My Endocrinologist told me...

[HRTstudent]

"Growing breasts on testosterone is perfectly normal."

So, we know that there are some really poor doctors out there who continue to attempt to treat low testosterone. Every other day we hear someone's new story about their doctor who failed them, knew less about HRT than they did, or flat out didn't know what they're talking about.

Endocrinologists sound like the hormone specialists, so the general population thinks logically it is the right doctor to pursue. But, we know better that most endocrinologists are overburdened with diabetes that they rarely have any knowledge about treating low testosterone.

So let's share some stories. We simply finish the sentence:

My Endocrinologist told me...

[Sworder]

There are going to be idiots in all fields and occupations. The surgeon that leaves tools in the body and stitches them up.

Besides, women have breast. What's wrong with men having them as well? I for one, want to be judged by the content of my character and not my cup size...

[HRTstudent]

hey, if a dude wants big tits that's fine... but it doesn't make it normal

Oh yes, and my Endocrinologist told me that I should taper off Androgel over the next year.

[lovbyts]

My Endo told me only women need E2 levels checked.
My Endo told me HCG is ONLY prescribed by fertility clinics.
My Endo told me I only need blood work done ever 1x a year now and writes me prescriptions with 6mo refills.

[BuzzardMarinePumper]

lol WERE U EVEN USING ANDRO ?

[xtitan1]

My endocrinologist told me...

That at my age of 22 and having extreme fatigue, weight gain, low libido, having a total testosterone of 248 was not a problem.

That, now that my testosterone had gone down even further to 170 a year later, that I needed to go on Androgel, and that we needed to get me to 600. Even though he said I was fine at 248 a year ago.

That I probably am feeling bad because I have high estrogen due to being overweight. I asked him whether we could test for that (playing stupid). He said yes let's do that. Then I pointed out I just recently had my E2 tested and it was low not high. Then he told me that testing isn't reliable. This three sentences after he just said he was going to test for it.

[MD2B]

My endocrinologist told me taking testosterone will make me more fertile and increase my sperm count.
My endocrinologist told me if I up my testosterone more than 800ng/dL I risk developing brain tumors.
My endocrinologist told me HCG would make a man develop woman-like features.
My endocrinologist's nurse told me "you likely know more about HRT than the doctor".
This was all in one appointment...needless to say I left a bit...displeased in the service provided to me.

I can't stress how important it is to educate one's self...it's really our own personal duty, we owe it to ourselves and loved ones we're responsible for.

[MickeyKnox]

"Growing breasts on testosterone is perfectly normal."

So, we know that there are some really poor doctors out there who continue to attempt to treat low testosterone. Every other day we hear someone's new story about their doctor who failed them, knew less about HRT than they did, or flat out didn't know what they're talking about.

Endocrinologists sound like the hormone specialists, so the general population thinks logically it is the right doctor to pursue. But, we know better that most endocrinologists are overburdened with diabetes that they rarely have any knowledge about treating low testosterone.

So let's share some stories. We simply finish the sentence:

My Endocrinologist told me...

...that my test levels 6.9nmol/l (about 200 ng/dL) are normal.

*The reference scale starts at 10nmol/l (about 300 ng/dL)

[J DIESEL3]

My endocrinologist told me the use of HCG is for Anti-Aging only.. And this endo also said HCG had nothing to do with the function of a mans testicles!!!!

[kelkel]

...that my test levels 6.9nmol/l (about 200 ng/dL) are normal.

*The reference scale starts at 10nmol/l (about 300 ng/dL)

Whoever said you were normal?



My first GP and Endo both said that they cannot prescribe HCG and that it would not help anyway!

[je909ki]

My Endocrinologist told me...
No doctor will ever prescribe HCG for TRT
there's no way my Pituitary Adenoma is causing Low testosterone
Injecting every 3.5 days will hurt you and every two weeks is the only way it should be done.

[xtitan1]

Just had this email conversation today with an endo at Johns Hopkins so I thought I would include it:

Doctor: Testosterone was 265 (low) and free testosterone was borderine line (9.2) with SHBG 7.9 also low. Your LH was 7.2 and FSH 7.8 , which are normal , however this tests points that the issue is “central”, meaning by that that you have central hypogonadism. Central hypogonadism can be xplained by your weight (obesity is a cause). Also a mass in the pituitary can do the same, however you had an MRI that was negative.
I would advise to try to lose weight and exercise but also to start on testosterone replacement therapy.


Me: I had a question regarding what you said about my obesity causing my low testosterone. I was under the impression that the reason obesity causes low testosterone is because adipose tissue aromatizes testosterone into estrogen, causing high estrogen levels and low testosterone. However, my estrogen levels are low. Why is that?

As far as treatment, I am seeing a new doctor who is starting me on 3x a week self-injections of depo-testosterone (1mL a week).

Doctor: That is true. Obesity causes increased estrogen (by the mechanism that you describe) , which suppresses teh pituitary action and then suppresses the LH and FSH. Then the LH and FSH suppress the production of testosterone.
The estrogen levels have not be standardized in men. These values are helpful in women (estrogen are produced by women mainly) and they have not be validated in the male population.
Now regarding the injections. This is another method and I totally agree. The only negative of this method is the delivery of the testosterobne. Some pts see a boost of the testosterone value in the first week and also notice that they have decreased levels (and symptoms of that) at the end of the 3rd week. But some pts really love it.




I'm wondering if I should keep pressing this issue or just let it go since I am seeing Shippen now anyway. My low testosterone numbers are on record as preceding my weight gain. I did a 5 day Anastrazole trial and felt terrible and my E2 went from mid 20s to only 10, indicating that my mid-20s number was indeed accurate and was not too high otherwise I would have felt better or the same, not worse on an AI. Also the concept of doing 3x a week injections is so foreign to this guy that even though I clearly say "3x a week" he read it as "once every 3 weeks". Unbelievable.

[kelkel]

XT your on-going saga is priceless here! Look at what you've learned. It's a shame some of the doc's aren't learning as well..

Why bother pressing it!

[lovbyts]

bump. I think we have room for plenty more especially with the new posts.

[killergoalie]

My endocrinologist told me that he can't write me a prescription for Arimidex/anastrozole because he could lose his license (I live in B.C. Canada), but if I could find/get some on the black market, go ahead. (My E2 level is 327 pmol/L or 89 pg/ml.)

At least he's on board with me doing SubQ self injections 3x per week @ .40ml per.

[Bio-Active]

Same here. I chose just to take control over my TRT

My Endo told me only women need E2 levels checked.
My Endo told me HCG is ONLY prescribed by fertility clinics.
My Endo told me I only need blood work done ever 1x a year now and writes me prescriptions with 6mo refills.