HCG Only (no testosterone) while doing HRT

[Megatron28]

What exactly is clomid. Pill or injection? How would it improve libido, energy, etc?

Sorry for the questions, I am unfamiliar with this drug.

Clomid is taken orally.

It is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). It tricks the pituitary into not sensing estrogen. When the pituitary thinks estrogen is low, it compensates by increasing LH output to tell the testicles to produce more testosterone. Higher testosterone results in increased aromatization of testosterone into estrogen. This is the HPTA feedback loop. Clomid circumvents the feedback loop and gets your body to increase testosterone.

This is all assuming that one has Secondary Hypogonadism. Primary Hypogonadism - where the testicles are not able to function properly -- is not helped by using SERMs.

 

[theheat]

I initially wanted to try Clomid rather than HCG monotherapy prior to starting TRT, however my doctor just gave me a blank stare when I mentioned it. The problem with monotherapy is that it also shuts down the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, so when you go off it, your T will plummet until your body starts producing LH again. You can't stay on HCG indefinitely, and it's is also more expensive than Clomid.

 

[one way step]

Here's another odd issue that I am dealing with in regards to my TRT...

Right now I am taking 200mg test per week and trying to sort out the appropriate doses of HCG & adex. I will generally do 500iu HCG and .5mg adex twice a week which seems to be improving my sex drive much more than 250iusX.25mg

When I go up to 250mg test I have SO MUCH MORE ENERGY. Like, I'm ready to run everywhere, my appetite is great, etc. With 200mg I feel pretty lethargic. 250mg is a HUGE difference.

So my question is, can 50mg extra of test really make that much of a difference, or should I check my bloods for something? I got the results of last weeks BW being mailed to me from my doctor.

But the main problem I have with 250mg is the water retention, mainly in my chest and my face. Seriously it looks like I have size A tits when I'm on it. This is deterring me from using 250mg all the time despite the overwhelmingly positive benefit for my energy and mood. What could I do to avoid water retention?


Also thanks everyone for all your help! This site had provided me more knowledge than both my endos ever have. You guys rock!

 

[Megatron28]

Here's another odd issue that I am dealing with in regards to my TRT...

Right now I am taking 200mg test per week and trying to sort out the appropriate doses of HCG & adex. I will generally do 500iu HCG and .5mg adex twice a week which seems to be improving my sex drive much more than 250iusX.25mg

When I go up to 250mg test I have SO MUCH MORE ENERGY. Like, I'm ready to run everywhere, my appetite is great, etc. With 200mg I feel pretty lethargic. 250mg is a HUGE difference.

So my question is, can 50mg extra of test really make that much of a difference, or should I check my bloods for something? I got the results of last weeks BW being mailed to me from my doctor.

But the main problem I have with 250mg is the water retention, mainly in my chest and my face. Seriously it looks like I have size A tits when I'm on it. This is deterring me from using 250mg all the time despite the overwhelmingly positive benefit for my energy and mood. What could I do to avoid water retention?


Also thanks everyone for all your help! This site had provided me more knowledge than both my endos ever have. You guys rock!

It is about getting your TT and E2 in the right ranges. You need to check blood work for both protocols and compare. Make adjustments based on your blood work results.

 

[one way step]

Just got my bloods from last Wednesday

Test 888 mg/dL
Estradiol 28 Pg/ml

 

[Megatron28]

Just got my bloods from last Wednesday

Test 888 mg/dL
Estradiol 28 Pg/ml

Regular or sensitive estradiol assay? What were the reference ranges? Depending on this, you E2 may be too low.

 

[one way step]

Range for E2 was 0-56.
Range for test was 250-840

Idk why he only tested for these two. Last BW i got had a lot more things being checked out. They are on the first page of this thread.

 

[theheat]

250mg T per week and 500 IUs of HCG 2x a week only got you to 888? Your e2 level looks good. Overall 888 is a good # for TT, but that's a pretty good dose for TRT, so I thought it might be a little higher. What are your numbers for free and bioavailable T?

 

[one way step]

I just started the 250mg test the day before the BW so that may have driven it up a little.

I was on 200mg before that with no HCG and .25 adex twice per week. I felt like crap on this dose (no sex drive, energy, etc) so I went up to 250mg plus 500iu HCG twice per week and .5 adex twice per week.. It worked tremendously well for my energy and hunger but minimal for my sex drive. My sex drive always seemed improved the day after an HCG shot. Also, a huge problem I had with it was water retention (face and chest).

I went back to 200mg test this week due to the water retention and that brought me back to my low energy, lazy self.

Sorry I don't have any other info on my bloods, the doctor just tested for TT & e2. Like usual, they are little help.

Since the HCG seems to be improving things, I was flirting with the idea of using 500iu 3x per week (M,W,F) 250mg test (Tuesday) and .5mg adex (M,W,F). The main thing I am worried about is water retention.

 

[Megatron28]

Range for E2 was 0-56.
Range for test was 250-840

Idk why he only tested for these two. Last BW i got had a lot more things being checked out. They are on the first page of this thread.

You should confirm, but looks like the Regular Estradiol assay. It is not accurate at the lower levels typically found in men. We generally see that it is overstated by 10-20 points. That would mean your E2 was really between 8-18pg/ml. That is too low and likely why you were not feeling good.

 

[one way step]

Do you think I should get rid of the adex? Would the HCG bring the e2 levels too high?

 

[theheat]

Don't get rid of the Adex, and I would keep the HCG at 500 IUs 2x a week. You want to keep your testicles from shriveling, and 500 IUs 2x week is more than sufficient for that purpose. I'm surprised that going from 200 to 250mg a week has an immediate effect on how you feel. I would be curious to see your complete BW after you have been on 200mg for 6 weeks, and then after 250mg for 6 weeks (with HCG and Adex staying the same), as sometimes changes take several weeks to take effect. TRT is a learning process, and everyone is different. Start from a baseline dose, get frequent BW, adjust your dosages, and soon you'll be dialed in.....

 

[one way step]

I'm surprised 250mg makes such a bigger difference than 200mg, but since it significantly better, 250mg per week it is.

I am thinking of doing 250mg test and 500iu hcg on monday, then another 500iu hcg on thursday. Also, maybe .5 adex on monday and thursday. Thoughts?

Gonna start this this week, got my next endo in 4 weeks so I will get bloods from this regime then.

 

[one way step]

When I go back to my endo for BW, what should I ask him to test for? (regular e2, free T, etc)

Thanks bros

 

[one way step]

Okay so after being on 200mg test, 500iu 2x a week and .5 Adex twice a week I bumped my test to 250mg. This would usually get me feeling pretty good but ever since my injection yesterday I've had no sex drive.

In honesty so frustrated as to how for the past few years I haven't been able to have a proper sex drive. All the routines I've done, all the doctors I've seen, and I'm still in the same goddamn place. All the test results that tell me everything is "normal", all the doctors saying its "psychological", etc. it's so goddamn frustrating. Having to carry coals everywhere and hope it works when you take it. I'm at such a total loss of how to fix this