Disagreement With My Internist on TRT

[bouquetCPA]

Today I had a disagreement with my internal medicine doctor regarding my own TRT therapy. He essentially told me that low 300s was in the acceptable range for a 44 year old male and I should get off of TRT. He even went on to say that I would go back to feeling crappy, lacking energy, etc. and should consider various prescription drugs and other medical professionals to deal with those issues.

I told my wife that while I appreciate the fact that he has tried to help me out in other areas, I just don't agree with him. I'd rather be on something my body produces naturally versus going to a psychiatrist to treat the symptoms caused by low T. Yes, he actually recommended that my symptoms fixed by TRT be treated by a psychiatrist instead...

He even went as far as to try to scare me with some misinformation saying that what I was doing now is no different than guys on anabolic steroids. He also told me that there are no long term testosterone replacement studies and touted old studies with the risks associated with TRT. I just don't get it...

Sorry, I just wanted to rant that a doctor actually recommended that I consider antidepressants and other prescriptions while living with the low testosterone levels that God gave me. There is no way that I will willingly go back to the way things were unless it is medically necessary.

 

[stevep]

I thought I was the only one that was told I needed a psychiatrist because my T-level was "within range". This happen to me at Bethesda Medical Center years ago. I never went back to see that Doc. Just find another one that understands how to treat your symptoms, and not a number.

 

[ERO]

Give Prime Body or Defy Medical a call. They are both site sponsors and many of use use and highly recommend them.

 

[bouquetCPA]

I guess I'm lucky because my TRT therapy is administered by another doctor. Sorry, but I am not going to follow my internal medicine doctor's advice on this area. I was tired all the time, had no labido, had hypothyroidism (missed by the internal medicine doctor), couldn't concentrate to save my life, and was sleeping 12 to 14 hours per day just to make it through the work week. I slept another 15 or so hours per day on the weekends. I can't believe anyone would want me to go back to living like that or think a psychiatrist is the answer when I found the answer with another healthcare professional.

I worked in a medical environment for ten years of my professional career so my opinion of psychiatrists is pretty low to begin with. I saw all too many of them throw drug after drug trying to treat their patient's symptoms without actually curing anything.

 

[CoastWatcher]

You aren't the first, and (sadly) won't be the last patient who is told they aren't a candidate for TRT in spite of labs putting them in the cellar in regard to androgens. I'm sorry you had to deal with this.

 

[Vettester Chris]

It's sad, sad, sad ... Another Beta Male physician, spewing the boogie man tactics about bio identical hormones! If it's so bad, where are all bodies? Surely, 20/20, Dateline, and 60 Minutes would have continuous episodes about all these thousands of sick, testosterone bed ridden men, dying from their HRT!! It's the exact opposite. Physicians driving fear and ignorance ... Worthless!!

 

[Vince Carter]

Today I had a disagreement with my internal medicine doctor regarding my own TRT therapy. He essentially told me that low 300s was in the acceptable range for a 44 year old male and I should get off of TRT. He even went on to say that I would go back to feeling crappy, lacking energy, etc. and should consider various prescription drugs and other medical professionals to deal with those issues.

I told my wife that while I appreciate the fact that he has tried to help me out in other areas, I just don't agree with him. I'd rather be on something my body produces naturally versus going to a psychiatrist to treat the symptoms caused by low T. Yes, he actually recommended that my symptoms fixed by TRT be treated by a psychiatrist instead...

He even went as far as to try to scare me with some misinformation saying that what I was doing now is no different than guys on anabolic steroids. He also told me that there are no long term testosterone replacement studies and touted old studies with the risks associated with TRT. I just don't get it...

Sorry, I just wanted to rant that a doctor actually recommended that I consider antidepressants and other prescriptions while living with the low testosterone levels that God gave me. There is no way that I will willingly go back to the way things were unless it is medically necessary.

I never discuss TRT with my NP, optometrist, none of these types, it just exposes their biases. Personally I think that there's just no money in the traditional sense that Pharma is tossing drugs and money at Dr's for their drugs, then you find that the Dr's are all interconnected for referrals and what I call billable hours, everything that they can bill insurance for. For instance I have an eye problem and if you can diagnose condition X and treat it with a drop, why do I need to see specialist Y....? It just seems like they're all throwing business to each other...sorry I'm ranting