TRT Clinic Interview Questions

Testosterone Replacement Therapy can be life changing for men struggling with low t symptoms and, despite what many are led to believe, it is in fact safe, well tolerated and very effective for most men as long as it’s prescribed and monitored appropriately. 

There’s no shortage of TRT clinics here in Florida but unfortunately, many do not have your best interest in mind or may not be appropriate for your personal preferences, budget, or goals.

For this reason, you need to be selective when choosing a clinic. This is going to be a long term commitment and investment so take it seriously. Do not just go with the first advertisement you see. You should be looking into multiple clinics and speaking with multiple providers before making a decision. 

Long before becoming a licensed medical provider working in a clinic specializing in TRT for men, I was a TRT patient myself and I have worked with multiple clinics. 

I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly within this field from the perspective of a patient, provider, and business owner.

Knowing the variability in quality, cost, and practices between clinics, I compiled a list of questions I would need to ask if I were going to meet a TRT provider for the first time … I recommend anyone considering TRT to print/copy this list and take it with you to your initial encounter with a TRT clinic.

Note: This list is meant to help you recognize a good clinic and one that would be a good fit for you. It does not include questions that would need to be considered regarding treatment itself and is not medical advice. Some questions include notes/desired answers and others will be based on personal preference.

First off, you need a clinic that offers a complimentary 1-on-1 consultation with a licensed medical provider. Paying a clinic before speaking with the provider is like buying a car you didn’t test drive. A major red flag is when clinics deny complimentary initial provider consultations.

1. Are you the licensed medical provider (MD, DO, PA, NP) that will be prescribing and monitoring my treatment?

This is critical. Many clinics (especially here in Florida) will hire salesmen to do the patient onboarding. Some of them sound and may be very knowledgeable on TRT and men’s health but the problem is they don’t hold a license or ethical duty to do what is best for you. They are salesmen and their job is to sell.

Do not pay a cent until you speak with the actual provider who will be prescribing and monitoring your treatment. 

2. How many providers will I be working with?

There are clinics that hire a pool of providers and sometimes you may have a different provider for each of your follow-ups. 

They may have read your notes, medical history, & labs, but they don’t know you.

This may or may not be an issue for you. For me, as a patient, I want the same provider every time. These consultations are often very personal so it’s important that once you find a provider you trust, you know he/she will continue to be your provider. 

As a provider, I want to know my patients, I want to know how they’re going, and I want to be the one who is personally following up with them.

For this reason, my patients are my patients and only work with me.

3. What is the primary service of this clinic and what other services do you provide?

If it’s a botox clinic, beauty health spa, or chiropractor using TRT as a side hustle … they’re probably not the best option. Ideally, men on TRT should utilize a clinic that specializes in TRT and prioritizes their TRT patients. 

Depending on your goals, you may want other services available that compliment TRT. These include treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED), treatment/counseling for premature ejaculation, peptide therapy, medically assisted weight loss, diet/exercise counseling, etc. 

4. What experience do you have with TRT?

Your TRT provider should be experienced in treating men and prescribing and monitoring men on TRT. 

Bonus: It may not be appropriate to ask, and they certainly wouldn’t need to answer, but if they happen to share with you that they are on TRT themselves, I find that to be a huge plus.   

5. Can you explain the different types of Testosterone Replacement Therapy available and help me understand which might be best for my specific needs?

There are multiple routes, methods, and dosing strategies for TRT. Know what the clinic offers and what they would personally recommend to you.

6. How do you determine if I am a suitable candidate for TRT?

Ideally, the provider will consider labs, medical history, goals, and symptoms to make a decision and not rely on arbitrary lab cut-off values. 

7. What initial labs are ordered/required?

Depending on your history & symptoms, recommended labs will vary. However, for the purpose of initiating TRT, the provider should be ordering (at a minimum):

• Total Testosterone

• Free Testosterone

• Ultra-Sensitive Estradiol (This is the appropriate lab to measure estrogen in men)

• Luteinizing Hormone

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Note: You’re paying for these labs in one way or another. The provider should have a reason for ordering every test he orders and the results should have an impact on your treatment. If they don’t know why they’re ordering the test or if the result is not going to change the treatment plan … maybe he shouldn’t be charging you for it.

8. What follow-up labs are ordered and how often?

You should be checking labs every 3-6 months while on TRT.

9. What are the potential risks and side effects associated with TRT, and how do you monitor and manage them?

There are potential risks and side effects that need to be understood before starting TRT. The provider should be transparent with you and have a plan to monitor, mitigate, and treat side effects.

10. If I have a question or issue while on treatment, how do I get in touch with my provider?

As a patient and paying customer, you deserve to have access to your provider. You need to know how to reach the provider and how long it will take to hear back from them. 

11. What will my dosing protocol be?

They should NOT be able to answer this question before reviewing your labs, medical history, symptoms, and goals. 

To get the most out of TRT and to minimize side effects, it needs to be individualized. Avoid at all costs the “Cookie-Cutter Clinics” that prescribe every single patient 200mg/week. 

If they can tell you your dose before thoroughly reviewing your history, symptoms, labs, and goals … they’re prescribing the same dose to everyone.  

12. Do you prescribe Anastrozole or other estrogen blocker (aromatase inhibitor) to your TRT patients?

A lot of TRT clinics in Florida will automatically prescribe anastrozole to their TRT patients. Estrogen is important for men too. We need it for heart health, joint health, sexual health and mental health. In general, the higher your testosterone is, the higher your estrogen will be. It’s more about the ratio between testosterone and estrogen than it is the absolute number.

It’s very rare for TRT patients (who are on an appropriate protocol) to need anastrozole. Those who do need it (which should be heavily based on symptoms) require a very small dose and usually only temporarily. 

Anastrozole is for treating breast cancer in women, not for men on TRT. Do not expose yourself to the potential risks and side effects of anastrozole if you don’t need it.

13. What is the pricing model and how much will therapy cost?

There is a lot of variability in pricing with TRT clinics so it’s important you understand what you will be charged and that you find one that is convenient for you and within your budget.  

• Is it subscription based or transactional?

• Are there extra fees? (supplies, deliveries, membership fees, labs, consultation fees, etc)

• Are there discounts? (Veterans, First-Responders, etc.)

14. Do you offer Telemedicine appointments, in-person appointments, or both?

This is going to be based on your preference. Telemedicine is great for convenience but some prefer in-person or may not be comfortable with self-injections (if prescribed TRT injections).

15. What lab do you use?

Make sure they use a lab that is accessible and convenient for you.

16. Can you provide references or patient testimonials from individuals who have undergone TRT at your clinic?

These questions should help you gather important information to make an informed decision about pursuing Testosterone Replacement Therapy with a particular clinic.

If you’re considering TRT or are on TRT but want to transfer, please schedule a complimentary telemedicine consultation here. Bring any and all questions.

We are currently offering Veteran, First-Responder, and TRT Transfer Patient discounts.