Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluegrassplayer
The bolded refers to the negative side effects of trt.
I understand you are skeptical about the doctors, but when every post says "I'm guessing" "I think there's a chance" etc. it doesn't really add much to the thread. The other posts which essentially have the same guesses/conjectures but are posted in a more authoritative tone don't really add much either. Yes, a lot of doctors don't seem to know what they are doing in regards to this; if they did we probably wouldn't have the thread.
The only reason that I say those things is not because they are unknowable, it's just because I don't know what cha, for example, has posted about his doc.
As far as adding value to the thread, who knows. My main point is that if you want the highest level expert opinion on the subject you see an endocrinologist. A couple people in this thread have and they got the same response. That should give anyone who goes to these alternative practitioners some pause. As should the obvious financial incentives that these alternative practitioners have. It's clear that some in this thread get that, but I fear some may not.
As Pummi says, the truth probably lies in the middle. I think it's very likely that the mainstream endocrinologist realizes there is a lot we don't know about this stuff and realizes that prescribing these things to healthy guys is really just experimenting in a way. Mainstream docs hate doing this. However, it's clear that many people place such a high value on body composition that they're willing to experiment with unknown risks to get stronger and look better. However, the endocrinologist doesn't really pick up on this or agree w/ this value judgement so he and the patient reach an impasse.
The patient then seeks out one of these alternative docs. They don't really know any more, but they are more willing to experiment and they have a financial incentive to do so. They are also more understanding of the fact that being stronger is really important to some people. But since these guys tell the patient what they want to hear and do what the patient wants, people confuse their willingness to experiment for more knowledge. That's kind of a problem.
So I guess the real question is "If you really want to experiment with this stuff, what should you do?". The problem is that the people with the most knowledge generally don't want to use it in the way you would like, and the people who are willing to take a little more risk with the unknown and prescribe the stuff are generally not the most competent, qualified, and impartial people. If one is really determined, then here is probably what I'd do:
1. Go to one or more of the anti-aging clinics that QB suggests, find the one you're most comfortable with, and get on the drugs
2. After you're on the drugs, then see a good endocrinologist, and tell him "Here's the drugs I'm on. What are the risks? What do I need tested/monitored?" If you're already on the meds, the endocrinologist can't really give you the Monte treatment and will actually have to face your concern. Depending on the advice you get, you can continue with the anti-aging clinic alone, continue seeing both, or discontinue the drugs.
And, you're right, I'm guessing that no one has actually done this.