Is my doctor acting proper by dispensing pre-filled pins?

[C27H40O3]

I've been going to the same Men's Health Clinic for about a year now. I have mostly been happy with my care recieved there. At the beginning, they would dispense me ten new syringes, and a ten ml vial of 200mg/ml Test C, and ten Anastrozole tablets, and said to come back every seven weeks.

A few months later, they started to give me a prescription for 4 1ml vials rather than dispensing the Test C directly to me during my visit, and said to come back every four weeks. I use my GoodRx app, so I pay $5 a vial at my pharmacy. The hassle was more frequent office visits, but I guess they wanted to bill the insurance every four weeks instead of every seven weeks.

Now they changed to dispensing 4 loaded syringes, each containing 1ml Test, to me, every four weeks at my visit. I dont like this arrangement. They claimed they were having problems with the e-prescription system. I dont see them filling the pins. I dont see how sterile the system is for filling and handling them.

I got used to seeing a sealed pharm grade bottle being used by me to fill my own pins. I am not comfortable with their new system. I cant just go to another local clinic since my bloodwork is way too high now to qualify for HRT treatment. I dont want to second guess the doctor and imply that they dont run a clean operation. The test i ordered online a couple of months ago from some company just to have some backup took a month to arrive. This whole situation is becoming a pain in the ass.

Can anyone advise if receiving pre-filled pins is normal procedure when going to a HRT specialist?

[Gallowmere]

I’ve personally never heard of this, and I’ll be damned if I’d inject myself with a prefilled syringe of anything that I didn’t fill myself, or wasn’t in a sealed sterile package from the manufacturer.

[Ashop]

Sounds a little weird to me them doing that honestly.

[C27H40O3]

thats what i felt also, but i havent been doing this long.

[Couchlockd]

Is it even technically legal to dispense controlled substances in containers without labels?

[C27H40O3]

Is it even technically legal to dispense controlled substances in containers without labels?

The ziplock containing the pins has the proper label on it by a sticker.


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[Couchlockd]

The ziplock containing the pins has the proper label on it by a sticker.


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What about plunger deterioration? I'm assuming 1 pin a week or 2 a week?

So one s at least going to sit for 2 weeks eating at that plunger

Tell them that's not sanitary and either tell them to shit or get off the pot so to speak GIMME THE DAMN VIAL!

[almostgone]

Is it even technically legal to dispense controlled substances in containers without labels?

They should provide a script to cover the preloads, especially during transport home. It really isn't a common practice.

I've had a Dr. write me a script for a couple preloads of Stadol when I tore one of my spinal erectors.

He wasn't too keen on the idea, but I had driven myself to the Dr. and he wouldn't give the injection if I was going to be driving.

I'm guessing they are doing it as a way to make more $$. My test is dispensed 90 days at a time, which is (9)- 1 ml vials.
The only reason I can see that they might do this is that occasionally pharmacies run out of test, particularly the 1ml vials, so they may be drawing up his (4)-1cc preloads of test from a 10ml vial.

I sure wouldn't want to be driving around with 4 preloads of cyp without some kind of documentation from the Dr. to cover my @ss.

[C27H40O3]

The preloaded pins came from my doctor. No pharmacy involved. They were in a ziplock bag with the same prescription sticker they put when they dispense the vials.


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[almostgone]

The preloaded pins came from my doctor. No pharmacy involved. They were in a ziplock bag with the same prescription sticker they put when they dispense the vials.


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That's the legit way to do it as far as being dispensed within guidelines, but I'm sure it's a royal PITA..

Edit: I definitely wouldn't like that for my low T treatment plan.

[C27H40O3]

Yeah. I’m thinking of just looking for a reliable source of Test C now that I have a steady treatment protocol going for the past year. This doctor is too erratic in his practices. Those mystery prefilled pins were enough for me to lose faith in him.

He charged me $150 for 11000iu of hGC, and I found it online much cheaper. I even order my own bloodwork to stay on top of my levels.




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[C27H40O3]

I refused the pre-filled pins from my doctor, and I complained about the seven week wait to get an appointment, so he called in my script for ten week supply. The app saved me $329 on my latest prescription. Only cost $44 for ten 1ml vials of Test cyp at my local CVS drug store.



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[Windex]

Are these amps or vials? You want to split the injection into 2 or 3 smaller injections per week to maintain stable blood levels. I would also ask for Depot-Testosterone (Pfizer). It will come in a 10mL 100mg/mL vial or a 200mg/mL 5mL vial.

You'd be better off long term sourcing an Endo who specializes in HRT tbh.

What else are you taking for HRT besides Test?

[Youthful55guy]

While the cost is good ($44 for 10 mL), having to deal with 1 mL vials is a pain. I get 10 mL of Pizer branded Depo-Testosterone 200mg/mL at my local compound pharmacy for $63.36.

[C27H40O3]

Are these amps or vials?

They are the 1 ml vials with stoppers.

You want to split the injection into 2 or 3 smaller injections per week to maintain stable blood levels. I would also ask for Depot-Testosterone (Pfizer). It will come in a 10mL 100mg/mL vial or a 200mg/mL 5mL vial.

I use .5 ml every 3.5 days. I told my pharmacist that I wanted the 10 ml vial, she said she dont carry those there.

You'd be better off long term sourcing an Endo who specializes in HRT tbh.

I know, but in the meantime I am at a men's health kind of practice.

What else are you taking for HRT besides Test?

I take 200iu of hCG a couple times a week if I remember to, to keep my balls from disappearing. The doctor prescribed an 11000iu vial to use 250iu every three days, but brothers here suggested that dose was needlessly wasting money, so I cut it down to 200iu twice a week. My last bloodwork had me at Test level of 1850, so I am going to cut down on my Test dosage, but now it is a pain in the ass with those stupid 1 ml vials.

What is the consensus on drawing out the contents of these vials and putting them together into a gently used 10 ml vial? Would the benzyl alcohol in the Test in the 1 ml vials be enough to keep it sterile in the used 10 ml vial?

Thanks.

[C27H40O3]

While the cost is good ($44 for 10 mL), having to deal with 1 mL vials is a pain. I get 10 mL of Pizer branded Depo-Testosterone 200mg/mL at my local compound pharmacy for $63.36.

No doubt. I dont like these 1 ml vials, but i prefer them to the pre-filled pins he began giving out lately.

Is that price you quoted after insurance?

[jstone]

For those wondering about the 1ml vials. This is becoming normal practice, fda guidelines state that once a vial of injectable medication's stopper is pierced its only good for 28 days IIRC. So they try to give you 1ml vials. I was able to get 10ml vials but my doctor had to specifically state the prescription was not to be filled with anything but the 10ml vial.

I have talked with many people that are on trt that are experiencing the same problem where the pharmacy will only dispense 1ml vials.

[Youthful55guy]

They are the 1 ml vials with stoppers.

I use .5 ml every 3.5 days. I told my pharmacist that I wanted the 10 ml vial, she said she dont carry those there.

I know, but in the meantime I am at a men's health kind of practice.

I take 200iu of hCG a couple times a week if I remember to, to keep my balls from disappearing. The doctor prescribed an 11000iu vial to use 250iu every three days, but brothers here suggested that dose was needlessly wasting money, so I cut it down to 200iu twice a week. My last bloodwork had me at Test level of 1850, so I am going to cut down on my Test dosage, but now it is a pain in the ass with those stupid 1 ml vials.

What is the consensus on drawing out the contents of these vials and putting them together into a gently used 10 ml vial? Would the benzyl alcohol in the Test in the 1 ml vials be enough to keep it sterile in the used 10 ml vial?

Thanks.

I'm actually with your doc on this one. There is good research that 1000 IU per week in split doses is about optimal for maintaining testicular function. You can get by with less, but I do 1050 IU per wee (450 IU E3D).

Your T dose is high for TRT as evidenced by your Total T lab numbers. I agree that cutting back is a good idea. Also check your Free T, that is what you really should use to optimize your dose. You want to be in about the upper 75th percentile for a 20-30 year old guy, which is between 21-26 pg/mL using LabCorp's ranges. My experience is that half your current dose (0.25 mL E3D) will do that, but you need to optimize it for yourself with labs. Everyone is different and our SHBG have a big impact on Free T (my SHBG is always high).

If I were forced to go with 1 mL vials, I would probably combine at least 5 at a time into a clean and sterile new vial to make the process easier. You can purchase clean sterile vials in 5 or 10 mL on Amazon.

[kelkel]

He charged me $150 for 11000iu of hGC,

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You were robbed.

[tarmyg]

You were robbed.

Understatement of the year. Just picked up 10k IU hcg , cost me $12.

[C27H40O3]

You were robbed.

Understatement of the year. Just picked up 10k IU hcg, cost me $12.

Yeah. I know now. Live and learn. But I like to get at least one script for everything i transport in my car to girlfriends house or vacation.



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[C27H40O3]

Is there something I could do or add to empty test vials to reuse? I know about ordering new ones but I might want the contents to be covered by a pharmacy sticker if getting on a plane or whatever.


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[Youthful55guy]

Understatement of the year. Just picked up 10k IU hcg, cost me $12.

That has got to be an insurance co-pay. I pay $127.01/10,000 IU for Merck branded Pregny at my local Pharmacy $127.01/10,000 IU.

Even through my overseas source, PREGNYL is $42.00/5,000 IU.

[Youthful55guy]

Is there something I could do or add to empty test vials to reuse? I know about ordering new ones but I might want the contents to be covered by a pharmacy sticker if getting on a plane or whatever.


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I've never had a problem with taking Testosterone while traveling. In the last 3 years, I've traveled 3 times to the EU, once to Mexico, and once to Grand Cayman. I've also flew countless times domestically. Never a problem.

I usually draw up a sufficient quantity in syringes and take them as carry on. I also draw up an extra set and pack them in my luggage. That way I have a back up in case one or the other is lost in transit. I also pack it with a photocopy of the original prescription and bring a photo of the prescription on my phone. I've never had to produce the photo or show the photocopy.

[kelkel]

Personally, If I'm only going away for a week or less I leave everything at home. Take a shot right before leaving and immediately upon return. If it were more than a week I'd take some with me. Test anyway, not HCG .

[Windex]

I pay $172 Canadian for 10,000 IU. Only upside is I get about 50-60% of it back when I file taxes for medical expenses.

[tarmyg]

That has got to be an insurance co-pay. I pay $127.01/10,000 IU for Merck branded Pregny at my local Pharmacy $127.01/10,000 IU.

Even through my overseas source, PREGNYL is $42.00/5,000 IU.

Nah, Indian price directly from the pharmacy. Should give you a good idea how much your overseas source is overcharging you

[JohnnyBreeze]

For those wondering about the 1ml vials. This is becoming normal practice, fda guidelines state that once a vial of injectable medication's stopper is pierced its only good for 28 days IIRC. So they try to give you 1ml vials. I was able to get 10ml vials but my doctor had to specifically state the prescription was not to be filled with anything but the 10ml vial.

I have talked with many people that are on trt that are experiencing the same problem where the pharmacy will only dispense 1ml vials.

This is surprising to me. My normal pharmacy (which is out of state) was out of stock a couple times, so I called a local Wal-Mart pharmacy, had the Rx transferred, and they dispensed the exact same brand (10ml vial) of Test-C. It's a generic made by Sun Pharma. I've only used those two pharmacies for my Test-C though, so maybe others are dispensing differently. Sorry you guys have to go through that kind of hassle with the 1ml vials.

I also have to imagine that at some point, having to purchase 10 vials instead of 1 will become more expensive. Most pharmacies' price per pill goes down as the quantity goes up, but individually packaged drugs are the opposite. That's how it was when I was a pharmacy tech at Wal-Mart in college anyway. Also that was over 15 years ago, so it could be different now.

[C27H40O3]

Yeah. The pharmacies love to bill the insurance, or customer, for multiple smaller packaging rather than one larger one.

It’s a scam they get away with due to all the third party payers involved.


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