Low Testosterone - Help with going private

[Monnty]

I have finally been diagnosed with Low Testosterone after being around the low end of normal for years. Whilst I want the problem sorted I want to make sure that the doctor is open and willing to prescribe TRT if it is necessary. I also want one that is willing to listen to me and not be totally fixated on getting me 0.1 nmol/L into the accepted range and cutting ties.

With all that in mind, I realise I seek a unicorn and not a medical professional. That said, does anyone have any experience with a consultant who worked out well for them. I am willing to go private and I am willing to travel for the right one if it's necessary.

[Hidden]

I was diagnosed with low testosterone a number of years ago. My consultant - NHS - was great and tested all the other hormone precursors and gave me a pituitary MRI. There was no problems with prolactin etc. The MRI showed no pituitary tumour but that my pituitary gland was smaller than it should be. Since diagnosis I have had TRT injections every 11 weeks and a trough blood test annually. The blood tests have shown that since beginning TRT my T level as always been normal at its lowest level. I have also had a dexascan to test for osteoporosis. That was fine. I was told that once I started TRT I would be on it for life or risk osteoporosis . The only downside of TRT is a slightly higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

I started my journey at Barnet Hospital, London but then moved house. I was transferred to a great endocrinologist at Stamford Hospital, Lincolnshire in 2016.

[Monnty in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. It has already instilled a bit of hope as you have just described the potential treatment path proposed by the NHS.

I'm confused by the 11 week injection is it not a medication that needs frequent doses. I've read of people doing weekly or splitting and doing bi weekly doses.

[Hidden in reply to Monnty]

The testosterone is in an oil and it is an intra-muscular injection into the buttock. It is then slow release from the muscle. You can use patches but I was told that the injection is better.

[Monnty in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, your reply put me onto further research and came across the two options that the NHS tend to use. Really helpful and led me to a lot more data.

[Hidden in reply to Monnty]

Great. I hope that you will get the treatment you need.

[richlandfarmboy]

Hi, I've been on TRT replacement for over 10 years now. I've done every type of replacement therapy, and the pellets are the ones I liked best. The T levels stay consistent and only need to be installed every few months, but it's more expensive than the shots. After several years it got to the place were they didn't seem to work as well and I went to the injections. I have a great doctor that lets me play with amount and timing to keep a consistent T level. I started at the 1ml per week, but it only lasted 5 days, so I went with bi-weekly, but it caused my free T to go up to high. I now inject my self once every 5 days with .55ml, and it seems to be working out very well. I also give the shots to myself in the thigh, since my doctor are so busy now they really don't have time to give to me. If your young your T levels should be much higher than the bottom of normal range. These ranges are decades old and no R&D has been done these for years, so you have to go by how you feel and what physical levels you want to be able operate at. Don't worry about getting cancer from this. No real facts to back it up, however it will make cancer more aggressive if you do get it. I would recommend my doctor to you, but it looks as if your not from the US. Good luck to you.