Finding a TRT Physician

[FreeT]

It's a healthy thing to do and also a great time to pull BW at the end of your time off.

Great idea to draw the BW after. I'll actually take a whole month off and stick to walking and lighter exercises such as yoga and simple core training.

Will be back with results. Hopefully it can help another lost soul or two in the future.

Thanks for now brother, peace!

[kelkel]

Look forward to your results.

[FreeT]

I've made a very interesting discover recently.

Just a week ago I felt worse than ever, few days post leg workout. I had a fever for a day and my fatigue was unbearable even after my sudden cold. I started to believe that I must have a stage 3 cancer or something similar. I don't know anyone who eats healthier than I do.

I started to think back to when I had energy spikes the last 2 months, what did I eat, what did I do?
Last time I felt great for a few days was after having a dinner containing beef barbecue. The second time I felt great for a day was after a buffet where I ate like 1 pound of lean medium well beef.
When I thought about this, during one of my worst days for months, I decided to order home a plate full of beef in the evening. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like working. My brain was on fire. The next morning I woke up after only 7h of sleep literally jumping out of bed compared to the last 4 months where I have slept 7.5h-9h but still felt like i needed more. My libido also instantly went from like a 80 year olds to a 18 year olds.

You probably already guessed it. Vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 is one of the those I haven't been checked for. I assumed there is no way I am deficient with the amounts of eggs and chicken I consume. However, it appears chicken doesn't always contain that much. Lean beef contains roughly 5x more B12 than chicken breast.

Why am I deficient but not my friends who eat almost only chicken meat? Perhaps my body doesn't absorb it as good?

The biggest question I am left with is:
Can a prolonged B12 deficiency lead to hard stress on the body?

In that case, it can explain why my cortisol is high and therefore why my immune system and bioavailable T are low. Perhaps this is why my entire body is crashing after a single leg workout?

I am now eating a piece of beef daily and so far so good. However after playing volleyball the other day, I've been sick with fever again. I got rid of the fever quite quickly, and I am sitting here writing this, still sick but I have no brainfog whatsoever. I have more energy now being sick than I had before implementing beef in my diet, how cool is that?

[kelkel]

Are you a vegetarian?

Ok, so when are you getting your B12 tested? Step one before any further testing imho. Low B12 can lead to pernicious anemia which is treatable with OTC oral B-12. Personally I've used Jarrow Brand Methyl B12 @ 5k mcg daily. Methyl is the best absorbed type of B12. You can also buy it and self inject if so inclined. Naturally, I'd try the OTC version first.

Very interesting Free T. Be nice if this were the remedy.

[FreeT]

Are you a vegetarian?

Not unless vegetarians eat chicken and eggs :P

Ok, so when are you getting your B12 tested?

I'm not sure if there is any point in checking my levels now that I am consuming beef and started to feel okay. I assume the test results would just come back normal, right?

I picked up some Methyl from Jarrow, cheers. Perfect for days when there's no beef around .

[kelkel]

Well, assumably so but you don't want them to high either. Always good to know where you land. Maybe after some time throw it into future blood work. Man I hope this simple fix does it for you!

[FreeT]

Man I hope this simple fix does it for you!

Thank you, really. I'll take an autoimmune disease such as pernicious anemia any day over not knowing what is causing me to feel so horrible. I've lost about 20 pounds last month, mostly water and muscles. I am even less defined than before. I miss the gym a lot .

[kelkel]

You'll get through it. In your line of work it's all about discipline so just keep applying it here like you've been and you'll resolve it.

[strengthpump]

We see this issue rear its ugly head here all the time. The struggle to find an effective TRT doctor who is willing to partner with you in achieving a successful protocol. Someone who will listen to your specific, individual needs as we are all different. If you are being treated poorly or not up to your expectations with your current physician and are seeking change, the following thoughts/recommendations are from both personal experience and the collective experience of the members of this forum during my tenure here.

In 2012 the owner of this site took it upon himself to develop a working model for TRT Clinics nationwide. This effort was in response to the success of this forum and the overwhelming realization of the need for effective and efficient care for TRT patients around the country. In short, there are just far too many patients being treated poorly by physicians who are not up to current standards in Hormone Replacement Therapy.

After much time and effort in 2013 LowTestosterone.com has become a reality and clinics are starting to open in various locations across the country. These will in fact be your one-stop shot for all your hormone replacement therapy needs. Run by doctors who understand hormones who will treat you with progressive, modern methodologies as expected by the members of this forum and in-line with leading doctors in this industry.

Spend some time reading this forum and you will quickly understand how little knowledge the normal doctor has when it comes to low testosterone and its proper diagnosis and treatment. That being said, please take the time to click on the LowTestosterone.com link above. It very well may change your life for the better!

Do your homework and educate yourself in all aspects of hormone replacement therapy using all available sources including this forum and the sticky threads above it. Remember, an educated patient is the successful patient.

INITIAL LABWORK:

After a complete Medical History, which laboratory assays should be run as part of your initial hypogonadism workup? Following is a list, but certainly other specialists in this area may run expanded or attenuated panels, per individual clinical experience and expertise. Of note, additional tests which should be included to complete a comprehensive Anti-Aging Medicine workup, inflammatory markers, insulin , comprehensive thyroid study and as always, the panel needs to be tailored to the individual patient. Here are examples only recommended by Dr. John Crisler in his paper “Current Best thoughts on How to Administer TRT for Men.”

• Total Testosterone
• Bioavailable testosterone (aka Free and Loosely Bound)
• Free Testosterone
• SHBG
• DHT (gel users especially pay attention to this)
• Estradiol (specify “sensitive” assay for males)
• LH
• FSH
• Prolactin
• Cortisol
• Thyroid Panel (complete)
• CBC
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
• Lipid Panel
• PSA (age dependent)
• IGF-1, IGFBP-3 (if HGH therapy is being considered)
• Vitamin D


FOLLOW-UP LABS:

• Total Testosterone
• Bioavailable Testosterone
• Free Testosterone
• Estradiol (specify “sensitive” assay for males)
• LH
• FSH
• CBC
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
• Lipid Profile
• PSA (for those over 40 with family history of prostate CA. >45 all others)
• IGF-1, IGFBP-3 (if GH therapy has been initiated already)


Get the actual test results from the lab or doctors office. You paid for them therefore they are yours. Begin to maintain a chronological file for all your lab work. An excel spread-sheet is even nicer. It will pay off later when analyzing progress. If you’re not being treated at LowTestosterone.com do not accept that “your results are normal.” Many doctors don’t know what normal is and “normal” is really a relative term. Get your own results and do your own research. Always insist on seeing your actual results. Get a copy for your own records as stated above.

Many members here have ended up having to go from doctor to doctor until they can find one who will work with them. Many doctors surprisingly know very little about TRT. You know your body better than they do. Insist on a proper diagnosis first and foremost before therapy begins. Find the causative factor! If and when therapy does begin, be sure to get ALL of your symptoms treated. Take some time and watch this video by Dr. Abraham Morgantaler, arguably the most knowledgeable Urologist on the planet when it comes to Testosterone. It will help you to eliminate some concerns that are rampant in the media and forums:





DO NOT believe the ranges the lab report shows. DO NOT believe that you are fine just because you are “in range.” Ranges are relative and a good range for one person may not be correct for another. I repeat, do your own research.

Remember, you are in charge of your health and your doctor is there to help you. Not the other way around. This, in and of itself is one of the reasons LowTestosterone.com was developed!

Hope the above helps! In good health!

Kel


Contributions by GDevine & Bass

ty for taking the time to make this thread

[FreeT]

You'll get through it. In your line of work it's all about discipline so just keep applying it here like you've been and you'll resolve it.

It's been a while my friend.

So, the B12 was a false alarm, it was purely coincidental.
I started to suspect the air quality in my home as I lived next to a construction site. I decided to move and I stopped doing gym completely. I started feeling better, week by week.
I met up with a cardiologist and he told me after a quick check up that I had chronic asthma and that all my symptoms was caused by it. I had no idea that was possible so I decided to have a second opinion with a pulmonologist, who said that I do not have asthma, but scheduled me for a spirometry test and a chest x-ray. Both tests indicated perfectly fine lungs. During this time I started working out lighly again and I regained my strength pretty quickly. I moved on to a intermediate workout of 40 minutes, 3 days a week.

Now, 3 weeks later, I am back to feeling absolutely horrible. My heart rate is down to 47-50 with occasional arrythmia, I have constant shortness of breath even in resting state and all of my previously described symptoms. I truly think I have some type of exercise intolerance. Both my body and brain just shuts down. But why? Exercise is suppose to make us feel better and become healthier. What type of diseases can cause something like this?

I am of course willing to drop the gym to be able to feel okay, but man would it suck. I need know why this happens to me. I need closure.

[DarthFlex]

This is a great thread and I see the benefit of promoting the facility that specializes in TRT.
As a thought, can we create a sub forum broken into States and cities where members here can make referals to Drs and facilities that are a gold standard of TRT ?
It would save alot of members time if we could simply tell each other where to go.
None of the facilities recommended in the beginning of this post are near enough to Columbus Ohio for me to take advantage
But if another member here had a DR in Columbus that would be up to our standard of care Id like to know about it

Thoughts on a regional based subforum of DR facility referal??

[kelkel]

I'll run it by admin. Remember as well to use the A4M Doctor Finder which may help you out.
Gold Standard is few and far between unfortunately. Many guys here will post up in the HRT forum that they're looking for a doc in a particular area. Sometimes it works.

[DarthFlex]

A4M Find a doctor? Sorry. Not familiar. Is that a google search?

[kelkel]

https://www.a4m.com/find-a-doctor.html

[Frankdtank]

This was just what I needed read before my BW and consultation. From what I've heard,the place I'm interested in is all about helping. My previous GP was telling me I was within normal ranges,lol,that's over 6 years ago....at least this time I'm more knowledgeable and better prepared. Thanks

[kelkel]

If a doctor treats you like a number it's time to find another.

[vikingur]

hey im new on here i live in delware im looking for a new family dr. that could help me test my levels.. & see of i qualify for some trt.. if you could point me in the right direction i would appreciate it

[vikingur]

able to help a fellow delawarean..?

[Garpo54]

https://www.a4m.com/find-a-doctor.html

Nothing in my area and all I have is my doctor at the VA who so far is not willing to do any type of HRT

[Cornish]

Royal Men's Medical Center

[C27H40O3]

Just google men’s health and your zip code. A whole bunch come up near me.


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[D O’Brien]

Thanks for the excellent post.

In Australia, it’s near impossible to get a doctor to prescribe test. They’ll throw antidepressants at you and prescribe HRT for women at the drop of a hat.

Any suggestions about good doctors/clinics in Australia?

[jetpilotCK]

any suggestion for doctors in Spain, ideally Barcelona

[schwentai]

I know this is an older thread but it has helped me so much. I am just at the beginning of the TRT doctor hunt. I am starting to get past the "you are just getting older" and "you don't need testosterone you already have muscle" doctors. Just wanted to thank you for this post. It is helping me stay motivated in the hunt!

[kelkel]

I know this is an older thread but it has helped me so much. I am just at the beginning of the TRT doctor hunt. I am starting to get past the "you are just getting older" and "you don't need testosterone you already have muscle" doctors. Just wanted to thank you for this post. It is helping me stay motivated in the hunt!

Glad it helped. Just find a doc that will work with you in this. TRT is not rocket science so take the time and educate yourself on it. Write down a list of questions to ask so you don't forget anything, and know the answers before you ask! It's your health! Be well!

[schwentai]

So much awesome information in this thread! I was near giving up on finding a good doctor until I followed the advice in this thread. Prep work is key. I called all Compounding Pharmacies in my area. They were nearly all more than willing to give me referrals to doctors they know and trust. I am about start calling the docs as kelkel has suggested. It works guys, it is work but it works!

[kelkel]

Happy to hear it brother! Let us know how it goes please.

[warchild]

So much awesome information in this thread! I was near giving up on finding a good doctor until I followed the advice in this thread. Prep work is key. I called all Compounding Pharmacies in my area. They were nearly all more than willing to give me referrals to doctors they know and trust. I am about start calling the docs as kelkel has suggested. It works guys, it is work but it works!

I called my insurance company and they located an in network provider that is also a PCP.