I went to a Low T Center

But did you get on the T? I'm debating whether to get on it myself, I've heard both good but mostly bad things about it.

Did you get treated ? Or just shopped ?

You have to go twice - the first time you fill out a bunch of questionnaires and get SIX vials of blood drawn. Then a few days later you go back and get three more vials drawn. They have an in-house lab or something and they said that they have to test your testosterone twice in order to see if you need supplementation. I'm going back in a couple of days to get the second batch of blood drawn, at which time they will tell me my scores (they do a full panel) and suggest treatment plans. I'll report back when I go for the second appointment :)

Are you in Texas, OP?

Only a few states allow these types of centers, Texas being one of them.

I wish they were in NYC, I'd go in a heartbeat (yes, I know I can go to my primary physician too).

Really? I had no idea. These little one-stop shop clinics are all over the place here. It seems like it would make bank anywhere.

What do you expect to get out of treatment, OP? More energy? I looked into it but the potential side effects scared me: sleep apnea, stimulating noncancerous growth of the prostate, enlarging breasts, limiting sperm production, stimulating growth of existing prostate cancer and contributing to the formation of blood clots in the veins.

I've gained weight and had no energy, and a few years back, when I had my testosterone tested, I was at about 140. LOW. GP prescribed Androgel pumps. (Well he prescribed something else that came in packets but insurance didn't cover it.)

Nothing changed. I think the dose was too low to have any effect. And now insurance doesn't even cover the testing and the GP cut my Androgel dose in half due to weight-related risks. Which is why I looked into treatment in the first place.

I want to check out a Low T clinic (I'm in Texas) but r6 reply scares me. I just want to have more energy so I can enjoy exercise and have at least some sort of sex drive. Is that too much to ask?

R4 Then why wouldn't you go to your PCP? Because he'll tell you the shit they're pushing can kill you or at the very least give you bigger problems than those you sought to address?

A place that can treat low testosterone, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a bunch of other common ailments? Common ailments? My doc sends me to specialists (like an overnight sleep study and a respiratory specialist for SA, a cardiologist for cholesterol and elevated BP), docs who treat nothing else, for problems like that. And you're willing to trust a nurse practitioner who's working for someone whose motivation is making a buck?

Insanity.

When I asked my longterm PCP about getting supplements, he was adamant I avoid them due to the fact my oldest brother had had prostrate cancer. He said the risks were too high and the benefits marginal at best. A standalone clinic would not have access to your full medical history and therefore cause you more harm than good.

I tried the gel about five years ago (apply it to your shoulders in the morning). I didn't notice any change, but -- and I kid you not -- several fraus in my office would sniff me and tell me they loved my cologne and what the name was.

I wasn't wearing cologne, it was the T.

[quote]I wish they were in NYC, I'd go in a heartbeat

They are in NYC:

Ageless Men's Health

80 Park Ave 1E, New York, NY 10016

Doesn't seem much point at your age.

I'm sure you'll get that torso in the photo, OP. Just by pills.

I think the low-T craze is definitely more of a money making scam. And there have been links shown between testerone treatments and heart disease, so it is not harmless.

R11 yes but not as prevalent as in other states like Texas, where there are several in each city. Like minor emergency clinics.

LOL, I looked at the title and immediately thought Low Thyroid.

Oops!

Low T is real. If one is experiencing the unfortunate effects of this condition you know why sometimes its worth the risks to get back a spring in the step.

I've been on T for about a year and the difference is tremendous. But I did this via my MD who specializes in hormone replacement. And low T is usually an indicator that one is also low in essentials like DHEA, growth hormone, etc. I take the lot.

But this is a complex balancing act by my physician who requires blood tests every 2 months so I'm not sure one would get this level of attention at a strip mall T center. Why not seek out an MD who specializes in bio identical hormone replacement?

They do have another location in Brooklyn, R15. However, I think that doctors are preventing chains from entering the NYC market. This is QUITE a lucrative business! My urologist doesn't really do urology anymore because he is concentrating on his mens' sexual health practice.

I was on it for a couple of months. My cardiologist took me off of it when he found out - it could make my hypertrophic cardiomyopathy even worse. I get my testosterone the natural way (I think) through exercise, food plan and vitamins. I will admit that I could feel my sexual arousal increasing...it has decreased a bit since I've been off of it. The cardiologist was actually a bit pissed when I told him...for good reason I guess.

Yeah, its expensive.

R19 did you take other hormones as well or just the T? My MD is adamant that taking T alone without balancing out the rest can be problematic.

r10 How did the men react toward you?

I have recently been thinking about getting testosterone replacement and read some Yelp reviews about a couple of local places. Most insurance companies don't pay for it and people complained about the hard sell tactics the doctors and their flunkies would try to use to get you to pay out of pocket. Some people mentioned the cost was about $260 a month.

R21, I took Androgel, rubbed it under my armpits every morning. Couldn't smoke or be near flames for 30 minutes after application.

It depends upon what you define as expensive. I get a shot every week and where I go; "Ageless Mens Health" is $200-$250/month. My insurance covers the cost.

Let me write this; There have been numerous threads about TEST treatments here on DL. I will only give MY experiences with it.

I've been doing it for 3 years now and I think it is GREAT! You're under medical supervision. I do the blood work every 6 months now and those results are also shared with my primary care doctor to have on record. Ageless looks for men to have a TEST level of 800. You do sleep better. You have much more energy. And it is AMAZING how fast you lose weight and gain muscle, BUT.... those results are not just because of the shot. You have to do the diet and exercise too. All the TEST shot does, (for me anyway), is help me get to where I want to be faster. People say that it enhances libido. I've never had a problem with that and so I can't really tell you.

I recommend it only if you're under medical care. I have no idea the reasoning for many of these negative comments. Either you take it or you don't. Consult your doctor.

R22 men didn't notice the smell, oddly. Except my partner, and he thought it stunk. I couldn't smell anything.

You describe what my friend is doing --- his insurance won't cover it so he pays out of pocket, I think around $200. He does injections, I believe, and has to go in for bloodwork periodically. He swears by it and says he has more energy and increased libido, so perhaps the injections are more effective than the gel I tried. I considered trying it again but now worry about the cardio effects since I'm on blood pressure meds now (wasn't before).

[quote][O]stensibly "managed" by a doctor but is really run by a nurse practitioner with lingual braces and several assistants (interestingly, the staff were all black and the nurse practitioner was blonde and white).

OP, I'm not seeing why any of the above was even worth *mentioning*, let alone being of "interest." What on earth do a NP's lingual braces have to do with anything? Why the fuck does the staff's race merit a mention? Surely you don't think all employees at a low-T clinic "should" be red-blooded Caucasian men.

Just like with estrogen replacement, heart attacks and cancer chances increase

Ever thought of changing your diet to decrease meat drastically and increase green vegetables? That does the same trick.

Most of our diseases, including low T, is caused by terrible diets.

I've wondered if the t-treatments would make your body hairier?

[quote]I looked into it but the potential side effects scared me: sleep apnea, stimulating noncancerous growth of the prostate, enlarging breasts, limiting sperm production, stimulating growth of existing prostate cancer and contributing to the formation of blood clots in the veins.

R6, instead of scaring the shit out of everyone, it might help to mention that these side effects only typically occur if you're taking large doses of T, e.g. levels commonly used by bodybuilders to bulk up (which btw is classified as an anabolic steroid and illegal throughout the U.S. It'd also help to mention that all of the above side effects are largely limited to men with preexisting problems in each area, hence the reason it's best to get a full physical work-up from your PCP before considering the treatment. If you don't already have sleep apnea, prostate problems or blood clot-related issues, using T is highly unlikely to unilaterally produce them.

I think there is a troll here, R26. I'm also sensing an anti-steroid "whatever' here. And with that on the table all I can say is that if you are against steroids then don't take them. That doesn't mean that they don't work.

I think what people are confusing this with are those who abuse steroids (and you see them getting TEST shots too because they have destroyed their bodies to make it naturally) and therefore have all of the negative connotations.

All I can say is that I LOVE my TEST shots and the results are amazing! Yep! You can have a torso like the one posted by OP. I do and I'm 57. But, you have to put in the work too. I like how I can track my vitals in between my yearly checkups with my doctor, etc. I can only say good things about TEST and how it has worked for me. Bottom line; If you want to do it consult your doctor.

[quote]And there have been links shown between testerone treatments and heart disease, so it is not harmless.

There are "links" between heart disease and half the things under the sun, so this alone isn't reason enough to dismiss it (particularly considering the proof of such links is inconclusive at best).

[quote]I get my testosterone the natural way (I think) through exercise, food plan and vitamins.

If you have a legitimate testosterone deficiency, all the exercise, food and vitamins in the world won't fix it. Some men simply have low T levels for whatever reason. It's also basic biological fact that T levels decrease as men age, hence the reason teenagers are insanely horny and most men in their 60s aren't.

R28 are you a frau? No, low T isn't caused by poor diet, ffs. Its part of aging and every man will experience it.

[quote]It was like a man cave exploded in there. And it was BUSY! As I filled out their stupid questionnaire, DILF after DILF walked through the door, guys in their 40s, handsome and hunky men. At least a dozen different hot guys, some driving trucks who probably had just dropped their kids off at school or something. And you know they were primed and ready to go because they were probably on testosterone supplementation.

Dear Gay Penthouse Forum,

I can't believe what happened after I walked into a testosterone clinic...

r34 I think DL should have a forum where we can write short smut stories to our hearts little content. I'm sure most Datalounger stories would be much more interesting than what Penthouse magazine used to offer.

I'm as enthusiastic as r32 about low T treatment. Its been life changing for me, but I wouldn't go to a small clinic run by a NP. An MD who specializes in mature men's health works for me.

[quote] here are "links" between heart disease and half the things under the sun

the links with T are very strong

Just anecdotal but my boss when on T therapy and within a year was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Had it removed.

Will it make me fuck like the Homosex Man?

If so, I'm in!

I've been on Androgel for about a year and a half under the supervision of my physician. My testosterone levels were just below the low end of the acceptable range. My physician started me off with the basic dosage. But when we tested again after the first three months, my levels had not risen at all. So he doubled my dose and with the next blood test, my T level made a huge jump. I lost weight, slept better. And I was horny as fuck. One day at work, I suddenly got so horny that I called my husband and told him to get ready because I was coming home so he could fuck me. I swear, I could not get home fast enough so that he could pound my ass. I'm surprised I didn't get a speeding ticket.

I had symptoms of depression that were easily fixed with T medication that I got from my PCP. I used it for a few years, then no longer needed it. It’s not nothing.

Which is better, the gel or the injections?

I used the patch until I became allergic to the glue. Then I switched to the jell, which I was satisfied with.

^^ what happens if you use that for JO lube?

R44 ask R40

At 45 I got tested for low testosterone. After 3 rounds of testing at 3 different times of the day (testosterone levels change throughout the day) I was diagnosed with low T. At first, my MD prescribed AndroGel. But with a little research I found that the absorption rate with the gels is too low and not really that effective, so I asked him to switch me to injectables. Under my doctor's care, I've been self-injecting testosterone weekly for over 10 years with no side effects and it has been great. it helps me with my workouts and keeps my weight down, and energy up. Don't know about sex drive because I've always been a horny bastard and have never had any issues with erectile dysfunction. Also, my insurance does cover it. BTW, surprisingly, the injectables are not only more effective but much cheaper than the gels.

The only side effect my doctor warned me about was premature hair loss, so he prescribed me finasteride which i take every day in order to avoid hair loss. Now at 55 I have a full, thick head of hair; finasteride or genetics, I don't know. I'm just happy it is.

BTW, r10 the same thing happened to me while using the gel - women were always saying how nice I smelled.

I go to a men’s health clinic in Phoenix and actually get treated by a physician. I’m 43 and my testosterone had dropped below 220ng/dL when I first started seeing them last February. After confirming this with multiple lab tests they began treating me with injectable testosterone(140mg/week) along with HCG to maintain sperm count and prevent testicular atrophy. My last labs showed my testosterone is 988ng/dL which they say is comparable to an active 19 year old. Next month will be nearly a year since I started and I have dropped 40 lbs, had the energy to start exercising again, wake up well rested with gloriously stiff erections every morning(prior to treatment I had started to wake up semi hard maybe every other morning). A new gym buddy of mine(who has competed in multiple Ironman events) even persuaded me to sign up to do a triathlon with him in Mexico for cinco de Mayo.

If you think you might have low T I would definitely encourage you to find a good doctor’s office or clinic that specializes in men’s health(but not the shady stripmall T clinics that OP described) someplace that will routinely monitor your labs, look for the root cause of your low T to rule out other diseases, and will take the time to explain any possible side effects and risks involved.

They have a new thing called pellets you can do. They are basically like little pieces of rice that they put under your skin, around ten, and they slowly release testosterone for up to six months. I think it runs around $600. It's supposed to be a lot more convenient than the shots or the gel.

I was on the gel about six years ago and got taken off it abruptly, then started gaining weight and got depressed etc (the doctor took me off it because I lost weight and got in better shape and my self-produced testosterone kicked in, so it was too high). It does make a huge difference - I used 1.5 pumps a day and put it on my upper arms. It has a kind of nice smell to it. The main thing I want to take it for now is for motivation - my motivation to do anything but the bare minimum is terrible, and I'm already on antidepressants. From experience before, when I gain weight, my testosterone levels drop, and they weren't that high to begin with.

Also - the office was full of DILFs! I'm serious, it was impressive. Lots of attractive guys.

[quote]Also - the office was full of DILFs! I'm serious, it was impressive. Lots of attractive guys.

The same for my office too. LOTS of firemen, construction workers, and oddly enough, personal trainers.

Annoyingly the place only does testosterone shots, not pellets or gels. So I have to go back weekly for awhile.

As expected, the doctor who has lent his name to the place is never there, and the entire thing is run by a nurse practitioner and her harem.

Who's that in OP post? DADDYYYYYYYYY!!!!

FYI:

Manhattan Medical Research January 11 ·

We are currently seeking volunteers to participate in a research study for Low Testosterone. Call 212-480-3333 for more information.

Low Tranny Center?

My testosterone was low for YEARS and my PCP refused to give me testosterone. He said lose weight, and do weight bearing exercise. Finally when he realized it wasn’t helping, he gave me the smallest dose of Androgel which is like 20 mg. The last time he tested my blood it barely passed 300, and that was after 6 months of using Androgel. No other positive benefits: no new muscle, no new energy, no new libido. He told me “don’t ask for more.” So to him the matter is done. Take what I offer, or not. Dick.

Did your PCP give you a reason why s/he wouldn't give you TEST, R55?

Yes, he said there were health risks. He said since I have mild sleep apnea it could make it worse, he also said it could risk prostate cancer, and hair loss.

How can it be a health risk when the tranny ideologists are enthusiasticy endorsing the life long (from teen years) use of it?

Ideologues*

Testosterone is a hormone that works best in the middle range. If your testosterone is under 200, you will have problems with fat accumulation, (you will develop man boobs), you will have a low or non-existent sex drive, troubles with getting and maintaining erections, difficulty building muscle even with strenuous workouts, osteoporosis (weak bones). If your testosterone is over 1000, you will have troubles mentioned above, with balding or thinning hair, increased risk of developing prostate cancer, testicular shrinkage, issues with uncontrolled anger, sometimes high blood pressure, etc, so the extremes of testosterone carry big risks on both ends, low and high. With the typical dosage of testosterone pumps or gels, you will rarely get an increase of more than 200 above your baseline count. For most men, that will just bring them into the mid-range of testosterone. Most men who use this form are unlikely to abuse it or over dose themselves. Among other things, most insurance companies monitor your monthly usage quite closely, and won't allow you to refill your prescription early. Injectable testosterone will have an immediate increase in testosterone level to a much higher level than optimal, then a quick drop off. More people are likely to abuse injectable testosterone. Unfortunately the health risks are much greater with this rapid increase in level and the potential for abuse. The numbers of athletes who die young, particularly body builders and wrestlers attest to this.

The Greeks were wise.....moderation in all things.

My local T center is awesome.....the clients are all burly bears with lots of chest hair wearing construction boots......lots of track lighting......sandalwood aromas and musky man smell......driving Berghain techno beats......shag carpeting....the white female nurse practitioner shoves me into an exam room where the black male nursing team rips my shirt off and massages the T gel all over my chest, shoulders and back.....then I hit the latrine to take a leak in the group trough with some of the other clients....I am loving that my insurance covers this.

Your testosterone decreases naturally FOR A REASON. No one wants you creepy old grandpas trying to fuck everything that moves. Pathetic old queens.

I did testosterone gel for several years. It made me hornier, I grew more body hair, my nuts practically disappeared and I got prone to rages.

I remember reading in a biography that Somerset Maugham had fetal gland injections from sheep or goats and he felt rejuvenated. The doctor’s name was Niehan. It seemed everyone went to him, the Windsors, Onassis.

The latest commercials are from lawyers asking if you have been injured by T replacement.

LOL R61, good one

The patches don't have enough T to make a noticeable difference, but you still get the bad side-effects. The only thing that is going to make a big difference are injectables, but they also have negative side-effects.

It's not worth it, IMO.

I posted a hot guy’s pic to get people interested in my amoebic dysentery.