Hey people, so I’ve made the decision that I want to be on TRT for life. Have naturally low test levels but not low enough for a doctor to actually prescribe me anything (around 400 ng/dL). I started self prescribing myself TRT 4 months ago and it has been amazing. My life is so much better in every aspect.
But I’m not sure its healthy to be using UGL testosterone and I’d like to get prescribed pharma grade in Vancouver, Canada. So whats to stop me from completely shutting myself down with a deca cycle ect and going to a doctor and asking for a endo reference? If I use a short ester testosterone and stop taking it a few days before the blood test wont they see low testosterone levels and consider giving me a prescription? Pls help me understand why its so hard to get TRT.
FWIW, an endo who’s worth seeing would probably run enough labs to know you’ve been using test. If you’re “shut down” that means you LH/FSH levels will be bottomed out that’s a flashing neon sign that you’ve either been using exogenous T or you have a pituitary tumor.
It’s hard to get TRT, steroids because for decades its been demonized by western medicine and some doctors still believe TRT causes prostate cancer, heart attacks and strokes. If I was a doctor and believe all of that, I would only prescribe TRT to those who have really low levels.
You can get it out of your head right now, no canadian doctor is going to prescribe TRT with your numbers, unless FT is below range. So you know TT is not the portion of testosterone that is important, the FT is the portion of testosterone that matters.
You risk getting deca dick and sexual dysfunction for life. Your doctor will know you are shut down because LH will be almost completely suppressed and the gig is up. You would have to allow the Test to wash out of your system which could take several weeks at the least.
I was completely shut down on cypionate 4 weeks after stopping TRT.
You have nothing to back up any portion of this statement. Doctors are individual, and he actually probably has a better shot in Canada of talking the doc into it, as it comes down to whether or not the doctor is on board, not what insurance will cover or malpractice concerns (payout are limited in Canada and the whole thing is less of an issue). Especially being in BC, he’s likely to find somebody more on board, the attitude is a little different on the left coast.
I think over 3 years experience and men being denied TRT on a regular basis gives my comment some credibility. Canadian doctors have a track record, I go based off what I see and what I’ve seen over the years and usually seeing nmol/L almost always means trouble.
The Canadian healthcare system denies TRT on par with the UK, the both usually don’t test the free portion of testosterone and standards are lower than anywhere else. Recently a member came to these forums and his doctor couldn’t even pronounce testosterone correctly, he told the poor fellow to go to GNC and buy a test booster.
Doctors may be individuals, but more often than not the Canadian healthcare is the worst and most difficult place to get TRT. I know some Canadians who can back up what I’m saying across two different forums and this is exactly what they are saying.
Why not just tell him the truth? Tell him your history, what you did and why. Tell him how much it has helped. Let him know you understand that insurance will not cover TRT and you are willing to pay out of pocket because you want to do it properly with the necessary medical supervision. Ask if he will help you do that.
I would also review enough of the literature so when you speak to him he will know that you have put serious thought into TRT and done your homework. If it seems helpful, you might give him links to Neal Rouzier and Abraham Morgantaler on youtube. Those videos were made at medical conferences in which they were presenting. I know Dr. Rouzier’s qualify for CME credits with the AMA, so he’s legit on that level. I would assume the same for Dr. Morgantaler.
No, actually, it doesn’t. I spent the first 20 years of my life there and all of my family currently resides there. I’m telling you directly that you have no idea what you’re talking about.
An exaggeration, at best. I know which poster you are talking about. I’m going on record a second time, you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Going to see a family doctor in a small practice in the middle of nowhere does not equate to the overall experience of Canadians. Not knowing which doctor to go see, is simply that and no different than in the US. Canadian doctors actually have more freedom to treat and prescribe how they see fit. To expect a General Practitioner - whose main job is quick identification and treatment of 100’s of common conditions - to randomly also be a hormone treatment expert with an interest in optimization is silly. It’s not his job, or his training (or “Her” - not being mysoginistic here). Neither is it a reasonable expectation of any other GP/PCP. Specialty treatment involves specialists, and “Optimizing” has nothing to do with healthcare or standards of practice. Optimization is the luxury of the wealthy in this world, not the inherent right of the self important. Health care systems are mainly in place to keep people alive so we don’t get wiped out by random outbreaks of plague or an errant appendix. A Prius isn’t a Ferrari, and people need to stop pretending they are hard done by because they have unrealistic expectations.
No offense to you highpull, I know what you’re saying, but I always find it laughable when people tell others to show their doctors research, or a podcast, or a video in the hopes that the doctor will listen, and change their minds. I can’t imagine in a million years any doctor being open minded enough to listen to a video or a podcast and thinking it through. Never ever ever going to happen.
Well, this is kind of demotivating but what I expected. I’ll probably just keep on self medicating for the next few years until I’m ready to deal with doctors. I’m definitely not going back to being depressed, anxious and low libido again. Thanks for the replies guys.
Yeah, no offense taken. I think what you are saying is usually correct, which is why I stated “if it seems helpful”. If you have an arrogant, know it all, disinterested in TRT or even anti testosterone doctor, then no point. However, never say never. I personally know a couple of doctors who have been influenced by those two. One is a PCP who typically uses the twice monthly Endocrine Society protocol. When I began questioning him regarding any complaining of how they feel the second week, a half life, SHBG and E2, I had his attention. He’s changed some to weekly. Sorry systemlord, he’s nowhere near ready for the concept of daily injection dosing, maybe daily with one of the gels……….