I posted on another board about the merits of using HCG with HRT and one of the HRT doc's came back with the below post. Some of the HRT docs I have spoken to reccommend a weekly protocol well on HRT of 500 IU per week. I am going to try it with my HRT and get blood tests to see where my levels are:
There are other reasons to take HCG than merely staving off testicular atrophy.
LH, and therefore its analog HCG, stimulates the enzyme (P450 SCC) which converts CHOL to pregnenolone. This is the first step in the three metabolic pathways which result not only in production of the sex steroids, but also mineralcorticoids (aldosterone, which maintains hydration balance) and the corticosteroids (mediators of inflammation and immune function). My feeling is that stimulating all these pathways results in a more natural, healthy hormonal milieu, especially in cases of HPTA suppression. All of the hormones are important, or they wouldn’t be here in the first place. We certainly do not know all of the effects and interactions of this hormonal “symphony”, and I prefer to excite the pathways with a bit of HCG (as opposed to presenting almost no LH to the P450 SCC enzyme) just in case.
Some anecdotal proof is offered by my AAS patients who use HCG regularly, during their cycles. They report they “just feel better” using this protocol. Many have also said they are avoiding that edgy, burned-out feeling you can get while on a heavy cycle.
I also believe it is better to maintain the form and function of the testes, rather than letting them atrophy away from non-use. Again, this just seems like common sense to me.
HCG taken appropriately (not too much at a time) will not cause any concerns as far as elevating estrogen. I always maintain E near the middle of normal range, though, so we have a bit of a buffer anyway. How much is too much? IMPO, anything more than 500IU at a time. My usual dose in HRT patients is 250IU, twice per week.
HCG sure will elevate T levels, that is what it does. Again, if it is used in small dosages, you shouldn’t be pushing T above the top of normal range. Given weekly testosterone cypionate dosing, and given the half-life of the cypionate ester, administering HCG the day of, and the day immediately previous to, the test cyp injection helps boost the slowly falling serum T level back up. Therefore, a protocol such as mine produces more stable serum T levels, too.
I’ve never heard any other HRT doctors describe their use of HCG in these ways, but it sure does make sense to me. My patients really like it, and that is very important, too.
I sure do agree with PS: there is something VERY special about the testosterone you produce from your own testicles.
Many, if not most, men ARE HPTA suppressed while on TRT. If someone is not suppressed at 100mg per week of test cyp IM, then all I can say is “Good for you!”
I do not believe that HCG used twice per week at 250, or even 500IU, will induce LH resistance.
Certainly an aesthetic consideration for maintaining testicular size is valid. However, I believe there are even better reasons.
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