Questions about hcG

[willnorthwest]

Been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for 2 months now. Currently on 100mg cyp every 5 days, with a 500iu shot of hcG on the day before my cyp shot. I am not using AI's at the moment because my estradiol sensitive was 9.

The reason for this post is this: I'm not sure if im taking enough hcG. I have noticed a slight shrinkage of the testicles. Also, my libido is not exactly great, and I very rarely have strong morning wood(my libido was crazy the first month on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) however). I believe my natural testosterone production has diminished resulting in both problems.

Based on a 5 day injection cycle, do you think it would be more beneficial for me to increase my hcG dose, to say 400hcG on day 3, 400hcG on day 4, and then my cyp shot on day 5? This would increase my total 5 day hcG intake from 500iu to 800iu. Would this help restore my testicles to pre-trt size, and at the same time help with libido? Or, do I need more? Any and all input is greatly recommended, thanks!

 

[1693]

I think your E2 that low is causing you problems.

I'd just do 250iu of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) on MWF for a total of 750iu a week and call it good.

 

[willnorthwest]

1693...part of the reason why im not taking AI's. hcG aromatizes, so hopefully by adding more hcG it will also raise E2

 

[1693]

Someone needs to invent a cheap home E2 tester...that would sure help everyone that is on test with them getting their E2 dialed in...

 

[willnorthwest]

need some input please.....

 

[lucius11]

Everyone is different. My E levels would be way up with no Aromatase inhibitor (AI) - even without HCG. These things take a while to dial in. 2 months is not long enough to have it all sorted out. I've been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for about 1.5 years and my protocol is still not quite perfect - especially when I take HCG. That being said, everything you said makes sense. Adding some Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) should help with the testicle shrinkage and add a bit more E. It would be good to get that E up a bit.

Keep in mind if you are completely shut down, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) does not completely restore all testicular function. At a basic level there are two signals to the testicles - LSH and FSH. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) mimics the LH (luteinizing hormone) signal. There is at least one compound that can mimic FSH ... for example HMG (human menopausal gonadotropin). HMG treatments can include Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and can basically mimic both LH and FSH. In theory the LH stimulates the production of testosterone, and FSH promotes the formation of sperm. I have not used HMG it's apparently used when fertility is an issue.

 

[1693]

need some input please.....

Sorry, I don't know what you mean?

 

[willnorthwest]

1693....not you bro. I appreciate the advice. I meant I need some more input from other people as well, no worries!

 

[willnorthwest]

lucius11.... would the additional hcG help increase libido too?

 

[IMT staff]

Someone needs to invent a cheap home E2 tester...that would sure help everyone that is on test with them getting their E2 dialed in...

There are some fairly inexpensive saliva kits. We have one.

It may not be the most accurate but it gives you a great idea if its way too high or way too low.

Sounds to me like leydigs shut down and DHT went down with it. 500IU a shot is the lowest I personally go, many have wrote anything less than that is a waste.

 

[willnorthwest]

IMT STAFF.....so if I increase my hcG intake, will that increase my leydig cell count as well as my DHT? Also, could you please give a brief explanation of the importance of leydig count and what DHT does specifically?

 

[lucius11]

lucius11.... would the additional hcG help increase libido too?

I'm not sure whether Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) tyipcally increases libido. It makes sense that it might for some folks. I'm older so even with HCG, the testicles are not doing all that much. I was having trouble with libido before TRT. Once I went on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), the libido is good even without HCG. The lowest I ever went with my Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) dose was 500 2x per week. Adding Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to my protocol helps with testicular size and also ejaculatory volume - but it's not that dramatic of an improvement. The downside of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) for me is the estrogen control ... I definitely have trouble keeping the E levels in range. My plan is to run Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) periodically - just to stimulate those leydig cells and keep them from being completely shut down indefinitely. As for the cells stimulated by FSH, I guess they are going be shut down indefinitely (I'm not having any more kids so sperm production is not a priority).

 

[willnorthwest]

Lucius....thanks for the input. I DEFINITELY have noticed a decrease in ejaculate volume. I'm hoping my increase of hcG will help with that too! how long should I run the hcG? For a few weeks, months?

 

[lucius11]

how long should I run the hcG? For a few weeks, months?

I have not worked out timing on how often I will run HCG. The typical vial has 11,000 IU so that works out to be about 11 weeks at 1000 IU per week.. I just finished a vial a few weeks ago. I'll see how things go for the next few months before starting again. I'm not worried about fertility so I'll just run Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) periodically.