How Do I Start Taking Hormones
To begin HRT, you must obtain a referral letter from a licensed mental health provider that abides by WPATH Standards of Care guidelines. What is the best way to start HRT? To obtain a referral letter from your licensed mental health provider, meet with him or her and sign the Release of Information Form.
Gaht Vs Hormone Replacement Therapy
Since these two terms are often confused or used interchangeably, lets take a moment to differentiate GAHT from hormone replacement therapy .
Hormone replacement therapy is classically used to describe the process of prescribing hormones to cisgender people, meaning those individuals whose gender identify matches their sex assigned at birth, often to relieve symptoms of hormone imbalance. For example, testosterone may be prescribed to cisgender men with low testosterone levels who have symptoms like changes in sexual function.
The term HRT, on the other hand, has often been used by the trans community to describe the process of gender-affirming hormone therapy. However, GAHT is a more accurate description of the use of hormones by trans folks because nothing is technically being replaced. The medical community who takes care of trans folks is moving away from saying HRT, and instead, is using GAHT so as not to conflate the different therapeutic practices.
How Much Does Trt Cost
One reason why men are apprehensive about TRT is its potential cost. Thats a valid concernmoney doesnt go as far as it used to and healthcare is notoriously expensive. But the costs associated with TRT can vary, and they may not be as expensive as you think.
Testosterone replacement therapy is effective, and the costs associated with it depend on a number of factors:
- Your type of treatment/medication and the materials necessary to administer
- Whether theres a generic, more affordable version of the medication
- Your dosageif you require a greater quantity of treatment, it will likely cost more
- How severe your symptoms are
- How long you need treatment
- Your locationthe cost of living varies throughout the United States
- Your pharmacythere may be additional costs associated with your prescription
- Insurance plans
The best way to break down the costs is to list what treatment generally entails.
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The Cost Of Testosterone Injections Vs Their Benefits
When you think about the cost of testosterone injections, you need to think about it in terms of the cost versus the benefits. In that light, you need to consider the price you pay for testosterone injections, as an investment in your future good health and improved quality of life. The many benefits of testosterone injections include:
- A better outlook on life, improved self-esteem
- Improved mental processing and memory
- Improved sex life
- Healthier skin, hair and nails
- Improved moods less depression and anxiety
- An overall feeling of more youthfulness
In spite of all the aforementioned benefits of testosterone therapy, many will hesitate spending the money on something that will truly benefit their lives, but think nothing of spending exorbitant amounts on a new pair of shoes or designer jeans. This is an opportunity for you to actually do something extraordinary for yourself and even for your significant other!!!
Am I A Good Candidate For Hrt For Gender Affirmation
The WPATH recommends that hormone therapy is only started after you have been properly assessed by a mental health professional. If your provider determines that you are eligible after your consultation, you will receive a referral to bring to your physician. The criteria that a mental health professional looks for include:
- Persistent gender dysphoria
- The ability to consent and make a fully informed decision
- Healthy or well-controlled comorbidities
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Is An Hgh Prescription Necessary
Many patients wonder whether getting an HGH prescription from an accredited doctor is necessary. The answer is definitively yes for two reasons:
- Purchasing or using HGH without a prescription is against the law in the United States, with penalties ranging from fines to jail time.
- More importantly, attempting to self-administer HGH without the guidance of an expert is dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
What Are Your Treatment Options
When it comes to the treatment methods used for hormone replacement therapy for men, you have several treatment options. These treatment options include:
Intramuscular Injections
Testosterone is injected into the buttocks every few weeks, usually about once or twice a month. Intramuscular injections are ideal for patients who prefer a quicker absorption, or who have more severe symptoms that benefit from a quicker treatment.
Pellets
Pellets are generally a long-term treatment with a slow, consistent release of testosterone into the body. Testosterone pellets, which are about the same size as a grain of rice, are injected into the buttocks once about every three or four months. Pellets are a good option for patients who are searching for a steady treatment of multiple symptoms.
Topical Gels or Creams
Topical gels or creams are loaded with a certain percentage of testosterone and are applied daily to various parts of the body, such as the arms or the abdomen. Topical treatments might be good choices for men who have minor symptoms or who are using testosterone to target a specific issue.
Patches
Patches are another topical treatment in which a small patch of testosterone is applied to the body each day, typically in a rotating pattern to get the best results. Patches are ideal for patients who seek consistent levels of testosterone but who do not want injections.
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What Is The Cost Of Not Filling Your Prescription For Growth Hormone Injections
If you are considering growth hormone therapy, it is impossible to have a discussion about the cost of growth hormone injections, without taking into account the cost of NOT filling your prescription for HGH injections, such as weight gain, fatigue, reduced sexual function and interest, reduced muscle mass, reduced mental focus, etc. There are costs involved in filling a prescription for growth hormone injections. But, when considering the costs of a prescription for HGH, what you really need to do, is weigh the benefits of growth hormone injection therapy against the out-of-pocket expense. When you do that kind of cost vs benefit analysis, growth hormone therapy almost always comes out to be a worthwhile investment in your health and improved quality of life.
The cost of your HGH injections is rarely covered by health insurance.
What Are The Side Effects
The possible side effects of testosterone replacement therapy include the following:
- increased red blood cell production
Testosterone pellets also come with specific health risks. These risks include:
- infection of the insertion site
- the pellets dislodging and coming out of the skin
- incorrect dosage
Taking testosterone supplements disrupts the bodys ability to make testosterone.
This means that when a person stops taking testosterone supplements, they may feel worse suddenly because their body has not adjusted to making testosterone on its own again yet.
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How Much Do Cervical Injections Cost
The usage of spinal injections to address back and neck pain has been quickly increasing in the United States, with an average cost of $600 each shot. Cervical injections are used primarily for treating cervical spondylosis-the development of bone spurs on the vertebrae in your neck due to aging or trauma. The spurs can put pressure on nerve roots causing pain in the arm, hand, leg, or foot.
Cervical injections are usually done as outpatient procedures, but you may need to stay overnight in bed after the procedure if you experience pain or other problems. Your doctor will tell you what type of medication you should expect to receive during your session. These shots are most often given by a neurologist or neurosurgeon.
The two main types of cervical injections are lidocaine injections and steroid injections. With this type of treatment, there is no cure for spondylosis, but patients may benefit from reduced pain levels and increased mobility following these treatments.
Cervical injections can be very effective at reducing pain caused by spondylosis, but they are not meant to replace other treatment methods such as physical therapy, exercises, or medications. You should not have any more injections than recommended by your doctor, as too many injections can cause permanent damage to nerves.
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What Are Some Risks Of Testosterone
The first point well discuss is related to testosterone increased hemoglobin/hematocrit . H/H is a number youd find on a blood test and tells healthcare providers about the amount of red blood cells you have in your body. For example, in anemia, H/H is low. But, if H/H were to get too high, there may be a theoretical risk of blood clots and stroke because of the blood being too thick.
There have been no reports of this happening with GAHT. It is only a theoretical risk based on people that have genetic conditions leading to very high H/H levels much higher than the levels that testosterone causes. Your provider will check your H/H every 3 months, along with your T levels to make sure you are staying in healthy ranges.
Additionally, testosterone is a teratogen, a substance which is known to cause severe birth defects. So, if someone taking T were to become pregnant, there would be a high risk of birth defects. Therefore, contraception is strongly encouraged for people on T who could possibly become pregnant based on ones body parts and those of their partner. All forms of birth control are fine to use with testosterone and will not interfere with Ts effectiveness.
If you are on testosterone therapy and want to become pregnant or collect genetic material, youd generally have to stop T for 6 to 9 months to complete the necessary processes.
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How Do I Find An Lgbtq+
Finding an LGBTQ+-friendly doctor is vital to ensure that you get the proper care needed for a successful transition. Several LGBTQ+ health organizations provide resources to help you find non-discriminatory healthcare providers. Find out more about how to find an LGBTQ+-friendly doctor in another one of our articles.
What To Expect When Starting Bhrt
When beginning your bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment, you will first consult with a hormone health professional.
You will be asked to provide your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and will undergo extensive lab tests to measure your hormone levels. You and your doctor will also discuss your health goals, and your doctor will explain your hormone treatment options.
Once your test results are in, your doctor will design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. You will be taking personalized bioidentical hormones prepared specially for you or standardized BHRT products based on your lab results and symptoms.
This type of treatment is designed to work over a long period of time. It is designed to ease your hormone imbalance symptoms, and provide balance back to your body.
In the long term, you can expect a few follow up appointments with your doctor per year to track your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
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How Often Do You Need To Get Your Hormone Replacement Therapy
The frequency of use may be a significant driving factor for some people. You need to take the pills every day, knowing if you miss one, you may be facing mood swings and an increased risk of various side effects, and will also make the first pass through the liver. If you are disciplined, this may not be an issue. But, you have to take into consideration your habits.
People who are seeking a more natural application can use creams and gels. These need to be used several times per day without fail. It is the most cost-effective method, but the most labor-intensive. Absorption rates may vary greatly from patient to patient and also within the same patient.
Injections need to be done one to three times per week, requiring you to have a doctors visit for each injection or do the injection from yourself. Each time you visit the doctors office, you have to take time off from work, have transportation, and possibly face additional charges that include co-pays for the office visit. Injectables are often associated with uneven absorption and a roller coaster effect of hormone delivery, resulting in high peaks and low valleys.
Types Of Testosterone Boosters
When seeking testosterone boosters, it is important to be educated on the types that your provider may offer you.
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How To Learn More
If you want to learn more about testosterone-based GAHT, the best place to start is by talking to your healthcare provider. However, if you dont have one, you can find a local gender-affirming provider near you by visiting the WPATH provider directory or checking to see if you live a state covered by Plume, a telehealth company providing gender-affirming care, made by and for trans people.
Plume offers a mobile app where you can consult with a provider, develop an individualized treatment plan, and have your prescriptions delivered to your door, all for a flat monthly fee of $99 . You can learn more about Plumes GAHT services on their website.
What Is Androgel And How Does It Work
AndroGel is synthetic testosterone mixed into a gel with alcohol that is applied to the skin once daily. The testosterone is absorbed into the skin for continuous 24-hour delivery into the body. The medication can cost as much as $500 a month, but some insurance companies cover it.
The drug is available in two strengths: 1 percent and 1.62 percent. Patients dispense the gel through a multi-dose pump or use single-dose packets. It is quick-drying, clear and odorless when dry.
The two dose strengths have different application sites. Patients can apply the 1-percent gel to the upper arms and shoulders as well as on both sides of the abdomen. For the 1.62-percent gel, the gel should only be applied to the upper arms and shoulders.
In men with Low T, the medication is intended to increase the total amount of circulating testosterone in the body to a normal range found in healthy men. According to the drug insert, this measurement is somewhere between 298 1043 ng/dl . If men use lotion or sunscreen, the amount of testosterone absorbed increases.
After applying AndroGel, men should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water. It is also important to know that the drug is flammable until dry, and patients should avoid flames, smoking or fire.
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What Is The Best Form Of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Ultimately, its up to your doctor and you to determine what form of treatment youll best respond to, which one can offer the greatest benefits and which might have side effects that may not agree with your body. When discussing with your physician, ask as many questions as possible so you can get a clearer picture and make an informed choice.
How Much Does Legal Hgh Cost
The price of HGH therapy includes the cost of the diagnostic process as well as the injections. The diagnosis should be performed by a licensed physician who can give you a legal HGH prescription.
The process starts with your visit to the doctors office. A consultation with a specialist in endocrinology costs about $100 on average. If you have symptoms indicating growth hormone deficiency then your doctor will also assign your tests.
Unfortunately, a simple blood test cant provide accurate information about your growth hormone levels. Thats because HGH is secreted in short pulses which rapidly decline to undetectable levels even in healthy individuals. Thus, your doctor will use medications that stimulate GH production and measure its peak levels.
The most commonly used medication is insulin and the procedure is called insulin tolerance test . The procedure must be performed in an equipped medical facility and under strict medical supervision. Its cost is also about $100 on average.
If you are diagnosed with GHD, then your doctor will give you a prescription for HGH therapy in order to manage your symptoms.
Prescription is not something you should pay separately. It is a part of your doctors recommendations so it is included in the cost of the consultation.
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How Much Does Hgh Cost On The Black Market
Unregulated medications which contain HGH are often shipped from overseas or can be purchased in other countries such as Mexico.
There you may find HGH products bearing the same names as the FDA-approved brands Norditropin and Genotropin are available at half of the original cost.
Similarly, the black market is flooded with HGH products that are shipped from overseas which offer low prices as their most appealing feature. They are usually produced in China or India and cost a third of the price of legal HGH injections.
While the reduced cost can be quite appealing, you should keep in mind that there is a lack of control over HGH injections in countries such as Mexico, China, and India, which means that the medications may be potentially counterfeit, expired or contaminated.
If the product is counterfeit or expired, it will not provide the same benefits as legal HGH therapy and you may end up spending more money in the long term. On top of that, contaminated products may put your health at risk.
Therefore, there is once again no guarantee that you will purchase a safe or effective product in order to manage your symptoms successfully.