TRT vs self treatment

**DinAZ** · 06-10-2021, 02:11 PM

Hey all...I am 38 years old and am running 300mg of test right now. I feel really good and looking at my labs over the past years I think I would benefit from using test regularly (at TRT levels, not this high) as my levels dropped quite a bit after a severe injury 8 years ago and then have been gradually dropping at a more normal rate since. After this current test cycle I am on and PCT I want to plan out my next steps. I am thinking that using a small dose of test regularly might benefit me.

How much does TRT usually cost including scripts? I have seen some online for a couple hundo a month but some "men's health clinics" in town I called charge 300-500 a month for their "all inclusive" packages that happen to include TRT, labs, and other stuff I don't want so I want to find better options.

Does anyone here treat them self but have a Dr they trust that helps them? I'd like to find an affordable TRT clinic but I don't want to spend thousands a year on it. I am willing to go to a TRT clinic but my insurance does not cover it. I'm wondering if anyone has found a Dr they can be honest with about their self treatment to at least get some medical oversight? I definitely want to have some medical consultation from time to time so after my PCT I want to look into a TRT clinic or finding a new Dr and am just curious about other people's experiences? I appreciate all the info everyone here shares on the forum I have found so much info just using the search tool but this is something more personal/specific I wanted to ask about.

If you are not comfortable sharing certain details that is fine I am not trying to pry but if anyone wants to share their experiences or recommendations it would be great.

**kelkel** · 06-11-2021, 09:03 AM

Well, step one would be coming off (pct) and giving your body some time to fine homeostasis. Then getting bloodwork to see where you actually are. Don't go into TRT blindly. Hell, you could have a minor thyroid problem effecting your T levels. I'd always opt for a local doctor above a clinic if possible. Doc's title doesn't matter, only that they understand hormones. It's not rocket science it's just docs don't receive much training in it in med school.

Cost wise, if a doc wrote you a script and you did not have insurance a bottle of test at Costco / Walmart can be as low as $40 for 10ml. Which at 100 mgs per week would last 20 weeks. Cheap. Clinics will obviously charge for bloodwork, test and any ancillaries they may try to sell you. Remember it's a business.

There's a couple of threads at the top of this forum that may help you as well.

**DinAZ** · 06-11-2021, 11:26 AM

I have been reading some of the stickied threads and will keep going through them, thx for your thoughts. I definitely will PCT and take time off and will have bloodwork done before doing anything. I checked thyroid a few months ago and it was good, T was on the low end but my Dr didn't seem concerned she just said "it's normal to go down with age". I've seen worse Drs than her, but my old Dr was very proactive (he retired and I got passed off to a replacement) and made me feel like we were on the same team working on the same goal. The new one does not so it is time to change.

For some reason I was under the impression that you had to go to a TRT clinic or a Dr that had some type of specialty for RXing T, but if I can just go to any local Dr then it should be easy and cheap. I'm not really that concerned about the $, my health and feeling good is more important than $, but I'm also very frugal so if I can spend 1-2.5k a year instead of 3-4k+ a year on docs all the better. I can get insurance to cover a local doc also, so I think I have some homework to do based on what you told me. If any doc can prescribe test then I will have to call around and feel some Drs out because my Dr was solid but he retired and the replacement is mediocre.

**almostgone** · 06-11-2021, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by DinAZ

I have been reading some of the stickied threads and will keep going through them, thx for your thoughts. I definitely will PCT and take time off and will have bloodwork done before doing anything. I checked thyroid a few months ago and it was good, T was on the low end but my Dr didn't seem concerned she just said "it's normal to go down with age". I've seen worse Drs than her, but my old Dr was very proactive (he retired and I got passed off to a replacement) and made me feel like we were on the same team working on the same goal. The new one does not so it is time to change.

For some reason I was under the impression that you had to go to a TRT clinic or a Dr that had some type of specialty for RXing T, but if I can just go to any local Dr then it should be easy and cheap. I'm not really that concerned about the $, my health and feeling good is more important than $, but I'm also very frugal so if I can spend 1-2.5k a year instead of 3-4k+ a year on docs all the better. I can get insurance to cover a local doc also, so I think I have some homework to do based on what you told me. If any doc can prescribe test then I will have to call around and feel some Drs out because my Dr was solid but he retired and the replacement is mediocre.

My primary care Dr. scripts mine. Just make sure to find one that knows hormones.
The stickies Kel referred you to will definitely help you to recognize which doctors are up to date regarding hormones. Also, you'll likely find that you learn some good information as well.