Why do most say other hormones deplete while on TRT?

[SS1LE]

So I been on TRT for a long while and only tried HCG a couple times early on. It honestly made me feel like garbage. I thought I would give it another try but before I started it I had my DHEA, Pregnenolone, and progesterone tested. These are the hormones that most seem to say we need to "backfill" . According to my test they are no where near being bottomed out, So where did the theory of backfilling come from?

DHEA-S 277.0 ug/dL 71.6-375.4
Progesterone 0.3 ng/mL 0.0-0.5
Pregnenolone, MS
Reference Range:
Adults: <150 - 91ng/dL

I did try HCG again recently the puretrig brand from reliablerx , tried 250iu EOD and also 125IU EOD. All it gave me is cold hands and feet , not sure why. Then after a week fatigue........no it's not E2 causing the issues. Of course I stopped using it. Really just curious on the backfill theory.

 

[Cataceous]

While it's unequivocal that exogenous testosterone can affect a large number of other hormones/precursors by disrupting various feedback loops, the argument would be that it's statistical in nature, with substantial variation between individuals. It's more clear-cut with hormones such as LH and GnRH, which are more directly influenced by endogenous testosterone. The theory is that when other hormones/precursors are clearly suppressed by TRT then it could be beneficial to restore them to at least average levels. Unfortunately there's lot's of guesswork in this, so in the end it's down to subjective results. An obvious example is the use of hCG to replace suppressed LH. A lot of guys do great with it, but others don't seem to tolerate it at all.

In your case there would seem to be little need to consider supplementation with DHEA, pregnenolone or progesterone. If any of these were low/lowish then you would have more leeway to experiment with pushing levels higher if you thought it could be helpful.

 

[Seagal]

So I been on TRT for a long while and only tried HCG a couple times early on. It honestly made me feel like garbage. I thought I would give it another try but before I started it I had my DHEA, Pregnenolone, and progesterone tested. These are the hormones that most seem to say we need to "backfill" . According to my test they are no where near being bottomed out, So where did the theory of backfilling come from?

DHEA-S 277.0 ug/dL 71.6-375.4
Progesterone 0.3 ng/mL 0.0-0.5
Pregnenolone, MS
Reference Range:
Adults: <150 - 91ng/dL

I did try HCG again recently the puretrig brand from reliablerx , tried 250iu EOD and also 125IU EOD. All it gave me is cold hands and feet , not sure why. Then after a week fatigue........no it's not E2 causing the issues. Of course I stopped using it. Really just curious on the backfill theory.

This theory was popular at excelmale
Regarding dhea, pregnenolone (the majority doesn't need to supplement it):
Post in thread 'Supraphysiologic testosterone (350 mg weekly)' Supraphysiologic testosterone (350 mg weekly) - Page 3 - Excel Male TRT Forum

I believe most issues occur only if men run T high (teenage peak levels) or higher. I think that then hormone imbalances arise and eventually HRT is needed.

 

[FunkOdyssey]

This seems to be very individual. IIRC my pregnenolone dropped from 200 ng/dL to 30 ng/dL on TRT, so a very dramatic change there, while my DHEA-S dropped somewhat less from 150-200 to 80-100 ug/dL.

 

[SS1LE]

This seems to be very individual. IIRC my pregnenolone dropped from 200 ng/dL to 30 ng/dL on TRT, so a very dramatic change there, while my DHEA-S dropped somewhat less from 150-200 to 80-100 ug/dL.

The pregnenolone lab range is odd, just <150, so they make it seem like there is no low level. Do you supplement with it?

 

[FunkOdyssey]

The pregnenolone lab range is odd, just <150, so they make it seem like there is no low level. Do you supplement with it?

No, so far my limited dabbling with both hormones only produced adverse effects. I plan to experiment with them some more in the future, perhaps in different forms like topical, but I don't think I am suffering in any major way without them.

 

[Vince]

So I been on TRT for a long while and only tried HCG a couple times early on. It honestly made me feel like garbage. I thought I would give it another try but before I started it I had my DHEA, Pregnenolone, and progesterone tested. These are the hormones that most seem to say we need to "backfill" . According to my test they are no where near being bottomed out, So where did the theory of backfilling come from?

DHEA-S 277.0 ug/dL 71.6-375.4
Progesterone 0.3 ng/mL 0.0-0.5
Pregnenolone, MS
Reference Range:
Adults: <150 - 91ng/dL

I did try HCG again recently the puretrig brand from reliablerx , tried 250iu EOD and also 125IU EOD. All it gave me is cold hands and feet , not sure why. Then after a week fatigue........no it's not E2 causing the issues. Of course I stopped using it. Really just curious on the backfill theory.

Besides getting your levels in a good range, why are you concerned? Do you not feel good on TRT.

Some members criticize my labs. But I feel so good. I don't see why I would change anything.

Most of the moderators won't even post their Labs.

Thread 'Vince's Labs from October 14, 2024'

Oct 23, 2024

Same protocol, 16 mg of testosterone cypionate daily, 500 iu of hcg every third day and no AI.

Pregnenolone 10 mg and 10 mg of DHEA.

My last injection before labs, about 27 1/2 hrs.

Labs are from LabCorp.

I did "not" get the Equilibrium Ultrafiltration for testing free testosterone. I didn't want to spend the extra money.

Testosterone, Serum 1482 ng/dL range 264-916
Free Testosterone 24.5 ng/dL range 6.6 -18.1
DHT 61 ng/dL (no range on results)
DHEA-Sulfate 260.0 H ug/dL range 30.9-295.6 (age adjusted)
Estradiol, Sensitive 26.7 pg/mL range 8.0-35.0
Sex Horm Binding Glob, Serum 57.5...

• Vince
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Blood Test Discussion

 

[FunkOdyssey]

Some members criticize my labs. But I feel so good. I don't see why I would change anything.

Most of the moderators won't even post their Labs.

Some people can dish it out, but they can't take it. I applaud your courage Vince.

 

[Systemlord]

These are the hormones that most seem to say we need to "backfill" . According to my test they are no where near being bottomed out, So where did the theory of backfilling come from?

Some men see an increase in other hormones, such as IGF-1 on TRT. As for a reductions of other hormones mentioned, this is less likely in the short term. Nelsen after decades on TRT loss the perceived benefits of TRT and years earlier had tried hCG and had a negative response, years later, however the hCG brought back the benefits of TRT he had lost.

A shutdown of the HPTA asis will take decades to truly become shutdown.