HRT? Need advice please

[Maverick64]

Long story: started experiencing these symptoms about a year ago: very low libido, tiredness (even after sleeping), apathy, weight gain around midsection (although I weight train and exercise 5 days a week, and can't seem to get rid of it by cardio and diet), sleep issues and slight depression. Went to my PCP and they did all kinds of blood work and found nothing abnormal, so they put me on Paxil. The only thing the Paxil did was completely kill what little libido I had left. I went back to the doc and recommended having my test checked. He did bloodwork for free test and found it to be 1.2 , normal being 1.3 to 4.0 for that lab. I recommeneded HRT and he was having nothing to do with this, instead said if I wanted to pursue that route see an Endo. So I did. Before seeing her I asked if she was open minded to HRT for men and she said she was. She also ran blood work for total test, free test ,hcgb? and something else. My results were: total test 316 (normal being 250-1100) and free test 65 (normal being 30-125). She said although low she wasn't going to recommend HRT and with that, she was done with me. Now I have found a "doctor" who specializes in HRT and holistic medicine. Just talking with him on the phone he was already saying he would get my test levels back to that of a 25 year old (I am 42), but he doesn't bill insurance (said something about helping me bill my insurance) and said first visit is 170$. I feel this guy is more than a little shady and I am unsure whether I want to put my future health in his hands (although I bet many would be saying WooHoo that's the doc I want!). I am really curious to see if HRT would improve my sad quality of life, but would really like a knowledgible ,competent doctor to do it...or should I just go with this guy. Please help.

[1cc]

Call www.womensinternational.com . They are the largest compounding pharmacy in the country. They will be able to provide you with a list of doctors in your area that order from them. These doctors would have experience with HRT. This does not immediately qualify them as experts however. You can also try http://www.tuneupyourt.com/ .

Any doctor you work with needs to be aware that they need to monitor estrogen besides T as part of your TRT. If they do not do this, then find someone else. If you post your location, perhaps someone can recommend a doctor in your area.

[pmgamer18]

Also read the sticky "Finding a New Dr." when you call you need to ask a lot of questions. Is this new Dr. a MD of DO if so see him a new MD my wife is seeing does both med. and holistic medicine. Call your health care plain and ask if you see him and pay for it will they pay you back. A lot of Dr.'s that do work with health care plains give you receipt or paper work to send in so you get your money back.

Also stop working out until you get your levels back up but first find out why your low before going on T meds. With you levels this low you need all the help you can get and killing you self in the gym will not help. Over doing it in the gym will give you low levels. Read some of Dr. Marianco posts he talks about this.

At Dr. John's site is some good info go there and read TRT: A Recipe for Success in this are tests you need and why. www.allthingsmale.com