Thread: Where to start

I'm really new to this and was actually recommended to this site by a really close buddy of mine. I was up late one night and was talking to him about struggling to get it up since about 25ish right around the time I had to have surgery done for a varicocele... The issues started before that with not getting fully hard and then eventually transitioned into straight up low sex drive and arousal problems with all women... It's gotten to the point where I can hardly jack off and actually stay hard... I've been thinking It may have to do with testosterone and would like to get a blood test done but the clinics here want 250 dollars for the visit then after that it's roughly 280 a month for the treatment which to me is ridiculous... What blood test should I use and from where? I went to a sticky on here that sent me to privatemdlabs but I am still unsure of which one I should actually do... Also I am so confused by all the different types of steroids out there... I go to some sites and I see like 15 different ones. Which ones would be a good fit if I need TRT? Also which sites are good to buy that stuff from? Sorry for all the new questions but I am just so lost when I read anything on here, I'm sure you guys roll your eyes every time you see a post like this too but this is a really hard question for me to ask even with my doctor...

Originally Posted by digidoggie18

I'm really new to this and was actually recommended to this site by a really close buddy of mine. I was up late one night and was talking to him about struggling to get it up since about 25ish right around the time I had to have surgery done for a varicocele... The issues started before that with not getting fully hard and then eventually transitioned into straight up low sex drive and arousal problems with all women... It's gotten to the point where I can hardly jack off and actually stay hard... I've been thinking It may have to do with testosterone and would like to get a blood test done but the clinics here want 250 dollars for the visit then after that it's roughly 280 a month for the treatment which to me is ridiculous... What blood test should I use and from where? I went to a sticky on here that sent me to privatemdlabs but I am still unsure of which one I should actually do... Also I am so confused by all the different types of steroids out there... I go to some sites and I see like 15 different ones. Which ones would be a good fit if I need TRT? Also which sites are good to buy that stuff from? Sorry for all the new questions but I am just so lost when I read anything on here, I'm sure you guys roll your eyes every time you see a post like this too but this is a really hard question for me to ask even with my doctor...

Do you have health insurance?

If so, go see your primary care doctor and tell him about your symptoms and that you would like to get blood work done to see what your total testosterone levels are at.

If your levels come back low, he can prescribe testosterone cypionate. You would inject weekly.

Originally Posted by digidoggie18

I'm really new to this and was actually recommended to this site by a really close buddy of mine. I was up late one night and was talking to him about struggling to get it up since about 25ish right around the time I had to have surgery done for a varicocele... The issues started before that with not getting fully hard and then eventually transitioned into straight up low sex drive and arousal problems with all women... It's gotten to the point where I can hardly jack off and actually stay hard... I've been thinking It may have to do with testosterone and would like to get a blood test done but the clinics here want 250 dollars for the visit then after that it's roughly 280 a month for the treatment which to me is ridiculous... What blood test should I use and from where? I went to a sticky on here that sent me to privatemdlabs but I am still unsure of which one I should actually do... Also I am so confused by all the different types of steroids out there... I go to some sites and I see like 15 different ones. Which ones would be a good fit if I need TRT? Also which sites are good to buy that stuff from? Sorry for all the new questions but I am just so lost when I read anything on here, I'm sure you guys roll your eyes every time you see a post like this too but this is a really hard question for me to ask even with my doctor...

Although if you come back with low levels, he will most likely want to refer you to an endocrinologist...just depends on the doctor. Some doctors will want to prescribe Androgel.

I'll end up having to pay out of pocket regardless as my deductible is 4500... In my eyes it is not worth it to be seeing a provider in general just because of that and that is the best plan my employer offers... I don't even trust the VA with this issue either...

Originally Posted by digidoggie18

I'll end up having to pay out of pocket regardless as my deductible is 4500... In my eyes it is not worth it to be seeing a provider in general just because of that and that is the best plan my employer offers... I don't even trust the VA with this issue either...

Depending on the state you reside in, you may be able to use PrivateMDLabs to purchase a lab test. After you purchase a test, you will be provided with requisition papers to print off and take with you to the lab. You would then go to a lab to get blood drawn - usually it would be at a place called LabCorp. While going through the process of ordering the test in PrivateMDLabs, they will show you the available labs to get blood drawn at and have you select which one you want to go to.

I will provide a screenshot of the test you need to purchase. There is always a coupon code floating around to save you 15% off. I believe right now you can use a code: OCT18

Private MD - Buy Lab Tests Online

Once you get your blood drawn, it will take approx 5-7 business days before you’ll get an email stating your results are ready for viewing. Log back into the PrivateMDLabs website and go to TEST RESULTS and click VIEW RESULTS.

Take a screenshot of your test results. Edit the screenshot to block out your name and any other personally identifying information. Post your results and we will help you understand where you stand.

If you need any further help just ask.

I really appreciate that!!! Thanks man! Ever since they had me on opiate after opiate with nothing but chronic back pain and no relief I stopped trusting them... I actually got a medical marijuana card and treat with only Marijuana based CBD and CBG and it's the only thing that offered relief... Since I was able to do that I refuse to trust most doctors word.... When Vicodin, Oxycontin, ***********, ********, etc... cannot relieve the pain and allow function but medical CBD and CBG can, there is a massive problem... As for the insurance yes it sucks but unfortunately I have to deal with it... I will get this ordered and see if you guys can decipher the results if I cannot... I'm going to do a lot of reading after though to see if I personally can...

JD has given you a ton of info here. I did a blood test through Privatemdlabs last year, very easy. Definitely get bloodwork done first. If your test is low and you decide to self medicate then just pick a sponsor on here that has payment options that work for you and place an order. All top of the line sponsors on here. Only recommendation I'll make on a sponsor is that domestic is usually easier. Also, do some reading in here on trt to see what everyone has done. It may not work for you but you'll have a place to start. I'm prescribed test but i self medicate at a slightly higher level because I've found where I feel my best through a lot of testing and trial. I would remember that sometimes low test is caused by other issues. You'll have to decide if you want to self medicate or see your doctor at that point. Good luck.

Originally Posted by digidoggie18

I really appreciate that!!! Thanks man! Ever since they had me on opiate after opiate with nothing but chronic back pain and no relief I stopped trusting them... I actually got a medical marijuana card and treat with only Marijuana based CBD and CBG and it's the only thing that offered relief... Since I was able to do that I refuse to trust most doctors word.... When Vicodin, Oxycontin, ***********, ********, etc... cannot relieve the pain and allow function but medical CBD and CBG can, there is a massive problem... As for the insurance yes it sucks but unfortunately I have to deal with it... I will get this ordered and see if you guys can decipher the results if I cannot... I'm going to do a lot of reading after though to see if I personally can...

Results are easy to read. Most doctors/Endo’s will use a scale of 300ng/dL to 900ng/dL and depending on your age and where you fall in that scale they will say you are normal.

When I was in my mid-twenties I got tested for low T and my results came back at 172ng/dL....pretty sure a hormonal teenage girl would have higher levels than me at that time. They took blood after blood after blood trying to figure out what was wrong with me and finally gave up and started prescribing meds. I was given Androgel...that seemed to work for a while. Then my body stopped absorbing it and my test levels dropped even lower than before. I was offered Testosterone Cypionate injections. Pretty much been on it ever since. Had a stint of using clomid (clomiphene citrate) which basically tells your brain to signal the testes to make more testosterone...that seems to be going well until side effects from the Clomid started up...abandoned that ship and went back to injections ever since.

I will tell you, if my levels go below 800ng/dL I feel like shit.

Let’s see where yours come back at and we will go from there.