Plix--

What about the injectible version of T? I've heard it works better and is much less expensive than the Androgel.

I'm on Androgel 7.5G (75mg of T) per day and feel just fine on that. But with what you're saying that would run $500 a month at least.

I've heard a dose that is injectible to get me to the same level would be around $80 or so a month, but I have not tried that as my health provider for some reason doesn't cover injectibles. Oddly, they cover the gel which is much more expensive... go figure?

plix (imported) wrote: Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:35 pm Even if there were, which I am sure there is, I am not interested. Too many ethical issues. And p

lease don't turn this thread into a debate on whe

plix (imported) wrote: Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:35 pm ther they exist. End of that discussion on this thread

Thanks so much for your support. I am working on it.

This clip from Google should end any debate. "Dr Schlegel told the newspaper: "I am sure testicular transplants between men will be done in the next 10 years and there are a number of groups other than ours that are working on it." Tissue can be safely frozen for years The technical diffculties involved are significant - surgeons will have to reattach dozens of small blood vessels and nerves for the transplant to work. Testicular transplantation has been performed successfully on animals. "

So, its a future "possibility" but no one today can get one as my Surgeon cautioned me.

One other lower cost option is using a compounding pharmacy to make up Testosterone in a cream form. I've never used it but others tell me it works like Androgel and is pretty inexpensive. If you pay cash for Androgel without any coverage God have mercy. Its expensive!

I know with my rejuvenation clinic, 100mg/wk of testosterone cypionate (an injectable testosterone) would cost exactly $50/month. Though, they will be way more than happy to prescribe you 200mg/wk if you can afford it. (This much will give you probably a higher level than you ever had) The only thing they required of me is to do a blood test at a local clinic and then the clinic mailed the sample to Florida where they tested it. A few days later I got all these bottles of testosterone in the mail! And I'm sure with your testosterone level, you would qualify for treatment in a New York second.

But the truth is, there are even cheaper sources than that. Those clinics jack up the price because it's not just a doctor involved. Theres a whole staff and they want to get paid too. Testosterone injection bought at a local pharmacy would be absurdly cheap, as in literally, a few dollars a bottle. The draw back to that approach is that most doctors are so ignorant on this subject, they will insist you just come into the clinic for an injection every three weeks and then your level will fluctuate wildly, not to mention they may not want to give ya enough. With the clinic I use, they give you the stuff and you can just take the injections as often as you feel like in order to keep a nice steady level.

Losethem (imported) wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:35 pm What about the injectible version of T? I've heard it works better and is much less expensive than the Androgel.

If I were to ever g

mrt (imported) wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:34 pm o back on HRT, that would probably be my method of choice.

One other lower cost option is using a compound

ing pharmacy to make up Testosterone in a cream form.

I am skeptical of compounded medications. Mos

Testman (imported) wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:25 pm t people say they work, so they probably do, but it seems like something you would be taking a chance on.

I know with my rejuvenation clinic, 100mg/wk of testosterone cypionate (an injectable testosterone) would cost exactly $50/month. Though, they will be way more than happy to prescribe you 200mg/wk if you can afford it. (This much will give you probably a higher level than you ever had) The only thing they required of me is to do a blood test at a local clinic and then the clinic mailed the sample to Florida where they tested it. A few days later I got all these bottles of testosterone in

the mail! And I'm sure with your testosterone level, you would qualify for treatment in a New York second.

I've seen clinics like that online, but most require you to be age 30 or older. If you know of one that doesn't have this requirement, perhaps you can let me know.

This one I use does not. Thats what the blood test is for, is to prove you have a low testosterone level. The government makes the doctors do this test. Anyway, it's www.moderntherapy.com The only thing you would have to be over 30 for is if you want some GH.

If I were to ever go back on HRT, that would probably be my method of choice.

plix (imported) wrote: Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:20 am I am skeptical of compounded medications. Mos

t people say they work, so they probably do, but it seems like something you would be taking a chance on.

plix (imported) wrote: Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:20 am I've seen clinics like that online, but most require you to be age 30 or older. If you know of one that doesn't have this requirement, perhaps you can let me know.

I just wanted to add that I agree about compounding pharmacy even tho I suggested it. The mainstreat approach of Andrgel/derm or injectables seems to be the safest bet. Do beware of the doctors that want to give monthly injections. This is a blueprint for roller coaster hormone rides and gynocomastia. *My non medical 2 cents worth.

Taking in your collective observations on cost makes me very glad I'm in Canada. I think we get it all for much less. Not sure why that is?

Anyway, I do AndroGel now, upwards to 4 pumps a day, often less. It costs $147/mo, and my co-payment (20%) is $~30. Up 'til ~2.5 years ago, I did injectible testosterone. It cost ~$36/mo - an injection every 2 weeks, and my share was $7. While my doc said many people are bothered by the cycle that accompanies the periodic injections, I wasn't. I only switched because I agreed that rubbing the stuff on my abdomen was easier than the 45 minutes it took me to travel to the docs and back for the injections. I can also take it with me on trips, while I usually waited 'til my return to home base for injections if I was away. That was 5 weeks once. Too long. The drug people here are also sensitive to potential misuse of testosterone. I'm thus limited to 2 pumps per pick-up at the apothecary.

JeffEunuch (imported) wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:12 am Taking in your collective observations on cost makes me very glad I'm in Canada. I think we get it all for much less. Not sure why that is?

Anyway, I do AndroGel now, upwards to 4 pumps a day, often less. It costs $147/mo, and my co-payment (20%) is $~30. Up 'til ~2.5 years ago, I did injectible testosterone. It cost ~$36/mo - an injection every 2 weeks, and my share was $7. While my doc said many people are bothered by the cycle that accompanies the periodic injections, I wasn't. I only switched because I agreed that rubbing the stuff on my abdomen was easier than the 45 minutes it took me to travel to the docs and back for the injections. I can also take it with me on trips, while I usually waited 'til my return to home base for injections if I was away. That was 5 weeks once. Too long. The drug people here are also sensitive to potential misuse of testosterone. I'm thus limited to 2 pumps per pick-up at the apothecary.

If one prefers the injectable version, usually, for most, a weekly injection provides the best results, leveling the cycles a great deal. Yes it is significantly cheaper than gels. Some doctors are loathe to let a patient do self-injections, others insist on clinic visits because they can charge for them. Find a doctor that will allow you to do your own. Much easier, much cheaper.

Canadian drugs are significantly cheaper because Canada imposes substantial price controls on them.

I get testosterone shots at two week intervals. There is a noticable "let down" a few days before the next shot is due. The clinic I get them from doesn't make any extra money by having me come in for the shots - it's covered by my HMO contract. They say they don't allow patients to self administer injectable testosterone because it is on the same same restricted drug list as morphine and opium. --FLO--

Uncle Flo (imported) wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:30 am I get testosterone shots at two week intervals. There is a noticable "let down" a few days before the next shot is due. The clinic I get them from doesn't make any extra money by having me come in for the shots - it's covered by my HMO contract. They say they don't allow patients to self administer injectable testosterone because it is on the same same restricted drug list as morphine and opium. --FLO--

I've never done injectables but I've spoken by email to a number of men who self inject. Testosterone is humm... Class III? Some places like the Boston Medical group place tight controls on everything to (we think) maximize profits.