i think im going to say **** it and go to dr shippen

**powerlifterty16** · 08-16-2013, 11:43 AM

saw my urologist today he pretended to care how i was doing, then i told him i was not ebtter, after me pleading for t he told me he wont give it to me bc of my age....i stood up for myself very politely nd my dad was there helping too, but it was a no go.

i think im just going to call shippen. i think i may be hypothyroid..hoping he can help..my tsh was 3.87 although it's been 2.8 before.
my free t4 was 1.22 that's not bad right?

right now im calling urologists and i feel like a idiot asking them
1 do they do hcg
2 do they check estradiol
3-do they deal with young guys

i just set up an appt with a uro for november..he's busy....apparently he is an expert on male infertility so im hoping he deals with hcg...he does check estradiol though.

im going to call shippen on monday and see when i could see him....im guessing he's booked for the next 10 years lols..and i can't wait to see the price tag.

btw my igf1 was low
is immunoglobin a qn igf1 the endo said it was?

btw can someone here calculate my free t
my shbg is 23.5
albumin is 4.7
and tt is 371
i did it on a calc and free was low and bio was high so idk if there is test issue?

**austinite** · 08-16-2013, 11:54 AM

9.04 ng/dL free T.

**jay adams** · 08-16-2013, 12:02 PM

Sucks to see you going through all this BS Power. You're surrounded by the company that can make you whole but you can't afford it. SUCKS! How much does someone like Shippen charge? I hope you get this worked out soon man. You def need to get your treatment. I feels so f'n good physically and mentally.

**Ryanmcd** · 08-16-2013, 12:07 PM

Glad to see you are taking charge, to be honest if it costs a lot get a 2nd job or get a loan, you have 1 LIFE and if you screw it up now you will deal with it for the rest of your life, 20-30 sets the stage so put in the work now and have the energy and feel good to enjoy the rest of it.

**powerlifterty16** · 08-16-2013, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by jay adams

Sucks to see you going through all this BS Power. You're surrounded by the company that can make you whole but you can't afford it. SUCKS! How much does someone like Shippen charge? I hope you get this worked out soon man. You def need to get your treatment. I feels so f'n good physically and mentally.

austin is that on a range of 9-30? i got 8 something when idid it but i guess in the same area.so low right? is my bioavailable low too?

jay, thanks for the kind words man. i am not sure what ship charges. im hoping it's high 6's low 7's, but im prepared for a number in the 9's also. my hope is i can see him for 700 twice per year...and see what he says.

only thing is idont want to do the clomid challenge, clomid scares me, and i am worried i wont see shippen for a long time since he's so good!
the uro i called wont see me until november, imagine shippen!
i figure shippen would be ideal because he could look at my thyroid too...guy is suppsoed to be brilliant..not susrprised considering he's got balanced hormones hehe. wonder if he was a lifter as a kid.

**Ryanmcd** · 08-16-2013, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

austin is that on a range of 9-30? i got 8 something when idid it but i guess in the same area.so low right? is my bioavailable low too?

jay, thanks for the kind words man. i am not sure what ship charges. im hoping it's high 6's low 7's, but im prepared for a number in the 9's also. my hope is i can see him for 700 twice per year...and see what he says.

only thing is idont want to do the clomid challenge, clomid scares me, and i am worried i wont see shippen for a long time since he's so good!
the uro i called wont see me until november, imagine shippen!
i figure shippen would be ideal because he could look at my thyroid too...guy is suppsoed to be brilliant..not susrprised considering he's got balanced hormones hehe. wonder if he was a lifter as a kid.

I found seeing cash docs a lot faster, when I called Crisler I was in 3 days later. When it's covered you have lots more people going in. Most docs are same day if it's cash from what I have seen.

**powerlifterty16** · 08-16-2013, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Ryanmcd

I found seeing cash docs a lot faster, when I called Crisler I was in 3 days later. When it's covered you have lots more people going in. Most docs are same day if it's cash from what I have seen.

that makes sense....i guess ill see what shippen's office says.
was pretty depressing sitting in theurologists office for 50 minutes past my appt, and having him come in and tell me i was too young for trt...im not too young for hypogonadism though

**powerlifterty16** · 08-16-2013, 12:28 PM

dhow much did crisler run you? i know crisler and shippen are buddies so im assuming they have similar poilicies.

**Ryanmcd** · 08-16-2013, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

dhow much did crisler run you? i know crisler and shippen are buddies so im assuming they have similar poilicies.

I did it a few years ago, was $500 but he spent about 2 hours with me, did a full physical and we went over my goals and issues I have had in the past, I don't care for him personally but as a doctor he spent a TON of time and got me resolved in about 6 weeks and I have been doing the same thing now about 2 years w/o any issues. I also had my own bloodwork before I went in and he said that was fine.

I would use a primary as your blood work doc if you can as that will save you a lot of time / money in the long run because once you get dialed in not much changes, then you can just e-mail / fax it over to your doc and let them tell you / script you your meds if needed.

**powerlifterty16** · 08-16-2013, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Ryanmcd

I did it a few years ago, was $500 but he spent about 2 hours with me, did a full physical and we went over my goals and issues I have had in the past, I don't care for him personally but as a doctor he spent a TON of time and got me resolved in about 6 weeks and I have been doing the same thing now about 2 years w/o any issues. I also had my own bloodwork before I went in and he said that was fine.

I would use a primary as your blood work doc if you can as that will save you a lot of time / money in the long run because once you get dialed in not much changes, then you can just e-mail / fax it over to your doc and let them tell you / script you your meds if needed.

500 is not bad at all, and worth it if i could get on track. so you saw crisler once and he never needed you to see him again? H still prescribes it?
if i could see shippen once or twice per year and that's it, id be happy.
my primary is useless, and i would change to a diff one but ehr office gives me any refferals i want. my primary wouldnt even order cholesterol or testosterone when i showed her my old 277 test from 19! That was before i started going to this uro...i have only seen the primary once and it was back in march.

i may switch to a diff guy in my plan who is an anti aging dr....bc the primary i go to is a group and ive seen the endo there(who wouldnt order any blood and said 200-300 isnt that bad)

**powerlifterty16** · 08-17-2013, 12:35 AM

when i call shippen im considering asking if i could do an hcg test instead of clomid i really dont want to use clomid...but pretty sure if i were to go to him he'd force me to

**VTX1800** · 08-17-2013, 07:59 AM

You can always get with lowt.com for
The time being. At least until you can get in with a respective dr. Months on down the road. I know your financial status is the issue but I would really check into getting a small loan just so you can start feeling better. I wish you the best in your search.

**powerlifterty16** · 08-17-2013, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by VTX1800

You can always get with lowt.com for
The time being. At least until you can get in with a respective dr. Months on down the road. I know your financial status is the issue but I would really check into getting a small loan just so you can start feeling better. I wish you the best in your search.

low t would be a good option it's just they stopped seeing patients in pa..and i cant get to chicago at this time.

**Nate02** · 08-17-2013, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

low t would be a good option it's just they stopped seeing patients in pa..and i cant get to chicago at this time.

I would visit him if you can. I go to school in PA and definitely would if I had the resources. There are enough ignorant doctors out there, if you think you have a good one go for it. Do you not want to try Clomid because of the side-effects? I don't know. I feel like he prescribes you Clomid first for a reason, I would tough through it if I were you.

**powerlifterty16** · 08-17-2013, 10:00 AM

you dont have the 650 to see him? maybe parents could help..you're closer to him than i am i bet..im 2 hours away.

i just dont like clomid...read a lot of bad things about it, and even if it raised my t, i wouldnt stay on it...a lot of people feel worse on it. my lh isnt low either so it's pointless...what's weird is a lot of times when my lh is high i have low t and when it's low i have high t...back when i was 21 my lh was 2.0 and t was 535 at like 2m...and my second to last bloodtest my lh was like 6.8 or so and tt was 256...and my blood test last wk lh was 4 something with 371tt lol.

i get blurry vision occasionally when i first wake up or before bed, and i dont wanna **** my eyes with clomid.
i think hcg could work as well..lowtmike prefers hcg.

**VTX1800** · 08-17-2013, 12:43 PM

I take clomid everyday brother, I think your over analyzing. You can't believe everything you read. I've been on it for 5 months or so and I don't have the slightest side effect. Pros and cons man...pros and cons

**powerlifterty16** · 08-17-2013, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by VTX1800

I take clomid everyday brother, I think your over analyzing. You can't believe everything you read. I've been on it for 5 months or so and I don't have the slightest side effect. Pros and cons man...pros and cons

What is your clomid dose..apparently 12.5 mg doesnt cause many side effects, 25 could be ok too, but higher than 25 usually causes lots.

either way i wouldnt wantt o be on long term clomid therapy as the hcg didnt make me feel different.

**Buddyguy** · 08-17-2013, 01:56 PM

Vtx1800 I just read your post about your 200mg trt question...why are you adding clomid into your trt of test, HCG and an AI. Doesn't make sense to me?

**VTX1800** · 08-18-2013, 06:38 AM

That's been my doctors protocol since starting TRT. I stressed to her my concern for fertility so she added low dose clomid for testicular function. It's kept my LH and FSH values above average and my semen analysis last month showed I've got above average sperm count.
I questioned the use of hcg and clomid together as well, but I trust my doctor she knows ALOT more than me about TRT. I'm glad I listened to her!

**moscow** · 08-18-2013, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by VTX1800

That's been my doctors protocol since starting TRT. I stressed to her my concern for fertility so she added low dose clomid for testicular function. It's kept my LH and FSH values above average and my semen analysis last month showed I've got above average sperm count.
I questioned the use of hcg and clomid together as well, but I trust my doctor she knows ALOT more than me about TRT. I'm glad I listened to her!

Thanks for this info, I might also try this as my boys are shutdown and we want to try for our second kid next year... Do you use an A1?

**Buddyguy** · 08-18-2013, 10:49 AM

Interesting..I wonder if you could substitute HCG with clomid

**powerlifterty16** · 08-18-2013, 11:01 AM

i really dont want to take clomid for the stimulation test, and feel like the secretary is going to give me shit when i ask her if i could use hcg .
i think the stimulation test is worthless anyway since my lh is fine...and it seems myy bodyu is weird..my t levels are highest when my lh is really low

**powerlifterty16** · 08-18-2013, 02:45 PM

is shippen an expert in thyroid or just t?

**VTX1800** · 08-19-2013, 05:48 AM

Sorry, posted same thing twice. I hate having to use my iPhone to post

**VTX1800** · 08-19-2013, 05:50 AM

Originally Posted by moscow

Thanks for this info, I might also try this as my boys are shutdown and we want to try for our second kid next year... Do you use an A1?

Moscow-prescribed anastrozole .5mgs 3x per week. I've only taken it twice a week, kept e2 around 23. Clomid does increase e2 and of course the hcg with fairly high dose of cyp so I started taking it 3x a week recently.

Clomid will increase LH and FSH values hcg will not. Clomid won't keep your boys hanging low and bouncing off your ole lady's corn hole! Lol there is quite a bit of info (google) on clomid use with hcg while on TRT. Many will argue that it's redundant to use them both but I will argue that all day long. It's keeping me fertile while using 200mgs per week! I can't complain.
I'm sure there are long term risk involved with clomid but I will worry about that later on

I don't plan on taking clomid forever just until my wife and I have our first child (or 2nd, maybe 3rd) lol then I will just stick to hcg cyp and anastrozole until the day I die.

**VTX1800** · 08-19-2013, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by VTX1800

Sorry, posted same thing twice. I hate having to use my iPhone to post

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

is shippen an expert in thyroid or just t?

I'm sure you can find the answer to your own question if you do some google searching.

**powerlifterty16** · 08-19-2013, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by VTX1800

I'm sure you can find the answer to your own question if you do some google searching.

found contradicting answers..figured people here would have feedback here.

**powerlifterty16** · 08-30-2013, 09:46 PM

im starting to think maybe shippen wouldnt be a good idea..im really worried he is going to retire..then id be screwed lol.

**Ryanmcd** · 08-31-2013, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

im starting to think maybe shippen wouldnt be a good idea..im really worried he is going to retire..then id be screwed lol.

I think you need to STOP over thinking everything, I think you may stroke yourself out of have a ulcer before you see the doc. CALM DOWN and go do something else with all that mental energy to get your mind off of something you can't change and have no control over. Hell you could get hit by a bus tomorrow or raped by a alien.

**Vettester** · 08-31-2013, 10:11 AM

OP, there's a really good book that I always suggest to my sales and marketing associates ... Who Moved My Cheese. Please read it and follow the mindset of the 2 mice.

**EverettCD** · 08-31-2013, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Vettester

OP, there's a really good book that I always suggest to my sales and marketing associates ... Who Moved My Cheese. Please read it and follow the mindset of the 2 mice.

That's a good read.

Sent from my iPhone that was manufactured in a sweat shop in China

**HRTstudent** · 09-04-2013, 02:26 PM

at some point you need to put a price on your "pain and suffering" and decide... how long do I have to live in shit before I throw up my arms and bite the bullet?

if nothing else, I would opt to pay out of pocket for a true expert like shippen or mariano if nothing else for a couple initial visits to get the ball rolling. after that, I believe, you could find a doctor willing to continue your treatment presuming it's working well for you...

I wouldn't do this for just any doctor who I have a "hunch" might be good -- I'm talking about well known leaders in the field so you know for damn certain that your money is well invested.

**Kwn** · 09-04-2013, 04:09 PM

A follow up question - do you guys believe that Dr. Crisler is one of the TRT leaders who can really help struggling men?

**powerlifterty16** · 09-04-2013, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by HRTstudent

at some point you need to put a price on your "pain and suffering" and decide... how long do I have to live in shit before I throw up my arms and bite the bullet?

if nothing else, I would opt to pay out of pocket for a true expert like shippen or mariano if nothing else for a couple initial visits to get the ball rolling. after that, I believe, you could find a doctor willing to continue your treatment presuming it's working well for you...

I wouldn't do this for just any doctor who I have a "hunch" might be good -- I'm talking about well known leaders in the field so you know for damn certain that your money is well invested.

thanks, although im starting to have my doubts about shippen...he didnt order me any thyroid lab work despite my high tsh, and i left him a message with a few questions on monday, and he still hasnt returned my call....i understand he's busy, but im a paying customer.

@kwn- dr crisler knows a lot about hrt, but he is not a good person, and charges mondey for things such as emailing scripts or giving out bw....he also is quick to medicate as opposed to looking for the cause.

**Kwn** · 09-04-2013, 04:21 PM

I heard about his personality. If he is good at HRT administration, this is all I care about. Money - same thing. I prefer to pay big time and get my life back than to live in horrible shit as it happens right now.

**powerlifterty16** · 09-04-2013, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Kwn

I heard about his personality. If he is good at HRT administration, this is all I care about. Money - same thing. I prefer to pay big time and get my life back than to live in horrible shit as it happens right now.

he just doesnt seem like someone who truly cares, but hey im not his patient..im sure he will be able to help you...bt i personally dont like him. he also is prob hard to get a hold of, and may ignore your calls like shippen did to me.....and unfortunate to say the least.

**Ryanmcd** · 09-04-2013, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

thanks, although im starting to have my doubts about shippen...he didnt order me any thyroid lab work despite my high tsh, and i left him a message with a few questions on monday, and he still hasnt returned my call....i understand he's busy, but im a paying customer.

@kwn- dr crisler knows a lot about hrt, but he is not a good person, and charges mondey for things such as emailing scripts or giving out bw....he also is quick to medicate as opposed to looking for the cause.

Here we go again, So you never have seen him but what you READ on the INTERNET about that he says this? I have seen him and spent money with him and he does care about the people he sees, why don't you take a look at his thread about helping people restart.

Please lets not make the internet worse then it is with saying something about someone they have NEVER seen, it's like me saying McDonald's sucks but I never ate there but people on the interweb says it's no good NOW do you see how stupid that sounds? I can say what I feel about him because I have seen him several times and spent money with him, he also saved my money by telling me to use MY doc under INSURANCE for ALL my blood work so he did not have to send my the results and to use MY INSURANCE for the test and Androgel to save money, and to use my INSURANCE to cover all the other work.

Please at least have some idea about someone before you go talking crap about them, again do I think he's a nice person? He's okay but he is a GREAT doctor and I don't care what he does in his personal time.

**Ryanmcd** · 09-04-2013, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

but hey im not his patient..

Sure sounds like you know a lot about someone you have never seen or talked too, how is that?

**Ryanmcd** · 09-04-2013, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by powerlifterty16

thanks, although im starting to have my doubts about shippen...he didnt order me any thyroid lab work despite my high tsh, and i left him a message with a few questions on monday, and he still hasnt returned my call....i understand he's busy, but im a paying customer.

@kwn- dr crisler knows a lot about hrt, but he is not a good person, and charges mondey for things such as emailing scripts or giving out bw....he also is quick to medicate as opposed to looking for the cause.

I am sure your the only person he sees, I say you keep calling until he drops you then you can say how bad docs suck again. Maybe sign up to get a mental doc and I am not kidding, you run the same thing over and over and over about every doctor you see, is it a trust issues or do you just worry non-stop.

**powerlifterty16** · 09-04-2013, 09:40 PM

dude just stop already, i only called him one time, and i said i understand he's busy, but i should still get a call back....
You are the one who needs mental help, you are so angry and bitter..you give guys on trt a bad name...just chill out, and stop being such a prick for once.
im paying a lot of money to see him, and am traveling a good amount in my pos car to see him, and need to know what im getting into before i waste my time and money so things dont end up like they did with the other docs who werent knowledgeable...i wanted shippen to check thyroid, adrenals, and t to make sure we know 100 percent that i need trt before prescribing it, and if he wont check thyroid i may save my money and go to a different dr.
and btw, a lot of people have bad experiences with drs here..this is a very misunderstood field.