Go to Google (or Bing) and type in the name of your city followed by "TRT" or "Testosterone Replacement". I can pretty much guarantee you'll find a few places close by that specialize in "bio-identical" hormone replacement therapy, both for men and women. I had the fortune of a recommendation to a place from my co-worker, a satisfied customer, but in my city there are probably a dozen or more places that offer the exact same thing.
When you start doing a bit of research, you realize pretty quickly that hormone replacement therapy is popular, and getting more popular all the time. I can't speak to the female side of the equation, but more and more men are looking for ways to stay feeling stronger and more energetic. Enter testosterone replacement therapy. Note that the claimed benefits of TRT are not a longer life, but rather a more vital one. It doesn't claim to add years (or any time) to your lifespan, but it does claim that you'll be more energetic and physically capable in your declining years. Hence the often found word "rejuvenation" or "anti-aging" nomenclature found in the clinic names.
The clinic I chose (yes, it has the word rejuvenation in the name) is close to where I work, only a bit of a detour to stop by on the way home. As I mentioned above, it's the same one used by my coworker.
I scheduled my first appointment for a Friday. I have the good fortune of flexible hours, and typically wrap up my daily 8 hours of indentured servitude around 2:00 - 2:30pm. I made an appointment for 3:00 and went there right after work. It's a small but busy place. I was interested to see three women in the waiting area, but no men (although one came in while I was waiting). Hormone therapy for weight control is a big part of their business, not just old guys looking to get jacked. Most of their clients are women.
I met the "operations officer" a fairly jacked guy himself. Late 30s, muscular, obviously a lifter. Yes, he replied in response to my question, he does TRT himself. He took me into his office and went over some of my symptoms. Yes, I'm:
Tired
Unmotivated
Not sleeping well
Not making gains in the gym
Having some joint pain
Generally dissatisfied with my career
Etc....
Honestly, I feel these symptoms pretty much describe just about anyone entrenched in the banality of modern life. Ceaseless labor on the behalf of others to make little bits of green-inked paper to trade for the things we need to survive, with, hopefully, enough left over to afford a little fun every now and then. The interview had the feeling of being a check-the-box sort of thing. A rout confirmation of yes, I have symptoms that justify me seeking hormone therapy.
He went over the program. For $75 a month plus prescription costs, I would get a monitored hormone replacement therapy program. I would see the doctor once a month, get my prescription, be able to get my weekly testosterone shots at the clinic (if I wanted), and get blood tests every 3-6 months to monitor my hormone levels. My prescription costs would depend on my exact medications, but I'd probably be looking at another $150 or so a month. So total cost was around $200 - 250 a month. Oh, and the initial visit was $399. It would include an additional consultation with the doctor and a full blood workup. Oh, by the way, if my testosterone level was below normal, my insurance (CIGNA) might pay toward the prescription.
Having confirmed my willingness to pay the initial $399 (and my potential as a candidate for TRT based on my symptoms), he escorted me to see the doctor. Who was actually a nurse practitioner. She and I went over pretty much the same symptom diagnosis I'd just done. There was an up-sell for some additional supplements (multivitamin,sleep aid, thyroid health....) I declined.
Off to another room with standard issue doctor's office stuff in it: cabinets with gauze and other medical supplies, biological waste trashcan, sharps container, raised doctor platform in the middle of the room covered in paper. Another friendly lady (they were all friendly) appeared. I was weighed, my body fat measured (15%, not bad for 47), my blood pressure (118/74) and pulse rate (62) taken. I was pronounced to be in good shape and look much younger than my years. Flattery will get you everywhere. Rubber band, syringe, and half a dozen vials of my blood were taken for the lab work (at LabCorp).
I was escorted back to the front desk, where I paid my $399 and made an appointment for the following Friday (a week later) to go over my lab results. Total time between in and out was about 45 minutes.
There's no denying hormone replacement therapy for men is effective for treating a variety of ailments, I'm just not sure the malaise of modern life or the natural decline in vitality due to aging should be among them. I feel as though the whole thing was sort of a wink-wink, nudge-nudge sort of situation. Oh, you're tired and not quite as strong or energetic as you used to be? Let's take a look at that testosterone.....
I'm not against people doing pretty much whatever they want as long as it doesn't negatively impact anyone else. If there's a safe and reliable (and legal) way for me to improve my energy, strength, attitude, and body composition, count me in.
I'm curious to see my blood labs and if that will have any impact on their recommendation for treatment.
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