Nelson Vergel
Founder, ExcelMale.com
This is a transcript of an interview I did with Justin Edwards, the operations manager at LowTestosterone.com
1. Can you tell us how your clinic network works?
We've built a network of physicians, laboratories and pharmacies from across the country that allows the patient to put all of his treatment needs into one area of concentration rather than having to piece it together from various avenues. This allows the patient to receive the treatment he needs at a much more affordable cost. It also allows the patient to have confidence in the treatment since we do our best to bring together the best people for the job. And unlike many other treatment plans or LowT programs, despite the lower cost, the patient will have access to many more benefits than he would typically have access to.
2. Why is it so different from others?
Unlike many LowT treatment programs, one of the biggest differences is we help manage the individual's care throughout the entire process. It's not uncommon to see a physician or LowT program prescribe some testosterone and randomly perform a follow up blood test here and there and simply hope for the best. We do our best to make sure all of the men in our program have what they need so that their treatment is a success. We make ourselves available to each client around the clock in one way or another. We do have standard office hours, but we also make sure there is someone always available 24 hours per day to answer questions or concerns. We also make sure each individual is made aware of his blood testing needs – every person has enough to deal with and remember in life rather than having to keep up with when they need to take a blood test or see the doctor, so we do this for them. Any other issues that arise, while they are not common, if they occur we handle them. If there is something they need from a pharmacy, if there is a shipping issue, anything we can take care of we do. We also help our clients with other issues unrelated to TRT where we can. Maybe they're looking for the best place to get other medications filled, perhaps they need a recommendation for their wife or significant other. Anything we can do to make the experience more valuable and beneficial we absolutely do.
As icing on the cake, unlike many LowT program, we do all we do for far less than most. It is very common for a patient to pay double somewhere else if not more. Our program is also much more convenient than many others. Unlike many programs, we allow the patient to administer his medications on his own in the privacy of his own home. This allows the patient to put more energy and time into other areas of his life rather than having to be concerned with 52 doctors visits per year. Our network physicians as well as our staff are also made available to our clients at nearly all times of the day. Any patient can message his doctor directly through his account with questions or concerns. He doesn't have to make an appointment that may take a week or two (sometimes longer to get) in order to have a simple or even urgent question answered. And even if it is in the middle of the night, we have a 24/7 nurse support hotline made available to all of our clients.
Our physicians are well trained in managing potential side effects related to TRT and prescribe medications like hCG, anastrozole and ED drugs when needed.
3. What guidelines do your physicians follow
The LowTestosterone.com network of physicians exceeds monitoring guidelines recommended by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Endocrine Society not only in frequency of testing but also in more extensive parameters. Our goal is to not just provide basic and generic testosterone replacement but also to prevent potential side effects and maximize benefits of this important therapy.
4. Is your network a telemedicine one?
Our network is not telemedicine. However, the patient has easy access to his physician whenever he needs. In person, face-to-face visits are necessary, but the patient is only dealing with 1-2 face-to-face visits per year. Lab testing is available in most middle and big size U.S. cities. We also offer travel reimbursement. So, our program is flexible even for people who want to travel to each one of our current 18 locations.
5. What does the program include?
The program covers doctors visits, all necessary blood work, medications and supplies, shipping charges, access to direct doctor patient messaging system and 24/7 nurse support hotline.
6. How many cities?
We have physicians serving patients in 18 cities across the country. Additionally, if there is not a physician near you, we offer a travel reimbursement program, meaning we will cover the cost associated with you going to see the doctor. We are located in the following cities:
San Francisco CA
Santa Barbra CA
Los Angeles CA
Anaheim CA
Oceanside CA
Phoenix AZ
Las Vegas NV
Seattle WA
Tulsa OK
Denver CO
Houston TX
Dallas TX
Nashville TN
Chicago IL
Philadelphia PA
New York NY
Long Island NY
Detroit MI
7. What kinds of medications are prescribed based on need?
Testosterone is offered in both injectable and cream form. The program also covers HCG and anastrozole if needed and deemed necessary by our physicians.
8. Are they legit?
All medications are provided by four respected pharmacies, all of which are licensed, inspected and approved by their respective state inspection boards. They ship medications and supplies directly to the patient for self-administration.
9. How do men know about their progress?
The best way a man can measure progress is by how he's feeling, but each individual undergoes follow-up blood work through the course of his treatment in order for the doctor to directly gauge the patient's progress, as well as his overall health. Follow-up blood work is taken very seriously. Measuring both Free & Total testosterone is only one small necessity. The physician will always check estradiol levels due to the importance of a balance between the testosterone and estrogen hormone, as well as the patients cardiovascular health, blood thickness such as hematocrit, kidney and liver function, etc.
10. What kind of patient education does the network provide?
Our physicians educate patients about testosterone replacement management and application/injection techniques. Each patient can find a host of educational articles and a forum on our website, LowTestosterone.com. We also provide injection videos for the patient that are located both on our website as well as the client's own personal online account. Each patient receives detailed instructions with pictures on how to perform a proper injection. Each individual also receives numerous booklets and information on hormones, diet and supplement tips, and is of course, always free to contact us directly as well as their physician for any questions they may have.
11. What do you think are the main barriers men have to access proper TRT?
The primary barrier is finding a doctor that understands TRT. Many physicians are either afraid of testosterone due to misinformation or they are simply uneducated on the topic. Often, those that do treat, still do so in a manner that was deemed acceptable 30-40 years ago, but these methods have been proven not only ineffective, but in some cases dangerous. Many physicians do not understand the importance of measuring estradiol during treatment, and if they do, it's not uncommon for them to use the wrong panel. Many physicians are also unaware of the importance of keeping up with the patient's blood thickness. If hematocrit and the like are not measured, this can lead to problems, but if it is kept up with, along with estradiol and the patient's overall general health, there is no reason for a patient to have an issue with his TRT. There is also the issue of improper treatment itself, prescribing injections on once every two to three week basis, in which the patient experiences massive testosterone level fluctuations. You may also find doctors who prescribe testosterone creams and gels and continue to add larger and larger doses due to the patient's levels remaining low. Gels and creams do not work for every man, some cannot absorb the products, but due to poor education, some physicians are not aware of this and will give up on their patient. I have heard some physicians say that adding testosterone will add to the existing testosterone to the body. I've actually been surprised by how many times I've heard this false claim. And then perhaps the most common of all, a physician's unawareness of the benefits of HCG as well as the importance of anastrozole or other anti-estrogen medications when needed.
12. Share with us some important questions potential patients ask before their assessment.
There are a lot of potential questions one might ask. The most important factor a patient should remember, while the doctor will provide information, he may not answer a question you have if you do not ask it. But more important than questions is first making the physician aware of your daily life. How do you live, what medications are you currently taking, what symptoms are you experiencing and so on. This is information a physician needs to have, and while there is a health history form all patients will fill out, it's not a bad idea to go into a little more detail with the doctor once you have met face-to-face. A patient may also want to ask his doctor about HCG. If he still wants to ensure he can have children, this is an important thing to bring up. Plus, HCG tends to help keep testosterone levels stable during treatment. Equally important for many men is that it will keep the testicles functioning normally, otherwise testicular atrophy may occur. It's also not a bad idea to talk to your doctor about other areas of concern, especially when you have follow up blood work and if things aren't progressing at the rate one might hope. The patient may have other issues. You can have other issues in your body besides low testosterone. Many patients tend to assume if their low testosterone levels are taken care of, then this means everything in their body should be taken care of. Often that is true, but sometimes they can be other areas that need to be addressed.
13. Does your network use the proper estradiol test?
Yes, we use the sensitive estradiol test, not the often-inaccurate standard test used by most clinics in the field.
14. In your experience, what percentages of men are showing up with high estradiol at follow up?
A rough estimate, I would say 60-65% of men have elevated estradiol levels in their first follow-up blood test. How much they are elevated can vary dramatically from one man to the next. Often, they are only slightly elevated and if they need to be brought down simple Zinc supplementation will do the trick. In other cases, a prescription for anastrozole is needed. For those that do need anastrozole, an interesting thing I have watched over the years is that many men who continue their TRT often need less and less. I've seen many men who did need anastrozole early on reach a point where they didn't need any at all. The opposite can also sometimes prove to be true. Our bodies are always changing. But in either case, this is something that's very easy to manage if we simply put in the small amount of effort required.
The patient should also keep in mind that slightly elevated levels of estrogen does not always mean he needs anastrozole. As mentioned, a little zinc may be all he needs. Many men have such a fear of gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) that they will gobble up as much anti-estrogen medication as they can get. This only makes things worse. Lowering your estrogen levels too much can lead to many of the same symptoms as low testosterone. In fact, I've seen many men do this and end up feeling worse than they did with low testosterone levels. It's important to remember, gynecomastia is not going to occur overnight. It's equally important to note that just because you're experiencing some nipple sensitivity, this does not mean you need anastrozole. If you have good estrogen levels and your nipples are sensitive, you shouldn't freak out. You're not going to get gynecomastia with low to normal or even very slightly raised estrogen levels.
15. How does a physician contact you if they want to consider being part of your network?
The easiest method to contact us is to simply give us a call at 1-800-LOWT-345. Our office hours are M-F 9-6 CST. A physician can also fill out the Physician Partnership Program form on our website, and we will contact them immediately. http://www.lowtestosterone.com/physician-partnership-program.php
_______________________________________________________________
From their site:
https://www.lowtestosterone.com/
Only 2 annual office visits required - No inconvenient weekly office visits for injections.
Doctor Consultation and Physical
All Subsequent Related Doctor Visits
All Required Blood Testing (2-3 times per year)
All Approved Medications Prescribed by Physician
All Syringes and Medical Supplies
All Shipping Charges - All Medication Shipped to Your Door
24/7 Nurse Medical Phone Support
No Set-Up Fee
No Consultation Fee
No Hidden Charges
If your initial blood test indicates that you do not need Testosterone,
You will not be charged.
Who We Are and What We Do:
We offer inexpensive, no-hassle, Low Testosterone Treatment under the care of licensed physicians to the millions of American men whose bodies have begun producing less-than-optimal testosterone. We are a buying group. Our ability to provide the finest medical services at a fixed, low monthly price is due to the economies of scale.
Our experience and reputation in this industry give us the ability to forge strong relationships with large pharmacies, laboratories and health care networks, each of which has pre-negotiated prices with us.
Testosterone therapy is a delicate process that requires monitoring by a physician. As a member of our buying group, you will have a customized treatment schedule based on your specific needs and your treatment will always be monitored by a physician. We take no shortcuts. We take no chances.
The symptoms of low testosterone are often assumed to be merely the indicators of "growing older." This is why tens of millions of men are living with less energy, less stamina, less vigor and optimism than they enjoyed in their youth. If there's even the slightest chance that you might benefit from testosterone therapy, you're only a blood test away from knowing for sure.
Let us do that for you. Just fill out the form and we'll do the rest.
"Will there ever be a charge beyond
my $199/mo. membership fee?"
Yes, but it's only this: each time a prescription is sent, the pharmacy will charge you a small $15 prescription fee. We'd love to pay this for you, but compliance issues strictly prohibit it. Think of it as a $15 co-pay. The good news is that a prescription fee has to be paid only when a prescription refill is required, usually every 2 to 6 months, depending on your usage. You might have as many as three prescriptions and a fee is required for each one, so you'll need to pay this $15 a few times each year. It's not a lot of money, but we don't want you to be surprised by fees you didn't anticipate, no matter how small they might be.
That's it. That's all. Are you ready to get started?
No Locations Near You? Travel to a Clinic For FREE! *Free Round - Trip Airfare Credit
To see how LowTestosterone.com compares to other clinic networks, please visit:
http://www.lowtestosterone.org/find-a-clinic/
1. Can you tell us how your clinic network works?
We've built a network of physicians, laboratories and pharmacies from across the country that allows the patient to put all of his treatment needs into one area of concentration rather than having to piece it together from various avenues. This allows the patient to receive the treatment he needs at a much more affordable cost. It also allows the patient to have confidence in the treatment since we do our best to bring together the best people for the job. And unlike many other treatment plans or LowT programs, despite the lower cost, the patient will have access to many more benefits than he would typically have access to.
2. Why is it so different from others?
Unlike many LowT treatment programs, one of the biggest differences is we help manage the individual's care throughout the entire process. It's not uncommon to see a physician or LowT program prescribe some testosterone and randomly perform a follow up blood test here and there and simply hope for the best. We do our best to make sure all of the men in our program have what they need so that their treatment is a success. We make ourselves available to each client around the clock in one way or another. We do have standard office hours, but we also make sure there is someone always available 24 hours per day to answer questions or concerns. We also make sure each individual is made aware of his blood testing needs – every person has enough to deal with and remember in life rather than having to keep up with when they need to take a blood test or see the doctor, so we do this for them. Any other issues that arise, while they are not common, if they occur we handle them. If there is something they need from a pharmacy, if there is a shipping issue, anything we can take care of we do. We also help our clients with other issues unrelated to TRT where we can. Maybe they're looking for the best place to get other medications filled, perhaps they need a recommendation for their wife or significant other. Anything we can do to make the experience more valuable and beneficial we absolutely do.
As icing on the cake, unlike many LowT program, we do all we do for far less than most. It is very common for a patient to pay double somewhere else if not more. Our program is also much more convenient than many others. Unlike many programs, we allow the patient to administer his medications on his own in the privacy of his own home. This allows the patient to put more energy and time into other areas of his life rather than having to be concerned with 52 doctors visits per year. Our network physicians as well as our staff are also made available to our clients at nearly all times of the day. Any patient can message his doctor directly through his account with questions or concerns. He doesn't have to make an appointment that may take a week or two (sometimes longer to get) in order to have a simple or even urgent question answered. And even if it is in the middle of the night, we have a 24/7 nurse support hotline made available to all of our clients.
Our physicians are well trained in managing potential side effects related to TRT and prescribe medications like hCG, anastrozole and ED drugs when needed.
3. What guidelines do your physicians follow
The LowTestosterone.com network of physicians exceeds monitoring guidelines recommended by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Endocrine Society not only in frequency of testing but also in more extensive parameters. Our goal is to not just provide basic and generic testosterone replacement but also to prevent potential side effects and maximize benefits of this important therapy.
4. Is your network a telemedicine one?
Our network is not telemedicine. However, the patient has easy access to his physician whenever he needs. In person, face-to-face visits are necessary, but the patient is only dealing with 1-2 face-to-face visits per year. Lab testing is available in most middle and big size U.S. cities. We also offer travel reimbursement. So, our program is flexible even for people who want to travel to each one of our current 18 locations.
5. What does the program include?
The program covers doctors visits, all necessary blood work, medications and supplies, shipping charges, access to direct doctor patient messaging system and 24/7 nurse support hotline.
6. How many cities?
We have physicians serving patients in 18 cities across the country. Additionally, if there is not a physician near you, we offer a travel reimbursement program, meaning we will cover the cost associated with you going to see the doctor. We are located in the following cities:
San Francisco CA
Santa Barbra CA
Los Angeles CA
Anaheim CA
Oceanside CA
Phoenix AZ
Las Vegas NV
Seattle WA
Tulsa OK
Denver CO
Houston TX
Dallas TX
Nashville TN
Chicago IL
Philadelphia PA
New York NY
Long Island NY
Detroit MI
7. What kinds of medications are prescribed based on need?
Testosterone is offered in both injectable and cream form. The program also covers HCG and anastrozole if needed and deemed necessary by our physicians.
8. Are they legit?
All medications are provided by four respected pharmacies, all of which are licensed, inspected and approved by their respective state inspection boards. They ship medications and supplies directly to the patient for self-administration.
9. How do men know about their progress?
The best way a man can measure progress is by how he's feeling, but each individual undergoes follow-up blood work through the course of his treatment in order for the doctor to directly gauge the patient's progress, as well as his overall health. Follow-up blood work is taken very seriously. Measuring both Free & Total testosterone is only one small necessity. The physician will always check estradiol levels due to the importance of a balance between the testosterone and estrogen hormone, as well as the patients cardiovascular health, blood thickness such as hematocrit, kidney and liver function, etc.
10. What kind of patient education does the network provide?
Our physicians educate patients about testosterone replacement management and application/injection techniques. Each patient can find a host of educational articles and a forum on our website, LowTestosterone.com. We also provide injection videos for the patient that are located both on our website as well as the client's own personal online account. Each patient receives detailed instructions with pictures on how to perform a proper injection. Each individual also receives numerous booklets and information on hormones, diet and supplement tips, and is of course, always free to contact us directly as well as their physician for any questions they may have.
11. What do you think are the main barriers men have to access proper TRT?
The primary barrier is finding a doctor that understands TRT. Many physicians are either afraid of testosterone due to misinformation or they are simply uneducated on the topic. Often, those that do treat, still do so in a manner that was deemed acceptable 30-40 years ago, but these methods have been proven not only ineffective, but in some cases dangerous. Many physicians do not understand the importance of measuring estradiol during treatment, and if they do, it's not uncommon for them to use the wrong panel. Many physicians are also unaware of the importance of keeping up with the patient's blood thickness. If hematocrit and the like are not measured, this can lead to problems, but if it is kept up with, along with estradiol and the patient's overall general health, there is no reason for a patient to have an issue with his TRT. There is also the issue of improper treatment itself, prescribing injections on once every two to three week basis, in which the patient experiences massive testosterone level fluctuations. You may also find doctors who prescribe testosterone creams and gels and continue to add larger and larger doses due to the patient's levels remaining low. Gels and creams do not work for every man, some cannot absorb the products, but due to poor education, some physicians are not aware of this and will give up on their patient. I have heard some physicians say that adding testosterone will add to the existing testosterone to the body. I've actually been surprised by how many times I've heard this false claim. And then perhaps the most common of all, a physician's unawareness of the benefits of HCG as well as the importance of anastrozole or other anti-estrogen medications when needed.
12. Share with us some important questions potential patients ask before their assessment.
There are a lot of potential questions one might ask. The most important factor a patient should remember, while the doctor will provide information, he may not answer a question you have if you do not ask it. But more important than questions is first making the physician aware of your daily life. How do you live, what medications are you currently taking, what symptoms are you experiencing and so on. This is information a physician needs to have, and while there is a health history form all patients will fill out, it's not a bad idea to go into a little more detail with the doctor once you have met face-to-face. A patient may also want to ask his doctor about HCG. If he still wants to ensure he can have children, this is an important thing to bring up. Plus, HCG tends to help keep testosterone levels stable during treatment. Equally important for many men is that it will keep the testicles functioning normally, otherwise testicular atrophy may occur. It's also not a bad idea to talk to your doctor about other areas of concern, especially when you have follow up blood work and if things aren't progressing at the rate one might hope. The patient may have other issues. You can have other issues in your body besides low testosterone. Many patients tend to assume if their low testosterone levels are taken care of, then this means everything in their body should be taken care of. Often that is true, but sometimes they can be other areas that need to be addressed.
13. Does your network use the proper estradiol test?
Yes, we use the sensitive estradiol test, not the often-inaccurate standard test used by most clinics in the field.
14. In your experience, what percentages of men are showing up with high estradiol at follow up?
A rough estimate, I would say 60-65% of men have elevated estradiol levels in their first follow-up blood test. How much they are elevated can vary dramatically from one man to the next. Often, they are only slightly elevated and if they need to be brought down simple Zinc supplementation will do the trick. In other cases, a prescription for anastrozole is needed. For those that do need anastrozole, an interesting thing I have watched over the years is that many men who continue their TRT often need less and less. I've seen many men who did need anastrozole early on reach a point where they didn't need any at all. The opposite can also sometimes prove to be true. Our bodies are always changing. But in either case, this is something that's very easy to manage if we simply put in the small amount of effort required.
The patient should also keep in mind that slightly elevated levels of estrogen does not always mean he needs anastrozole. As mentioned, a little zinc may be all he needs. Many men have such a fear of gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) that they will gobble up as much anti-estrogen medication as they can get. This only makes things worse. Lowering your estrogen levels too much can lead to many of the same symptoms as low testosterone. In fact, I've seen many men do this and end up feeling worse than they did with low testosterone levels. It's important to remember, gynecomastia is not going to occur overnight. It's equally important to note that just because you're experiencing some nipple sensitivity, this does not mean you need anastrozole. If you have good estrogen levels and your nipples are sensitive, you shouldn't freak out. You're not going to get gynecomastia with low to normal or even very slightly raised estrogen levels.
15. How does a physician contact you if they want to consider being part of your network?
The easiest method to contact us is to simply give us a call at 1-800-LOWT-345. Our office hours are M-F 9-6 CST. A physician can also fill out the Physician Partnership Program form on our website, and we will contact them immediately. http://www.lowtestosterone.com/physician-partnership-program.php
_______________________________________________________________
From their site:
https://www.lowtestosterone.com/
Only 2 annual office visits required - No inconvenient weekly office visits for injections.
Doctor Consultation and Physical
All Subsequent Related Doctor Visits
All Required Blood Testing (2-3 times per year)
All Approved Medications Prescribed by Physician
All Syringes and Medical Supplies
All Shipping Charges - All Medication Shipped to Your Door
24/7 Nurse Medical Phone Support
No Set-Up Fee
No Consultation Fee
No Hidden Charges
If your initial blood test indicates that you do not need Testosterone,
You will not be charged.
Who We Are and What We Do:
We offer inexpensive, no-hassle, Low Testosterone Treatment under the care of licensed physicians to the millions of American men whose bodies have begun producing less-than-optimal testosterone. We are a buying group. Our ability to provide the finest medical services at a fixed, low monthly price is due to the economies of scale.
Our experience and reputation in this industry give us the ability to forge strong relationships with large pharmacies, laboratories and health care networks, each of which has pre-negotiated prices with us.
Testosterone therapy is a delicate process that requires monitoring by a physician. As a member of our buying group, you will have a customized treatment schedule based on your specific needs and your treatment will always be monitored by a physician. We take no shortcuts. We take no chances.
The symptoms of low testosterone are often assumed to be merely the indicators of "growing older." This is why tens of millions of men are living with less energy, less stamina, less vigor and optimism than they enjoyed in their youth. If there's even the slightest chance that you might benefit from testosterone therapy, you're only a blood test away from knowing for sure.
Let us do that for you. Just fill out the form and we'll do the rest.
"Will there ever be a charge beyond
my $199/mo. membership fee?"
Yes, but it's only this: each time a prescription is sent, the pharmacy will charge you a small $15 prescription fee. We'd love to pay this for you, but compliance issues strictly prohibit it. Think of it as a $15 co-pay. The good news is that a prescription fee has to be paid only when a prescription refill is required, usually every 2 to 6 months, depending on your usage. You might have as many as three prescriptions and a fee is required for each one, so you'll need to pay this $15 a few times each year. It's not a lot of money, but we don't want you to be surprised by fees you didn't anticipate, no matter how small they might be.
That's it. That's all. Are you ready to get started?
No Locations Near You? Travel to a Clinic For FREE! *Free Round - Trip Airfare Credit
To see how LowTestosterone.com compares to other clinic networks, please visit:
http://www.lowtestosterone.org/find-a-clinic/
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