HRT through the VA

[GetItHot]

Anyone else doing HRT and going through the VA hospital system? My doc has me on 300mg once a month and my labs keep coming back lower. After three series of this, im hoping to get a referral to the endo. On my blood work, they are just checking for free test and total test.
Its really a roller coaster, I think i'd like to be on 100mg once a week.
Im thinking about doing a blast of Test prop, Tren , and Mast. Then just cruising on my HRT. Your thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.

[gmantheman]

Holly crap 300 mg per.month? You should be on about 100mg per per. week. If I understand correctly test cyp 1/2 life is about a week so in two weeks it's completely out of your system and your test levels will drop. By only doing it once per month, your test levels will rise up to 7 days after your injection and then begin to drop.

[GetItHot]

That sounds about right. Most of my friends just say that im lucky to have gotten on hrt at all. After reading up on this forum, I feel much better educated. I basically have just put up with it for the last month in order to get to the endo.
My last blood test results came back low. They only tested for free and total test. I dont have the results in front of me, I only spoke to the nurse over the phone while I was driving, and in order to avoid getting a ticket or in an accident, I didnt really get all the facts. I should have the results mailed to me soon.

[dlhoulton]

Hey GIH, I go through the VA for my HRT. I don't post very much, but your inital post gets me boiling mad. The VA or any other medical provider should have there licensed revoked or taken away from them. In my openion they are on the edge of malpractice and patient indangerment. They should have done lots more labs and have made a better attempt at finding out WHY you have low "T". I'm no expert but have read, read and reread many posts and the stickies here. Lots of super information. I sure hope some of the "what I would call experts" give there input here. I started out seeing my PCP after reading about Low "T". She was a Nurse practitoner and self admited she did not know much about the subject. I had printed off lots of info from here and stuff from Dr. Crisler's web site (most are stickies here). Also printed off what symptoms of Low "T" were and told here that I could relate to almost all of them. She drew a few labs "which most were the wrong ones" and when they came back she told me that they were "normal range". Even though they were at the very bottom of "normal". I told here I would like to see a specialist "Endo" and she set me up with a consult. Took a while but while waiting I read, read and reread posts and stickies. They are your best friend. When it was time for my "Endo" appt. I was locked and loaded. I could tell right away the Endo was not very knowledgable and I presented him with lots of info and facts. I showed them what test were reccomended for base line evaluation. But with the symptoms and physical exam they went ahead and started me on a low dose TRT program (50mg/.25ml, shot/wk). They started out saying the same as they did for you. They wanted to give me a shot (100mg/.5ml) once a month. I showed them info on half life and other stuff and told them I would rather have something weekly. That I did not mind having a shot weekly and could do it myself or would go to my local VA to get it. I told them I had been a Navy Corpsman and was comfortable in giving myself the injection and that I was also a nurse. I also talked with them and showed the info on follow up labs and we agreed that I would go to my local VA for them. When I got home I went to my local VA and told them I had just got back from Endo and was to have labs in a few weeks to look in the computer for the Endos notes. I also left her the page of Dr Crislers paper showing what should be drawn on follow up labs and when. From there I've keep in contact with the Endo and since had my dosage increased and had them write order for follow up labs (which I go local and tell them what I want drawn, again from Dr. Crislers follow up and or change in dosage labs). To sum it up, you just have to educate yourself, present some of the info that this web forum can provide and go in and show them that you know what you are talking about and that you have done reserch and studied. One other thing you should do is go to your local VA (hospital or clinic) and ask about "My Healthy Vet". It's a program that you can log into from home once they set you up with access and pull your lab work up and print it out. You won't have to request and wait for them to send it. When they draw the labs and input them to the system you have access to them. You can also refill your medications from there as well as view appointments and other stuff. Even send notes to your PCP. Hope this will help you in some way. Sure hope some of the others will give there input as well.

[manonfire]

Hey GIH I also go through the VA for my test C. I just started last week. I didnt even discuss this with my doc.. Her nurse called me and said my levels were low so she had me come in and pick up some test c some syringes. I was told to take 250 mgs every two weeks. No one even mentioned any follow up tests or nothing..

[manonfire]

By the way I am going to use this to my advantage...GIH if you have any advice of what to ad PM me

[socalfun64]

I am also using the VA Endo for my Test. They did the full battery of test first, including a CT of my Pituitary. I ended up with very low T (had all the classic symptoms). The Dr. started me on 250mg Test-c every two weeks. I just take there script and give it to myself in the way I like best, which is smaller dose twice a week. They are not very flexible as far as HCG or Arimidex which I tried to get, but at least its all paid for. I agree with DHOULTON re. the online MY HEALTH-e-Vet deal. You can sign up at https://www.myhealth.va.gov/ Then you need to fill out an "In Person Authorization" at your local VA facility to get an upgraded account, then you can access all of your info online. Pretty cool.

Good Luck with the VA Dr. I would def. get with the Endo group.

[GetItHot]

Thanks for the info on the healthevet stuff. I tried to register just now and its giving me lip, so i'll call the VA monday.
As far as blood work, I was really disappointed to find out they were only testing for free and total test. Im a bit concerned about estrogen levels and LDL cholesterol. I have high cholesterol naturally, and Im not on anything for estrogen blocking.
Im really happy that I started posting on this forum, its nice to know that im not alone.
Anyone blasting and cruising here?

Manonfire, im not sure what advice you are looking for.

[PetrX]

I had problems with my first 2 VA Drs, got one fired for being a prick and the other Dr, well I just told the VA to give me a competent. I finally found a good Dr who was willing to work with me, and since im in Pharmacy school, he allows me to give my input as well as the endo we picked to work with me. We tried the patches and yea were useless, so we agreed that injections would be the best route. The endo said that they usually started patients at 100-200mg every 2 weeks. I obviously disagreed and my Dr did as well so the endo asked me why and she actually agreed with me and apologized for her "old school" views lol and said that the VA doesnt really require much knowledge to be an endo there nor updating on protocols.. So now im on 100 mg a week of Cyp and will be checking my numbers in 4 weeks. To sum it up, you have to find a Dr that you feel confortable and will listen to you. A Dr who is competent, I had to ask around and see who the nurses considered a great Dr and thats how I found mine. VA can be a nightmare from what I here, but if you do your homework and don't allow them to push you around, you'll find a great Dr cause they are out there. Best of lucky

[manonfire]

So do you agree that 100 MG a week of cyp is enough?

[manonfire]

GIH What were you thinking in terms of blasting? And what are your goals?

[GetItHot]

Cut mix of test prop, tren , and masteron . I'd like to run it for 8,10,or 12 weeks, then go back to the cyp. My goal is to shed body fat and get better definition. Im not concerned with the amount of weight im putting up as long as I look great. Im moving to Hawaii in the fall, so hopefully I wont be wearing as many clothes as I currently do in the shitty northwest.

[PetrX]

So do you agree that 100 MG a week of cyp is enough?

It could be, everyone is different..ill find out in 3 weeks lol I'm injecting 50 mg twice a weak. My next blood test should tell me if I need more or less..eventually ill hit the 750-850 range I want. If 100 mg a week doesn't get you in the 600-800 range than try 125 week and so on until you hit a good range

[GetItHot]

How long after you pin do you go in for your bloodwork?

[PetrX]

I wait 3 days, draw my blood and drop it off at the va. on the week of my blood test, ill inject the full 100 mg on Monday then wait 3-4 days and take my blood to the va

[manonfire]

How long have you guys been on test? I just started last week. Petrx the problem I have is that they are only giving me 100 Mg per week and I dont have a hook up for my gear so I am hoping it will be enough until I find someone. I would gladly Blast or even up by 25 mg per week

[GetItHot]

How long have you guys been on test? I just started last week.

I started August 2011.

[PetrX]

How long have you guys been on test? I just started last week. Petrx the problem I have is that they are only giving me 100 Mg per week and I dont have a hook up for my gear so I am hoping it will be enough until I find someone. I would gladly Blast or even up by 25 mg per week

What you can do is on the week of your blood test, inject less that way you get low test results and once the dr sees that, then they would most likely prescribe you a higher dosage..

[manonfire]

PetrX that is a great Idea I dont know why I didnt think of that.

[GetItHot]

Got my referral to the ENDO today.

[manonfire]

Excellent!