Doc prescribed HCG and Test C

[bray]

Hi, this is my first post here I hope I have found the correct sub forum.

I recently got diagnosed low T and will start late next week. During my consultation I was asked what treatment I was looking for and I said just testosterone eod as I am adamant I don't want kids and neither does my partner. However he prescribed 100mg test c per week and 750iu of HCG, both split up into two shots each and taken on the same day (Mon/Thur). His reasoning for this was that if TRT doesn't work out for me the HCG will make it easier to come off (which I can't argue with but I know TRT is something that I plan to be on long-term).

I have seen mixed opinions on this and by the looks of it most people suggest HCG to be administered EOD, however my doc says otherwise. The only benefit I can see is that it's more convenient and when I get bloodwork I won't have to work around the HCG. I'd rather avoid using AI if possible and injecting HCG and test on the same day will only further increase my peaks and cause more estrogen. FWIW my bloodwork shows my estrogen to on lower end of ref range, my shbg is generally on the high end (35-45).

 

[Systemlord]

His reasoning for this was that if TRT doesn't work out for me the HCG will make it easier to come off (which I can't argue with but I know TRT is something that I plan to be on long-term).

Your doctors logic is a bit flawed! There’s no reason you couldn’t start hCG at a later date if you so decide to come off.

Whenever I see my doctor as having flawed logic and reasoning, it’s an automatic disqualification, and I have to find another doctor.

Also, by using the hCG, you’re increasing the chances that you might have a kid, even though you don’t want anymore kids.

Where is the reasoning and logic in that?

There may be a financial gain for your doctor for prescribing the hCG.

 

[bray]

Your doctors logic is a bit flawed! There’s no reason you couldn’t start hCG at a later date if you so decide to come off.

Whenever I see my doctor as having flawed logic and reasoning, it’s an automatic disqualification, and I have to find another doctor.

Also, by using the hCG, you’re increasing the chances that you might have a kid, even though you don’t want anymore kids.

Where is the reasoning and logic in that?

There may be a financial gain for your doctor for prescribing the hCG.

This is my thoughts exactly, he definitely just sees it as an opportunity to make more money, and was quite stubborn when I challenged him on it. But I let it slide purely because I had another clinic waste almost 2 months of my time and I don't want to wait any longer than I need to to feel good again. The clinic does have good reviews however whether their intentions are good or not is yet to be seen. Thankfully my partner has the implant so it's not too much of a concern. I've read good things about HCG and it doesn't seem like that high of a dose. I am just warry of too much estrogen hence wanting to split up the dose. When I mentioned that he said they can prescribe arimidex and in my head I thought "oh right and how much is that going to set me back"...

 

[Systemlord]

I've read good things about HCG and it doesn't seem like that high of a dose.

Well, if you turn out to be one of those guys that doesn’t tolerate hCG, you can have some leverage over your doctor about not prescribing it again.

 

[Melody68]

I'm 68, on TRT; of course no kids are in my future (thank goodness!) and I'm pleased that I can keep things simple by just dosing with T. I was, however, also on T for a while 10 years ago, no HCG and when I stopped taking it after about 8 months it wasn't any big deal. To me, getting all the TRT factors right is challenging enough without introducing another component. About the only thing I can see of benefit with HCG (if you don't want kids) is that it can prevent some testicular atrophy. Again, no big deal, my nuts might have shrunk a little (say 20%); the wife doesn't notice and/or doesn't care.

 

[Graham]

I am a big proponent of hcg if for no other reason then filling hormonal pathways, I can feel this. Not to mention testicular shrinkage will get worse as time goes on and can be painful. The only reason hcg EOD would be if your trying to maintain fertility and I think the required dosage is 500 units.

 

[Cataceous]

I'd give your doctor the benefit of the doubt. That's a reasonable starting protocol. My preference for starting out would be 70-80 mg TC and 500 IU hCG split into the two injections per week. HCG is a good addition for probably the majority of guys on TRT, but the dose should be kept as low as practical to avoid side effects — though with your lowish estradiol you are less likely to have problems. Average testosterone production in healthy young men is equivalent to 60-70 mg TC per week. Therefore 100 mg is likely to put you above normal levels, at least in the day or so after each injection. Don't get too caught up in frequency and timing of injections at this point. Give the protocol a try for some months and then decide if changes are needed.

 

[Vince]

My first protocol was 70 mg of testosterone and 500 IU of HCG. Work great. Now, I do daily injections and inject 500 iu of HCG every third day. I mix the t and hcg in the same syringe.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

However he prescribed 100mg test c per week and 750iu of HCG, both split up into two shots each and taken on the same day (Mon/Thur)

Not a bad protocol.

Nelson Vergel 's Testosterone plus HCG Protocol

The Use of HCG to Prevent / Reverse Testicular Shrinkage and Preserve Fertility • HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is produced by human placenta, sterile product derived from urine of pregnant females. Recombinant DNA formulas are produced by pharmaceutical companies and compounding...

www.excelmale.com

 

[bray]

My first protocol was 70 mg of testosterone and 500 IU of HCG. Work great. Now, I do daily injections and inject 500 iu of HCG every third day. I mix the t and hcg in the same syringe.

Was you instructed a similar administering protocol? And I'm assuming you changed it up for more stable levels right? I did mention to him that I want to do ED T but he said he doesn't recommend it to start off as life can get in the way, but I want to make it worth it. To me, there's no point hopping on if you're not going to commit to it fully

 

[Vince]

Was you instructed a similar administering protocol? And I'm assuming you changed it up for more stable levels right? I did mention to him that I want to do ED T but he said he doesn't recommend it to start off as life can get in the way, but I want to make it worth it. To me, there's no point hopping on if you're not going to commit to it fully

I went to dailies for only one reason, to try to control my HCT. It worked. I no longer have to donate. I've been doing daily injections for 7 plus years. Thankfully I completely stopped donating blood.

 

[Melody68]

I am a big proponent of hcg if for no other reason then filling hormonal pathways, I can feel this. Not to mention testicular shrinkage will get worse as time goes on and can be painful. The only reason hcg EOD would be if your trying to maintain fertility and I think the required dosage is 500 units.

Not to mention testicular shrinkage will get worse as time goes on and can be painful.

Hmmmm, that doesn't sound too popular. I was told by my doctor (who, respectfully, has been wrong about several things thus far) that there would be some initial shrinkage and that would be it. Have some experienced shrinkage that continues for years? Can you elaborate on the "painful" part? Thanks

 

[Wilson7]

LH/HCG does more than just stimulate testosterone, neurosteroids are involved and why some guys feel better when HCG is included. HCG has about a 2 1/2 d t 1/2 if I remember so twice a week would be fine. Max stim occurs with about 750 IU. IMO, start it with the T vs trying to play catch up and stop worrying about E2.

 

[Caposa]

I'd give your doctor the benefit of the doubt. That's a reasonable starting protocol. My preference for starting out would be 70-80 mg TC and 500 IU hCG split into the two injections per week. HCG is a good addition for probably the majority of guys on TRT, but the dose should be kept as low as practical to avoid side effects — though with your lowish estradiol you are less likely to have problems. Average testosterone production in healthy young men is equivalent to 60-70 mg TC per week. Therefore 100 mg is likely to put you above normal levels, at least in the day or so after each injection. Don't get too caught up in frequency and timing of injections at this point. Give the protocol a try for some months and then decide if changes are needed.

Do you mean 500 iu 2x per week (1000 iu weekly) or 250 iu 2x per week (500 iu weekly)?

 

[Cataceous]

Do you mean 500 iu 2x per week (1000 iu weekly) or 250 iu 2x per week (500 iu weekly)?

For a starting dose I mean 250 IU twice a week — 500 IU weekly. This is the lowest dose where a substantial number of guys still report benefits. Of course you can always go up from there if it seems inadequate.

 

[bray]

Thank you all for your input it is appreciated. I did my first injection this morning, it was very daunting but definitely felt more confident afterwards. HCG tomorrow morning. They advised to inject HCG the day after. So my protocol is:

Testosterone Cypionate 50mg twice/ week:
Wednesday Morning & Saturday night

HCG 375iu twice/ week:
Thursday Morning & Sunday night

 

[Graham]

Not to mention testicular shrinkage will get worse as time goes on and can be painful.

Hmmmm, that doesn't sound too popular. I was told by my doctor (who, respectfully, has been wrong about several things thus far) that there would be some initial shrinkage and that would be it. Have some experienced shrinkage that continues for years? Can you elaborate on the "painful" part? Thanks

Everyone is different to how much your testicles will shrink. Dosage and time are two exacerbating factors. It feels like a perpetual groin and abdominal strain.

 

[Forty2]

Thank you all for your input it is appreciated. I did my first injection this morning, it was very daunting but definitely felt more confident afterwards. HCG tomorrow morning. They advised to inject HCG the day after. So my protocol is:

Testosterone Cypionate 50mg twice/ week:
Wednesday Morning & Saturday night

HCG 375iu twice/ week:
Thursday Morning & Sunday night

Did you ask why they advised you to inject hCG the day after your test injection?

 

[bray]

Did you ask why they advised you to inject hCG the day after your test injection?

No, I read cyp peaks at 48 hours and HCG at 24 hours, so my guess is that when the test shot peaks the HCG will stop the factory from shutting down. But could be wrong.

 

[bray]

Just updating - I stopped HCG 4 weeks in.

pre TRT

6 weeks

3 months