doctor wants to do blood work every 3 months, forever

[Michael Red]

to watch testosterone . i cant do this, that is ridiculous. i thought it was going to be once every 6 months. they are going to make me do it once every 3 months. I find this absurd, is this normal?

[djgreen]

my dad is on TRT and he gets his every six months onley because that's all insurance will pay for so your insurance must be willing to every 3 month and that's prob why they went for it.

[Michael Red]

my dad is on TRT and he gets his every six months onley because that's all insurance will pay for so your insurance must be willing to every 3 month and that's prob why they went for it.

no they said it's a controlled substance and cant give me too much of it. i didnt talk to the doctor, just his PA today as she is randomly the one that i pay a $50 copay to see and she is not as helpful. my insurance is not great, it costs me money every time to do bloodwork. the PA i saw doesn't have any idea what my insurance covers, and doesn't care. i mentioned it to her once and she said "i don't care."

i need to do it once every 6 months, not 3. this is absolutely ridiculous

Is there any way I can convince them to do it once every 6 months? Any ideas or suggestions other than finding a new doctor (which i can't do at the moment as there are no other endos nearby whatsoever). Am I legally allowed to get a 6 month script? I am frustrated, how can they think that once every 3 months is a legitimate thing that I can do?

[wannabebig2]

I'm not sure its similar but about 3 years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and when I started on the levrothyroxine I had to see my Dr. Every three months, it took a lot of "adjusting" the dosage to get it right, now I only have to see him once a year, unless something else comes up. I wonder if maybe trt would be similar.

[djgreen]

have you been taking testosterone injections? if not then they prob don't want to go that way because of your age

[wannabebig2]

have you been taking testosterone injections? if not then they prob don't want to go that way because of your age

I'm not on testosterone at all. Just the medication for my thyroid.

[jasondd1]

I believe the law is every 6 months.

[Baxter35]

Every 3 months is common when first starting and trying to dial in correct dosing. Most docs will switch to every 6 months once they're comfortable with the dose. The patients attitude I think also plays a big part. Be respectful of the doc when first starting trt and follow the script 100% without any funny business. And don't act too anxious to get off every 3 month testing. If the doc doesn't trust you and suspects you're trying to avoid blood tests they'll likely keep you on 3 month testing much longer. And really in the long run....would getting blood work done 4 times a year vs. two really be the end of the world? If you really need trt then two extra trips to the Dr. is worth the payoff of a better quality of life in my opinion.

[Michael Red]

Every 3 months is common when first starting and trying to dial in correct dosing. Most docs will switch to every 6 months once they're comfortable with the dose. The patients attitude I think also plays a big part. Be respectful of the doc when first starting trt and follow the script 100% without any funny business. And don't act too anxious to get off every 3 month testing. If the doc doesn't trust you and suspects you're trying to avoid blood tests they'll likely keep you on 3 month testing much longer. And really in the long run....would getting blood work done 4 times a year vs. two really be the end of the world? If you really need trt then two extra trips to the Dr. is worth the payoff of a better quality of life in my opinion.

no i've been on TRT for over a year. ive been nothing but respectful, intelligent, prepared, and polite

[bigdil511]

Are you talking about because they give you a script and you go to the pharmacy and pick up three months worth of shit and that's why they want to see you and do bloodwork every three months?

[The Deadlifting Dog]

to watch testosterone. i cant do this, that is ridiculous. i thought it was going to be once every 6 months. they are going to make me do it once every 3 months. I find this absurd, is this normal?

Why do you find it absurd?
The doctor is giving you 300mg/week and your blood levels are at 800ish I believe.
He is prescribing you way more than the normal allotment and he is probably just covering his ass.

[Low Testosterone]

The law does not require blood testing to be done a set number of times per year. If the law required this, those studies that helped give testosterone a terrible name the past year or so wouldn't have been deemed viable studies by many despite little to no followup blood work.

That said, there are guidelines that are recommended by various groups. In our program the guidelines set out by The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Endocrine Society are what are used. Are these guidelines law? Nope.

You said you can't find a new doctor because there's not an endo near by, if you are being direct with that comment, specific with the need for an endo, your TRT is always going to be a pain in the ass. Doctor title does NOT matter.

The doctor and/or PA stating they do not care what your insurance does or does not cover. I have to say I agree. Any doctor that's worth anything will do what they feel is best if they truly have the patients best interest in mind. Sure that does mean some might do more than they really need to but that's their professional right - insurance means very little and means less and less every day.

[Michael Red]

Why do you find it absurd?
The doctor is giving you 300mg/week and your blood levels are at 800ish I believe.
He is prescribing you way more than the normal allotment and he is probably just covering his ass.

no i lowered the dose substantially because the doctor doesnt even know what an AI is, and thats not it, the PA told me every trt patient they see goes every 3 months

[The Deadlifting Dog]

no i lowered the dose substantially because the doctor doesnt even know what an AI is, and thats not it, the PA told me every trt patient they see goes every 3 months

Just curious... why do you find it absurd?
What makes 3 months absurd but six months not absurd?

I could be wrong but I would bet that you weren't taking the full 300mg/week when you tested 800. Instead you were taking maybe 100mg and saving 200mg/week.
Now that you have saved up enough to do a cycle you are pissed because you can't do a proper cycle if he is going to take bloodwork every 3 months.
That is why you want to get tested every 6 months.

[Michael Red]

The law does not require blood testing to be done a set number of times per year. If the law required this, those studies that helped give testosterone a terrible name the past year or so wouldn't have been deemed viable studies by many despite little to no followup blood work.

That said, there are guidelines that are recommended by various groups. In our program the guidelines set out by The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Endocrine Society are what are used. Are these guidelines law? Nope.

You said you can't find a new doctor because there's not an endo near by, if you are being direct with that comment, specific with the need for an endo, your TRT is always going to be a pain in the ass. Doctor title does NOT matter.

The doctor and/or PA stating they do not care what your insurance does or does not cover. I have to say I agree. Any doctor that's worth anything will do what they feel is best if they truly have the patients best interest in mind. Sure that does mean some might do more than they really need to but that's their professional right - insurance means very little and means less and less every day.

okay thanks for the response and i agree

so my best bet might be to go to a general practitioner here in town and he can help with TRT if i bring my (extensive) bloodwork? i have literally 25-26 different labs because for a whole year my endo tested my blood while having me on once every two week shots, and the half life had it gone by then, and the doctor refused to do anything else until finally i convinced him to do it once a week shots. its been a fight. and when i mentioned the insurance, it was a brief comment that had nothing to do with the question i asked the PA but she went out of her way to say she didn't care. but that's her right and she can say whatever she wants, i'm not easily offended and i couldn't care less. i just am uncomfortable in general with my endo

[Michael Red]

Just curious... why do you find it absurd?
What makes 3 months absurd but six months not absurd?

I could be wrong but I would bet that you weren't taking the full 300mg/week when you tested 800. Instead you were taking maybe 100mg and saving 200mg/week.
Now that you have saved up enough to do a cycle you are pissed because you can't do a proper cycle if he is going to take bloodwork every 3 months.
That is why you want to get tested every 6 months.

i dont even know who you are. you are putting words in my mouth and when i find the report button, i will report you. I am not doing this to cycle. if you cant fathom the annoyance i have with this then there is something wrong with you. i asked a question and expected a response based in reality, and even if it's something i didn't want to hear, i would be OK with it, but your imagination is running wild and it's time that you leave my topic because your input is no longer warranted

although you don't deserve a legitimate response, i will inform you that i lowered the dose because my doctor doesn't know what an AI is and i had erectile dysfunction so i lowered it upon hearing that a small dose twice a week helps with E2 conversion, which may be the problem for me. now, do not respond to me. leave

[The Deadlifting Dog]

i dont even know who you are. you are putting words in my mouth and when i find the report button, i will report you. I am not doing this to cycle. if you cant fathom the annoyance i have with this then there is something wrong with you. i asked a question and expected a response based in reality, and even if it's something i didn't want to hear, i would be OK with it, but your imagination is running wild and it's time that you leave my topic because your input is no longer warranted

although you don't deserve a legitimate response, i will inform you that i lowered the dose because my doctor doesn't know what an AI is and i had erectile dysfunction so i lowered it upon hearing that a small dose twice a week helps with E2 conversion, which may be the problem for me. now, do not respond to me. leave

What words did I put in your mouth?
And for the third time... Why is every 3 months absurd but every 6 months is fine?

[Chauffeur]

Every 3 months sounds awesome to me. It sounds like your doctor is really taking an interest in ensuring that your hormones are managed safely. That's something that a lot of guys have a hard time finding.

[Michael Red]

Every 3 months sounds awesome to me. It sounds like your doctor is really taking an interest in ensuring that your hormones are managed safely. That's something that a lot of guys have a hard time finding.

I have to ask off from work, which is not easy for me to do, and I have to spend a few hundred more dollars a year, forever. it's not impossible and it's not the end of the world but it's now double the annual hassle. I don't like it and it feels pointless, especially given the sub-par reasoning the PA gave me, and the fact that every 6 months isn't unreasonable in the first place. i still hope i can do otherwise because i will feel forever tethered to the doctor's office, even though i already am but the noose is even tighter

[kelkel]

If you're not comfortable, find another doctor. It's really that simple.

[Simon1972]

i dont even know who you are. you are putting words in my mouth and when i find the report button, i will report you. I am not doing this to cycle. if you cant fathom the annoyance i have with this then there is something wrong with you. i asked a question and expected a response based in reality, and even if it's something i didn't want to hear, i would be OK with it, but your imagination is running wild and it's time that you leave my topic because your input is no longer warranted

although you don't deserve a legitimate response, i will inform you that i lowered the dose because my doctor doesn't know what an AI is and i had erectile dysfunction so i lowered it upon hearing that a small dose twice a week helps with E2 conversion, which may be the problem for me. now, do not respond to me. leave

no i've been on TRT for over a year. ive been nothing but respectful, intelligent, prepared, and polite

My guess is that your Dr thinks you are a pain and is deliberately making you jump thru hoops.
Besides that, this is a public forum, the fact people respond to you and you borderline dismiss them is poor form. This is not a private consult, you are getting collective advice free. Just keep your responses in check, it's worth it.
http://forums.steroid.com/hormone-re...sfunction.html

Your forum post _link above, says you are on 300mg of cyp a week. Not far off cycle dose, and you recently adjusted it yourself without consulting your Dr.
If I was getting 300 a week, I'd put up with the blood tests .
Next step is to find a new Dr if you are not happy.And If you don't want to change drs , find a way to get your bloods done 3 monthly. Any weekend collection facilities in your area? If not, try looking harder. Your Dr may also want 3 monthly bloods so he can charge you for more visits OR he doesn't believe you are dialed in yet . Again, if you don't want that, find another Dr.

[Chauffeur]

I have to ask off from work, which is not easy for me to do, and I have to spend a few hundred more dollars a year, forever. it's not impossible and it's not the end of the world but it's now double the annual hassle. I don't like it and it feels pointless, especially given the sub-par reasoning the PA gave me, and the fact that every 6 months isn't unreasonable in the first place. i still hope i can do otherwise because i will feel forever tethered to the doctor's office, even though i already am but the noose is even tighter

Not sure what your options for lab locations are, but all of the Labcorp locations near me are open on Saturdays. Not sure about Quest. I'm usually in and out within 20 minutes.

Maybe you could try explaining to him that the financial burden is becoming a bit too much for you and ask if he'd be ok with labs every 4 or 5 months instead.

Or as Kelkel mentioned, you could look for another doctor to manage your TRT.