My Dr. is clueless on TRT

[Rock Chalk]

This is going to be a long post but worth the read to show how uninformed some doctors are about TRT.

I will post my blood work in another thread but the short story is that my blood work came back and showed that my test levels were low....265 total testosterone . I went back to the doc today to discuss my results, additional blood work and options for TRT. The doctor only ran my total test when they did blood work last week. I told him that I wanted him to take more blood and test for Free Testosterone, Estradiol, LH levels, etc. He told me that those tests are worthless and won't tell me anything. He also said insurance won't pay for them and they are really expensive. He said, "I can test your free test levels but if it comes back high and your total is low, what does that mean? Does that mean you are ok? Estradiol levels don't mean anything because we can't really figure out what they mean in women, let alone men."

His suggestion was Androgel to treat my low test. He said that all studies have shown it to be most effective form of treatment. When I inquired about injections, he said that he had a few patients that got injections every 2 weeks but that he still thought that gel was the best option. When I told him that injections every 2 weeks was crazy because of the up and down roller coaster, he basically said that the up and down was worth it to some people as opposed to feeling like shit from low test. I then told him that while I was no doctor, injections should be given every 3.5 days in order to stabilize levels. He looked at me like I had no clue what I was talking about.

When I asked about the use of HCG with treatment, he said that there was no proof that HCG was actually beneficial, nor was the inclusion of and AI while on testosterone. He said that he had not seen any study that showed using a "cocktail" like that made any sense, BUT if I wanted to go down that road then I would need to find an Endocrinologist that specialized in men....AND that it was going to be very hard to find one and would most likely require going to a place like the Mayo Clinic. Seriously....I can't even make this shit up.

If you read my other post about my Vitamin D deficiency, he suggested that I continue with 16 weeks of Vitamin D supplementation and then re-rest my test levels. He followed by saying that vitamin D shouldn't make a difference, but you never know.

Obviously I am going to find another doctor. There is more to this story but I'm tired of typing about it. The scary thing is that this guy is actually treating people for low T! I was so pissed when I left his office. Now off to find a doc that specializes in TRT....or is at least informed.

[frawnz]

Can you do self injections? If so, agree to do his every 2 week shots and just modify it yourself to 1-2x/week.

[bullshark99]

Rock,

It still amazes me to this day but your story is far too common! Thereanother thread (current) where the Dr wants to inject 75mgs every 2 weeks??? Mind boggling how off these guys are and yet many times patronize as they give you there advice, almost like they are scared your gonna figure out they don't know what they are talking about.
Frawnz offers some good advice if you can pin yourself. If not, you know you need to find a new Doc.

[Rock Chalk]

I have no issue self-injecting....that's what I would prefer but I don't think he'd let me do it. Also, my doctor is 70 years old and retiring in 2 months. I don't have a very good relationship with him because I've only been to him maybe 5 times in 12-13 years. Not sure what I'm going to do. I have 4 10mg vials of Test E but then what? I might just hit a cycle of test at 500mg/week with HCG and Arimidex for 12 weeks, hit Clomid and Nolva for PCT and then see where my labs are after that.