Starting TRT - Do I need an AI?

[Crowbar62]

Dr visit was a horrible waste of time and money. He would not order the lab work with the quip "You only need three things on this list tested and if we tested all of them it would cost you over $1,000". He also followed up with a referral to an endocrinologist that has a three month wait time. For the record I don't care if the blood work cost me $1,000. I just want to treat/correct the symptoms.

I'm planning on visiting a new doctor next week. I've been told by some friends that the doctor I am considering is a more "liberal" doctor and is much more likely to run the test and prescribe more "cutting edge medications and treatments".

I'll see if I have better luck.

Anyone ever go directly to the lab to get their blood work done?

[kelkel]

Dr visit was a horrible waste of time and money. He would not order the lab work with the quip "You only need three things on this list tested

Sorry to hear this. What were the three things, in his opinion?

[Crowbar62]

Sorry to hear this. What were the three things, in his opinion?

He ordered a test for Total Test, Free Test, PSA, LH, Prolactin and Cortisol.

[kelkel]

He ordered a test for Total Test, Free Test, PSA, LH, Prolactin and Cortisol.

But no thyroid panel?

[Crowbar62]

But no thyroid panel?

He said that the thyroid had "nothing to do" with low t. That's why I'm going to find another doctor that specializes in hormones.

In the meantime I'm going to do my own blood work through one of the online clinics.

[kelkel]

He said that the thyroid had "nothing to do" with low t. That's why I'm going to find another doctor that specializes in hormones.

In the meantime I'm going to do my own blood work through one of the online clinics.

Definitely run from this guy then. It's amazing to me that a doctor would make this statement. How'd he make it through med school? Take some time and do some reading at Stop the Thyroid Madnessâ„¢ - Hypothyroidism and thyroid mistreatment as well. Thyroid issues are a major cause of hypogonadism.

A good panel for thyroid would be (at a minimum): TSH, FT3, FT4, RT3 and Antibodies.

[Proximal]

Dr visit was a horrible waste of time and money. He would not order the lab work with the quip "You only need three things on this list tested and if we tested all of them it would cost you over $1,000". He also followed up with a referral to an endocrinologist that has a three month wait time. For the record I don't care if the blood work cost me $1,000. I just want to treat/correct the symptoms.

I'm planning on visiting a new doctor next week. I've been told by some friends that the doctor I am considering is a more "liberal" doctor and is much more likely to run the test and prescribe more "cutting edge medications and treatments".

I'll see if I have better luck.

Anyone ever go directly to the lab to get their blood work done?

Hey crowbar, just curious (not trying to invade your privacy), are you in the states, and in general, is your medical provider generally very stingy with most everything?

Let's just say I'm semiretired from the medical profession and know what a pain in the butt it is to get around it based upon your provider.

[Crowbar62]

My general is a very conservative doctor. For example when I see him for really bad cluster migraines he only prescribes three maxalt. Never knew how stingy that was until I went to a walk in clinic one night and the doctor there gave me a prescription for thirty five.

It's never been too much of an issue, as a rule I don't like to take medication unless I really need it, but in this case the symptoms are causing a quality of life issue and it's frustrating when it feels like your doctor is standing in the way, rather than helping.

[Crowbar62]

Hey crowbar, just curious (not trying to invade your privacy), are you in the states, and in general, is your medical provider generally very stingy with most everything?

Let's just say I'm semiretired from the medical profession and know what a pain in the butt it is to get around it based upon your provider.

Yes, I am in the states. Doctor is very conservative and does not like to prescribe medications that have not been in use for at least ten years. He reminds you of that every time you see him. I understand where he is coming from, but it's frustrating that he wont work with you.