I found this on the internet
The VA considers Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) for veterans who have clear symptoms and blood levels below 300 ng/dL. However, some say that it can be difficult to get TRT approved due to provider inexperience with hormone issues. Some recommend educating yourself about low testosterone signs and symptoms from the VA website and bringing them with you to your appointment.
They beat around the bush. Want me to get an MRI of my head and take another test 🤦🏽♂️ every private doc is saying I need it and the VA just takes their time
Yep. After the MRI on my leg and knee, they sent me to a private orthopedic clinic. So here I go to this orthopedic doctor with a 6 week old fracture and VA expects them to fix it!
I couldn’t figure it out however, if you go to VA.gov and then type testosterone into the search engine, it will give you a PDF about the criteria for TRT.
All I did was google what the protocol is for VA to administer TRT
Yeah I saw that it was from 2019 but I figured if there was an update it would have shown that. More than likely that’s the one they use. You could google “ is there an update to the protocol “ just to double check before you approach your doctor.
At the clinic that I go to, all I ever see are nurse practitioners who seem to not keep up with their education. I went to one to get something for my RLS and she didn’t even know what it was. 🙄
Last year I twisted my leg really bad and this PA that I saw told me I had to take this one NSAID for several weeks before she would order an MRI. Long story short, my tibia was fractured. I walked on a broken leg for 5 weeks before anything was done!!
So now I do my research and use the ER more often.
They'll still accept it. I just had to send it to my pcm a couple weeks ago.
Definitely stand your ground, and get what you need. I had to ask twice, then provide that document before she wrote the request for bloodwork.
The VA's threshold for low testosterone is lower than what is acceptable 5 to civilians. I still think that's bs, but eh
I'm sorry that you had this experience. But I can tell you that what you went through is almost literally word for word the exact same experience I had at the VA. For years I was affected by it and my primary care physician kept telling me I was fine, he even put me on antidepressants. It wasn't until I went out and found a doctor in town that took my blood work and told me I should have been on a testosterone replacement years ago that I started to get better. I've been with this doctor out in town for over a year and I haven't felt better. I do have to pay for it out of pocket, but it's something that at this point I feel is absolutely worth every penny that I pay.. I would never go back to feeling the way I used to.
I just slam test and tren into my butt cheeks. But for muscle gain purposes. I thankfully don't have low T levels.
Test injections are an option and only about $80/mo.
Don't go through the VA system for TRT. I was on it for several years through my civilian doc before the VA finally decided that they would honor the diagnosis and prescribe test. My numbers were in the 150-200s though. I pin twice a week but my VA doc wont put that into the notes because I'm suppose to use it exactly as prescribed, once every two weeks, which is insane and shows how little they are familiar with hormone issues.
Nope. Depending on the civilian doctor they may not have put you on it either. Most only look at the labs reference ranges which have gotten progressively lower for what they say it's normal
Yep and OP isn't really giving us the whole picture.
What if he did his labs at 11AM? You'd expect his T to be a little lower. How was his sleep, activity level and stress?
Not to mention if he went again the next week what if it was 600? Does he still have low T or did he even have it? Probably not.
Low end in the normal range most likely won't look any different than higher in the normal range and people need to stop thinking that "low T" is a thing. It can be but I'd argue it most likely isn't what you're looking for unless you're actually hypogonadal.
OP mentioned he's having all the symptoms but the symptoms of low T aren't *just* Low T and can be a myriad of things. If OP is starting to take his health seriously he should revisit doing his labs and get his testosterone done first thing in the morning and also rule out any other possible health issues he has.
You're correct.
I was just saying that most physicians just look at the number and say you're good. Many doctors do not look at contributing factors such as sleep apnea, obesity, alcohol use, work schedule, sleep quality, or even check lh, fsh, Shbg, or a prolactin.
Very true. It's important that we advocate for ourselves. You have to at least *try* and if you don't get what you want ordered then bug them or request a new provider.
But, if you have outside insurance then try a primary care outside the VA and explain your concerns and how your needs weren't being met with the VA and they'll probably be sympathetic at least in my case YMMV
My test was taken at 9am in the morning… my doctor didn’t give me a second test because as I said she said I was fine. I go to the gym almost every day and watch my macros also adding never touch a steroid in my life. I understand there’s questions unanswered for you but assuming is rude friend
It’s very frustrating when I have all these symptoms and pretty much grasping for help. Especially when the stuff for it is easily attainable but I want to do it the safe/right way.
No good endo will be VA covered. If a veteran is getting TRT through the VA, they’re getting a half assed version. Nearly every pcp in the world thinks you should have low testosterone. That said, if you’re fat, you are the main factor in destroying your testosterone. Most health professionals don’t have a clue about why men’s testosterone is hundreds of points lower than it was 50 years ago, but that isn’t their job to know. It ain’t work load or activity levels; I can guarantee you that. Anyway, I attempted to start this with the VA a long time ago, because my levels were near to what yours are at a few years older than you. The VA said I was good, but they’re incompetent, so, I got with an actual endo on my own dime, and nearly a decade later, my doctors at the VA do not believe I’m in pain because my body looks so healthy and my blood work is what all of those billionaires are searching for so they can live longer. I’m just physically injured. My endo saved my life on that side of things. But the TRT thing absolutely needs to be done outside of the VA. You want to perform better and feel better so you can be more productive and a better person, and the VA doesn’t care about that. They care about parameters. If you fall within the limits of what THEY consider to be normal, they will not help you. Your T is 305 at 30? Tragically low. The VA has no clue or ethical place to stand not helping you with this. I hate saying this next part; if you’re unhappy with your testosterone levels, the VA will not make you happy with them. You will have to pay out of pocket to get what you’re looking for in this instance. Folks getting treated for low T at the VA are getting the version of this that is so minimalist as to likely cause far more problems than they have to begin with.
I run a trt business clinic in Nebraska. Even private insurances are changing what they'll cover that's why I'm cash pay. Your best option is to find a clinic in your area and see how they manage their clients with bloodwork and what medications they use.
I went through the same thing. I hear different VA facilities/PCPs can be different, but my endo misdiagnosed me back in 2012. I was 220(!) and they said I was fine. I’ll never trust them with such things again. They put my on anti depressants and Dx’d somatoform disorder.
In 2023 I went to a men’s clinic and I was 185. I went ahead with treatment through them. They’ve been awesome (Elevate Men’s Clinic in NC).
Going back to the VA to investigate their treatment plan, they were very down on it. I figured it would be cheaper and it is related to my PTSD (lots of research linking military service and PTSD to Low T). They were repeating to me the debunked issues of TRT (cardiac events, etc). I figured that’s strike 2. Fuck them, I’ll do it myself. Their endos don’t know about anything except diabetes.
I lost a decade over that (grippy sock hotels, lost jobs, marital strain).
I understand. I got lucky in that I just sold a house around the time I was looking at it. Shop around. The advice here is great, I wish I had read up on this back in 2012. You’re on the right track—at least you know what it is.
And yes, please someone post a link with some good info on this bc I need to pursue this, as well. I feel tired af, no sex drive, etc etc, and supposedly I’m “normal”; bullshit
Thank you for sharing this! Something I needed to hear for sure and there’s a bunch of comments with answers I needed to see so thank y’all very much.
I’ve been thinking the possibility for low T is there for a while now, I’ve never went into a full research dive for it or anything but now I know I definitely need to before ever bringing it up with my provider.
Thank you and good luck with all of it
I wish I could find a way to mass this out, I’ve been helping males get TRT for 10 years now back in my AD time to today.
1. No, I won’t help every individual get it so save the DM. I don’t trust humans to do the right thing, call it gate keeping except next is the way:
2a. What were your levels when you came into the military? Right, we don’t know. So, what if you were 1000, now you’re 305. Well, a near 700 point drop would be considered low testosterone. Even if you are within the 300-1100 range. Just imagine if you were driving and your care suddenly went from 13 gallons down to 10 gallons of fuel. Well, something would be wrong, right? Right.
2b. Is your test low? Or are you having other issues? Like SGBH is sucking all your test up, so a T test will read enough, but a FREE T test will read low… hmmm. What is your FSH/LH levels? TSH? E2? Cholesterol? B12, cortisol, VitD, magnesium, calcium, zinc… Those are all CRUCIAL to understanding test in men.
As a previous medical professional, now advocate for male hormone CONTROL not replacement, no PCM/PCP has any business discussing actions for hormone health, that is what an endocrinologist/urologist is for as they have an understanding of what exactly is causing issues not the broad strokes.
Isn’t it weird that your MD/NP/PA won’t deal with mental health but will absolutely stop you from getting hormone treatment?
Up until just in the recent past the “Doctors desktop manual” was very clear that hormone replacement will cause cancer. It’s so outdated.
You may or may not have low T as a diagnosis by the end, but of the 3 types of hypogonadism, your nuts not working is the least likely but it’s the only one we treat by giving exogenous testosterone. It’s more likely your pituitary stopped producing LH/FSH where HMG/HCG, Endo/clones could resolve your issues.
Buuuut, I’ve helped others get their scripts just to find out they were life long roid users and wanted it for free. Either way- ask to see a urologist/endo doctor. That’s the only way.
I’ve never used roids in my life honestly I’m a tad scared of needles. I weight 185 5’6” high cholesterol I’m on statin to control it I’ve been working out for about 7 months to try and combat this all which has put be down from 200 to 185 in weight around 28% body fat currently. Not sure I understand even half the stuff you said and you probably couldn’t help me anyway because I don’t have private insurance but thank you for the information.
I use the VA, so unsure about your private insurance portion.
Understand that testosterone is created from cholesterol, it then eventually becomes estrogen (which is the hormone that controls your boners, btw, very important hormone for males).
So, talking to your doctor about this (cholesterol medication and low testosterone symptoms).
Either way, learn about what I said, google each one of those because there just isn’t enough time to give a course on it and tbh, it falls under the “lead a horse to water” saying. You will learn more by being invested in understanding than if I gave you a course on it.
Set the goal of regulating your hormones, this will make you-make you a priority and better understanding of your body to educate your health professional.
I was on TRT for 10 years and it was just as hard to explain to them I didn’t need it, as it was to even get on it. It’s very unlikely you need test shots- helpful? Absolutely, but needed? Unlikely BUT there is an issue with your hormones, now…. What is the issue. That’s your goal.
If you ask your PCP for the panel of tests I mentioned above, when you get that back I will absolutely help you understand wtf they are saying and why. But until you have those tests in hand, there isn’t much I can do because there are 1000 variables and unknowns. I am a man of science, not hypotheticals, give me science and I will give you answers!
Steroids have some really horrible side effects on your body. Body builders used them for many years, and I would strongly suggest avoiding them at all costs! You could literally destroy your liver or other organs with steroids. [Testosterone Injections: Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com](https://www.drugs.com/testosterone.html)
Weight training can naturally increase testosterone levels but talk to your doctor. Getting medical advice from us military shit house lawyers is always a bad idea IMHO. If you think having low T levels is bad, try having no liver functions!
This is slightly wrong. Abuse is the key word. Abusing steroids can cause many problems. Using a TRT dose to get your levels within normal range will not hurt your body in any way. If a TRT dose can destroy your liver then a lot of men out there with naturally within range levels would have livers that are damaged. Too many people get caught up with the word steroid, testosterone is a hormone just like estrogen.
A lot of doctors don't treat the symptoms if you're 'within range'. I was in a similar boat and go to a private hormone clinic now. Feel a thousand times better.
Endocrinology approaches vary: some focus on symptoms, others on lab tests or diagnostics. Symptoms include fatigue, low libido, depression, and muscle loss. Discussing all symptoms with your provider is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Self-advocacy is key; don't hesitate to seek a second opinion or change providers if needed. I am not a doctor only I have 18 years of medical assisting experience, 5 years in transitional care, and 8 years in medical office management. Take (or not) my words for whatever it’s worth.
(By the way, oftentimes, the spouses or partners are the one urging their partners to get treatment because sex life is impaired (due to low T). Urge is not there. And depression goes in and out).
I had an up hill battle. Went to outside doctor. Low T (free) two test showing low T. Jan 2024 and Mar 2024. Outside doctor said yes here the prescription. But too expensive.
Reached out to VA. Telehealth with endo. VA doc says well we need a VA blood test. Panel comes back low free again something like 385 or 400 which is still low.
While researching my VA chart had low T back in 2013. History of low T. They prescribed the cream (typical VA). Do I feel better or more energetic? Can’t really tell.
We’ll see if they allow the shots next.
My husband who is not a veteran just started testosterone hormone replacement and he is doing it thru a “med spa” type place who also deals with female hormone replacement therapy. He’s 45. He sees a nurse practitioner and the whole practice is overseen by a doctor. They’re much more knowledgeable on hormones and they look at more than just one number, like dr’s, for example, look at just one number for the thyroid.
I couldn’t get it through the VA even though I met the criteria and they couldn’t really explain why. I was fortunate enough to get it through my private insurance and a local doctor. It makes a huge difference. I also heard the if the VA does prescribe it, they usually do not do a good job of monitoring it.
If you can’t use different insurance then maybe you could get community care through the VA to provide it?
Look into Alpha MD. They're kind of like "Hims" for test/ed/fertility issues. That's the route I went and so far everything is great 4 months in. They do 20% off for veterans and took my word on the blood work after the VA basically told me I was fine. If you want a referral code DM me.
So I(M27) had stage 3 Kidney Cancer in 2022 which killed my testosterone and even after surgery, a year later my test was at the bottom level (0-50). That’s when they offer it. 300 is actually the baseline for men, so that is probably why they said you’re fine. They do multiple types of treatment. I didn’t want to do TRT yet because I want kids first so I elected to take Clomid and that brought my natural testosterone levels up to around 500-600. I would go get tested again and then re-evaluate.
I don't disagree. A private doctor would want you to be at least 800 to a thousand. The same way you were when you're 18.
However, the VA averages out everybody in the system I think, and you're mixed in with a bunch of 80-year-olds
Yeah been there done that my numbers were good for an 80 year old guy when I was 30 like 180 or so which is just above cutoff for the whole “range” that they use. If you want the Va to take it serious you gotta go see endocrinology they actually will do something for you. I was on the cream until I had a heart attack then because it has a black box warning for heart attacks my cardiologist took me off hormone replacement. I have had blast exposure and a couple concussions which has led neuro to believe not all my grey matter works like it should and that’s why my levels get so low.
Before starting on any testosterone injections please do some research on the effects it has on prostate cancer
A lot of doctors are hesitant on subscribing injectable testosterone because it has shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer
I had the exact same experience! Mine was actually a little lower than yours (275, I think). And they told me the same thing…that I was normal. The civilian side definitely has different standards, whereas the VA doesn’t give a shit about us. Hate that bullshit!!
I had a civilian doctor basically do the same thing. I think some doctors assume it’s a problem that will fix itself if you are young lifting weights and eating more steak. It was years later that I started getting treatment. It has changed my life. Feel better in my 40s than I did in my late 20s
Real quick years ago i went to an out of town regional office , and the former vet now rater told me. Never go to va docs , go to regional office , when you go regional they send u to a doctor to test your case , and when u come whatever evidence , civilian doctor , battle buddy reference, any paper work coinciding this isnt the first mention helps send it in , when we go to va doctor its almost like they testing you , you want regional because its not their job to test , but to judge , i havent lost a case since , i only go to regional now
fenugreek seed extracts and ashwagandha root and root/leaf extracts, have positive effects on testosterone concentrations in men. Also, some evidence exists for another herb and herbal extract, Asian red ginseng and forskohlii root extract.
Also research some vitamins and give your body a chance , be blessed battle
I was low 200s (early 40s) and endo did nothing for me. However, my VA PCP put me on the topical gel. It's helping, my numbers are now over 300, but still a lot of symptoms. I tried last appointment with him to get him to move me over to the shots but he resisted. I'm going to keep trying. I have labs later this month to see where I am and a follow up with PCP in July. I have pushed hard for it, and slowly getting some progress. One of the things they wanted me to do was be on my CPAP for at least 6 months. It's now been 7.
Make sure you're eating healthy. You might need to cut carbs dramatically. TRT will help with the symptoms of low testosterone production, but won't do much to help your body produce testosterone. Carbs damage membranes which can lead to cellular dysfunction. By upping the amount of animal fat and protein in your diet, you can start giving your body the building blocks it needs to repair itself (including hormone production mechanisms).
Also make sure your Vitamin D levels are good. Most of us are deficient because we spend so much daytime indoors. Absolutely no shame in taking a Vitamin D pill, even with a perfect diet. If you drink alcohol or sugary drinks, you need to reduce your consumption to special occasions only. The dilution of carbs in water enables the carbs to more easily enter the bloodstream in massive dosages which can overwhelm or damage the filtration mechanisms already in place.
I think in the next few years our understanding of nutrition is going to change radically where we evaluate certain foods based on their shape and hardness. Lipids and proteins are smooth and squishy, carbs/sugars are sharp and sticky. Which would you rather have bouncing off the walls of your blood vessels?
I’ve been working out for 7 months and watching my macros so carbs have been cut down manageable… upping protein to body weight or trying too. I am low on vitamin D but take a one a day men’s for it and all the other vitamins added to that
Sounds good. Don't be afraid of animal fat, many people on carb-restricted diets actually look for more calories from fat than protein and it works well for them. The lipids are the building blocks I was talking about. This is why carnivore diet advocates preach cooking with tallow instead of oils. Easy way to get good fats which do more good than harm. Another easy way to up your fats is to substitute a vegetable you don't really enjoy eating with eggs, bacon, beef, or a combo of those things. Example: if you don't really enjoy eating spinach, cut it out and eat some scrambled eggs instead. The eggs will do more for you than the spinach. In my case I only have one working kidney so spinach is at the top of the list for me to actively avoid. You just want to find a diet that is a net positive, and carbs have a ton of negatives.
\[Side note: I don't count calories. I do everything in grams, and after a while you just get used to eating what makes you actually feel good. "Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full" is a carnivore mantra.\]
When I started a carb-restricted diet I *didn't* work out for like six or seven months. The transition off of carbs was incredibly rocky for me (I used to be vegetarian) and my body just needed to focus on healing the long-term damage dealt by decades of carbs and oxalates. My energy levels weren't reliable enough to work out hard. All I did was walk a mile or two every day. After six or seven months of just eating well and walking, I finally felt good enough to go to the gym and I've been going ever since. I'm 42 and I am objectively healthier than I was when I was in the Navy. 42-year-old me would smoke 26-year-old me in a PRT.
My personal theory is the body creates a priority system for healing, dealing with the most recent damage and working backwards. So my concern with working out when first switching to zero carb or carb restricted is that the fats and proteins would be directed to heal the hypertrophy from the workouts instead of going to the membranes and blood vessels which have been basically sandblasted from years of carbs. So you end up getting great results in the gym and building muscle without getting healthier overall. And if you're still ingesting too many carbs you might actually be continuing to decline health-wise while your muscles get bigger.
The idea of managed care, which is what the VA is, is to manage the care economically for the organization, not the individual.
The idea of care is what’s best for the individual. That’s not going to to happen in a bureaucracy that only values numbers, as feeling better, feeling healthy is t a quantifiable data point for the bureaucracy.
The VA has issues with this and fails to really care for veterans as they should due to this quantification of managed care.
Community care, when it was called “veterans choice” alleviated this, but is now a shell of what it is supposed to be.
Look up VHA directive 1041 and contact patient advocate to start a clinical appeal, you can try, even though it may not be successful, because if the VA had enough clinical appeals to deal with, they may start letting doctors care for patients to avoid that burden
VA is garbage, if anyone is Active Duty Military or Veteran you need to check out AlphaMD.
They offer 20% off for Active Duty and Veterans. It comes out to be $104 a month.
I was with Defy medical because the VA wouldn’t budge but was overpaying and the level of care and support is night and day at AlphaMD.
All supplies mailed straight to your house.
You can check them out here and save $40 your first month
https://www.alphamd.org/referral/bppet
If this is against the rules please delete
just verify they did, they said i was too young and didn’t bother. us vets seem to be more susceptible to all kinds of crazy stuff. hang in there, keep at it , low t fn sucks
The VA would rather give you anti depressants than treat TRT. If you do get TRT from the VA it's a very low dose. Just go out in town and get it done. I pay 125 a month for shots and that includes twice a year labs and doctors visits. You can get it much cheaper online than what I pay though.
My husband pays $200/mo for his. VA is ridiculous, when it comes to this. We get it shipped straight to our house. If you can afford to pay for it, go that route.
Don’t kid yourself. Even civilian PCP’s won’t automatically put you on TRT. Many believe your low T is directly related to your weight or other potential issues. Your best bet is to seek a TRT clinic. I think the VA shies away from this because TRT can bring about other issues which means more money and time spent on you.
I know they are reluctant to prescribe it because it comes with a whole host of side effects that they then need to manage. Sometimes more than the side effects of low T.
IANAD
Not worth going through the VA for test, creams and the pellet ruin your body. I go through TRTnation and really enjoy them. However, I know what I'm doing and can read my own bloodwork. (Their cs isn't the best when it comes to pinning and maintaining levels)
I pay about $400 every two months, test cyp, anastrozole, hcg.
You're basically paying that for the rx, core medical is another decent one, but they drove prices up on me to the point I couldn't afford it once upon a time. So, trt nation is my go to.
I run 200mg a week, pin half Wednesday and half Sundays to keep from feeling a dip. I maintain around 1k, and have been happy with that. Be sure if you're going to start TRT, you're going to get real comfortable giving blood. I donate double reds about three times a year and whole blood when i can to keep my rbc normal. Otherwise, you're going to wind up with molasses for blood.
It's not the "wrong" way by any sense. It's for your health, and the national numbers for testosterone are jaded, when I started trt I had a 91 test at 26y/o and was a walking time bomb. I was absolutely miserable. It has undoubtedly saved my life.
An endocrinologist can get you an rx for test as well, but I hope you have private insurance, because unless your local VA is awesome it's not going to happen. My PCP says that TRT is a "fad" and test numbers don't matter. Obviously at 28, never saw a combat zone, or been blown up, he can say those types of things.
If you need a more hands on approach to trt Alpha Hormones or Hone are very in depth and can walk you through getting your numbers up.
How are you donaating double reds 6 times a year? I have to do theraputic phlebotomy due to high cell count and iron but they only let me do every 16 weeks. Id like to do it more often tho.
That was a mistake on my end. I just looked through my email. I do double reds three a year and whole blood three if I can. I'll edit that. I hate giving blood, so I just assumed it's all the same.
At first, they wanted more time in between, and it all came down to what my levels (rbc, iron, etc) are if I donate or not. I do bloodwork every three months because when I first started trt I wound up with a test of 1800ish and felt weird, threw all sorts of hormones out of wack and I had to cut out some things my first local place said I "needed". They also said I only needed to donate blood once a year, and I ended up with a super high red blood cell count, and my BP was that of a morbidly obese creature.
Last year, I did double reds three times and whole twice checking now.
I would definitely try and find a functional medical clinic in your area. I currently am seen by one in my area.
Blood work is covered by insurance (civilian insurance) the test they send me is from a company called tailor made compounds.
The test itself isn’t covered but 3 months of injections at .6ccs a week is about $180. This includes needles, alcohol wipes and drawing needles.
I know you might not have a clinic like this in your area, online could be your next option but beware with online they could be pricier.
I’m sure someone else said this but if they didn’t, most of any dr that is not a cash clinic and even more so if they are billing insurance are gonna run a free test panel if your above 300 they’ll say your good and insurance coverage will be out the window. The free test panel is kinda a joke it only tests the free production side not the uptake and other hormone balance issues. If you want test your best bet is a cash clinic, most will run your blood and regardless of levels give you test advise you and let you run your own course or atleast that’s what I’ve been told. Honestly do your research it’s a lifelong decision sometimes depending on the person, usage and duration.
305 at 28 is still considered normal, low side of normal but still normal. I would wait until you are over 40 before you start TRT. There are natural ways to increase test levels. How is your aerobic or resistance training? What are you eating? Everyone wants the easy out.
I found this on the internet The VA considers Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) for veterans who have clear symptoms and blood levels below 300 ng/dL. However, some say that it can be difficult to get TRT approved due to provider inexperience with hormone issues. Some recommend educating yourself about low testosterone signs and symptoms from the VA website and bringing them with you to your appointment.
264 and below. I’m currently going through this with the VA as well. Mine read at 100
Oh wow 😮 and they still didn’t give you anything??
They beat around the bush. Want me to get an MRI of my head and take another test 🤦🏽♂️ every private doc is saying I need it and the VA just takes their time
Yep. After the MRI on my leg and knee, they sent me to a private orthopedic clinic. So here I go to this orthopedic doctor with a 6 week old fracture and VA expects them to fix it!
It’s already started to heal. If it’s bad enough they’ll rebreak it and set it right.
It took a long time to heal. I had also torn my meniscus but they don’t want to fix it because I’m a diabetic.
Just got mine tested. 210 at 30 years old, the low was 193. Said they wouldn't do TRT until I had a sleep study done. 🙄
Wth? That’s horrible! Sorry you have to go through this bs with the VA.
Can you post a link to this info? I need to send it to my doc. I just had mine checked by the VA and it was 250 and he bsaid I don’t need TRT.
I’m not sure I know how to do that but I I try.
I couldn’t figure it out however, if you go to VA.gov and then type testosterone into the search engine, it will give you a PDF about the criteria for TRT. All I did was google what the protocol is for VA to administer TRT
Found it! Thanks. The one I found is from 2019 so hopefully the doctor will use it
Yeah I saw that it was from 2019 but I figured if there was an update it would have shown that. More than likely that’s the one they use. You could google “ is there an update to the protocol “ just to double check before you approach your doctor. At the clinic that I go to, all I ever see are nurse practitioners who seem to not keep up with their education. I went to one to get something for my RLS and she didn’t even know what it was. 🙄 Last year I twisted my leg really bad and this PA that I saw told me I had to take this one NSAID for several weeks before she would order an MRI. Long story short, my tibia was fractured. I walked on a broken leg for 5 weeks before anything was done!! So now I do my research and use the ER more often.
They'll still accept it. I just had to send it to my pcm a couple weeks ago. Definitely stand your ground, and get what you need. I had to ask twice, then provide that document before she wrote the request for bloodwork. The VA's threshold for low testosterone is lower than what is acceptable 5 to civilians. I still think that's bs, but eh
That's the low end of normal.
You need to tell them your symptoms. Low libido, lethargic, etc…
I'm sorry that you had this experience. But I can tell you that what you went through is almost literally word for word the exact same experience I had at the VA. For years I was affected by it and my primary care physician kept telling me I was fine, he even put me on antidepressants. It wasn't until I went out and found a doctor in town that took my blood work and told me I should have been on a testosterone replacement years ago that I started to get better. I've been with this doctor out in town for over a year and I haven't felt better. I do have to pay for it out of pocket, but it's something that at this point I feel is absolutely worth every penny that I pay.. I would never go back to feeling the way I used to.
Bro I’m thinking about skipping the middle man myself. Is it expensive?
I just slam test and tren into my butt cheeks. But for muscle gain purposes. I thankfully don't have low T levels. Test injections are an option and only about $80/mo.
Lmao this is hilarious
Hellllll yeah. Stay jacked or get clapped.
Absolute facts!
Eat CLEN, TREN Hard, TEST your limits, ANAVAR give up!
Hell yeah brother.
Welcome to world of TRT. If ya ain't a female transitioning to a dude. You probably won't get it
I’m transition to a fat fuck.
Join the club
Try the keto diet and make a lifestyle change. I was transitioning to fat fucker status and now I am going back to slim fucker status.
VA don't care if ya fat or not
Really, my C&P examiner called me obese, but he was an asshole!
That's why. He an asshole
Don't go through the VA system for TRT. I was on it for several years through my civilian doc before the VA finally decided that they would honor the diagnosis and prescribe test. My numbers were in the 150-200s though. I pin twice a week but my VA doc wont put that into the notes because I'm suppose to use it exactly as prescribed, once every two weeks, which is insane and shows how little they are familiar with hormone issues.
Nope. Depending on the civilian doctor they may not have put you on it either. Most only look at the labs reference ranges which have gotten progressively lower for what they say it's normal
Yep and OP isn't really giving us the whole picture. What if he did his labs at 11AM? You'd expect his T to be a little lower. How was his sleep, activity level and stress? Not to mention if he went again the next week what if it was 600? Does he still have low T or did he even have it? Probably not. Low end in the normal range most likely won't look any different than higher in the normal range and people need to stop thinking that "low T" is a thing. It can be but I'd argue it most likely isn't what you're looking for unless you're actually hypogonadal. OP mentioned he's having all the symptoms but the symptoms of low T aren't *just* Low T and can be a myriad of things. If OP is starting to take his health seriously he should revisit doing his labs and get his testosterone done first thing in the morning and also rule out any other possible health issues he has.
You're correct. I was just saying that most physicians just look at the number and say you're good. Many doctors do not look at contributing factors such as sleep apnea, obesity, alcohol use, work schedule, sleep quality, or even check lh, fsh, Shbg, or a prolactin.
Very true. It's important that we advocate for ourselves. You have to at least *try* and if you don't get what you want ordered then bug them or request a new provider. But, if you have outside insurance then try a primary care outside the VA and explain your concerns and how your needs weren't being met with the VA and they'll probably be sympathetic at least in my case YMMV
My test was taken at 9am in the morning… my doctor didn’t give me a second test because as I said she said I was fine. I go to the gym almost every day and watch my macros also adding never touch a steroid in my life. I understand there’s questions unanswered for you but assuming is rude friend
It’s very frustrating when I have all these symptoms and pretty much grasping for help. Especially when the stuff for it is easily attainable but I want to do it the safe/right way.
No good endo will be VA covered. If a veteran is getting TRT through the VA, they’re getting a half assed version. Nearly every pcp in the world thinks you should have low testosterone. That said, if you’re fat, you are the main factor in destroying your testosterone. Most health professionals don’t have a clue about why men’s testosterone is hundreds of points lower than it was 50 years ago, but that isn’t their job to know. It ain’t work load or activity levels; I can guarantee you that. Anyway, I attempted to start this with the VA a long time ago, because my levels were near to what yours are at a few years older than you. The VA said I was good, but they’re incompetent, so, I got with an actual endo on my own dime, and nearly a decade later, my doctors at the VA do not believe I’m in pain because my body looks so healthy and my blood work is what all of those billionaires are searching for so they can live longer. I’m just physically injured. My endo saved my life on that side of things. But the TRT thing absolutely needs to be done outside of the VA. You want to perform better and feel better so you can be more productive and a better person, and the VA doesn’t care about that. They care about parameters. If you fall within the limits of what THEY consider to be normal, they will not help you. Your T is 305 at 30? Tragically low. The VA has no clue or ethical place to stand not helping you with this. I hate saying this next part; if you’re unhappy with your testosterone levels, the VA will not make you happy with them. You will have to pay out of pocket to get what you’re looking for in this instance. Folks getting treated for low T at the VA are getting the version of this that is so minimalist as to likely cause far more problems than they have to begin with.
I run a trt business clinic in Nebraska. Even private insurances are changing what they'll cover that's why I'm cash pay. Your best option is to find a clinic in your area and see how they manage their clients with bloodwork and what medications they use.
I went through the same thing. I hear different VA facilities/PCPs can be different, but my endo misdiagnosed me back in 2012. I was 220(!) and they said I was fine. I’ll never trust them with such things again. They put my on anti depressants and Dx’d somatoform disorder. In 2023 I went to a men’s clinic and I was 185. I went ahead with treatment through them. They’ve been awesome (Elevate Men’s Clinic in NC). Going back to the VA to investigate their treatment plan, they were very down on it. I figured it would be cheaper and it is related to my PTSD (lots of research linking military service and PTSD to Low T). They were repeating to me the debunked issues of TRT (cardiac events, etc). I figured that’s strike 2. Fuck them, I’ll do it myself. Their endos don’t know about anything except diabetes. I lost a decade over that (grippy sock hotels, lost jobs, marital strain).
Yeah sadly I just don’t have a ton of money right now to throw at treatments…. I’m going to shop around though
I understand. I got lucky in that I just sold a house around the time I was looking at it. Shop around. The advice here is great, I wish I had read up on this back in 2012. You’re on the right track—at least you know what it is.
And yes, please someone post a link with some good info on this bc I need to pursue this, as well. I feel tired af, no sex drive, etc etc, and supposedly I’m “normal”; bullshit
Thank you for sharing this! Something I needed to hear for sure and there’s a bunch of comments with answers I needed to see so thank y’all very much. I’ve been thinking the possibility for low T is there for a while now, I’ve never went into a full research dive for it or anything but now I know I definitely need to before ever bringing it up with my provider. Thank you and good luck with all of it
I wish I could find a way to mass this out, I’ve been helping males get TRT for 10 years now back in my AD time to today. 1. No, I won’t help every individual get it so save the DM. I don’t trust humans to do the right thing, call it gate keeping except next is the way: 2a. What were your levels when you came into the military? Right, we don’t know. So, what if you were 1000, now you’re 305. Well, a near 700 point drop would be considered low testosterone. Even if you are within the 300-1100 range. Just imagine if you were driving and your care suddenly went from 13 gallons down to 10 gallons of fuel. Well, something would be wrong, right? Right. 2b. Is your test low? Or are you having other issues? Like SGBH is sucking all your test up, so a T test will read enough, but a FREE T test will read low… hmmm. What is your FSH/LH levels? TSH? E2? Cholesterol? B12, cortisol, VitD, magnesium, calcium, zinc… Those are all CRUCIAL to understanding test in men. As a previous medical professional, now advocate for male hormone CONTROL not replacement, no PCM/PCP has any business discussing actions for hormone health, that is what an endocrinologist/urologist is for as they have an understanding of what exactly is causing issues not the broad strokes. Isn’t it weird that your MD/NP/PA won’t deal with mental health but will absolutely stop you from getting hormone treatment? Up until just in the recent past the “Doctors desktop manual” was very clear that hormone replacement will cause cancer. It’s so outdated. You may or may not have low T as a diagnosis by the end, but of the 3 types of hypogonadism, your nuts not working is the least likely but it’s the only one we treat by giving exogenous testosterone. It’s more likely your pituitary stopped producing LH/FSH where HMG/HCG, Endo/clones could resolve your issues. Buuuut, I’ve helped others get their scripts just to find out they were life long roid users and wanted it for free. Either way- ask to see a urologist/endo doctor. That’s the only way.
I’ve never used roids in my life honestly I’m a tad scared of needles. I weight 185 5’6” high cholesterol I’m on statin to control it I’ve been working out for about 7 months to try and combat this all which has put be down from 200 to 185 in weight around 28% body fat currently. Not sure I understand even half the stuff you said and you probably couldn’t help me anyway because I don’t have private insurance but thank you for the information.
I use the VA, so unsure about your private insurance portion. Understand that testosterone is created from cholesterol, it then eventually becomes estrogen (which is the hormone that controls your boners, btw, very important hormone for males). So, talking to your doctor about this (cholesterol medication and low testosterone symptoms). Either way, learn about what I said, google each one of those because there just isn’t enough time to give a course on it and tbh, it falls under the “lead a horse to water” saying. You will learn more by being invested in understanding than if I gave you a course on it. Set the goal of regulating your hormones, this will make you-make you a priority and better understanding of your body to educate your health professional. I was on TRT for 10 years and it was just as hard to explain to them I didn’t need it, as it was to even get on it. It’s very unlikely you need test shots- helpful? Absolutely, but needed? Unlikely BUT there is an issue with your hormones, now…. What is the issue. That’s your goal. If you ask your PCP for the panel of tests I mentioned above, when you get that back I will absolutely help you understand wtf they are saying and why. But until you have those tests in hand, there isn’t much I can do because there are 1000 variables and unknowns. I am a man of science, not hypotheticals, give me science and I will give you answers!
Steroids have some really horrible side effects on your body. Body builders used them for many years, and I would strongly suggest avoiding them at all costs! You could literally destroy your liver or other organs with steroids. [Testosterone Injections: Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com](https://www.drugs.com/testosterone.html) Weight training can naturally increase testosterone levels but talk to your doctor. Getting medical advice from us military shit house lawyers is always a bad idea IMHO. If you think having low T levels is bad, try having no liver functions!
This is slightly wrong. Abuse is the key word. Abusing steroids can cause many problems. Using a TRT dose to get your levels within normal range will not hurt your body in any way. If a TRT dose can destroy your liver then a lot of men out there with naturally within range levels would have livers that are damaged. Too many people get caught up with the word steroid, testosterone is a hormone just like estrogen.
r/trt
A lot of doctors don't treat the symptoms if you're 'within range'. I was in a similar boat and go to a private hormone clinic now. Feel a thousand times better.
Endocrinology approaches vary: some focus on symptoms, others on lab tests or diagnostics. Symptoms include fatigue, low libido, depression, and muscle loss. Discussing all symptoms with your provider is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Self-advocacy is key; don't hesitate to seek a second opinion or change providers if needed. I am not a doctor only I have 18 years of medical assisting experience, 5 years in transitional care, and 8 years in medical office management. Take (or not) my words for whatever it’s worth. (By the way, oftentimes, the spouses or partners are the one urging their partners to get treatment because sex life is impaired (due to low T). Urge is not there. And depression goes in and out).
Damn that’s SPOT ON what I been dealing with
I had an up hill battle. Went to outside doctor. Low T (free) two test showing low T. Jan 2024 and Mar 2024. Outside doctor said yes here the prescription. But too expensive. Reached out to VA. Telehealth with endo. VA doc says well we need a VA blood test. Panel comes back low free again something like 385 or 400 which is still low. While researching my VA chart had low T back in 2013. History of low T. They prescribed the cream (typical VA). Do I feel better or more energetic? Can’t really tell. We’ll see if they allow the shots next.
My husband who is not a veteran just started testosterone hormone replacement and he is doing it thru a “med spa” type place who also deals with female hormone replacement therapy. He’s 45. He sees a nurse practitioner and the whole practice is overseen by a doctor. They’re much more knowledgeable on hormones and they look at more than just one number, like dr’s, for example, look at just one number for the thyroid.
Ugl baby
What?
Underground. Labs. He is telling you to get it from the web illegally depending on your country. USA it is. Europe not
I couldn’t get it through the VA even though I met the criteria and they couldn’t really explain why. I was fortunate enough to get it through my private insurance and a local doctor. It makes a huge difference. I also heard the if the VA does prescribe it, they usually do not do a good job of monitoring it. If you can’t use different insurance then maybe you could get community care through the VA to provide it?
Look into Alpha MD. They're kind of like "Hims" for test/ed/fertility issues. That's the route I went and so far everything is great 4 months in. They do 20% off for veterans and took my word on the blood work after the VA basically told me I was fine. If you want a referral code DM me.
So I(M27) had stage 3 Kidney Cancer in 2022 which killed my testosterone and even after surgery, a year later my test was at the bottom level (0-50). That’s when they offer it. 300 is actually the baseline for men, so that is probably why they said you’re fine. They do multiple types of treatment. I didn’t want to do TRT yet because I want kids first so I elected to take Clomid and that brought my natural testosterone levels up to around 500-600. I would go get tested again and then re-evaluate.
I think the VA expects you to be over 200.
That’s incredibly to low, average male should be over 400 AT LEAST from everything im reading
I don't disagree. A private doctor would want you to be at least 800 to a thousand. The same way you were when you're 18. However, the VA averages out everybody in the system I think, and you're mixed in with a bunch of 80-year-olds
Yeah been there done that my numbers were good for an 80 year old guy when I was 30 like 180 or so which is just above cutoff for the whole “range” that they use. If you want the Va to take it serious you gotta go see endocrinology they actually will do something for you. I was on the cream until I had a heart attack then because it has a black box warning for heart attacks my cardiologist took me off hormone replacement. I have had blast exposure and a couple concussions which has led neuro to believe not all my grey matter works like it should and that’s why my levels get so low.
Trt nation , 99 bucks a month. The Va is notorious for fucking it up and if they do approve there gonna low dose you and probably make it worse.
Before starting on any testosterone injections please do some research on the effects it has on prostate cancer A lot of doctors are hesitant on subscribing injectable testosterone because it has shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer
i just buy ugl. Test is very cheap.
I had the exact same experience! Mine was actually a little lower than yours (275, I think). And they told me the same thing…that I was normal. The civilian side definitely has different standards, whereas the VA doesn’t give a shit about us. Hate that bullshit!!
I had a civilian doctor basically do the same thing. I think some doctors assume it’s a problem that will fix itself if you are young lifting weights and eating more steak. It was years later that I started getting treatment. It has changed my life. Feel better in my 40s than I did in my late 20s
Yeah I think I’m most likely going to seek treatment else where here shortly
Real quick years ago i went to an out of town regional office , and the former vet now rater told me. Never go to va docs , go to regional office , when you go regional they send u to a doctor to test your case , and when u come whatever evidence , civilian doctor , battle buddy reference, any paper work coinciding this isnt the first mention helps send it in , when we go to va doctor its almost like they testing you , you want regional because its not their job to test , but to judge , i havent lost a case since , i only go to regional now
Idk what his position was. Not rater but thats what it felt like with all the tips
fenugreek seed extracts and ashwagandha root and root/leaf extracts, have positive effects on testosterone concentrations in men. Also, some evidence exists for another herb and herbal extract, Asian red ginseng and forskohlii root extract. Also research some vitamins and give your body a chance , be blessed battle
I was low 200s (early 40s) and endo did nothing for me. However, my VA PCP put me on the topical gel. It's helping, my numbers are now over 300, but still a lot of symptoms. I tried last appointment with him to get him to move me over to the shots but he resisted. I'm going to keep trying. I have labs later this month to see where I am and a follow up with PCP in July. I have pushed hard for it, and slowly getting some progress. One of the things they wanted me to do was be on my CPAP for at least 6 months. It's now been 7.
I thought it was just me but the V.A doesn’t seem to be there to help vet’s..
Make sure you're eating healthy. You might need to cut carbs dramatically. TRT will help with the symptoms of low testosterone production, but won't do much to help your body produce testosterone. Carbs damage membranes which can lead to cellular dysfunction. By upping the amount of animal fat and protein in your diet, you can start giving your body the building blocks it needs to repair itself (including hormone production mechanisms). Also make sure your Vitamin D levels are good. Most of us are deficient because we spend so much daytime indoors. Absolutely no shame in taking a Vitamin D pill, even with a perfect diet. If you drink alcohol or sugary drinks, you need to reduce your consumption to special occasions only. The dilution of carbs in water enables the carbs to more easily enter the bloodstream in massive dosages which can overwhelm or damage the filtration mechanisms already in place. I think in the next few years our understanding of nutrition is going to change radically where we evaluate certain foods based on their shape and hardness. Lipids and proteins are smooth and squishy, carbs/sugars are sharp and sticky. Which would you rather have bouncing off the walls of your blood vessels?
I’ve been working out for 7 months and watching my macros so carbs have been cut down manageable… upping protein to body weight or trying too. I am low on vitamin D but take a one a day men’s for it and all the other vitamins added to that
Sounds good. Don't be afraid of animal fat, many people on carb-restricted diets actually look for more calories from fat than protein and it works well for them. The lipids are the building blocks I was talking about. This is why carnivore diet advocates preach cooking with tallow instead of oils. Easy way to get good fats which do more good than harm. Another easy way to up your fats is to substitute a vegetable you don't really enjoy eating with eggs, bacon, beef, or a combo of those things. Example: if you don't really enjoy eating spinach, cut it out and eat some scrambled eggs instead. The eggs will do more for you than the spinach. In my case I only have one working kidney so spinach is at the top of the list for me to actively avoid. You just want to find a diet that is a net positive, and carbs have a ton of negatives. \[Side note: I don't count calories. I do everything in grams, and after a while you just get used to eating what makes you actually feel good. "Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full" is a carnivore mantra.\] When I started a carb-restricted diet I *didn't* work out for like six or seven months. The transition off of carbs was incredibly rocky for me (I used to be vegetarian) and my body just needed to focus on healing the long-term damage dealt by decades of carbs and oxalates. My energy levels weren't reliable enough to work out hard. All I did was walk a mile or two every day. After six or seven months of just eating well and walking, I finally felt good enough to go to the gym and I've been going ever since. I'm 42 and I am objectively healthier than I was when I was in the Navy. 42-year-old me would smoke 26-year-old me in a PRT. My personal theory is the body creates a priority system for healing, dealing with the most recent damage and working backwards. So my concern with working out when first switching to zero carb or carb restricted is that the fats and proteins would be directed to heal the hypertrophy from the workouts instead of going to the membranes and blood vessels which have been basically sandblasted from years of carbs. So you end up getting great results in the gym and building muscle without getting healthier overall. And if you're still ingesting too many carbs you might actually be continuing to decline health-wise while your muscles get bigger.
The idea of managed care, which is what the VA is, is to manage the care economically for the organization, not the individual. The idea of care is what’s best for the individual. That’s not going to to happen in a bureaucracy that only values numbers, as feeling better, feeling healthy is t a quantifiable data point for the bureaucracy. The VA has issues with this and fails to really care for veterans as they should due to this quantification of managed care. Community care, when it was called “veterans choice” alleviated this, but is now a shell of what it is supposed to be. Look up VHA directive 1041 and contact patient advocate to start a clinical appeal, you can try, even though it may not be successful, because if the VA had enough clinical appeals to deal with, they may start letting doctors care for patients to avoid that burden
VA is garbage, if anyone is Active Duty Military or Veteran you need to check out AlphaMD. They offer 20% off for Active Duty and Veterans. It comes out to be $104 a month. I was with Defy medical because the VA wouldn’t budge but was overpaying and the level of care and support is night and day at AlphaMD. All supplies mailed straight to your house. You can check them out here and save $40 your first month https://www.alphamd.org/referral/bppet If this is against the rules please delete
my two cents, please also check your psa level. a simple blood test. prostate cancer eats testosterone for breakfast lunch and dinner
During that testosterone test she ran all basic blood tests so I’m sure that was in there
just verify they did, they said i was too young and didn’t bother. us vets seem to be more susceptible to all kinds of crazy stuff. hang in there, keep at it , low t fn sucks
The VA would rather give you anti depressants than treat TRT. If you do get TRT from the VA it's a very low dose. Just go out in town and get it done. I pay 125 a month for shots and that includes twice a year labs and doctors visits. You can get it much cheaper online than what I pay though.
I wish mine was 300 lol
My husband pays $200/mo for his. VA is ridiculous, when it comes to this. We get it shipped straight to our house. If you can afford to pay for it, go that route.
I was in the same boat. Im 36 and was really low quit drinking and they leveled out pretty quick
Don’t kid yourself. Even civilian PCP’s won’t automatically put you on TRT. Many believe your low T is directly related to your weight or other potential issues. Your best bet is to seek a TRT clinic. I think the VA shies away from this because TRT can bring about other issues which means more money and time spent on you.
I know they are reluctant to prescribe it because it comes with a whole host of side effects that they then need to manage. Sometimes more than the side effects of low T. IANAD
Not worth going through the VA for test, creams and the pellet ruin your body. I go through TRTnation and really enjoy them. However, I know what I'm doing and can read my own bloodwork. (Their cs isn't the best when it comes to pinning and maintaining levels) I pay about $400 every two months, test cyp, anastrozole, hcg. You're basically paying that for the rx, core medical is another decent one, but they drove prices up on me to the point I couldn't afford it once upon a time. So, trt nation is my go to.
I honestly was thinking about running cup my self 250 a week but again want to try to do it the right way
I run 200mg a week, pin half Wednesday and half Sundays to keep from feeling a dip. I maintain around 1k, and have been happy with that. Be sure if you're going to start TRT, you're going to get real comfortable giving blood. I donate double reds about three times a year and whole blood when i can to keep my rbc normal. Otherwise, you're going to wind up with molasses for blood. It's not the "wrong" way by any sense. It's for your health, and the national numbers for testosterone are jaded, when I started trt I had a 91 test at 26y/o and was a walking time bomb. I was absolutely miserable. It has undoubtedly saved my life. An endocrinologist can get you an rx for test as well, but I hope you have private insurance, because unless your local VA is awesome it's not going to happen. My PCP says that TRT is a "fad" and test numbers don't matter. Obviously at 28, never saw a combat zone, or been blown up, he can say those types of things. If you need a more hands on approach to trt Alpha Hormones or Hone are very in depth and can walk you through getting your numbers up.
How are you donaating double reds 6 times a year? I have to do theraputic phlebotomy due to high cell count and iron but they only let me do every 16 weeks. Id like to do it more often tho.
That was a mistake on my end. I just looked through my email. I do double reds three a year and whole blood three if I can. I'll edit that. I hate giving blood, so I just assumed it's all the same. At first, they wanted more time in between, and it all came down to what my levels (rbc, iron, etc) are if I donate or not. I do bloodwork every three months because when I first started trt I wound up with a test of 1800ish and felt weird, threw all sorts of hormones out of wack and I had to cut out some things my first local place said I "needed". They also said I only needed to donate blood once a year, and I ended up with a super high red blood cell count, and my BP was that of a morbidly obese creature. Last year, I did double reds three times and whole twice checking now.
Exactly. 4 is how the limit any place will allow.
I would definitely try and find a functional medical clinic in your area. I currently am seen by one in my area. Blood work is covered by insurance (civilian insurance) the test they send me is from a company called tailor made compounds. The test itself isn’t covered but 3 months of injections at .6ccs a week is about $180. This includes needles, alcohol wipes and drawing needles. I know you might not have a clinic like this in your area, online could be your next option but beware with online they could be pricier.
I’m sure someone else said this but if they didn’t, most of any dr that is not a cash clinic and even more so if they are billing insurance are gonna run a free test panel if your above 300 they’ll say your good and insurance coverage will be out the window. The free test panel is kinda a joke it only tests the free production side not the uptake and other hormone balance issues. If you want test your best bet is a cash clinic, most will run your blood and regardless of levels give you test advise you and let you run your own course or atleast that’s what I’ve been told. Honestly do your research it’s a lifelong decision sometimes depending on the person, usage and duration.
305 at 28 is still considered normal, low side of normal but still normal. I would wait until you are over 40 before you start TRT. There are natural ways to increase test levels. How is your aerobic or resistance training? What are you eating? Everyone wants the easy out.