Help with getting my T back in order - HCG monotherapy, high e2

It's been a very difficult journey trying to get my T levels back in order, starting to get tired of all the blood tests! Anyway, looking for some suggestions. I am on HCG monotherapy, I've always done EOD (3 times a week) and at all different levels. Before treatment, I was at 252 for total T and I've reached as high as 830 total T. The problems I've been running into is high e2 (as high as 90) and my hemocrit is working it's way up, currently at 50.8%. I've tried Anastrazole but had a lot of sides from it, so AI's aren't the best for me.

When I began, I felt good with my T at 500 and my e2 was at 30 so I went back to that dose (500IU EOD) for 4 weeks and retested. To my surprise, my Total T came back at 720 and e2 at 70.

I spoke to my doctor, told him my concerns and he suggested 300IU twice weekly of HCG and to start a testosterone cream daily (150cc) rubbed onto my scrotum.

Does this sound logical? I'm afraid my hemocrit and total test will come way up with all this. I really don't feel like starting Testosterone either.

I also asked about just stopping everything altogether and he said that would be a bad idea.

Any help or suggestions much appreciated!

Sounds like your doctor has decided that you can't get your T to a good level on HCG without causing your E2 to get too high.
AI's are know to not be very effective for controlling E2 on HCG mono because the T to E2 conversion within the testicles.
300IU twice a week is in the range of what is recommended to keep the testicles functioning. You seem to be very sensitive to HCG so even at this dose your E2 may get too high, you'll need to continue to monitor that.
As far as the cream is concerned, it works for some, not for others. Can't hurt to try it. Even if it does work some find injecting Tcyp twice a week more convenient.

Thanks for the response. Any idea why my e2 wasn't getting high the first couple months at the same dosage I'm currently using? It didn't start becoming an issue until I went up to 700 three times a week.

Regarding the cream, will I maintain my fertility as long as I continue the HCG? I was under the impression once you start TRT you have to continue it, or something like that.

I like your Doctor's recommendation.

HCG in and of itself can cause elevated E2 and not necessarily from the Testosterone. No man should ever need more that 350 iu at one daily injection - and 700 iu is way out of the park. One of the neg sides of high HCG doses is elevated E2 just like you have.

I am not a big fan of HCG mono therapies. They are rarely effective and have some nasty sides. If your androgen levels are low, get them back to healthy levels with one of the Testosterone replacement therapies.

I personally would like to see you on HCG at 250 iu every Mon Wed and Fri morning along with the use of the Testosterone cream.

BTW, scrotal applications will increase your DHT levels so watch for an increase in libido as a result and get to the gym and lift and take advantage of the higher DHT levels!

NeedRelief said:

Thanks for the response. Any idea why my e2 wasn't getting high the first couple months at the same dosage I'm currently using? It didn't start becoming an issue until I went up to 700 three times a week.

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Don't know, haven't read anything along those lines before.

NeedRelief said:

Regarding the cream, will I maintain my fertility as long as I continue the HCG? I was under the impression once you start TRT you have to continue it, or something like that.

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Yes, if fertility is a concern then HCG is a requirement. See Nelson's excellent article here: The Use of HCG to Prevent / Reverse Testicular Shrinkage and Preserve Fertility

Both Harry and Gene have made excellent points! Totally agree, the E2 situation is more than likely promoted intra-testicular, which is next to impossible to manage with any compound, even suicide aromatase inhibitors like Letro.

Gene Devine said:

I like your Doctor's recommendation.

HCG in and of itself can cause elevated E2 and not necessarily from the Testosterone. No man should ever need more that 350 iu at one daily injection - and 700 iu is way out of the park. One of the neg sides of high HCG doses is elevated E2 just like you have.

I am not a big fan of HCG mono therapies. They are rarely effective and have some nasty sides. If your androgen levels are low, get them back to healthy levels with one of the Testosterone replacement therapies.

I personally would like to see you on HCG at 250 iu every Mon Wed and Fri morning along with the use of the Testosterone cream.

BTW, scrotal applications will increase your DHT levels so watch for an increase in libido as a result and get to the gym and lift and take advantage of the higher DHT levels!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice Gene. I've been really nervous about going on TRT and was afraid this would happen as a result of HCG mono not working.

It is important to me to maintain my fertility as I'm going to try for another kid in the near future. Will using the cream jeopardize this if I continue to supplement with HCG too?

I've read about DHT being raised from scrotal applications. I've also heard some of the sides from raised DHT that I don't want. So I will most likely try the cream elsewhere, any other recomendations for the cream application site?

I also want to mention I'm concerned about my hemocrit levels. They're already being raised quite a bit from HCG mono (currently 50.8% started at 43% pre-HCG), I can only imagine they'll go into the dangerous area when I add a testosterone therapy like the cream into the mix. I know I can go and donate blood but honestly, I'm a pretty big wuss with all that blood and needles. I won't end up doing it routinely so would rather avoid that scenario. Am I sh&* out of luck here?

There certainly is a trade off to be made. Some people feel so great when there T levels are high that donating blood is well worth the trouble.

I'm not one of those people. I feel OK enough at a T level that keeps my hematocrit within the normal range and I've settled for that. I don't feel great but I don't feel like s**t either.

Dr. John Crisler on transdermal applications of Testosterone; this is a great instructional video and he explains a lot.

You can use much lower doses of HCG when on TRT to maintain fertility; men get women pregnant all the time with the use of both.

Go here: https://www.excelmale.com/?s=74-Dr-John-Crisler-ON-Transdermal-Testosterone

HarryCat said:

There certainly is a trade off to be made. Some people feel so great when there T levels are high that donating blood is well worth the trouble.

I'm not one of those people. I feel OK enough at a T level that keeps my hematocrit within the normal range and I've settled for that. I don't feel great but I don't feel like s**t either.

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Just curious, what level do you keep your hemocrit at? I'm with you there, I am definitely not one of those people...unfortunately.

Gene Devine said:

Dr. John Crisler on transdermal applications of Testosterone; this is a great instructional video and he explains a lot.

You can use much lower doses of HCG when on TRT to maintain fertility; men get women pregnant all the time with the use of both.

Go here: https://www.excelmale.com/?s=74-Dr-John-Crisler-ON-Transdermal-Testosterone

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Great info! I really lke the ease of the gels but I don't like the fact that it can cause hair loss. Plus I have two sons who are both very young and would be afraid of transferring the gel.

Maybe sub Q test and HCG in one shot? Still need to address my e2, which I found out about exemestane. You guys familiar with that?

NeedRelief said:

Just curious, what level do you keep your hemocrit at? I'm with you there, I am definitely not one of those people...unfortunately.

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High 40's.