I’m sure there is a clinic that will be able to furnish you testosterone in Illinois. If you were able to find a knowledgeable dr or clinic you might get dialed in quicker which would speed up your journey.
But, if you are comfortable doing all of this on your own I’m sure all the info you need is right here on the interwebs.
From my research, test only starts at $100 a month from most clinics. They are popping up everywhere which is probably driving the price down.
I did find a few. Some in Illinois and some that are able to sell here. 100 per month seems to be the standard. I see some do clomid and some do hcg. I’ll check a few out. TheRestoreClinic even recommended one who could do illinois (they must have a satellite office?) I’ve just not always had the best of luck with doctors or the medical system in general. The clinics do seem to be way more progressive on this. EOD or ED looks like a pretty common protocol. And most offer some form of fertility maintenance option. At this point a clinic would probably be faster than finding a source.
Off topic - I see they give subQ slow release pellets like the Ralgro implants we give the calves. Too funny. The human stuff could probably work pretty well, but they wanted like $1000 per treatment. Crazy. Ralgro is like $7. I guess if you don’t like needles though the extra cost may be worth it. The markup on human hormones is crazy though.
There’s Illinois alternative medicine, part of the FAM network. Not the greatest knowledge-wise, but use them to get your meds at least
Swoops, took me a while to find them. You think it would be easy to look them up but instead I got every alternative (holistic) doctor in Illinois and not Illinois Alternative Medicine. They closed already today (on eastern time, who knew?) I’ll try again tomorrow. One of the cheaper sources of prescription meds I’ve seen so far.
Every day is progress, even if all I do is find another way not to make a lightbulb.
As always, thanks much gents.
I did get ahold of Illinois Alternative Medicine. They needed PSA and TSH levels before they could set up a treatment protocol for me. Not sure if I can get tested this Saturday or not. Might be next week before I can get my blood taken again. IAM and its parent FAM seem to be easy enough to work with and affordable enough. There may be light at the end of this tunnel after all.
Primebody
Wow man. Im sorry you’re having to do a lot of hunting for T replacement. Let’s line up a few ducks.
2.100mg/wk should be the minimum starting point. Some can do with less perhaps but the last thing you want to do is shut down your natural production only to replicate low T with exogenous T. (I take 220mg/wk)
You need to start bringing up your hormone levels to at least minimum healthy levels so that your heart, brain, CNS, and bones are healthy.
Dont take any Estrogen blockers with low T doses. You dont need it, considering how low your E already is.
Start with T only and after 3 months, go ahead and introduce HCG. You will be ok with HCG. Forget Clomid!
SHBG is not something you should be trying to manage. No matter what it will lower with constant TRT, or it may remain the same. With your SHBG you should respond to TRT well, so daily shots with 29g 1/2” needles is the way to go for comfort.
Once you’re on T, your E will go up too due to aromatase. Dont focus on these numbers too much. Focus on how you feel.
Wait til week 12 to test and assess your labs. Treat your symptoms not your numbers.
Middleages - Thanks for the input.
On point #1, I had quit all supplements after my first set of bloods, and was off for three weeks before my second blood test, I am still off atm. I will stay off them entirely now, as this seems to be a bit of consensus on this topic. Also, you are the second person to sing the praises of Cialis so I will bring it up with my doc. My real hope is that the TRT will eliminate the need, but if not I will give it a try.
#2, That’s what I had been reading about, in fact just finished one study was saying that 125 was the suggested starting point. Stated exactly what you said, shutting down natural production to only supply equally low doses of synthetic Test didn’t offer improvements, and that up to 300 was still in the acceptable range for certain individuals.
#3, Agreed.
#4, I was thinking the same thing, I could use a little extra estrogen, so I was planning on avoiding AI’s unless bloods/symptoms presents a need.
#5, FAM does HCG, which was in part why I contacted them. Also, I am seeing your point in waiting to start HCG until after 3 months of mono treating with Test . The short half life of HCG, at something like 2.5 days, stabilizes in 11 days or so while Test C stabilizes in about 2 months, so waiting until 3 month and a first round of bloods before starting HCG does seem wise. What is your dosing regimen If you don’t mind me asking (or from anyone reading this)? I don’t see a lot online about HCG as far as amount and frequency with dosing as there is with Test.
#6, That’s good to know. Again, makes sense, with less bound by SHBG I should respond efficiently. I already ordered a set of 1/2" 27 ga insulin needles for daily shots, sounds like backfilling on 29 ga is good too. 29 ga is way easier to find, so my next batch I’ll try the 29 ga.
#7 & 8, as a numbers kind of guy, this type of subjective interpretation seems foreign to me, but most people say the same thing. Treat symptoms, don’t chase numbers. It is hard for me to imagine now, but I suppose it will become more apparent with some experience.
Change in topic, I had to get a few more bloods last Friday, PSA, TSH, and lipids. My total cholesterol was 106 with my HDL at 36. Anybody know what exogenous test does to cholesterol? I’ve had a few test where my HDL is below the warning level (40), so hopefully it doesn’t lower it any more. I have read that cholesterol is a sort of building block used by your body to create testosterone, so maybe it will increase if I’m not using much to make natural test anymore?
Badger - I already contacted IAM / FAM, but if for some reason I feel the need to look other places, I will give primebody a look.
Again, thanks to everyone who has followed along and especially to those who are contributing. I have my consultation with FAM on Friday and I will check back in here to let everyone know how it went.
I’ve read many many posts. 100-125 puts many guys in the upper range or above it.
Some mind sets that come naturally is that you need to keep increasing cause why not.
My prescription is in the mail, hopefully have it in a few days. Quick poll, should I continue in this thread, or start a new one? I’m obviously past the “thinking about” stage, but having the whole story might be useful for someone else in the future. Let me know your thoughts. I am excited to start treatment and sharing my results with the forum for the good of the cause.
You can update topic name.
But maybe new thread and you can put a link to this thread in your first post.
Ok gentlemen, my first batch came in the mail today and I am about to begin my trt journey. The poll was 100% (1 of 1 haha) to start a new thread and link to it in this thread, so I will go that route.
My new thread is “Curly’s TRT journey”
Not sure how to link to the thread, but it goes over my current regiment and my first insulin needle experience.
Highlight the first post, left click → quote, copy and paste it in the new thread.