Hello from the North West. How do you find a doctor?

[wdsparrow]

I'm David, age 44. After 10 years of being treated for depression and telling my doctor that we need to look outside of that for options, he finally tested me for Low T. Ever since my accident at age 20 I've had low sex drive, my brain not wanting to work fuzzy headed with poor memory, depressions, becoming sickly in my 20's as well as many other symptoms. After 25 years of this I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Let me tell you they say the that first shot won't be noticed for a few days but my mental clarity and feeling of well being was partially back after the first shot. However, week two was pretty bad. I'm on shot two now. After doing some reading and finding out that it it can be caused by either your creation of testosterone or the ability to regulate the level that has made me feel I need to find a specialist especially after my doctor had me on the wrong treatment for 10 years.

How do you look for a specialist?

Are the testosterone treatment clinics the right way to get started or are they just a scam that will pigeon hole you and make you come in for treatment every time?

Should I see an endocrinologist?

If you had to look up ratings for doctors or try to find a doctor how would you do it?

[Justin]

When looking for a doctor to help you with low testosterone it's a little different than finding a doctor in other speciality areas. For example, there's no such thing as a testosterone doctor. Sure, there are hormone doctors, that's what an endocrinologist is, but if you speak with anyone that's been in or around TRT for a long period of time they'll be the first to tell you most endos have little to know testosterone knowledge or experience...most deal with diabetes, thyroid issues, etc. That does not mean there aren't good endos out there for this purpose, but it leads to a larger point. A doctor's title is little to nothing, you simply want to find a doctor that understands TRT. Fortunately, TRT isn't a very complicated thing. Unfortunately, most doctors aren't educated on it.

When it comes to a recommendation (probably not a surprise) obviously I'm going to recommend you give us a call. I do not know where you're located specifically but we do have a good physician in the Seattle area. Blood work can be done from any LabCorp in the U.S. and most of the back and forth can be done via phone or email, although you are required to see the doctor in person at least once per year.

[wdsparrow]

I think that is a fair statement. I made the mistake of letting a general practicianer treat this first as adhd and later as bipolar never seeing a specialist. I'm concerned that maybe the problem could be something else but I did come back with a 224 score and the first two shots helped quite a bit. I'm willing to talk to someone.

[KrisB]

I was 33 and my endo had me on 200mg of test a week (I had 170ng/dl test and no free test), which was great at first, then my estrodiol went from 19pg/ml to 100pg/ml, and he didnt do anything about it nor did he know that was a major issue, or the relationship to SBGH. So 880ng/dl but no free test or available test, so I got to experience gyno and feeling WAY shittier than when I started. It is REALLY hard to have an up to date testosterone centric Dr that not only understands how to manage lowT with HCG, Test and estrogen blockers, but one that is up to date on the facts like it doesn't cause cardiac issues or prostate cancer and so on. A good Dr will check your PSA day one, and if it is elevated or shows your at risk of having prostate cancer, you dont go on test. The new Male Clinics popping up everywhere or the online ones like lowtestosterone.com are the only groups these days that treat lowT properly. Ask around in th forums to see if there is someone in your neck of the woods. Otherwise spend the $199 month with lowtestosterone.com and get yourself feeling good and then see if you have other options that your insurance may cover.