Anyone on TRT?

[Halb]

https://victorymenshealth.com/understanding-human-...
interesting

[Mr Pointy]

smiffy180 said:

Halb said:

How much was a test test private, Smiffy?

They're about £20/30 for testosterone only but I'd get the full hormone profile for £40/50.
I've also had the full works for about £150 which helped push for the scan as some markers were normal which ruled out 1 issue.

Also I'd use a proper blood sample one, I don't think a fingerprick one will provide enough blood for accurate results.
Medichecks who I've been using are also doing something with the NHS so blood samples are free whereas previously it was £5 at my local hospital.

Ouch. £25 to get a sample taken now. That's almost the cost of the test again.

[Four Litre]

Halb said:

https://victorymenshealth.com/understanding-human-...
interesting

Yes - I inject every 2 days both Test and HCG, in very small amounts so it keeps a good level. The NHS use a massive dose of Nebido in the but cheek, which in theory works, however the reality is that when you inject your on a massive spike and then on a downward spiral for the next 6 -8 weeks until your next injection, As you can imagine this is hardly natural,but come what may they will only sing its praises.

I've tried most things now and stick with Test Cypionate and HCG. At 45 I now look better that I did at 30! Much lower body fat and bigger muscles!!!!

My wife is insanely jealous as I sit of sofa eating crisps and losing weight!

[smiffy180]

Mr Pointy said:

Ouch. £25 to get a sample taken now. That's almost the cost of the test again.

Where at?
NHS don't charge for medichecks ones and I had a blood test done 6 weeks ago so unless something has changed?

[budgie smuggler]

God the NHS's treatment is sounding even worse than I originally thought.

[Mr Pointy]

smiffy180 said:

Mr Pointy said:

Ouch. £25 to get a sample taken now. That's almost the cost of the test again.

Where at?
NHS don't charge for medichecks ones and I had a blood test done 6 weeks ago so unless something has changed?

On the Medichecks website. If you select "go to a clinic" in the basket/checkout process it costs £25.

[smiffy180]

Mr Pointy said:

smiffy180 said:

Mr Pointy said:

Ouch. £25 to get a sample taken now. That's almost the cost of the test again.

Where at?
NHS don't charge for medichecks ones and I had a blood test done 6 weeks ago so unless something has changed?

On the Medichecks website. If you select "go to a clinic" in the basket/checkout process it costs £25.

That's them arranging it for you, if you click the free option arrange yourself or something like that then phone your local hospital up to get a timed appointment, or turn up and wait - I ring up so I'm not hanging around an hour.

[272BHP]

Yep, you need to pay the extra for a veinous sample as it is cheaper in the long run.

If you do a finger prick test then the chances are your doctor will question the accuracy of the result.

[272BHP]

Four Litre said:

Yes - I inject every 2 days both Test and HCG, in very small amounts so it keeps a good level. The NHS use a massive dose of Nebido in the but cheek, which in theory works, however the reality is that when you inject your on a massive spike and then on a downward spiral for the next 6 -8 weeks until your next injection, As you can imagine this is hardly natural,but come what may they will only sing its praises.

I've tried most things now and stick with Test Cypionate and HCG. At 45 I now look better that I did at 30! Much lower body fat and bigger muscles!!!!

My wife is insanely jealous as I sit of sofa eating crisps and losing weight!

Out of interest the latest treatment they are all talking about in the U.S is to use Testosterone cream directly applied to the testes in the morning. Achieves good levels of T and also more accurately matches the bodies natural diurnal rhythm. Less conversion to E2 but more to DHT so great for libido and the gym but probably not so much for the hairline! As is always the case with these things it is probably a good treatment for some but not for others.

Certainly something to think about for someone who doesn't want to stick pins in themselves for the rest of their life. Not so sure about its availability in the UK but it will probably travel across the pond at some point. The cream is not the same as the gel that is available over here, you wouldn't want to be putting the gel on your delicate bits!

[burritoNinja]

I’ve been on TRT for nearly a year now. First diagnosed with testosterone level of 3.9 so it was a clear cut case for me. Waited six months to see the endocrinologist and he started me on testosterone gel. I found the gel did work but my levels were all over the place and it was difficult in the mornings after a shower to find time to let it dry before going to work. Was on gel for near two months and then moved to Nebido injection. I get the injection every 10 weeks. Getting my fourth injection in a few weeks time. For me the Nebido works best. Though i don’t feel it until about third week after injection. The effects I feel are a big reduction in brain fog, fatigue goes away so forth. Once I get to about week 8 I start to go downhill with symptoms returning. Which is why I get the injection every ten weeks. Was offered sustanon but it’s every three weeks and they won’t allow me to inject it myself despite me wife being a nurse.

Side effects wise. I don’t have any side effects from the Nebido. Blood pressure is fine and REN blood cell count is normal. NHS seem to just give you the Nebido and just leave you to it. I don’t like that about it. It takes a damn fight to even get the injections every ten weeks instead of 12.

Edited by burritoNinja on Monday 2nd September 15:13

[toddler]

Been on Testogel for 12 years now. Don't really have much choice as I've lost both my bks to cancer. NHS endocrinologists are absolutely useless when it comes to male hormones, in my experience.

I've been both too high and too low over the years. A lot of the symptoms are the same: brain fog, irritable, poor memory and concentration, low libido, lethargy, night sweats, hot flushes, and depression.

[burritoNinja]

toddler said:

Been on Testogel for 12 years now. Don't really have much choice as I've lost both my bks to cancer. NHS endocrinologists are absolutely useless when it comes to male hormones, in my experience.

I've been both too high and too low over the years. A lot of the symptoms are the same: brain fog, irritable, poor memory and concentration, low libido, lethargy, night sweats, hot flushes, and depression.

Yes the NHS are horrendous at TRT. Got a letter from endocrinologist and it said slightly low testosterone level! 35 years old with a testosterone level of 3.9. That lower than the male bracket for the 85 to 100 year old group. Slightly low at 35 would be in the teens.

[lord trumpton]

Thanks to all for the replies in this thread - it's really appreciated you taking the time to share your experiences.

Yesterday I had the MRI, today I had a thorax scan and tomorrow I've got the DEXA scan.

Reading the replies it's disappointing to hear that the NHS are useless in this matter and also that those who have actually been prescribed the treatment are not exactly 100% in all cases.

Naively I just assumed it was a silver bullet and happy days ahead! It seems thats far from the reality and there is a lot of dose adjustment, side effects and lack of support.

TBH I can't carry on feeling like this and as such I feel I've got little option but to give it a whirl.

So once my scans tell the story and they progress to prescription then my plan is as follows

- Try gel first (don't want an injection that stays in for months if the side effects are unbearable)
- Ask for the gel to be Testo Gel
- Take each day at a time, monitor and adverse effects and not expect miracles

Thanks once again

[burritoNinja]

lord trumpton said:

Thanks to all for the replies in this thread - it's really appreciated you taking the time to share your experiences.

Yesterday I had the MRI, today I had a thorax scan and tomorrow I've got the DEXA scan.

Reading the replies it's disappointing to hear that the NHS are useless in this matter and also that those who have actually been prescribed the treatment are not exactly 100% in all cases.

Naively I just assumed it was a silver bullet and happy days ahead! It seems thats far from the reality and there is a lot of dose adjustment, side effects and lack of support.

TBH I can't carry on feeling like this and as such I feel I've got little option but to give it a whirl.

So once my scans tell the story and they progress to prescription then my plan is as follows

- Try gel first (don't want an injection that stays in for months if the side effects are unbearable)
- Ask for the gel to be Testo Gel
- Take each day at a time, monitor and adverse effects and not expect miracles

Thanks once again

Sadly TRT is never going to be a silver lining. You will get use to a life of ups and down hormone wise with treatment. Testosterone gel is a good option and seems to be what the NHS starts most people on. Though you don’t need the 12 week Nebido as you can get the every three weeks sustanon but that can be a pain if your GP won’t allow you to self inject. Hopefully your MRI will be ok. Nearly everyone gets the MRI. It is definitely a bit nerve wrecking.

[Four Litre]

burritoNinja said:

I’ve been on TRT for nearly a year now. First diagnosed with testosterone level of 3.9 so it was a clear cut case for me. Waited six months to see the endocrinologist and he started me on testosterone gel. I found the gel did work but my levels were all over the place and it was difficult in the mornings after a shower to find time to let it dry before going to work. Was on gel for near two months and then moved to Nebido injection. I get the injection every 10 weeks. Getting my fourth injection in a few weeks time. For me the Nebido works best. Though i don’t feel it until about third week after injection. The effects I feel are a big reduction in brain fog, fatigue goes away so forth. Once I get to about week 8 I start to go downhill with symptoms returning. Which is why I get the injection every ten weeks. Was offered sustanon but it’s every three weeks and they won’t allow me to inject it myself despite me wife being a nurse.

Side effects wise. I don’t have any side effects from the Nebido. Blood pressure is fine and REN blood cell count is normal. NHS seem to just give you the Nebido and just leave you to it. I don’t like that about it. It takes a damn fight to even get the injections every ten weeks instead of 12.

Edited by burritoNinja on Monday 2nd September 15:13

Thats the problem with Nebido, once on a good TRT prototcol you should feel 'normal' all the time. I found Nebido to be a halfway house from being ill to feeling better as your getting peaks and troughs Injecting yourself is so easy, its not as if your injecting veins, just into muscle in side of leg. With a fine needle you can barely feel it. I ended up getting Nebido privately as the NHS wouldnt do anything, the doc asked my local GP surgery to carry on injections to save me a fortune in private hospital fees, their response "No we cant as he may have a heart attack in the surgery!

If you can afford to go private it works out about £500 for 6 months including consultation and in the great scheme of things, worth every penny.

[burritoNinja]

Four Litre said:

Thats the problem with Nebido, once on a good TRT prototcol you should feel 'normal' all the time. I found Nebido to be a halfway house from being ill to feeling better as your getting peaks and troughs Injecting yourself is so easy, its not as if your injecting veins, just into muscle in side of leg. With a fine needle you can barely feel it. I ended up getting Nebido privately as the NHS wouldnt do anything, the doc asked my local GP surgery to carry on injections to save me a fortune in private hospital fees, their response "No we cant as he may have a heart attack in the surgery!

If you can afford to go private it works out about £500 for 6 months including consultation and in the great scheme of things, worth every penny.

A heart attack? Why did they say that? Medically proven that TRT can prevent heart diseases. NHS is truly terrible.

[Halb]

burritoNinja said:

A heart attack? Why did they say that? Medically proven that TRT can prevent heart diseases. NHS is truly terrible.

Shouldn't knock the NHS for that, they all learn at the same place.

[Tiggsy]

Interested.....my last T test was 10.7 (done by medichecks as part of a 6 monthly blood work I get done for fun)

I'm nearly 46 and (for the first time ever) I've found the results of training have been slow this year. I jacked up my diet and weight training and (while I have had good improvements in fitness) my BF drop has not left me as lean as I'd expect (around 14%) and my muscle mass has suffered more than normal while I cut weight. I really simple terms.....I just feel older than I used to!

So...VERY far from someone who is "unwell" but a boost would be nice!

Going private, how simple (and useful) is it to get on T with results on the border line? And is there a long term issue with doing it for (say) 10 years and then coming off.......lets say I go broke in 10 years and can't fund it....am I now broke and shrinking!!!!!?????

[Halb]

Tiggsy said:

Going private, how simple (and useful) is it to get on T with results on the border line? And is there a long term issue with doing it for (say) 10 years and then coming off.......lets say I go broke in 10 years and can't fund it....am I now broke and shrinking!!!!!?????

Good question! I'd be curious on that!

ALso, low carb diets may affect your T, Tiggsy.

[272BHP]

Wait 4 weeks and test again. This time pay for it yourself and get a full profile. If you are still around the same level then go private and have a consultation. You should be a prime candidate if you are around 10nmol - confirmed by a repeat test of course.

If you are a bit short of cash then I doubt the NHS will help if you approach them direct. A good private consultant should be able to issue you with a letter of recommendation that might prompt the NHS to offer a trial.