Low Testosterone: What are the options? UPDATE:Testosterone megathread (Page 431 of 443)
| In all seriousness, I ordered in late Nov., started in Dec., and will re-order sometime this month (I'll have to look at the schedule). I'm guessing the re-order schedule is around 8 weeks to ensure you don't have a break should there be delays in delivery as the first one took 1-2+ weeks. |
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Originally Posted By rollin-tumblin: Surely this is test undecanoate? I can't even imagine the peaks and valleys otherwise |
"You got to lick it, before you stick it."©
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
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What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
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Originally Posted By D_J: Ackshually, my PeterMD vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/IMG_6543-3693496.jpg But are they sending you that every month, or once every 2.5 months? |
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Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: But are they sending you that every month, or once every 2.5 months? Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: Originally Posted By D_J: Ackshually, my PeterMD vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/IMG_6543-3693496.jpg But are they sending you that every month, or once every 2.5 months? I haven't made my first reorder yet, but they instructed me to order in January and my first order was end of November. I'll check the client portal to see if they have a date for reorder. ETA -looks like about 9 weeks between orders. |
Life is too short to drive boring cars.
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Originally Posted By D_J: Ackshually, my PeterMD vial. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/174335/IMG_6543-3693496.jpg NVM, just caught up. |
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Originally Posted By AWMCoalition: A vendor for peptides or items relevant to this thread? Originally Posted By AWMCoalition: Originally Posted By FJB247: I just went to reorder some peptides and discovered that SSA is no longer in business. Anyone have another reliable source? A vendor for peptides or items relevant to this thread? I've got a guess, since he "went to reorder some peptides". And since there is significant overlap between T users also being peptide users....  
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Originally Posted By D_J: I haven't made my first reorder yet, but they instructed me to order in January and my first order was end of November. I'll check the client portal to see if they have a date for reorder. ETA -looks like about 9 weeks between orders. Not bad, I just switched from Henry Meds to TRT Nation. Henry Meds was sending 3 2ml vials every 3 months which was just barely enough. TRT Nation is sending 10ml every 2.5 months, and they started me at double what Henry Meds did, 200mg a week but I feel pretty good at 100mg a week so I'm gonna stick with that for a bit and stack the extra. May adjust after next bloodwork though. Not a fan of just barely having enough to get by, like to have a little reserve. PeterMD is on my radar though if TRT Nation ever goes sideways. Have heard good things about them. |
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Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: Not bad, I just switched from Henry Meds to TRT Nation. Henry Meds was sending 3 2ml vials every 3 months which was just barely enough. TRT Nation is sending 10ml every 2.5 months, and they started me at double what Henry Meds did, 200mg a week but I feel pretty good at 100mg a week so I'm gonna stick with that for a bit and stack the extra. May adjust after next bloodwork though. Not a fan of just barely having enough to get by, like to have a little reserve. PeterMD is on my radar though if TRT Nation ever goes sideways. Have heard good things about them. |
"You got to lick it, before you stick it."©
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
What would you die for? Unlikley for the average dipshit. Most people just ain't worth it.--drjarhead
I'm SNARKY with the moderator
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Originally Posted By Clarinath: I just switched from the cream to the twice a month injections. Was a little apprehensive about that long ass needle so I iced the spot before injecting and I didn't feel a thing. The cream was making my skin turn colors and drying me out like a mummy... I am on a pretty low dose, so it's not too bad. All I know is that without the test I would be a worthless pile of sleepiness all day every day. Now I'm awake! Cream is an excellent and viable option, IF you get the right cream, which generally means from a compounding pharmacy with one of several specific bases that increase absorption. And you also apply it to your balls. 
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Pour over coffee is best coffee.
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Originally Posted By FJB247: Yes.  Originally Posted By FJB247: Originally Posted By AWMCoalition: A vendor for peptides or items relevant to this thread? Yes. I've just started looking myself and so far the few I've found that have a well rounded offering of items are OOS domestically of T related product and having a difficult time restocking. If I see anything I'll PM if anything is left.
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Originally Posted By corwin1968: Where were you applying the cream? Cream is an excellent and viable option, IF you get the right cream, which generally means from a compounding pharmacy with one of several specific bases that increase absorption. And you also apply it to your balls. Chest and abdomen. Then arms. Tried thighs. These were all from a pharmacy. It was alcohol based. So I guess more of a gel than a cream. Definitely not ball friendly... |
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WE SEEK NOT YOUR COUNSEL, NOR YOUR ARMS
WE SEEK NOT YOUR COUNSEL, NOR YOUR ARMS
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Originally Posted By Clarinath: Chest and abdomen. Then arms. Tried thighs. These were all from a pharmacy. It was alcohol based. So I guess more of a gel than a cream. Definitely not ball friendly... Gels aren't well thought of from what I've seen. You need an actual test cream from a compounding pharmacy, not a regular pharmacy. It'll be a cash pay type of thing. |
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Question for those of you that have used your PCP and run through insurance. I suspected low T and talked to my PCP about it. She said that there was a well documented process for showing that it was medically necessary and we followed that protocol, fasted Total and Free tested first thing in the morning and if below the minimum, repeat in two weeks. We did this and Total and Free were 263.1/8.3 and 215.9/2.7. She said that this is well below limits, TRT was justified medically and there should be no issue running it through insurance. Well, I got my bills for testing back and the PCP provider charged me $39/T blood test. So 4x $39. But the insurance company, BCBS, has a column on their EOB called "amount covered (allowed)" and THAT was $117.84 (x2) and $116.28 (x2). So the PCP provider charged me the higher amount. This seems completely sus to me, but phone calls to both of them got me nowhere. Is this typical doctor/insurance racket?? Or do I have reason to believe that someone made a mistake here and I need to chase this down through due process? |
Anybody using a multi access port like this: I'm getting a 10ml 200mg vial every 2.5 months but will only be using half of it (new clinic prescribed 200mg week but I'm staying at my old dose of 100mg week), so each vial will last 5 months. The multi access port seems like a better option than hitting the rubber vial top with an 18ga needle 20 times. Any potential issues with this, assuming I use an alcohol wipe on the access port each time? Any recommended online shops where to buy these? Currently looking at medicaleshop.com, they have McKesson Clave Vial Spike Case of 50 for $71.50 plus tax and shipping for a total of $87.21 |
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Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: Anybody using a multi access port like this: https://i.imgur.com/p76xVZA.jpeg I'm getting a 10ml 200mg vial every 2.5 months but will only be using half of it (new clinic prescribed 200mg week but I'm staying at my old dose of 100mg week), so each vial will last 5 months. The multi access port seems like a better option than hitting the rubber vial top with an 18ga needle 20 times. Any potential issues with this, assuming I use an alcohol wipe on the access port each time? Any recommended online shops where to buy these? Currently looking at medicaleshop.com, they have McKesson Clave Vial Spike Case of 50 for $71.50 plus tax and shipping for a total of $87.21 These are an absolute game changer. I bought a dozen of them from the same place you mention back in September. I got them for $1.71 per plus shipping and tax. They came out to $2.57 apiece all-in. |
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Originally Posted By rollin-tumblin: These are an absolute game changer. I bought a dozen of them from the same place you mention back in September. I got them for $1.71 per plus shipping and tax. They came out to $2.57 apiece all-in. Nice, thanks for the feedback! I might just order 20, since a case of 50 would conceivably be a 20 year supply (unless my math is off lol). |
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Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: Anybody using a multi access port like this: https://i.imgur.com/p76xVZA.jpeg I'm getting a 10ml 200mg vial every 2.5 months but will only be using half of it (new clinic prescribed 200mg week but I'm staying at my old dose of 100mg week), so each vial will last 5 months. The multi access port seems like a better option than hitting the rubber vial top with an 18ga needle 20 times. Any potential issues with this, assuming I use an alcohol wipe on the access port each time? Any recommended online shops where to buy these? Currently looking at medicaleshop.com, they have McKesson Clave Vial Spike Case of 50 for $71.50 plus tax and shipping for a total of $87.21 Originally Posted By rollin-tumblin: These are an absolute game changer. I bought a dozen of them from the same place you mention back in September. I got them for $1.71 per plus shipping and tax. They came out to $2.57 apiece all-in. How do these work? |
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Originally Posted By meestermurphy: How do these work? Originally Posted By meestermurphy: Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: Anybody using a multi access port like this: https://i.imgur.com/p76xVZA.jpeg I'm getting a 10ml 200mg vial every 2.5 months but will only be using half of it (new clinic prescribed 200mg week but I'm staying at my old dose of 100mg week), so each vial will last 5 months. The multi access port seems like a better option than hitting the rubber vial top with an 18ga needle 20 times. Any potential issues with this, assuming I use an alcohol wipe on the access port each time? Any recommended online shops where to buy these? Currently looking at medicaleshop.com, they have McKesson Clave Vial Spike Case of 50 for $71.50 plus tax and shipping for a total of $87.21 Originally Posted By rollin-tumblin: These are an absolute game changer. I bought a dozen of them from the same place you mention back in September. I got them for $1.71 per plus shipping and tax. They came out to $2.57 apiece all-in. How do these work? You insert it on top of your vial of med by pushing the spike down thru the rubber stopper and pushing it down to where the light purple circular part is resting on top of your vial. It then stays on your vial until the vial is empty. Then, assuming you have luer-lock syringes where the needle screws on/off, you screw your syringe down onto the threads at the top of the blue piece, invert the vial, and draw your dosage. Then unscrew it from the adaptor and screw your needle on and do the hokey pokey. So you're not either dulling your needle a bit by inserting it into the vial to draw your med, and also you're not puncturing the stopper many times with either your same needle that you use to inject OR your even larger-gauge needle if you are someone who uses a larger needle to draw with and then swap out to your injection needle. |
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Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: Anybody using a multi access port like this: https://i.imgur.com/p76xVZA.jpeg I'm getting a 10ml 200mg vial every 2.5 months but will only be using half of it (new clinic prescribed 200mg week but I'm staying at my old dose of 100mg week), so each vial will last 5 months. The multi access port seems like a better option than hitting the rubber vial top with an 18ga needle 20 times. Any potential issues with this, assuming I use an alcohol wipe on the access port each time? Any recommended online shops where to buy these? Currently looking at medicaleshop.com, they have McKesson Clave Vial Spike Case of 50 for $71.50 plus tax and shipping for a total of $87.21 @BlackheartActual Been using these since I started TRT with my clinic. Didn't know WTF it was at first I think they're great and will keep using them. I've seen them on Amazon before, selling as a pack of 10 if I remember correctly. |
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So I started back up on TRT a month ago. Have done 4 injections (200mg each week). I went with a local "Men's Health" chain because I knew it would be quick and I am moving in March anyway. This place is charging me $200 a month and I am self-injecting at home. I don't think that fee includes testing but not sure. How often is testing required anyway? So my primary question: where should I get my TRT stuff from after I move to Kansas? I'm thinking I might like to try HGH as well. Is there some place that will prescribe me this as well? Are the internet clinics cheaper than local? I'm also thinking of trying some peptide for weight loss but still ruminating on that. I've been reading the other thread on peptides and will probably order it online and reconstitute and inject it myself. Don't want to make too many changes all at once. |
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Originally Posted By nsixone: @BlackheartActual Been using these since I started TRT with my clinic. Didn't know WTF it was at first I think they're great and will keep using them. I've seen them on Amazon before, selling as a pack of 10 if I remember correctly. Nice! I bought some off the place I mentioned and they got here in 2 days. The ones I saw one Amazon didn't have very good reviews for some reason. Not sure where you are in AZ but that place shipped from Tolleson, which is down the street a ways from me. Or maybe your clinic includes them? Pretty nice if so! |
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Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: So I started back up on TRT a month ago. Have done 4 injections (200mg each week). I went with a local "Men's Health" chain because I knew it would be quick and I am moving in March anyway. This place is charging me $200 a month and I am self-injecting at home. I don't think that fee includes testing but not sure. How often is testing required anyway? So my primary question: where should I get my TRT stuff from after I move to Kansas? I'm thinking I might like to try HGH as well. Is there some place that will prescribe me this as well? Are the internet clinics cheaper than local? I'm also thinking of trying some peptide for weight loss but still ruminating on that. I've been reading the other thread on peptides and will probably order it online and reconstitute and inject it myself. Don't want to make too many changes all at once. $200 a month is high. I'm paying $150 a month for Test C and HCG. Local places will probably always be higher than online clinics. Ultimate low cost would be if you can get your PCP to prescribe and then fill it at your local pharmacy. VA nor local walk in health clinic would prescribe at 295 even with symptoms, so I went with an online clinic. Also, 200mg week is kind of a high starting dose so maybe watch for sides. I started at 100mg week and feel so much better than before. New clinic I switched to started me at 200mg week but I'm staying at 100mg week for now and stacking the rest. |
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Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: $200 a month is high. I'm paying $150 a month for Test C and HCG. Local places will probably always be higher than online clinics. Ultimate low cost would be if you can get your PCP to prescribe and then fill it at your local pharmacy. VA nor local walk in health clinic would prescribe at 295 even with symptoms, so I went with an online clinic. Also, 200mg week is kind of a high starting dose so maybe watch for sides. I started at 100mg week and feel so much better than before. New clinic I switched to started me at 200mg week but I'm staying at 100mg week for now and stacking the rest. Originally Posted By BlackheartActual: Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: So I started back up on TRT a month ago. Have done 4 injections (200mg each week). I went with a local "Men's Health" chain because I knew it would be quick and I am moving in March anyway. This place is charging me $200 a month and I am self-injecting at home. I don't think that fee includes testing but not sure. How often is testing required anyway? So my primary question: where should I get my TRT stuff from after I move to Kansas? I'm thinking I might like to try HGH as well. Is there some place that will prescribe me this as well? Are the internet clinics cheaper than local? I'm also thinking of trying some peptide for weight loss but still ruminating on that. I've been reading the other thread on peptides and will probably order it online and reconstitute and inject it myself. Don't want to make too many changes all at once. $200 a month is high. I'm paying $150 a month for Test C and HCG. Local places will probably always be higher than online clinics. Ultimate low cost would be if you can get your PCP to prescribe and then fill it at your local pharmacy. VA nor local walk in health clinic would prescribe at 295 even with symptoms, so I went with an online clinic. Also, 200mg week is kind of a high starting dose so maybe watch for sides. I started at 100mg week and feel so much better than before. New clinic I switched to started me at 200mg week but I'm staying at 100mg week for now and stacking the rest. Yeah, I thought the price was high but I signed up anyhow because I knew I was moving in 3 months anyway. And my doc wouldn't prescribe TRT since my level was 283. I'm thinking online would be best but I don't really understand how they work or which one I should go with. |
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Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Yeah, I thought the price was high but I signed up anyhow because I knew I was moving in 3 months anyway. And my doc wouldn't prescribe TRT since my level was 283. I'm thinking online would be best but I don't really understand how they work or which one I should go with. As far as online clinics I've heard good things about PeterMD. I'm currently using TRT Nation. Started with Henry Meds and while they weren't terrible, I definitely am happier with TRT Nation. Also see TRT Kingdom mentioned but have not looked into them at all. They'll all want labs done, you can get them done at Sonora Quest or the other big place I forget the name. If your old labs are within a certain time frame you should be able to use those. TRT Nation wanted labs less than 6 months old. I used my Henry Meds labs from last September or October, it was missing something they wanted so I just had to get that. Then you'll schedule either a video call or regular phone call with a provider who will go over your symptoms, etc. He or she will tell you what to expect, possible sides to watch out for, etc. Then at some point they'll say they're going to prescribe you testosterone and explain the protocol they are starting you on, etc. They'll give you a time frame on getting your meds, tell you when your next follow up will be and then after the call is over they do whatever back office stuff they do then submit your prescription to whatever pharmacy they use. A week or so later you should get your meds, probably FedEx'd and then you know the rest. Pretty easy actually. I do wish however that I could find a normal doc that would prescribe at my levels (285 and 295 last two tests before starting trt) and I could just fill at my local pharmacy to save money. But at the end of the day, I feel so much better now that it's a price I'm willing to pay. |
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Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Yeah, I thought the price was high but I signed up anyhow because I knew I was moving in 3 months anyway. And my doc wouldn't prescribe TRT since my level was 283. I'm thinking online would be best but I don't really understand how they work or which one I should go with. Been with Defy for the last 2 years and very happy, about the same protocol as everyone else. lab work and a physical. |
We gots us a 3 point plan thats going to fix everything, We got this guy "Not Sure" and he has a higher IQ then any man alive!
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Defy is great because they don't make you pay monthly subscription fees. It's cheaper per year because of that. If you can get labs through your insurance, you can save significant money, and its 100% the way to go. The appointment with Dr Saya is worth the extra cost as well, he is extremely knowledgeable. I will say, there response time is pretty bad, like 2 weeks to hear back from the provider with a simple one line question. The receptionist will respond right away, but the doctor takes a lot of time. Also, their ship times take forever as well. And its not because of Empower pharmacy, I use them through my urologist now and they ship the next day after they receive the order. Defy makes the process take two weeks or more before they ship. |
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I'm 6-7 weeks in since starting on 100mg/wk (split 2x). Did my first injection in the delt with 1/2" 27ga insulin needles. I've been doing 1" 25ga in the outer thighs/quads for the past 6 weeks since I started. Honestly I dont know what the big deal is either way, quads were fine. Delts did have less setup time only using one needle without having to change luer locks. Draw time isnt a big deal - just inject air and wait a second for it to fill. My wife was all nervous to help lol. I am getting alerts from my apple watch that my resting heart rate has risen about 11-15 bpm since starting TRT. I have no symptoms and it seems to be pretty common on forums/reddit/etc. I'm also on tirz and that raised it a few points when I started that several months ago. I'm on BP meds and my my BP is up a bit but nothing my doctor is alarmed about. My anxiety is a bit worse since starting but I have more energy and less depressive symptoms, so its a worthy tradeoff. The heart rate thing bugs me in the middle of the night sometimes. I hope that goes away at some point, otherwise I'll see about upping my beta blocker. I still havent taken the anastrazole and some people on reddit say that will help, but I havent gotten labs since starting TRT and I dont want to fuck with my hormones blind. I'll do labs again in a few weeks. So far I'd say I havent experienced the life changing differences that some claim but I have enough energy to get out of bed and lift/workout more, so I'm just gonna keep putting one foot in front of the other. Cutting way back on alcohol has helped also. |
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Originally Posted By AWMCoalition: Based upon these numbers would you find a urologist or PeterMD type place still a good choice? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148104/Screenshot_20260117_122517_MyQuest_jpg-3696389.JPG Without a doubt, the craziest fucking thing about this "journey" is how much research I have had to do on my own. I've never seen such little consensus on just about anything, especially a mainstream medical treatment. For every expert you find, you'll find just as many who completely disagree with them. Basically everyone in the space says everyone else is an idiot. This is true of the online gurus, telehealth/mens clinic docs, local providers, etc. Insurance funded care seems to be the worst in terms of knowledge but knowing who to trust is more than half the battle. I get my TRT through insurance but I've had to ignore half of what my PCP wants me to do. Its really awkward and strange tbh. The only telehealth clinic that really seemed knowledgeable charges a $500 up front fee and a membership on top of needing to buy your meds from them. I'm meeting with an endo who my buddy does TRT with in a few weeks just to see if its any different. The only convincing things I've heard are: AI's are way over prescribed and you probably shouldnt take one, especially not out of the gate. You should dose at least 1-2x/wk, if not more. Donating blood to lower HCT is probably not a good idea. Start slow and titrate up. As for the rest, no fucking idea - and it seems there are enough outliers that the above arent absolutes. |
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I bought some Anastrozole just because I expect to need it dosing 200mg each week. I'm watching for these symptoms as an indicator that I might need to take it: Skin & Hair: Acne, oily skin, and male pattern baldness. Reproductive: Testicular shrinkage, decreased sperm count, infertility. Fluid: Mild fluid retention causing swollen ankles. Breasts: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) or tenderness. So far no symptoms but I have only done 4 shots. After I move, I was thinking of switching from Tricare Prime to Tricare Select. Then I could make a doc at a "Men's Health" clinic my PCM and insurance would cover TRT. They offered to do that at my current TRT clinic but I didn't want to switch PCM's while I am in the middle of other unrelated treatments. Have any of you tried this approach? |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: Without a doubt, the craziest fucking thing about this "journey" is how much research I have had to do on my own. I've never seen such little consensus on just about anything, especially a mainstream medical treatment. For every expert you find, you'll find just as many who completely disagree with them. Basically everyone in the space says everyone else is an idiot. This is true of the online gurus, telehealth/mens clinic docs, local providers, etc. Insurance funded care seems to be the worst in terms of knowledge but knowing who to trust is more than half the battle. I get my TRT through insurance but I've had to ignore half of what my PCP wants me to do. Its really awkward and strange tbh. The only telehealth clinic that really seemed knowledgeable charges a $500 up front fee and a membership on top of needing to buy your meds from them. I'm meeting with an endo who my buddy does TRT with in a few weeks just to see if its any different. The only convincing things I've heard are: AI's are way over prescribed and you probably shouldnt take one, especially not out of the gate. You should dose at least 1-2x/wk, if not more. Donating blood to lower HCT is probably not a good idea. Start slow and titrate up. As for the rest, no fucking idea - and it seems there are enough outliers that the above arent absolutes. @SDSG Thanks for your input. That's basically what I thought would be the answer.  Start low, do labs, T-C 50 twice a week, HCG on hand and maybe an AI depending on labs. Try a bit more YOLO and less Leroy Jenkins. |
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Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: I bought some Anastrozole just because I expect to need it dosing 200mg each week. I'm watching for these symptoms as an indicator that I might need to take it: Skin & Hair: Acne, oily skin, and male pattern baldness. Reproductive: Testicular shrinkage, decreased sperm count, infertility. Fluid: Mild fluid retention causing swollen ankles. Breasts: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) or tenderness. So far no symptoms but I have only done 4 shots. After I move, I was thinking of switching from Tricare Prime to Tricare Select. Then I could make a doc at a "Men's Health" clinic my PCM and insurance would cover TRT. They offered to do that at my current TRT clinic but I didn't want to switch PCM's while I am in the middle of other unrelated treatments. Have any of you tried this approach? The symptoms you mentioned under reproductive are the normal effects from exogenous testosterone. The effects you mentioned under skin and hair can occur from normalized testosterone levels in some prone individuals, or are from high DHT levels which are addressed with a 5a reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride. Fluid retention and gyno are the only symptoms you mentioned that would potentially indicate high estrogen and would be treated with an AI. You don't wait for gyno, you get bloodwork. ETA: high estrogen can cause acne but you'd normally see other symptoms of high estrogen like irritability, and you'd confirm with bloodwork to make sure it's estrogen not DHT before taking an AI |
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I want to try adding in HCG, but I'm not sure where to start. I know you need BAC water, that's about all I know. I want to see if my insurance company will pay for some of this. Fun fact, they MAY cover TRT for a male with low T, they WILL cover it for a woman with a mental disorder. |
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Your post makes zero sense. The symptoms you mentioned under reproductive are the normal effects from exogenous testosterone. The effects you mentioned under skin and hair can occur from normalized testosterone levels in some prone individuals, or are from high DHT levels which are addressed with a 5a reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride. Fluid retention and gyno are the only symptoms you mentioned that would potentially indicate high estrogen and would be treated with an AI. You don't wait for gyno, you get bloodwork. ETA: high estrogen can cause acne but you'd normally see other symptoms of high estrogen like irritability, and you'd confirm with bloodwork to make sure it's estrogen not DHT before taking an AI Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: I bought some Anastrozole just because I expect to need it dosing 200mg each week. I'm watching for these symptoms as an indicator that I might need to take it: Skin & Hair: Acne, oily skin, and male pattern baldness. Reproductive: Testicular shrinkage, decreased sperm count, infertility. Fluid: Mild fluid retention causing swollen ankles. Breasts: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) or tenderness. So far no symptoms but I have only done 4 shots. After I move, I was thinking of switching from Tricare Prime to Tricare Select. Then I could make a doc at a "Men's Health" clinic my PCM and insurance would cover TRT. They offered to do that at my current TRT clinic but I didn't want to switch PCM's while I am in the middle of other unrelated treatments. Have any of you tried this approach? The symptoms you mentioned under reproductive are the normal effects from exogenous testosterone. The effects you mentioned under skin and hair can occur from normalized testosterone levels in some prone individuals, or are from high DHT levels which are addressed with a 5a reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride. Fluid retention and gyno are the only symptoms you mentioned that would potentially indicate high estrogen and would be treated with an AI. You don't wait for gyno, you get bloodwork. ETA: high estrogen can cause acne but you'd normally see other symptoms of high estrogen like irritability, and you'd confirm with bloodwork to make sure it's estrogen not DHT before taking an AI Ok, I'll be sure to get blood tests before taking anastrozole. Thanks! 
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Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Ok, I'll be sure to get blood tests before taking anastrozole. Thanks! Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: I bought some Anastrozole just because I expect to need it dosing 200mg each week. I'm watching for these symptoms as an indicator that I might need to take it: Skin & Hair: Acne, oily skin, and male pattern baldness. Reproductive: Testicular shrinkage, decreased sperm count, infertility. Fluid: Mild fluid retention causing swollen ankles. Breasts: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) or tenderness. So far no symptoms but I have only done 4 shots. After I move, I was thinking of switching from Tricare Prime to Tricare Select. Then I could make a doc at a "Men's Health" clinic my PCM and insurance would cover TRT. They offered to do that at my current TRT clinic but I didn't want to switch PCM's while I am in the middle of other unrelated treatments. Have any of you tried this approach? The symptoms you mentioned under reproductive are the normal effects from exogenous testosterone. The effects you mentioned under skin and hair can occur from normalized testosterone levels in some prone individuals, or are from high DHT levels which are addressed with a 5a reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride. Fluid retention and gyno are the only symptoms you mentioned that would potentially indicate high estrogen and would be treated with an AI. You don't wait for gyno, you get bloodwork. ETA: high estrogen can cause acne but you'd normally see other symptoms of high estrogen like irritability, and you'd confirm with bloodwork to make sure it's estrogen not DHT before taking an AI Ok, I'll be sure to get blood tests before taking anastrozole. Thanks! |
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TX, USA
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Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Are you planning on having anymore kids? Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: I bought some Anastrozole just because I expect to need it dosing 200mg each week. I'm watching for these symptoms as an indicator that I might need to take it: Skin & Hair: Acne, oily skin, and male pattern baldness. Reproductive: Testicular shrinkage, decreased sperm count, infertility. Fluid: Mild fluid retention causing swollen ankles. Breasts: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) or tenderness. So far no symptoms but I have only done 4 shots. After I move, I was thinking of switching from Tricare Prime to Tricare Select. Then I could make a doc at a "Men's Health" clinic my PCM and insurance would cover TRT. They offered to do that at my current TRT clinic but I didn't want to switch PCM's while I am in the middle of other unrelated treatments. Have any of you tried this approach? The symptoms you mentioned under reproductive are the normal effects from exogenous testosterone. The effects you mentioned under skin and hair can occur from normalized testosterone levels in some prone individuals, or are from high DHT levels which are addressed with a 5a reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride. Fluid retention and gyno are the only symptoms you mentioned that would potentially indicate high estrogen and would be treated with an AI. You don't wait for gyno, you get bloodwork. ETA: high estrogen can cause acne but you'd normally see other symptoms of high estrogen like irritability, and you'd confirm with bloodwork to make sure it's estrogen not DHT before taking an AI Ok, I'll be sure to get blood tests before taking anastrozole. Thanks! Nope, got snipped. @HappyCamel |
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Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Nope, got snipped. @HappyCamel Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Originally Posted By HappyCamel: Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: I bought some Anastrozole just because I expect to need it dosing 200mg each week. I'm watching for these symptoms as an indicator that I might need to take it: Skin & Hair: Acne, oily skin, and male pattern baldness. Reproductive: Testicular shrinkage, decreased sperm count, infertility. Fluid: Mild fluid retention causing swollen ankles. Breasts: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) or tenderness. So far no symptoms but I have only done 4 shots. After I move, I was thinking of switching from Tricare Prime to Tricare Select. Then I could make a doc at a "Men's Health" clinic my PCM and insurance would cover TRT. They offered to do that at my current TRT clinic but I didn't want to switch PCM's while I am in the middle of other unrelated treatments. Have any of you tried this approach? The symptoms you mentioned under reproductive are the normal effects from exogenous testosterone. The effects you mentioned under skin and hair can occur from normalized testosterone levels in some prone individuals, or are from high DHT levels which are addressed with a 5a reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride. Fluid retention and gyno are the only symptoms you mentioned that would potentially indicate high estrogen and would be treated with an AI. You don't wait for gyno, you get bloodwork. ETA: high estrogen can cause acne but you'd normally see other symptoms of high estrogen like irritability, and you'd confirm with bloodwork to make sure it's estrogen not DHT before taking an AI Ok, I'll be sure to get blood tests before taking anastrozole. Thanks! Nope, got snipped. @HappyCamel Ok cool lol. Just saw you mentioned watching out for those "symptoms", but reduced fertility and testicular atrophy and more like reliable effects rather than symptoms unless you're using HCG. Didn't want you to unintentionally burn yourself. |
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OK Two weeks ago I injected my dose for the first time. WAY better than the gel. Felt amazing for about a week, and then it started down slowly. The last two days, energy has been in the crapper. I just injected for the second time, a day early. I sent a message to my care team to try and get them to change it to 200mg per week, and that swhould do me up just fine. Do I need to alternate thighs? I put one in my right two weeks ago and now one in my left. Thanks! |
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WE SEEK NOT YOUR COUNSEL, NOR YOUR ARMS
WE SEEK NOT YOUR COUNSEL, NOR YOUR ARMS
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Originally Posted By djkest: I want to try adding in HCG, but I'm not sure where to start. I know you need BAC water, that's about all I know. I want to see if my insurance company will pay for some of this. Fun fact, they MAY cover TRT for a male with low T, they WILL cover it for a woman with a mental disorder. You are a vet, go to the VA, they love handing out drugs at $11 per prescription. |
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WE SEEK NOT YOUR COUNSEL, NOR YOUR ARMS
WE SEEK NOT YOUR COUNSEL, NOR YOUR ARMS
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TX, USA
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7.5 wks in and I'm still dealing with elevated heart rate, particularly at night. I dont really notice it during the day but I wake up feeling it pounding and its hard to go back to sleep. I turned off HR monitoring on my watch because it kept barking at me about it. No Afib or anything, just higher. I understand it a parasympatheic nervous system response and it seems to be fairly common. BP is up slightly (140/90 ish) from my usual 125/75 which I've taken meds for since I was a teen (genetic HBP). Doc says we'll bump the dose if that continues but he says it should settle down as my body adjusts. I'm getting labs done this week to see where I'm at. Im on a low Test C regimen (100mg/wk split into (2) 50mg IM injections) but I know everyone responds differently. Doing regular cardio + lifting, plenty of hydration and electrolytes. Did racing heart go away for anyone, or perhaps I'm just on too much of a high dose? My total T was 100-300 before starting TRT. I do tend to respond to the lowest dose of most meds for whatever reason. |
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Originally Posted By SDSG: 7.5 wks in and I'm still dealing with elevated heart rate, particularly at night. I dont really notice it during the day but I wake up feeling it pounding and its hard to go back to sleep. I turned off HR monitoring on my watch because it kept barking at me about it. No Afib or anything, just higher. I understand it a parasympatheic nervous system response and it seems to be fairly common. BP is up slightly (140/90 ish) from my usual 125/75 which I've taken meds for since I was a teen (genetic HBP). Doc says we'll bump the dose if that continues but he says it should settle down as my body adjusts. I'm getting labs done this week to see where I'm at. Im on a low Test C regimen (100mg/wk split into (2) 50mg IM injections) but I know everyone responds differently. Doing regular cardio + lifting, plenty of hydration and electrolytes. Did racing heart go away for anyone, or perhaps I'm just on too much of a high dose? My total T was 100-300 before starting TRT. I do tend to respond to the lowest dose of most meds for whatever reason. It happened to me as well, went away after 3 months or so. For me - it was a self compounding issue where I would notice it laying in bed and then be over-thinking about it while laying there trying to sleep, which made it worse. Once I realized I wasn't dying, I brushed it off and ignored it basically, and it went away. It only came back for a short period (like a week or so) when I changed my dose and frequency. |
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If the HBR bothers at night you jcan do the vagal maneuver Applying an ice pack to the forehead and face (specifically covering the eyes and nose) can help lower a high heart rate by triggering the "diving reflex," a vagal maneuver that slows the heart. |
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Originally Posted By captnstabn: It happened to me as well, went away after 3 months or so. For me - it was a self compounding issue where I would notice it laying in bed and then be over-thinking about it while laying there trying to sleep, which made it worse. Once I realized I wasn't dying, I brushed it off and ignored it basically, and it went away. It only came back for a short period (like a week or so) when I changed my dose and frequency. Originally Posted By captnstabn: It happened to me as well, went away after 3 months or so. For me - it was a self compounding issue where I would notice it laying in bed and then be over-thinking about it while laying there trying to sleep, which made it worse. Once I realized I wasn't dying, I brushed it off and ignored it basically, and it went away. It only came back for a short period (like a week or so) when I changed my dose and frequency. Same. I deal with anxiety/panic (though its way better than it used to be) and its a vicious cycle. Glad to hear it cleared up for you. There are a million threads online about this very issue so I know I'm not alone. Originally Posted By TheRealSundance: If the HBR bothers at night you jcan do the vagal maneuver Applying an ice pack to the forehead and face (specifically covering the eyes and nose) can help lower a high heart rate by triggering the "diving reflex," a vagal maneuver that slows the heart. Sounds like a surefire way to get back to sleep quickly! I'll keep that in mind, though. thanks |
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Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: I don't think they are handing out $11 vials of testosterone. I mean, they should be. But they aren't. Originally Posted By CapedCrusader: Originally Posted By Clarinath: You are a vet, go to the VA, they love handing out drugs at $11 per prescription. I don't think they are handing out $11 vials of testosterone. I mean, they should be. But they aren't. This. VA won't touch it unless it's sub-200 (from what I've been hearing). I had a test over a decade ago, came back around 425. VA doc said that's normal, end of story. Few weeks back, I had a test again, mid-400s. VA still won't touch it. Ended up going to a hormone doc a few friends recommended. He said it's common for the VA to refuse TRT or even the tests, unless there's major issues. |
Low Testosterone: What are the options? UPDATE:Testosterone megathread (Page 431 of 443)
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