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**NateW** · 07-23-2008, 03:36 AM

hey at least its free

broken7 · 02:09 AM

Not exactly, cost me 150 bucks so far and another 50 for one of the tests. Seems like slowly they sneak in more and more things that aren't covered. Also any meds I get won't be covered and I have no insurance from my job.

**dinoiii** · 07-24-2008, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broken7

Because of my age and not wanting me to become infertile they said they will probably give me HCG and only if it doesn't do the job look into some kind of testosterone but I need more blood work first (obviously). They will be checking the following
TSH, ALT, Alk. Phosphatase, Bilirubin, CBC, Bioavailable testosterone, GGT, Estradiol, Dhea, Prolactin, Total Testosterone, LH, Fasting Insulin.
They said it will take a month for the results (thank you Canadian health care system you slow bastards) so my next appointment isn't until the end of August. I will post more updates at that time.

A lot of things in there for the liver (ALT - would also anticipate an AST; Alk Phos, Bili, GGT) - what is there intentions/thoughts about your liver?

CBC in this case ONLY makes sense if they find out you are anemic.

TSH in light of no free T3 and free T4 could be mildly ominous in dieting individuals; possibly should also have ordered a rT3 as well for ESS.

I'd want an actual Estradiol AND Estrone level, the latter of which is much more tell-tale.

Fasting insulin here likely won't say much.

"Bioavailable" Test - in other words Free Test was already done; is there a reason they want to repeat it?

DHEA-S, Prolactin, and LH are all fine...but really it is an abuse of funding apparently in Canada when there is little indication to approximate a Prolactin level as needed. I would have likely switched the Prolactin with an FSH - yes, many docs feel FSH is of little importance in the male, but I want a complete serum gonadotropin offering here because there is pertinence IF fertility is something you will desire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by broken7

Not exactly, cost me 150 bucks so far and another 50 for one of the tests. Seems like slowly they sneak in more and more things that aren't covered. Also any meds I get won't be covered and I have no insurance from my job.

In the US, this would have likely cost you $500-$600 - I wouldn't complain.

D_

swolloniron · 07-24-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broken7

update in case anyone cares
I had my appointment and it went well. Everyone was really nice and knowledgeable and didn't treat me like an idiot. Totally different experience then my family Doc. Because of my age and not wanting me to become infertile they said they will probably give me HCG and only if it doesn't do the job look into some kind of testosterone but I need more blood work first (obviously). They will be checking the following
TSH, ALT, Alk. Phosphatase, Bilirubin, CBC, Bioavailable testosterone, GGT, Estradiol, Dhea, Prolactin, Total Testosterone, LH, Fasting Insulin.
They said it will take a month for the results (thank you Canadian health care system you slow bastards) so my next appointment isn't until the end of August. I will post more updates at that time.

Keep us updated! Sounds like you are moving in the right direction with the hgc.

broken7 · 07-24-2008, 09:39 PM

I don't know why all the liver stuff, maybe because I have used orals in the past I dunno. My understanding is that Bioavailable Test is not the same as free test. Bioavailable test includes test which is free AND which is weakly bound to certain proteins (non-SHBG bound). Since it is so weakly bound it can still enter the cell and exert it's effects. Thats the way I remember it being explained to me.

celc5 · 08-05-2008, 11:57 AM

subbed. good discussion

broken7 · 08-26-2008, 09:20 PM

I got a script for hcg, pharmacy will have it in a few days. If my math is correct I will be taking 350iu 3 times a week.

broken7 · 09-07-2008, 12:31 AM

I've taken 5 injections so far and I'm sick of it already. I'm not scared of needles but I don't really enjoy it. I think I could use smaller pins, the ones I got are 25g 5/8" because that's what the Doc put on the script.
My testosterone results were a bit higher on the tests this doctor ran, like low-mid normal and my LH was around 3 on scale of 1-9 but he said I should try the hcg anyway to see if it helps. If I decide to stop at some point in the future am I going to be even worse off because the hcg shutting down my natural LH ?
What I've noticed so far is libido seems up a bit and mood has been ok but it's probably to early yet so it might just be placebo/coincidence.

LBVT · 09-07-2008, 12:41 PM

Was the $200 out of pocket?

People think Canada's system is free. It's not, taxes makes up for the prices. Just hop over the border and look at how much more things cost in Canada than in the U.S.