Dr. Shippen or Dr. Crisler?

Therapeutic Efforts Doctors & Therapists
#1

I’m trying to make a decision between Dr. Shippen and Dr. Crisler. Does anyone have any advice for deciding between the two?

Dr. Shippen would be cheaper since I’m already a patient of his (although I haven’t been to see him in a while). I haven’t had much success being treated by Dr. Shippen in the past, but that’s more my fault than anything else - other health problems sidetracked me for a while and I wasn’t able to stay on a regimen. I did take HCG for about a year, as well as aromasin, but this didn’t do anything for me unfortunately. If I go with Dr. Crisler, I’d perhaps have a fresh start with a new approach. I also get the impression Dr. Crisler keeps up a bit more on recent research into TRT since Dr. Shippen is older and possibly close to retirement, and Dr. Shippen treats problems other than hypogonadism, so perhaps it would be better to see a doctor (Crisler) who spends more of his time on the sorts of issues that pertain to me. I’m not sure which one of them has more experience treating fin victims, or which has had more success.

They are both great doctors, so I imagine I’ll be in good hands regardless of which one I choose, but I’d appreciate feedback just the same, especially from anyone who has been treated by either doctor.

#2

I have seen both doctors but I haven’t followed any of their suggested treatments. Dr. Crisler wanted me to get on TRT and didn’t bother to mention Clomid, etc until I brought it up. Dr. Shippen offered up his usual treatments that everyone seems to be prescribed but didn’t jump to TRT. I like Dr Shippen’s professionalism and expression of concern more than Dr. Crisler.

However, to be honest, they both refuse to answer directly when asked how many patients they have successfully treated. I kind of doubt that anyone has been successfully treated by them. They both seem to offer cookie cutter regimens.

#3

Interesting. Thanks for the response Josh.

I get the impression that Dr. Crisler knows a little bit more about TRT given the fact that he prescribes it for nearly all of his patients. I think that’s the direction I’m headed since I’ve already gone the HCG route. Dr. Shippen usually has patients try Clomid and HCG first. Also, Dr. Crisler specializes in hypogonadism issues if I’m not mistaken. I think that’s all he treats, so I’d imagine he spends more of his time researching hypogonadism than Dr. Shippen.

I know Dr. Crisler has said that he hasn’t had success with HCG and only uses it as an adjunct to TRT to keep the testicles from shrinking. Perhaps he hasn’t had success with Clomid either. That may be why he didn’t tell you about Clomid.

Dr. Shippen has said in the past that he’s been successful with about 50% to 75% of his patients. When I first saw him 5 years ago, he said that he had treated about 20 men, which would obviously be more by now. I too am skeptical he’s had this level of success, but of course he wouldn’t lie to his patients. We could have different definitions of what exactly constitutes “success.” Perhaps 50 to 75% of his patients have shown improvement of symptoms.

Josh, what have you tried at this point?

#4

Well, honestly, IMO TRT shouldn’t be the first treatment as it is a lifelong treatment and has serious downsides in terms of fertility, etc. A patient should be informed of all is options and their benefits/risks and then he/she should make a decision as to what treatment he/she wants to pursue.

Anyways, personally I have not done taken any medications or hormone therapy, just working out hard in the gym.