don’t make any changes to what you have been doing. the new doc may want you off of everything to test, but bring in what blood tests you already have to show him, and try to get him to agree to just move forward with treatment - as a month off of everything sucks (multiple personal experiences myself).
definitely sucks. I just started back on this regimen–after being off for 2 months.
I’ve been feeling better, but I also started taking my ADDerall at the same time. Hard to tell which is making me feel better. Until I decided to cut the adderall this morning and see how I did just on the Androgel.
No energy, irritable, no motivation, etc.
Sorry if I’m hijacking here, but since you mention you’re on Adderal, I thought I’d mention that I’ve seen people claim in other threads that Adderall itself suppresses T levels. They cite no evidence, however, and a review of published research yielded no proof. I’d be interested in others’ thoughts, especially if they’re aware of anything authoritative on the topic.
I was on Desoxyn for years before switching to Vyvanse in April 2009 (and ritalin as a kid - btw - ritalin is an evil evil drug).
Any ADHD medication is going to mess with your neurotransmitter levels and possibly other systems. Unfortunately I need the medication to keep my brain functioning (even if it is the cause of all of my other problems).
My low T was present prior to adderall use. I wasn’t on the adderall when I had my initial tests done.
Adderall does help with dopamine uptake so it is helpful with a lot of the same symptoms that are shared with low T.
I’ve read all of the stickies (printed them, also) so I will be well prepared for teh MD visit next wednesday.
I actually called my original PCP who did my primary tests and the office wouldn’t release my blood tests to me. That won’t fly. I’m going to contact them again and kindly let them know that those records are mine and I can have them if I want them.
Spotspt, I use a Doctor in Independence, Ohio. He is a younger Doctor who is into anti aging and treats many men with TRT. The first two visits are covered by your insurance. If you decide to go with him you pay a yearly fee. He does blood work every three months after you start the program, you have email support from him. He answers within a day.
I also have good insurance but could not find a doctor that would treat me properly. (No AI, or HCG) I now feel safer because of the extensive blood work I receive. My other Doctors just tested for Total T and made decisions based on that one test.
I do not work for the Doctor and do not get any kind of kick back, just keep him in mind if your appointment does not go well at the Clinic.
[quote]kjcmjc wrote:
Spotspt, I use a Doctor in Independence, Ohio. He is a younger Doctor who is into anti aging and treats many men with TRT. The first two visits are covered by your insurance. If you decide to go with him you pay a yearly fee. He does blood work every three months after you start the program, you have email support from him. He answers within a day.
I also have good insurance but could not find a doctor that would treat me properly. (No AI, or HCG) I now feel safer because of the extensive blood work I receive. My other Doctors just tested for Total T and made decisions based on that one test.
I do not work for the Doctor and do not get any kind of kick back, just keep him in mind if your appointment does not go well at the Clinic.[/quote]
PM the information. I’m going to give this doc a chance and lay on the line what I want done. If he isn’t willing to work with me, I’ll give your guy a shot.
Thanks
I live about 20 mins from Independence.
Ok, met with a urologist/fertility specialist today.
He was open to what I wanted. He did suggest seeing an endo in order to get the education on self-injections.
He gave me a script for
TT
FT
E2
FSH
LH
Prolactin
TSH
Ordered that results be sent to me and faxed to him.
At least I’ll get a decent idea where things are now.
Going to do the blood draw on Sat morning. I will apply androgel at 4 am in order to prepare for 8am blood draw (his suggestion).
Will probably look for an endocrinologist, too.
Went in this AM for testing.
Blood draw was at 7am so I got up at 4 and applied my daily 7.5g androgel.
Now the waiting game. Quest said the results would be faxed to me by Wednesday PM.
Don’t know what to think.
I’ve been on this regimen for a couple of weeks and not feeling a ton different. Still no spontaneous wood or morning wood.
And the lab results are in:
Coincidentally, Im a mess because of them. Frustrated.
FSH 2.4 (1.6-8.0)
LH 0.7 (1.5-9.3)
TSH (3rd Generation) 1.96 (0.4-4.50)–weird because I had this done in May '10 and it was .8 (fasting)
Prolactin 7.6 (2.0-18.0)
E2 50 (13-54)
TT 326 (250-1100)
FT 76.6 (35-155)
Numbers a result of blood draw approx 3 hours after applying 7.5g Andogel (7AM blood draw). Was off of TRT for 2 months before starting back up approx 2.5 weeks ago.
obviously E2 needs to be controlled, thyroid should be investigated more.
Anything else jump out?
yes - I believe your TT should be a lot higher if you were absorbing correctly. You may want to look at compounded creams or possibly injections.
get free T3, free T4, Reverse T3, 8am Cortisol, ferritin (if possible test for D25-OH as well).
Yeah disappointed in the TT number. Going to use that information to return to injections. Hopefully self-injections. Sucks that my T:E2 ratio is about 6:1 ( no labels).
Every time I see the title of this thread I cringe. It is like asking the condemned if they prefer hanging or just want to be shot.
Haha. I get ya KSMan. Your thoughts on numbers?
Very estrogen dominant. Fixing that will be make a big difference. But you need to throw out the whole protocol.
You are not absorbing transdermal T, a symptom of hypothyroidism. Do the thyroid labs, check waking body temps, record and report.
You are converting a lot of T to E2 in your skin with the T-gel. You can’t carry on with that.
You did get a FT spike from the t-gel for the labs.
The fact that LH and FSH are not zero is another indicator of ineffective TRT.
Try T self injections, 100mg/week, T+AI+hCG, inject at least twice a week, read protocol for injections sticky.
I mentioned this to my doc that ordered the tests. He is a fertility specialist, but he didn’t suggest hCG at all.
He said that if the labs came back “sup-optimal” then I may want to look for an endo to get me strated on the injections, get a good result, and then begin self-injecting.
My original Uro (ordered the Androgel) will get a copy of these labs (as the one he ordered was for TT only) and I am currently seeking an endo.
There is an anti-aging clinic close to me, but I don’t want to spend the required amount for the treatment even though the initial consult is nominal. The follow-ups and “guidance” are more.
No matter what i think I should be procuring some anastrozole as a research compound.
No matter what i think I should be procuring some anastrozole as a research compound.
I mentioned this to my doc that ordered the tests. He is a fertility specialist, but he didn’t suggest hCG at all.
This is the exact reason I went to the clinic I go to now. I do not self prescribe a AI and wonder if its working. HCG is prescribed with no problem. Blood work is every three months and I get a hour appointment with my doctor to go over all of the test results. I can get into the clinic anytime there is a problem. With my other doctor I had to hide that I was on a AI (he did not believe in them). Is it more money out of pocket? Yes, but I have peace of mind and do not have to self experiment with my meds. Good Luck
Oh, don’t worry. I work in healthcare and WILL take responsibility for my own welfare when it comes to my body. I will kindly suggest some things. I won’t stop until I get the response I think is best.
I’m still going to give the doc a chance to make things right, but if he/she pulls my chain, I will try to guide some deeper thought. I work with docs all of the time. I’m pretty good at discussing things with them.
THis is my body and I deserve the best care possible.
So, the ordering doc called me to discuss the results of my tests. I figured it was going to be to suggest different approach. Nope.
His words: Well, you’re normal. The fact that your FSH and LH numbers are still elevate means that your body is still producing testosterone. I don’t want to treat numbers. If you want to do a semen analysis in order to preserve fertility, I’ll order it.
I asked him about my E2 being 50. His response: Well, I’d rather not treat that with Clomid because there has been no long term studies as to the effectiveness. Once again, I don’t want to treat a numbers.
My low libido? Well, I don’t know how to address that at this time.
My high TSH? No, you’re fine. That’s normal.
On my general loss of QOL–well, I can’t explain that. If I didn’t know you were on testosterone, I’d give you a clean bill of health.
I asked him about the fact that I was on the gel and it would have peaked and it was at 3xx and he responded, well that is in the range.
I’m beyond livid. I’m presenting my original urologist with the information to discuss options.
I’m also goign to contact an endocrinologist. My PCP sucks ass, my “cleveland clinic” fertility expert sucked ass, I doubt the urologist understands this because he didn’t even test for E2.
I’ll probably end up at a freakin’ anti-aging clinic. Helping that doctor get rich.
F*$K ME
[quote]KSman wrote:
Every time I see the title of this thread I cringe. It is like asking the condemned if they prefer hanging or just want to be shot.[/quote]
So who does one go to then?