Saw doc...got some questions...

[NEFLRick]

Ok, saw a doc some people around here have seen (in Orange Park, FL). Took forever for the first meeting. They asked me the right questions and took blood. The doc prescribed anastrozole and HCG and asked me to come back in 2 week to, "fix that low testosterone." Of course, my bloodwork hasn't come back yet but I know the drill. Just thought it was kinda funny.

Anyway, in doing more research on the anastrozole and HCG, I'm thinking this may actually be the boost I need since I don't believe my testosterone is terribly-low, just want something to make me feel a little more like getting out and doing more, etc. Obviously, I haven't tried it all just yet but thinking it may be what I need without the testosterone. Anyone out here have success with just this?

Also, it seems you need a script to legally buy HCG. This guy has his own pharmacy and the prices (IMO) are a bit high. I understand HCG isn't all that expensive, wondering what my options are to get it cheaper. I'm almost afraid to find out what the cost for testosterone is!

I've also got to figure out how to do the injections. There are instructions (sort of) on their website but only to mix the HCG, not how/where to inject it.

Sorry for the basic questions, I don't know what I don't know just yet.

Thanks.

[NEFLRick]

Oh, also, what about dosage on the HCG? Says to inject .25ml daily. I thought, when using HCG to help boost testosterone production, you didn't take it every day?

[EverettCD]

Instructions for IM injections:
How To Give An Intramuscular Injection (IM Injection)

Instructions for SubQ injections:
How To Give A Subcutaneous Injection - Care Guide

Is your Dr. requiring you to purchase your Rx meds from his pharmacy or can you take the script to a pharmacy of your choice? If he's requiring you to purchase from his pharmacy I'm willing to bet that he's in it for the money more than he's in it to better your quality of life.

HCG can be dosed every day. Inject as he prescribed & see what the BW says. Post up your complete BW here with all results & ranges so you may receive better information.

[powerlifterty16]

hcg IS expensive if bought from a us pharmacy with cash. I use a discount coupon that takes 150 dollars off of the price, and it still comes to 106 bucks. That will last a while though.
Test is around 60 bucks cash price...im not on test though.

hcg and adex will help, if you are secondary, but i dont think any dr should start a patient off on adex unless their e2 was high to start with.

[Metalject]

hcg IS expensive if bought from a us pharmacy with cash. I use a discount coupon that takes 150 dollars off of the price, and it still comes to 106 bucks. That will last a while though.
Test is around 60 bucks cash price...im not on test though.

hcg and adex will help, if you are secondary, but i dont think any dr should start a patient off on adex unless their e2 was high to start with.

Agree big time on the AI comment. If you're a guy like me, all that would do is bottom your estradiol out. I don't use any AI even on testosterone.

[NEFLRick]

I haven't checked to see if I can take the script elsewhere.

Of course, they sell a discount card, which lowers the price 50%ish. Seems like a bit of a money grab there.

I was wondering a bit about prescribing something like anastozole with no blood work back but I've also read that it can help.

Just making sure of what I'm doing before I do something stupid.

I'm trying to do this legitimately assuming I need something. I know most people wouldn't complain but I just don't want to screw up myself.

[dreadnok89]

Ad ex is really strong. So be careful

[NEFLRick]

Ad ex is really strong. So be careful

What do you mean by that? I understand I need to watch out for side effects, which can be pretty nasty, and dosage is very low and to be careful handling it, etc. Is there anything else I need to be aware of?

[NEFLRick]

Also, script for AI is for 1 tablet per day. They are 1mg tablets. Is this too much? I realize, without bw, it's tough to tell but I've seen people saying they're supposed to take 1/2 mg or even .25 mg.

[xcraider37]

Also, script for AI is for 1 tablet per day. They are 1mg tablets. Is this too much? I realize, without bw, it's tough to tell but I've seen people saying they're supposed to take 1/2 mg or even .25 mg.

No your not going to take 1mg per day unless you like to feel like sh1t. Do more research, get bloodwork, then dose your AI as needed.

[APIs]

Wait, I dont get this. Doc is giving OP HCG & Anastrozole "before" the Blood Work is even back & reviewed? If that's the case, this is a big red flag IMO. Plus 1 mg of Anastrozole per day is totally insane without supporting blood work. You'd better double-check this Doc, as you're going to get hurt...

[NEFLRick]

Thanks guys. I sorta figured this was the case. I'm not taking anything until I get my BW back. Then I'll decide what to do from there.

I appreciate your advice.

[kelkel]

wait, i dont get this. Doc is giving op hcg & anastrozole "before" the blood work is even back & reviewed? If that's the case, this is a big red flag imo. Plus 1 mg of anastrozole per day is totally insane without supporting blood work. You'd better double-check this doc, as you're going to get hurt...

x2....

[powerlifterty16]

Wait, I dont get this. Doc is giving OP HCG & Anastrozole "before" the Blood Work is even back & reviewed? If that's the case, this is a big red flag IMO. Plus 1 mg of Anastrozole per day is totally insane without supporting blood work. You'd better double-check this Doc, as you're going to get hurt...

i agree with the adex comment, but hcg should be sed either way right?

[The Deadlifting Dog]

hcg should be sed either way right?

I am unsure as to what you mean exactly but I think I disagree.

hCG doesn't need to be taken everyday due to it's half-life of 24-36 hours.
I don't believe anyone should be put on hCG without getting bloodwork done at least twice. The doctor doesn't even know if the OP has low T.

OP,

I am willing to bet that you went to an anti-aging clinic or a TRT pill mill.
You should not take or buy any meds until you receive the results of two bloodworks.
This clinic is simply after your money.

[powerlifterty16]

I am unsure as to what you mean exactly but I think I disagree.

hCG doesn't need to be taken everyday due to it's half-life of 24-36 hours.
I don't believe anyone should be put on hCG without getting bloodwork done at least twice. The doctor doesn't even know if the OP has low T.

OP,

I am willing to bet that you went to an anti-aging clinic or a TRT pill mill.
You should not take or buy any meds until you receive the results of two bloodworks.
This clinic is simply after your money.

He said that he couldnt believe that the dr prescribed hcg without prior bloodwork. I was saying that regardless of bw, hcg is important to take for testicular shrinkage. I wasnt talking about frequency or dosing .

[NEFLRick]

Yeah, this strikes me as a TRT pill mill. I'm a big dude as I've lifted weights most of my life and I'm guessing he made the assumption that I'm trying to do bodybuilding or something. I've just not been feeling myself and not motivated, not as much sex drive, etc. and wanted to see if that is the problem.

I had bw done a little over a year ago and, while I can't remember my test level, I do remember it was at the low end of the scale. I have not gotten any better since then (obviously) and am worse in many ways. However, I'm in no way debilitated, I still function and do everything, just not terribly-motivated to do so. Erections have not been a problem but they're not as good as they used to be (so to say).

With that all said, I did just turn 44 so I'm not young but also not what I'd consider old (ok, maybe it is old but I don't want to think of myself as old ). So I'm sure this is normal aging. But my philosophy is, if TRT can help me feel better--and the risk is relatively low--why not? But I want to do it properly with proper care as I know there are other things which may pop up if I'm using testosterone.

I also realize, once I start TRT, I'll probably have to continue for the long haul. My other concern is cost. Looks like my insurance wouldn't cover testosterone from this place since they're making/mixing it themselves (not sure the correct terminology). So the cost is a bit more than I'd like to spend since I'm still functional. If my insurance company were covering it, I'd not be as concerned. I can afford it, just don't know that I want to spend that much money monthly for this.

I'm starting to wonder if maybe some supplements (depending on my bw) and maybe some cialis might do the trick. I hadn't thought of cialis before reading about it here because, like so many people, I thought it was for full on ED (which I don't have thankfully). But, researching if further, it seems like it can do other things which may help me.

Sorry for the long, rambling post. Just thinking out loud because, at this point, I don't know what I don't know. I figure you guys have been good at steering me in the right direction and you'd tell me if I'm totally crazy (and I appreciate that).

[powerlifterty16]

Yeah, this strikes me as a TRT pill mill. I'm a big dude as I've lifted weights most of my life and I'm guessing he made the assumption that I'm trying to do bodybuilding or something. I've just not been feeling myself and not motivated, not as much sex drive, etc. and wanted to see if that is the problem.

I had bw done a little over a year ago and, while I can't remember my test level, I do remember it was at the low end of the scale. I have not gotten any better since then (obviously) and am worse in many ways. However, I'm in no way debilitated, I still function and do everything, just not terribly-motivated to do so. Erections have not been a problem but they're not as good as they used to be (so to say).

With that all said, I did just turn 44 so I'm not young but also not what I'd consider old (ok, maybe it is old but I don't want to think of myself as old ). So I'm sure this is normal aging. But my philosophy is, if TRT can help me feel better--and the risk is relatively low--why not? But I want to do it properly with proper care as I know there are other things which may pop up if I'm using testosterone.

I also realize, once I start TRT, I'll probably have to continue for the long haul. My other concern is cost. Looks like my insurance wouldn't cover testosterone from this place since they're making/mixing it themselves (not sure the correct terminology). So the cost is a bit more than I'd like to spend since I'm still functional. If my insurance company were covering it, I'd not be as concerned. I can afford it, just don't know that I want to spend that much money monthly for this.

I'm starting to wonder if maybe some supplements (depending on my bw) and maybe some cialis might do the trick. I hadn't thought of cialis before reading about it here because, like so many people, I thought it was for full on ED (which I don't have thankfully). But, researching if further, it seems like it can do other things which may help me.

Sorry for the long, rambling post. Just thinking out loud because, at this point, I don't know what I don't know. I figure you guys have been good at steering me in the right direction and you'd tell me if I'm totally crazy (and I appreciate that).

cost is a big reason i havent taken the plunge towards trt. dont want to start trt which i most likely couldnt stop, if I wasnt sure I could afford it. With hcg mono, if my lh shuts down, im sure clomid will start me back where I was.

[NEFLRick]

Ok, got my results back:

Testosterone - 245 (below the range)
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (whatever that is?) - 23.90
Testosterone Free Index - 56 (below the range)

So I guess I really do have a problem. Honestly, I thought I'd be low but still in the range.

[Beethoven]

What are the ranges and which lab? I agree with the others that an AI be given without BW. I'd be weary of this. I have yet to need an AI even on test. My Doc also doesn't want to give me a script for the HCG but his is not so bad. Runs me about $100 a month. Good luck. Read and ask questions, you won't find a place with more knowledgeable people than here.

[powerlifterty16]

Ok, got my results back:

Testosterone - 245 (below the range)
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (whatever that is?) - 23.90
Testosterone Free Index - 56 (below the range)

So I guess I really do have a problem. Honestly, I thought I'd be low but still in the range.

im assuming you are using quest labs based on your free t.

so your tt range was around 270-900
shbg around 19-50
free t 73-155

your shbg is good, but since your tota t is low, so is your free t. shbg just tells you how much of your testosterone is bound to shbg(so shbg is bad in a lot of cases) i know that too low shbg isnt good either although i dont know why.

[NEFLRick]

im assuming you are using quest labs based on your free t.

so your tt range was around 270-900
shbg around 19-50
free t 73-155

your shbg is good, but since your tota t is low, so is your free t. shbg just tells you how much of your testosterone is bound to shbg(so shbg is bad in a lot of cases) i know that too low shbg isnt good either although i dont know why.

It wasn't with Quest, it was with the actual office I went to. Their ranges are:

Test - 258-1100 (I was 245 so just out of their range)
SHBG - 2.0-180.0 (I am in range but the low end)
Free Test - 150.0-350.0 (I was 56 so well out of the range)

So it seems I am actually lower than I thought. AS I said, I'm a little surprised but not shocked. I thought I had a problem but was thinking I'd be in the lower end of the range--I was last year when I was tested. So it puts me into an interesting situation. It seems I need the help so I'm hoping my insurance will cover some (or all) of what I need (yeah, I know, asking an insurance company to actually cover something I need...LOL!). If so, it will make the cost more palatable. If not, I have to decide whether I'm willing to spend the money to feel better. I can afford it but, we just came out of a bad time financially and we're finally doing well--I've been gunshy about spending money because of that.

But I digress...

[Beethoven]

Insurance may not cover but it's actually not too bad. Test is about $65 which lasts a couple of months. The HCG runs me about $100 for each month. A small price to pay for feeling good.

[NEFLRick]

Insurance may not cover but it's actually not too bad. Test is about $65 which lasts a couple of months. The HCG runs me about $100 for each month. A small price to pay for feeling good.

If that's about what it costs, I can live with it. Don't really want to spend more than about $100 a month--even that is more than I want to spend but....

[powerlifterty16]

my hcg is 106 dollars and lasts 8 weeks, so around 55 bucks per month. i dont use test cyp, but if i did that would be another 50 bucks but would last for 5 or so months.