would an older doctor know older information

**powerlifterty16** · 03-10-2013, 11:41 PM

so im looking at the available endos in my network, and i narrowed them down. One looks decent but graduated med school in 1975...while the other graduated in 1995. I was leaning towards the 1975 guy, but would he be outdated, and think things like testosterone dont matter and tsh is good for thyroid?

also does quality of medical school matter for these things? The 1995 guy went to nyu.

**austinite** · 03-10-2013, 11:57 PM

Not necessarily. Some docs stay up to date. My doc is in her 60's and she is incredibly knowledgeable and constantly thinks outside the box. Unfortunately, it's trial and error with docs unless someone can recommend one to you. The medical school is also not an indicator.

http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...-TRT-Physician

**MuscleInk** · 03-11-2013, 12:54 AM

It depends on the physician. Some get lazy and complacent but many others stay current with new research and treatment patterns.

**GotNoBlueMilk** · 03-11-2013, 06:23 AM

The above statements are correct, but the odds are an older doc is behind the times unless he/she specializes in HRT.

**steroid.com 1** · 03-11-2013, 07:15 AM

See if they are members of the American Academy for Anti Aging Medicine. If so, you're good to go; if not it's a roll of the dice and the odds aren't usually good.

**junk2222yard** · 03-11-2013, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by gdevine

See if they are members of the American Academy for Anti Aging Medicine.

Which you can do with a doc search here: http://www.a4m.com/directory.html

**Juced_porkchop** · 03-11-2013, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by MuscleInk

It depends on the physician. Some get lazy and complacent but many others stay current with new research and treatment patterns.

agreed!

for me i might try out the younger one first but as others said both can go either way.

**powerlifterty16** · 03-11-2013, 08:55 AM

nah none of them are members of the anti aging assoc. They are just regular endos in my insurance. Right now im just hoping they do baseline tests, and then after the results come back, i can look into paying for a better doc if these suck.

there's also a third doctor who graduated in 2001 and he looks decent, but he works in the same dr's office as that clueless dr ijust went to, so im assuming he will suck as well?

**2Sox** · 03-11-2013, 09:04 AM

You many want to look up any doctors you are considering on Vitals.com and Healthgrades.com. On both, you can review ratings and reviews of patients. Good source.

Sometimes doctors are reviewed on Yelp also. Try it.

**powerlifterty16** · 03-11-2013, 09:56 AM

yeah i always look at vitals. I actualy sent you a pm with a vitals link not sure if your recevied it.

here are all three profiles....
the top guy gary is the one im considering most

http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Gar...er/credentials ....this guy graduated in 1995 and went to nyu but has no patient reviews.
http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Art...tora/insurance ...this guy has a phd so maybe is updated...but graduated in 1978
http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Rajesh_Dev/profile ....this guy looks good but he works inthe same office as that clueless wrench i just saw.

here is the nyu page of the top twp
http://umg.umdnj.edu/public/director...ctor=388732163
http://umg.umdnj.edu/public/director...ctor=105703366

under interests, it seems gary men. looks more at thyroids than diabetes which is a plus...i also think he looks friendlier?
Interests
General endocrinology, type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, and neuroendocrinology

**powerlifterty16** · 03-12-2013, 01:43 AM

ok, looked at more endos. Would a dr whose ''special expertise'' is in reproductive endocrinology be more likely to deal with hormonal issues? I found one with good reviews. I might have to go without my dad, as it's an hour's drive and he doesnt want to go...but better that than going to a dr who won't listen. im threatening to quit studying for the gre if he doesnt go with me though:P.

**powerlifterty16** · 03-12-2013, 12:20 PM

any thoughts would be appreciated, im making the appt today or tomorrow!!!!

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

ok, looked at more endos. Would a dr whose ''special expertise'' is in reproductive endocrinology be more likely to deal with hormonal issues? I found one with good reviews. I might have to go without my dad, as it's an hour's drive and he doesnt want to go...but better that than going to a dr who won't listen. im threatening to quit studying for the gre if he doesnt go with me though:P.

**rt12008** · 03-12-2013, 03:28 PM

I am new to HRT/TRT, but my observation is all of the anti aging doctors in my area do not accept insurance. They seem to be fee for service and they mark up the cost to make additional money. I just assumed this was the way it went. Can you actually see an anti aging doctor that takes insurance? I am still learning. Thanks for all the info.

**2Sox** · 03-12-2013, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by rt12008

I am new to HRT/TRT, but my observation is all of the anti aging doctors in my area do not accept insurance. They seem to be fee for service and they mark up the cost to make additional money. I just assumed this was the way it went. Can you actually see an anti aging doctor that takes insurance? I am still learning. Thanks for all the info.

You gotta look long and hard for one. My own search continues.

A good urologist who does TRT is a good place to start. Stick with this board. You'll learn a very great deal to help you on your journey.

**HRTstudent** · 03-12-2013, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

so im looking at the available endos in my network, and i narrowed them down. One looks decent but graduated med school in 1975...while the other graduated in 1995. I was leaning towards the 1975 guy, but would he be outdated, and think things like testosterone dont matter and tsh is good for thyroid?

also does quality of medical school matter for these things? The 1995 guy went to nyu.

there is no way to know for sure...

its all about self education. the best thing you could find actually would be published research - if it's relevant to HRT then bingo.

personally, I wouldn't be even be looking at an endocrinologist though!

I also place weight on how the doctor looks... if he's obese do I really expect him to care about quality of life IN GENERAL? I realize some may, but this is all about hedging your bets when trying to choose a doctor.

**powerlifterty16** · 03-12-2013, 05:28 PM

how come ishouldnt look for an endo? basically my goal right now is to get blood work, and hopefully a pituitary mri..in the past some mris showed a microadenoma but some were clear..my lh and fsh from my 2010 labs were low, so i'd like a new mri.
if the endo doesnt help, there is an anti aging doc in my insurance..he was actually my original primary doc, but i decided to see this incompenent moron first.
i need a referral for new docs, so right now the endo is the next step.
btw, im worried about my ultrasound on friday, will the ultrasound effect my testosterone or harm me at all?

here is the profile of the endo im going to call. she has glowing reviews, and it says she deals with reproductive endocrinology so hopefully not a moron!
she did go to a foreign school though -_-
http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Luigina_Vlad/reviews

Originally Posted by HRTstudent

there is no way to know for sure...

its all about self education. the best thing you could find actually would be published research - if it's relevant to HRT then bingo.

personally, I wouldn't be even be looking at an endocrinologist though!

I also place weight on how the doctor looks... if he's obese do I really expect him to care about quality of life IN GENERAL? I realize some may, but this is all about hedging your bets when trying to choose a doctor.

**HRTstudent** · 03-12-2013, 11:31 PM

Well if you need an MRI for possible pituitary issues then an endo would be a good choice, but in general we don't advocate endos for a few reasons.

First of all, endos are mainly diabetes docs. Next, they have little to no training in male HRT outside of a few genetic diseases. Beyond that, they typically don't treat for quality of life or symtoms - they tend to be 100% disease-focused. In other words, they often don't really care what the patient feels or wants compared to how a more wellness-oriented physician might approach someone. Finally, aside from testosterone , the typical drugs such as aromatase inhibitors and especially hcg are not something an endocrinologist typically uses (thus would not likely prescribe even if indicated).

There's more, but that's the bulk of it. People come on this forum just about weekly talking about how their endocrinologist disappointed them and now they're feeling more hopeless.

**powerlifterty16** · 03-12-2013, 11:52 PM

trust me dude, i hear you. I have been to endos before, ranging from highly rated ones, to specialized neuro endos. endos are ****ing horrible...but right now my goal is just to get the tests that the ignorant pcp refused to order. Im just going to bring my old labs from when im 18, and my old mri from 2009 and tell him i never got new labs and hope he orders updated ones.
If the labs come back indicating further investigation towards hrt, i will see if the endo is up for it, and if she is not i will go to the anti aging guy in my insurance.

is reporductive endocrinology stuff like hrt? and any thoughts on my ultrasound question?

Originally Posted by HRTstudent

Well if you need an MRI for possible pituitary issues then an endo would be a good choice, but in general we don't advocate endos for a few reasons.

First of all, endos are mainly diabetes docs. Next, they have little to no training in male HRT outside of a few genetic diseases. Beyond that, they typically don't treat for quality of life or symtoms - they tend to be 100% disease-focused. In other words, they often don't really care what the patient feels or wants compared to how a more wellness-oriented physician might approach someone. Finally, aside from testosterone , the typical drugs such as aromatase inhibitors and especially hcg are not something an endocrinologist typically uses (thus would not likely prescribe even if indicated).

There's more, but that's the bulk of it. People come on this forum just about weekly talking about how their endocrinologist disappointed them and now they're feeling more hopeless.

**VTX1800** · 03-13-2013, 05:47 AM

There are many valid points mentioned here. Age to me is just a number, a dr. Could be 75 but spent the past 5 years dedicating his time to the study of HRT. You will meet know unless you ask the doctor his or hers thoughts and current protocol. It will save you ALOT o money if you make a 5 minute phone call before making an appointment.

**powerlifterty16** · 03-13-2013, 03:34 PM

anyone for the ultrasound question? im concerned that having the soundwaves on my balls may mess with my testosterone /testicles....am i just being paranoid???

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

how come ishouldnt look for an endo? basically my goal right now is to get blood work, and hopefully a pituitary mri..in the past some mris showed a microadenoma but some were clear..my lh and fsh from my 2010 labs were low, so i'd like a new mri.
if the endo doesnt help, there is an anti aging doc in my insurance..he was actually my original primary doc, but i decided to see this incompenent moron first.
i need a referral for new docs, so right now the endo is the next step.
btw, im worried about my ultrasound on friday, will the ultrasound effect my testosterone or harm me at all?

here is the profile of the endo im going to call. she has glowing reviews, and it says she deals with reproductive endocrinology so hopefully not a moron!
she did go to a foreign school though -_-
http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Luigina_Vlad/reviews

**HRTstudent** · 03-13-2013, 03:38 PM

I think ultrasounds are generally regarded as safe. I'm not the person to ask this though, so don't put much stock in it.

What it will boil down to, however, is are the possible benefits worth the risks? Everything in medicine has risks, but there should be convincing benefits if you were to go through with it. Maybe you and your endo can find something that needs fixing, maybe they won't. But either way, it should help you further along in your diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Sometimes the best medical advice can do is tell you what things are not.

Also, as I stated earlier, I generally don't like endocrinologists for HRT. HRT is a quality of life matter and traditional medicine places little-to-no importance on this. It's individual to each doctor, of course, what route they choose to travel.

If I had to pick an "hrt type doctor" it would probably be an internist or urologist that specifically go after the male hrt group. HRT for living a better life is not something taught in medical school. There is no residency for this. The doctor must seek it out on their own.

**powerlifterty16** · 03-13-2013, 04:20 PM

the reason im getting the ultrasound is because ithought i felt something since august, and i want to be sure there is nothing there before pursuing trt. The gp i just saw claims she didnt feel anything but idont trust her lol she was a moron.