I’m in trouble. I’ve taken Androgel 50 mg/5 gram gel daily for 7 years. It’s really helped with building up my leg muscles and lifted depression. I had a doctor caused stroke and the right side of my body is paralyzed. I got a letter saying my insurance will no longer cover this medicine. The cost of generic Androgel is $670.00 for one month supply. There’s no way I can afford this. Does anyone know what I can do or a less expensive supply? I’m really bummed out. Thank you.
You need injectable testosterone unless you want to seek private care for TRT and pay for T cream which is only made from compounding pharmacies. Some insurance companies are starting to deny androgel prescriptions because they are overpriced, it is the least effective version of TRT.
Injectable testosterone is the most effective and cheapest affordable option. The makers of Androgel would never allow someone else to come in an corner the market for T based gels for cheaper prices.
The T-cream is affordable by comparison, costing anywhere from $75 for a months supply. You would need to pay a TRT doctor locally or telemedicine clinic to be able to get T-cream only available via compounding pharmacies.
Insurance will be all but useless going this route though.
Intramuscular TRT is more effective than transdermal formulations at increasing LBM and improving muscle strength in middle‐aged and older men, particularly in the lower extremities.
Injectable from a hormone or men’s clinic will run you about $120-150/month USD + initial consult without insurance. That’s going to be your best bet.
My meds are closer to $60-80 a month through Defy but the initial consult was $250 and ones after that were I believe $150. Labs are out of pocket too. I’m sure it comes out $150’ish on average overall. Once you’re stable you’ll only need blood work and a consult 2x a year so you’re just paying for meds most of the time.
Is the issue your insurance doesn’t want to pay for Androgel specifically or are they against you being on TRT at all since the stroke? Those are two entirely different scenario a.
Thank you for your information. The NLM/NIH article was good. I have to decide if I want to go injectable or the cream. I’m 66 years old, and despite the stroke, am in good cardiovascular and genitourinary health. PSA never elevated. 25 years ago I was taking testosterone cypionate / propionate injections from my doc. I stopped due to concern about hair loss, and started on testosterone patch that had to be heated (using a portable hair dryer). They never worked, would always fall off. Then came another patch which was better. After that came Androgel. I’m going to look for a T friendly doctor to start out. I’m no longer averse to injectables. The benefits far outweigh the risks.
Thank you for your reply. The insurance made a decision for all its members. Their rational is based on ‘evidence’ that TRT is not beneficial to men, and may do harm based on studies done at Veteran’s Healthcare inpatient and outpatient facilities. I’m aware of the studies. I won’t go into detail, but the studies leave a lot to be desired, and aren’t reliable. I’m an R.N., and if I had the time and wherewithal I’d fight the insurance company. But it’s a challenge I’m not up to. I’m interested in Defy. I googled it and came up with Defy Medical. Do they use U.S. sourced testosterone?
Thank you for the reply. It’s (a men’s clinic) something I’ll check out.
TRT can accelerate hair loss, the FT->DHT conversion helps this process along, you can minimize it be injecting smaller more frequent dosing. I found I had more hair loss on moderate doses less frequently and less noticeable hair loss frequent dosing.
They are based in Tampa Bay FL, they do telemedicine within the US.
Sounds about right. The $120-150 I stated was including lab feeds every 6 months. And one after 2 months of initial protocol.
They use a compounding pharmacy called Empower, which is US based. I don’t know where they get their raw materials from though.
Could you please tell me what a “doctor caused stroke” is?
I’m curious because I’m currently on no double the daily dose you were on and wondered if the androgel was the problem?
Please consider changing to injection instead of the gel. You will notice a great improvement with how you feel and your wallet will be even more happy.
Sorry for the late response. It has nothing to due with Androgel. My stroke was caused by a doctor who decided she knew better than I and gave me a medication that I was allergic to, in spite of my warning her of the allergy.