and here we go with another update
So I finally am able to get into the anti-aging clinic today and wow, it was GREAT! Finally being able to talk to a Dr. with him actually knowing more about TRT than from what I know after reading here and other places. I spent over an hour with him, talking to him about every thing I had in my little pea-brain. Again, this is what this guy does, he has written books about Andropause so he's very well versed.
So I'm trying to remember everything we covered... it's not entirely fresh in my mind, but we discussed numbers quite a bit (levels), and I asked him about my high Free T level, to which he says that the free-T test is often quite unreliable and he doesn't put too much faith in what it is at. Since I'm having the hot flashes and not feeling well, then we need to do things to fix it. At one point, he starts mentioning HCG, that we may need it at some point, also talks about AI's. Talkes about a new form called Nebido to which I of course know about from reading here.
Mentiones that we really need to know why I'm low, either primary or secondary, and that by looking at my other numbers, he's not sure but thinks it's primary. Also talked about a possible link between vasectomy's and low T later in life, that it's something he's considered. Wants to put me on gel for 1 month, retest and then go from there. He said he's not all about numbers but how the patient feels. Wants to check my Ferritin level (amount of iron in the blood), but of course Test and Estradiol to see if it's still high or what has happened after a month on the gel. After this test, we'll decide on what kind of cocktail is needed (if one is needed), including AI if necessary, and also HGC etc.
I asked what he like regarding the administration of Test, gel, etc. and he was open to anything and mentioned pellets, gels, injections. First try gel, but he said that injections are OK but it's difficult to get to the office every 2 weeks so most of his patients don't do that. I was surprised at the every 2 weeks rather than every one however? He then said that if it was difficult for me to come in (it isn't but I didn't say), that he could teach me how to self-inject! I guess it was then that we got on the Nebido discussion.
Anyways, it was nice to finally talk to someone who really knew his stuff, and the fact that he was very upfront in trying to make me feel right based on how I feel and not just going by the book of numbers. He wants to start slow with the gel just to change one thing at a time and get a different baseline, and said that maybe my hot flashes will go away with just the gel, but that he'll fix it regardless. He asked if I wanted to get more of this work done and then he can refer me back to the Endo, but I said I'd rather stick with him of course!
One thing is that he said I already have some gyno
that sucks but nothing I can do now other than make sure my E2 levels are in-check.
So, bottom line, is that if anyone is getting no-where with their PCP or their specialist, really do your homework and see if there's someone who specializes in this. It was a welcome relief. I'm already looking forward to my one-month visit.
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Originally Posted by subnet
Other symptoms are light-headedness, pale skin, stiff neck and headaches (I have all these).