I completely agree with this. Honestly, if I die at 75 because I took T, but I had an epic 50 years feeling like a champ, I’d way rather have that than living until 85 as a loser with no energy or passion for 60 years.
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Truth!
I waited 15 years, feeling miserable, because I was scared of the supposed negative effects of TRT. While I do believe that TRT actually does increase lifespan, I would take a few years shorter rather than go back to how I was feeling before. And if it takes a higher dose to feel good, so be it.
That’s exactly how I go about it, too – Defy gives me the paperwork every 6 months or so and I file a claim. It’s a headache to get insurance to process it and I often have to bother them with follow-up calls but eventually I get a check in the mail
I got basically cussed out the last time I called BCBS, but I guess I’m going to have to do it again… I am expecting they’ll deny it, but there is an appeals process. I’ve read people have had luck getting them to cover it once you go through that process and have the Doc saying it’s medically necessary. I’m setting my phone up to record the call this time. The last call was bad.
It’s all there. Just go the endocrine society’s website and look under EDCs. Spend a few minutes reading. Google EDCs that bind to androgen receptors even. It’s all there. For instance BPA binds to and acts as an antagonist to the androgen receptor. It’s replacement like BPS and BPF are actually worse so BPA free means nothing. Essentially everyone tests positive for these substances. So yes, EDCs decrease production of testosterone as well as interfere with its metabolism by binding to the AR as well as affecting transcription and translation. They totally disrupt how we diagnose and treat diseases as we can no longer purely rely on a number. Just because someone hasn’t heard of it yet does not mean it doesn’t exist. It does. More to come. Research in progress
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OK, I definitely jumped to conclusions about your guy – he definitely sounds better than I thought. I know Morgentaler is well-respected in the TRT space, and it sounds like your guy was ahead of the curve on E2.
I wouldn’t pressure you to join Defy – they have their flaws, for sure – but like I said, the infrastructure is nice. I don’t think insurance would cover me anywhere else (besides maybe a local clinic, and those places almost always suck).
Wow, I never would’ve guessed that. You often hear guys say they don’t inject at night because it keeps them up. Based on your sleep/energy and how much you feel it kick in, I’m guessing you do metabolize the T differently than most do.
How old are you now? Have you gotten on a solid lifting/nutrition protocol? Never too late to turn it around, brother!
Damn, that’s brutal man. These insurance providers really don’t understand – they think guys on T are just trying to get swole and have sex all day.
In reality, we just want to feel good, just want to have what is needed inside our bodies to live good lives, be good husbands and coworkers, etc. We don’t want to be shells of ourselves. Not that the muscles or sex hurt, either. But it’s crazy to me – honestly, insane – how some things are covered by insurance while testosterone replacement therapy continues to be viewed negatively. The holistic effects on one’s health and well-being are practically unparalleled.
I mean, I’d be OK with that, haha. But I know what you mean, there is some (a lot) stigma attached to it for sure
I agree on the how T isn’t covered easily but other stuff is part… it makes no sense.
I will do that, thank you for pointing me where to look.
This summarizes much of how I feel about TRT at this point. The existing literature is largely outdated because the environment has completely changed. So, that which we rely on to build our arguments is borderline irrelevant.
Birth control for a teen to control acne - no problem
Hormones for gender re-assignment - no problem
Test therapy for a middle aged man - ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY? YOU’LL GET CANCER!!
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@studhammer yepppppppp. Is there a head exploding emjoi?
Don’t forget:
Drugs to completely nuke all the DHT in the male body so you don’t lose your hair - no problem!
Only my head exploding every time I think about it.
This is one of the main reasons I run my own TRT. I just don’t want to deal the all the BULLSHIT
Yeah but you basically lose all reasons for living
You’re a woman who wants to feel like a man? We’ll do everything we can to help you.
You’re a man who wants to feel like a man? Get real, asshole.
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Oh I know. I was on the shit for years. Crazy part is my libido went to insane levels towards the end of taking it before I crashed and went down the TRT rabbit hole. Very strange.
There’s an entire population that blame Testosterone for all the problems in the world.
Oh yeah – http://testosteroneaddiction.com/
Let’s clear up the whole insurance issue for all of you. In order for insurance to to cover a medical condition or treatment they must have a diagnosis code. In order to get a diagnosis code you must meet criteria for the diagnosis. Hypogonadism for instance. In order to meet the criteria for the diagnosis of hypogonadism you must have 2 separate fasted morning testosterone levels below 264 ng/dl. It you do then you have a diagnosis of hypogonadism and you are golden for insurance to cover it. The doctor can submit the code and everything should be covered no problem
Now here is where the problem arises. If you are given a diagnosis code that you have not met criteria for and that code is submitted the provider is committing insurance fraud. Once the insurance company find out they have been paying for labs, doctor appointments, and medications for a diagnosis the person doesn’t meet criteria for then they will come after the provider. Now some providers do this out of complete ignorance and others just gamble they won’t get caught. It’s a matter of time in most cases especially with something as controversial as TRT. This is why most all HRT clinics don’t take insurance. Because the majority of the people they treat don’t meet criteria for a diagnosis and they are treating people with “normal” levels.
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I thought that was a joke. Apparently not. wtf is wrong with people.