posted Wed, 08/14/2013 - 11:34
3940
Self prescribing?
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I'm curious and have some questions.
Who here self prescribes their own TRT?
What led you to self prescribe?
How long have you been doing it for?
How often do you get labs?
Did you ever drop your test levels intentionally to get on TRT?
Now for the important questions.
Lets say you have been doing this for a while and you end up sick and in the hospital. Do you tell them you are usin? WWouldn't it be risky to not tell them. In an emergency they need to know. Even in general health issues it may help in ruling things out. If I ended up with high blood pressure would the doc not need to know you are using test before handing you another medication.
If you tell them, do you worry about losing insurance (assuming you have it).
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I am 60 years old. Been on TRT for 3 years. I started out by seeing an anti aging doctor and getting blood tests every four months. I pretty much self prescribe now because I am familiar with the tests now and know what to look for.
I think your goal should be to get your testosterone numbers into the high 700's, get a blood test every six months and adjust dosage accordingly. .5 cc each week has me right about 750.
I am 48 and have experienced all the symptoms of low T. I have been depressed and have zero sex drive, strength is down etc. I went to the doctor to get tested and was told that my levels were normal. I asked more questions and he said normal for me is 300-750ish and I'm at 298. I said that is below normal let's get this TRT going, but he won't do it, says he is "not a fan'. It's close enough to normal to try other measures first. I am planning to start my own therapy in the near future but, I'm still in the research phase. I think it is crap that they only look at the number. I may experiment with dropping my levels to get on TRT just to be legal. Going to another doctor is not really an option with my insurance. I will be using a local lab to check my blood work, and will never tell the doctor what I'm doing, unless maybe it was life and death in hospital.
Most doctors don't know anything about TRT. My doctor said the same thing when my levels were very low. He said to get some test boosters at GNC (which I had already tried and was on when I was tested). I decided to "self-prescribe" at a low dose and it was done wonders for me. I'm 44 and have started my own TRT with test-c at 200mg per week. I'm in my 3rd week and I am starting to really feel it. I am very glad that I am taking control of my own health and especially on this issue. I get my bloods done once a quarter and my bp every two weeks.
I don't know the answer to you, but doing your own exhaustive research and then making an informed decision, is always the best course. Best of luck and happy to help in any way.
Are you taking an AI/HCG/Anything other than test C?
No. I have aromasin (sp), but I'm not taking it at the moment, because I'm having no estrogen sides. Usually with such a small dose, AI's are not needed, but that all depends on the person's physiology. I want to keep things simple and just use one thing at a a time, unless sides dictate otherwise (which I'm prepared for). I have PCTs lined up as well, but I'm kind of looking at this as a TRT right now. My bloods and bp will dictate how things go from here. I feel great right now!
Awesome. Great approach. That would be my goal also. (No AI) but once I have a few months under my belt I would likely add HCG. I'm interested in how things progress for you. Keep us posted. Sending you a FR. Hit me up anytime.
Thanks. I'm interested in HCG, but I need to do some more research on it. Just know the basics and what people say in here.
Accepted your request and I'll be sure to get in touch. I'l be sure to keep everyone updated on my progress. I'm pretty optimistic right now (possible side effect of the test), but I can really feel a difference with more testosterone in my system. It's something that has been missing for a long time.
Thanks for the info, I will be watching closely to see how things are going for you. I don't see how you could have anything but success with the approach you are taking!
Lets hope so. Thanks!
I've done so much research on this and I'm still twisted on it. A large portion of research shows that most doctors/endos/urologists don't have a clue what they are doing. When they do, they are few and far between. Most treat numbers, not symptoms. Seems like the best place to go is a clinic but I for one can't afford that every month for the rest of my life.
I've come to conclude that dropping levels is not a gauranteed way to get on TRT. A smart doc will realize something is up due to LH/FSH being in the tank. However, doesn't mean you have to admit to it. I'm dropping my levels, I'm going to meet with the endo and see how it goes. If it fails, I'll run my own. There are plenty of resources to help guide me in the right direction. I know what to run for protocol, I know what labs to get. I will be diligent about labs (I'm anal ..{no homo}..about that stuff).
Still, my biggest concern is fertility. I've learned HCG would be important. Possibly coming off TRT and using clomid/hcg to try and get my "jumbo shrimp" (as my wife calls it) swimming down the canal.
It really ticks me off that the docs treat a number and not the symptoms. I'm in the process now of lowering my numbers..well, right now they are high. LOL. and I feel amazing (I love prop). Next week they will be low.. Part of me doesn't even want to bother with going to the doc because I'm convinced it won't matter. I went through this with my back issues. I had to go through so many to find the help I needed. My psyciatrist is on board, she agrees with me. She even offered to order my blood work so I would have it the day of my appointment but I declined because I needed to drop my levels.
My levels were at 423. I'm 37. Not clinically low but I'm 100% convinced TRT can help me in the long run, especially getting away from the anti-depressants. Another person may function well on that number, or less, I believe I do not. I have not since going on opiates. That was the beginning of the end for me. I want a new beginning and new end. If I'm wrong, so be it. I need the AD's. I still feel better than I did and I want a life where I'm not hiding, not tired, not having a sex life of a 70 year old. The memory of a .....wait, what was I saying? oh yeah, memory...it's terrible. Oddly enough, on my cycle I was much more "with it". I feel that way again right now. When I'm not on. I'm "semi" with it. I can function, I can think but not quick, I can't remember shit I did 10 minutes ago. I live in a fog..
See this shit, my focus is on point right now. LOL. I'm rambling. I'll shut up now. So yeah, I feel fucking great!
AnonDo not tell them anything. If you scared of high blood pressure it pretty simple. Do Not Use it. If you have pre existing medical conditions you should do use Anabolic Agents. Get your blood pressure checked and if its high, you need to make a decision then whether to use or not.
I would tell docs everything if it was life threatening..theyre not cops...if it was just simple checkup with doc I didnt know well then no..why tell anyone anything unless they need to know. I have thought about going in to see doc post cycle to try an get on trt but I dont really think its that expensive to run 100 of test e a week...I figure why even bother with doc or insurance...might mess up insurance policy, will be on medical records...I dunno. like I said what is test e...seventy, eighty for 10ml of 200-300 per? or whatever?and I dont think gettinv it would ever be a problem. I dunno..but I do know I am seriously considering getting on t.r.t im just not sure seems like a big commitment and if change mind coming back on naturally would prob suck but I think at my age (41) I def have low t due to many different things, but def feel marked depression and low libido until im on then its like a light switch..feel healthy and normal.
I do a hybrid approach. My Doc has me on a very minimal dose of 200 mg every 2 weeks. My total Test came in low but my free test was in range, so he would not increase my dose. BTW my free test was only OK because I was taking Proviron, but I didnt tell him that.
So I stay on his dosage, then supplement from eroids suppliers, doing a total of 100 mg Cyp/week.
About confidentiality, please remember the medical field considers your health insurer to be part of the "Treatment Team." This means there is NO CONFIDENTIALITY at all, and your doctor will communicate openly about all of your most intimate medical issues with the insurance company.
BTW. you almost certainly signed an acknowledgement that you understand this when you sign up at an MD's office and with your insurer--most of us just dont read all that crap before we sign.
Yeah I agree. However, I lied to docs for years with my opiate use. I've kinda "been there done that". I am at a point where I just want to be honest and if they don't like it..too bad. However, I have a family, so I probably won't. I don't want to risk any issues with them and insurance trouble as they are on my policy. Same goes for life insurance.
Anyway, it seems to me you could run your own TRT at a very affordable price. Especially at a lower dose (125/150 mg) a week. At that dose, some may not even need an AI. I probably would but it would be a small dose and would last a while.
If you end up in the ER you tell them what you are using. Unless you are a threat to others they do not have a duty to report. You want them to know what they are looking at and for when it gets to that point.
As for me I run about 100cc a week of test my levels are around 720 and I feel good. Check bloods every 1/4. I found this dose works for me through trial and error. Actually found an endocrinologist in my area that I am gonna see next week as I was able to get insurance approval. Pm me if you want any other more detailed answers
Were your levels low but normal or just low? How old are you? I have an appointment with an endo in a month so we shall see how it goes. I may decide to start my own at that point. My gear will be ready of so. Another thing I'm concerned about is that if it doesn't fix my issues after a year or so then what is the point. I wonder if I could try to restart and get off TRT.
My psychiatrist already told me she would help me get off the depression meds if and when I start TRT. My goal is to feel better on TRT without meds than I do with need. Fuck meds I hate them
My level was 280 pre trt and 48 yoa
So at your age and with that level, did you just decide to do it on your own before seeing or a doc or did you get trouble with docs and said "fuck it"? My level is at 423 but I plan on doing a short cycle, shut down and go to the doc. If anything, it will be a learning experience. If things don't work out. I'll find another.
It sucks to even have to think like that but most docs will treat a number, not the symptoms. I want them to listen to what I have to say. What I experienced and what my symptoms are. Especially given my past history of opiate abuse and the many years of anit-depressants. A number is a number. My symptoms are my LIFE. Ones I deal with day after day. Sometimes I manage, sometimes I want to stab myself in the head just to wake myself up and remember that I'm alive....but then I forget (friggen anti-depressants I swear ruined my memory).
Docs don't see that though, they see "well, lab reference range says your fine, so your fine...you're just crazy"
Went to my useless dr and got the "your levels are normal for someone your age" bs. I don't look or act like anyone my age. Never touched AAS before I was 53 because didn't need it. At about 51 noticed performance in the weight room and at work starting to drop a little. I am a high steel rigger for a living so it is quite physical. More aches and pains and decreasing strength working out. So I did some research found this site and haven't looked back. Now kicking 25 yr olds ass all day long at work, and am the strongest person in my gym. Also going to compete for the first time next spring in a bodybuilding comp. I don't tell The dr anything about what I am doing even though she gives me the raised eyebrow look when she examines me. My self medicate has changed my life and will not go back!
I'm 37 and self prescribed. I ran a 2 year cycle with out coming off. I finally decided to come off and I ran an aaggressive pct but didn't work. I took testosterone test and was told it was on the low side but not low enough (can't remember number). I was off for almost a year feeling like total shit. I started cruising on test c 250 per week split Mon and Thursday (125 each) from one of the sources on here. I now feel great again. My blood work does show that my cholesterol is moderately high and my creatinine was a bit elevated. Do you or anyone know if this has to do with the gear? I think I am at 16-18 percent bf. Appreciate any input.
Only one? Speak up I know there are more of you out there lol
I'm 44 and my doctor said my levels were low but he "wasn't a believer in TRT treatments". He recommended "natural" supplements to boost my testosterone. I had already tried several, but with very minimal success. I took his advice and tried several more. Again, it was a very mixed bag and I had very little testosterone increase. I decided I had had enough of that path, so I researched many TRTs and I have just recently started my own TRT. I will get bloods done every 3 months or so to make sure things are going well, but I feel fine about my decision. I have only started 2 weeks ago, but I can already see/feel a difference. I am doing a very conservative dose and will adjust it if I feel it necessary.
Thanks for the input. It seems like nobody wants to speak up about their self prescribing I'm sure more do it. Lets face it, there are people in here that know more than some doctors so it's a good place to be around of self prescribing is done.
I'm 43 and I've been self prescribing for about 7 months now. I started TRT last October and found that the low dosages weren't doing me any good. Insurance didn't cover the meds and this rip off clinic was charging me $250 for a 10ml bottle of Test C. Then I didn't know I could get it from a "source" for $50. I did a shit load of reading and mapped out my goals. I guess you could say that I don't really self prescribe, I go off of great recommends from the knowledgeable people on these sites. Since taking things into my own hands, I've lost 40 pounds, I have no gut, I feel great, look great, bang my wife at least 3 times a week (up from 1 time every other week). I haven't really stopped cycling yet but I'm almost done with this 10 week Test E, Tren E, and Avavar cycle. I think I will take a 4 week break and cruise with 150mg of Test E and then I'm going to blast a bulking cycle of Test E, Dbol and Deca with some Arimadex on the side. Figure out what you want out of your AAS and ask some questions, read a ton of info, ask more questions and get your gear and get in the gym!
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I do.
$$$ of using anti aging, levels probably not low enough for TRT insurance. I'm very active and wanted all the help I can get.
Over 2 years, maybe closer to three
Labs twice a year myself, twice through Dr but not always include hormones
Haven't, but maybe one day.
To your last question... I would absolutely. Saw some different opinions regarding life insurance or black marks but my health comes first and would want Dr to have the info. Granted I may down play. I've learned not to blast before my physicals.
I heard you should get bloods quarterly
Also im planning on dropping my test to get on TRT once iv finished this cycle