Forms of T and costs

[onebody]

I currently get my T from Stroheckers, $50 for 5 mons, and about $40 co-pay for two doctor visits (with health insurance that is) I'm wondering what other alternatives cost? Ive been asking Mr. google but havent found much info yet, and is it possible to get DHT cream in the US? thanks

[TRyan]

I think Stroheckers also includes needles and syringes correct?

I got mine from Costco--it cost $60 for the testosterone and I paid $30 for syringes and needles. I think the best deal is Stroheckers. Around here its pretty standard to charge testosterone and syringes/needles separately.

I don't know about DHT cream.

[Jasper.Beauclair]

Is testosterone only in a syringe??? I-I thought there were pills?
I mean my gf's dad takes testosterone pills OTC I think

I'm deathly afraid of needles o.o I had to have a shot in my butt when my kidneys were infected so I wouldn't have to be hospitalized... And I came out to old people looking at me, who was sobbing and wailing, as if I was being tortured in that room
And I filled the blood bag pretty quickly right after my kidney shot from being so worked up

And a few months ago I spent a hour on and off violently vomiting when I donated blood

.... Sorry I'm not contributing to giving you knowledge about testosterone.......

[Ryan55]

they have gel patches you can use instead of needles

[Sebryn]

Pills over the counter? I don't know about that since testosterone is a controlled substance. T pills aren't used in general because of the negative side effects they have on the liver, all forms of T have some danger of harming the liver btw. Most risks are low but pills hold a high enough risk that it isn't used any longer in the USA, and pills are also poorly absorbed if I remember correctly from the research I did. The damage done to the liver outweighed the benefits of the small raise in T levels in comparison to other delivery methods.

There are also pellets and sublingual forms of T. I'm going to ask about the pellets next week when I see my endo since I still have a hard time self injecting...over 2 years on T.

For me using injectable T was a matter of how badly I wanted it....even if I did vomit after doing my shot sometimes. Pros and cons mentality worked for me personally.

[Emerson]

There are herbs marketed as "testosterone boosters" that are in pills OTC.

[Jasper.Beauclair]

Anything hormone, sex, or anatomically related, he won't talk about unless you're 18 or older
He has really young kids his youngest is 5 I think
And I'm not sure why because I don't think a 5 year old would understand what testosterone is, but..
Anyway, I'm not exactly sure what they are, he said its testosterone to help him get the energy to work out

[Sebryn]

Ah. Probably a T booster like Emerson said.

[onebody]

I think Stroheckers also includes needles and syringes correct?

Yes, so as far as I know all forms of T require a subscription? I found a website selling DHT cream from England, dont know if they ship to the US, its more expensive but might last longer

.... Sorry I'm not contributing to giving you knowledge about testosterone.......

No problem, if you guys got links for gel patches, herbs etc. please include. I'd appreciate it
Injecting is torturing to some ppl, my problem is that sometimes when I take out the needle the T oozes out and sometimes with blood. I'll have to switch to alternatives sooner or later

[TRyan]

Yes, so as far as I know all forms of T require a subscription? I found a website selling DHT cream from England, dont know if they ship to the US, its more expensive but might last longer


Yep-all forms require a prescription.  Sometimes things can get held up in customs so it may take awhile to get the DHT cream (just so you are aware).

[Sebryn]

Injecting is torturing to some ppl, my problem is that sometimes when I out the needle the T oozes out and sometimes with blood. I'll have to switch to alternatives sooner or later

Are you using the Z Track Injecting method? The few times I didn't use this method I had T ooze out too. As for the blood sometimes you can actually stick the needle clean through a vein (pulling back on the plunger to check for blood will show no blood in this case) and only the blood comes out with no T if using the Z Track method since the vein is above where the T was injected provided you got the needle deep enough and into the muscle. Pushing the plunger down gradually, as slowly as you can stand, sometimes helps with T retention I've noticed since it is very thick and you're trying to get it to go into muscle.

[TRyan]

What is the Z track method? 

I've had smooth injections with the exception of one where blood did come out but I put pressure on it and it was fine.

I do inject slowly. I put the needle right up against the skin and inject slow.

I inject in my thigh and think it's easier to hit veins there.

I was really worried about injecting but it's actually pretty easy (for those that are worried about it).

[Sebryn]

Z Track method is where you pull the top layer of skin away from the injection site and hold it with one hand, inject and then let the skin go after you pull the needle out. The 'line' created by the needle is now no longer straight to the surface from the muscle.

And yes you're right about the thigh being a more likely place to go through a vein. I rotate sites between my thigh and glute, the glute being the easiest and least likely for blood coming through for me.

[onebody]

wow I think I did inject too quickly (without Z method) when the T oozed out, sometimes I hit a spot that hurts, like the pain is unbearable so its frustrating to dig around. Thanks Sebryn

[aleon515]

@Jasper-- well there is gel, patches, and compounded cream. I take the compounded cream, which is cheaper than the other topical applications. I have heard of a sublingual lozenge but never heard of anyone taking it. T is HIGHLY toxic to the liver taken orally (otherwise), say as a pill. I don't know if this is even legal in the US.

The compounded cream is about $25-80/month depending on dosage. NOt sure how much Strokeheckers charges as I have a local compounding pharmacy.

The DHT cream IS available online and without a prescription (well there probably actually IS one). But this isn't a substitute. DHT cream is for a few applications like "junk growth". It's actually from Cypress btw. Hair loss is associated with it btw and I doubt it's strong enough to transition on (we can't post dosage info, so I can't elaborate) and VERY expensive $180 US for two very small little tube (plus shipping from Cypress). It's possible to order it.



--Jay

[onebody]

thank you aleon515, how much are the gel, patches? is the T booster herb thing also bad for the liver  ? as some ppl believe its more natural

[CursedFireDean]

T is HIGHLY toxic to the liver taken orally (otherwise), say as a pill. I don't know if this is even legal in the US.

You're right, it's not legal in the US. Or it's at least not approved by the FDA, I'm not sure if that makes it illegal.

[aleon515]

thank you aleon515, how much are the gel, patches? is the T booster herb thing also bad for the liver  ? as some ppl believe its more natural

Don't know about the patches. But I believe they aren't cheap. The gel runs $100 Us (and up) per month. Most people on the gels have good insurance which covers it. THe compounded cream is really nice and a lot cheaper. The other thing is that the cream can be made at various percentages and takes a lot less of it.

I think when something isn't approved any more (ie the pills) not much difference between being illegal, but there is sometimes a gray area. Of course it's a moot point as who wants liver damage.


--Jay

[Adam (birkin)]

Mine is $71 for 10 weeks worth. I don't have insurance or anything, and sometimes I wish it cost less, lol, but it's not too shabby.

[Bombadil]

I think Stroheckers also includes needles and syringes correct?

I got mine from Costco--it cost $60 for the testosterone and I paid $30 for syringes and needles. I think the best deal is Stroheckers. Around here its pretty standard to charge testosterone and syringes/needles separately.

I don't know about DHT cream.

So, $90 from costco for how long? I found out that my insurance excludes hormone therapy or doctor visits associated with it. It does cover surgery though.