Are you suppose to stay on HRT for life? How safe is it?

[jthompson]

So I recently contacted a few local HRT/Anti-Aging places and got some info. They all said pretty much the same thing. $500 for the pre-screening blood work and then like $200-300 a month for the product (test cyp, anti-e, hcg).

So assuming I went forward with some kind of HRT program, is this something where you can come off of it after some time and your levels will be good again or is this something where ideally you stay on it for life?

Assuming you stay on it forever, I'm assuming it is safe. I mean 200mg a week of Test isn't much right?

Thanks.

[NEMESIS RR]

True HRT is forever as your natural system has given up. The clinics are mostly legel steroid dealers

[brazey]

Hrt is taking "medication" probably for life and with the proper screening and adjustments its much safer that living with hormones that are too low.

[jthompson]

Ok, thanks for that info.

[HRTstudent]

you've got a lot of reading to do...

200mg is a lot
TRT is typically for life
is it safe? well, the evidence points to yes, but as far as I know there is no long term epidemiological study examining TRT over the course of a lifetime. you're also talking to a very biased source of information... the people on this forum will all generally believe in the safety of TRT because we are on it.

200-300 dollars a month for TRT sounds like a pill mill/money pit. beware of clinics in general. they aren't all bad, but lots are just after your $$.

[bass]

i agree with HRTstudent. all you need to know about HRT/TRT is in the stickies, read all of them.

[GotNoBlueMilk]

I spend a little over $300 every six months on my TRT meds (I am a minimalist though). If the place won't write a prescription that you can use at any pharmacy of your choice, avoid them. They are gouging you.

[nyjetsfan]

Just curious- why a clinic? If You get PROPERLY diagnosed by a good doc with low T AND and you have good insurance you should be good to go. My insurance pics up the test and pins. Makes a big difference. you may have to do some doc shopping but it could be worth it in time and money over the long run.

[fit2bOld]

^^^^ but my insurance doesn't cover TRT but test is cheap at Walgreens and HCG and anastrozole from a compounding pharmacy is very reasonable compared to a clinic.

[nyjetsfan]

^^^^ but my insurance doesn't cover TRT but test is cheap at Walgreens and HCG and anastrozole from a compounding pharmacy is very reasonable compared to a clinic.

Understood

[jthompson]

Ok, I will definitely go read the stickies and a bunch of other threads.

Thanks for the help.

[Firestorm#1]

Go to your doctor and have your insurance cover it. I have BCBST and they cover it.

[freshmaker]

Are hcg and anstrazole prescription items?

[Hackamaniac]

Are hcg and anstrazole prescription items?

Yes.

[Firestorm#1]

I agree, my doc writes my script and it cost me $10 month for Test-E. Insurance is great.

[JD250]

Firestorm......how did you get blue cross to cover it....details if you have them please.

[edmundo22]

When does it become for life? The first day or the first month?

[Dpyle]

When does it become for life? The first day or the first month?

For me it was the moment I started to feel the turn around from what my life had become without it.

[edmundo22]

I felt the same way for a while Dpyle, gota pursue it till I get it right, Iv been on it 7 weeks so does this mean its now for life?

[Dpyle]

I felt the same way for a while Dpyle, gota pursue it till I get it right, Iv been on it 7 weeks so does this mean its now for life?

Yes it is now forever if you want to continue the benefits you are having from the treatment It doesn't have to be for life if you stop treatment, but you will go back to your old low T self possibly lower if your system doesn't completely recover.

And keep at it. Eventually you'll get it dialed in to what's right for you.

[PetrX]

TRT for life.. its just a needle, no one likes injecting but living with low T is far worst.. is it safe in the long run?? who knows.. but then again you can get hit by a drunk driver tonight and die so eh.

[HRTstudent]

depending on your medical condition, TRT doesn't have to be for life. lots of things environmentally or socially can lead to low t. I would think depression is a major catalyst. certain nutritional problems could exacerbate things too. a combination of many things over years could lead to a spiral. if you're in your 20's or early 30's I think it's reasonable to presume some men could overcome these.

of course, if your testes do not function due to some disease or permanent problem then you would be expected to stay on TRT. also, if you were 40+ there's really no reason to come off TRT because T levels would absolutely be expected to continue to decline from normal aging processes.

[lovbyts]

I agree, my doc writes my script and it cost me $10 month for Test-E. Insurance is great.

Your paying to much, mine cost me $5.

Firestorm......how did you get blue cross to cover it....details if you have them please.

What is Blue cross saying, deny? I have not had any problem for 3 years as long as I have a prescription.

[GFA]

Your paying to much, mine cost me $5.



What is Blue cross saying, deny? I have not had any problem for 3 years as long as I have a prescription.

I have Horizon BC/BS of NJ and they deny it. Doesnt matter tho, I can afford $60 every 4 months. I can probably get my doc to call them to get them to approve it but I don't mind spending $15 a month on test when you average out the cost of it over the time period it will last me for one vial.

[HRTstudent]

blue cross blue shield can be night and day depending on the state it's in, for example, BCBS of Texas vs BCBS of Massachusetts.

It's kind of weird, but the USA insurance system is an absolute nightmare for consumers! Just call the help hotlines a lot when you are unsure of what's going on!

[lovbyts]

To be honest it's only been a nightmare or at least to me in the last 3 years. Honestly ever since our current president got in office and started changing all the health-care stuff I have to deal with little BS stuff ever month. I have had the same insurance for 30 years but now they keep changing what is covered and what is not, wanting doctors note every month or special exams ever 3 months and all kinds of documentation. They also take weeks to OK a prescription where before it was a day or less. Of course my premium is 3x what it was 5 years ago and my copay has also gone from $5 doctors visit to $30. Thank you Obama

Sorry not trying to turn this into a political thing just stating my personal experience.

[vinceproduction]

To be honest it's only been a nightmare or at least to me in the last 3 years. Honestly ever since our current president got in office and started changing all the health-care stuff I have to deal with little BS stuff ever month. I have had the same insurance for 30 years but now they keep changing what is covered and what is not, wanting doctors note every month or special exams ever 3 months and all kinds of documentation. They also take weeks to OK a prescription where before it was a day or less. Of course my premium is 3x what it was 5 years ago and my copay has also gone from $5 doctors visit to $30. Thank you Obama

Sorry not trying to turn this into a political thing just stating my personal experience.

Couldn't agree more!!!

[HRTstudent]

To be honest it's only been a nightmare or at least to me in the last 3 years. Honestly ever since our current president got in office and started changing all the health-care stuff I have to deal with little BS stuff ever month. I have had the same insurance for 30 years but now they keep changing what is covered and what is not, wanting doctors note every month or special exams ever 3 months and all kinds of documentation. They also take weeks to OK a prescription where before it was a day or less. Of course my premium is 3x what it was 5 years ago and my copay has also gone from $5 doctors visit to $30. Thank you Obama

Sorry not trying to turn this into a political thing just stating my personal experience.

no that's okay... I think most people on this site have a lot to complain about when it comes to obamacare.

so, we feel your pain.

[J DIESEL3]

^^^^ yes sir!

[V-ROID]

Does anyone have future plans to come off? Say at age 80? Or does everyone just play it by ear? I mean there has to reach a time when benefits decrease? Or maybe it only becomes more beneficial as age accumulates? What is the oldest person you guys know of who is on TRT and doing great for their age?

[J DIESEL3]

Funny I was just talking about my father and trt in another post VEGAN!!

Anyway he is 66 and on trt also my older cousin he is 63 and very muscular.So i hope to be my fathers age and on trt still in 27 years from now!lol

[HRTstudent]

Does anyone have future plans to come off? Say at age 80? Or does everyone just play it by ear? I mean there has to reach a time when benefits decrease? Or maybe it only becomes more beneficial as age accumulates? What is the oldest person you guys know of who is on TRT and doing great for their age?

when I'm 80, if I'm 80... lol, I will stay on trt unless there are some drastic new medical findings. at that point in life, your body simply goes downhill and quality of life CAN disappear.

I would rather be off trt in my 30s than off in my 50+'s.