using steroids for body building purposes and doctors want to limit that type of liability... Unfortunately it leaves some of us in a real pickle.

I did find a doctor in SoCal that will help me but the prices are pretty steep. :/ Insurance as usual won't cover most of it.

So for now I'm just going to use natural supplements (GNC) to try and boost my T levels.... I do'nt think it's really helping that much.

MtnDew

[synoches]

Mtndew, I'd suggest seeing a urologist if you can. General practitioners are more likely to see hormone replacement as some sort of "dark art". Urologists have a lot more experience in dealing with the matter. This is the first I've heard about legal matters and testosterone though. The levels that body-builders use is at least 4x that of treatment dosages.

[Velvet Valentine]

Question...A long time ago, my doc mentioned to me that he gets serious hot flashes, like women, on his T-Therapy....wondering if anyone else here, experiences that side affect?

[Lovely_Leigh]

Here's something that might work if you're opposed to shooting test in your butt a la Lance Armstrong.

[mj76]

Here's something that might work if you're opposed to shooting test in your butt a la Lance Armstrong.

Thanks for posting that link Leigh. I'm not worried about my T levels but this is a great article. It seems like this would be a better place to start then getting shots. As I'm trying to live a healthier life I've implemented at least half of these but this gives me a few more items to add.

[LargeHam]

Thanks for the link, Leigh. Good information that is applicable to all. BTW, I have lost 15 pounds since I started taking the zinc daily with the T injections. For guys, losing weight is much harder with low T - it is a vicious circle that is hard to break. Same with diabetes. It all starts with diet and portion control.

BTW, 2 good books on Testosterone, both written by Doctors that have years of practice. Good reads, and good information in them for the ladies as well: The Testosterone Syndrome by Eugene Shippen, and Testosterone for Life by Abraham Morgentaler.