Anyone tried HCG as a monotherapy? Is it a waste of time?

[rogerdodger]

I was going to get back on TRT this year, but my doc recommended trying just HCG on it's own first. My total testosterone is always fine (600-700 range), but my free T is always low, as well as my DHEA. SHBG was also high on recent labs. My energy level always sucks and my sex drive has been pretty dead forever (38/M). Although I am currently in the best shape of my life, I feel crappy all the time.

So anyway, I've been doing HCG monotherapy for a month now, 3 doses per week, and I've noticed zero improvements. If anything I just feel more exhausted and foggy. Labs are set to be rechecked in a few weeks, and I don't think there will be much change, other than maybe estrogen spiking. My e2 is usually low, but on recent labs in was in the middle range.

So I'm not feeling very optimistic at this point, and wondering if anyone else here has tried HCG monotherapy. Also I wonder if I do go back on TRT (been off a few years), should I combine it with HCG or just forget about the HCG altogether? Any helpful advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[bananafeet]

Have you looked into the other causes of fatigue.

Like undiagnosed sleep apnea for example?

Usually HCG is taken to preserve testicular function.

You say you're in the best shape of your life. Are you over training? Maybe take two weeks of and see if you feel better.

 

[buck]

What are your blood test numbers with the protocol you are doing.
And what is the dose you use.
One of the TRT Dr.s i used in the past would do just HCG therapy. But most patients ended up going over the T injections.

 

[rogerdodger]

What are your blood test numbers with the protocol you are doing.
And what is the dose you use.
One of the TRT Dr.s i used in the past would do just HCG therapy. But most patients ended up going over the T injections.

testosterone was 698
Free testosterone was 7.1 (ref range 8.7-25.1)
DHEA was 99 (ref range 102.6-416.3) not super low, but I had been taking 50mg of DHEA daily for months so I can imagine what it would be without that..
LH was 6.8
FSH was 2.7 (not worried about sperm count due to vasectomy)
PSA 0.5
SHBG 64.6 (ref range 16.5-55.9)

I started off with just 250IU of HCG 3 times a week, which I guess is a standard starting dose, after a couple of weeks I went up to 400IU 3 times a week. HCG monotherapy seems to work for some, and I'll still give it a few more weeks, but I think most people end up on TRT instead, or in conjunction with HCG.

 

[buck]

testosterone was 698
Free testosterone was 7.1 (ref range 8.7-25.1)
DHEA was 99 (ref range 102.6-416.3) not super low, but I had been taking 50mg of DHEA daily for months so I can imagine what it would be without that..
LH was 6.8
FSH was 2.7 (not worried about sperm count due to vasectomy)
PSA 0.5
SHBG 64.6 (ref range 16.5-55.9)

I started off with just 250IU of HCG 3 times a week, which I guess is a standard starting dose, after a couple of weeks I went up to 400IU 3 times a week. HCG monotherapy seems to work for some, and I'll still give it a few more weeks, but I think most people end up on TRT instead, or in conjunction with HCG.

One study a saw showed 250 iu every other day raised most people T levels to the average base line. The Dr i went to that was using HCG therapy had people injecting daily. starting around 125 iu a day then going up till the levels desired were reached. If some one has primary hypogonadism then HCG will likley not work as well.

 

[LW64]

testosterone was 698
Free testosterone was 7.1 (ref range 8.7-25.1)
DHEA was 99 (ref range 102.6-416.3) not super low, but I had been taking 50mg of DHEA daily for months so I can imagine what it would be without that..
LH was 6.8
FSH was 2.7 (not worried about sperm count due to vasectomy)
PSA 0.5
SHBG 64.6 (ref range 16.5-55.9)

I started off with just 250IU of HCG 3 times a week, which I guess is a standard starting dose, after a couple of weeks I went up to 400IU 3 times a week. HCG monotherapy seems to work for some, and I'll still give it a few more weeks, but I think most people end up on TRT instead, or in conjunction with HCG.

Your problem isn't the HCG therapy, its that your SHBG is crazy high.

You and your doctor might want to explore why your SHBG is nearly 10 points higher than the top of the normal range. SHBG that high will prevent you from having a normal Free T, even with a (very good) Total T at 698.

The Free T result shows you're below normal, so of course you feel like shit. Btw, the normal range for Free T is more like 10 to 25; 8.7 as the bottom of 'normal' is fantasyland, especially if you're on T replacement.

Some reasons for elevated SHBG include:

- Hyperthyroidism

- Overconsumption of alcohol - cirrhosis, and hepatitis.

That above normal SHBG lab result should have already been a serious topic of discussion before ever putting you on any kind of replacement.

 

[Mads2]

Why not try enclomiphene instead for mono therapy? My issue with HCG is its actual shelf life once opened.

 

[rogerdodger]

Your problem isn't the HCG therapy, its that your SHBG is crazy high.

You and your doctor might want to explore why your SHBG is nearly 10 points higher than the top of the normal range. SHBG that high will prevent you from having a normal Free T, even with a (very good) Total T at 698.

The Free T result shows you're below normal, so of course you feel like shit. Btw, the normal range for Free T is more like 10 to 25; 8.7 as the bottom of 'normal' is fantasyland, especially if you're on T replacement.

Some reasons for elevated SHBG include:

- Hyperthyroidism

- Overconsumption of alcohol - cirrhosis, and hepatitis.

That above normal SHBG lab result should have already been a serious topic of discussion before ever putting you on any kind of replacement.

thanks for the response. I've had Hyperthyroid symptoms for years, but my thyroid labs always come back looking normal, except my T3 Reverse being high (T3 is directly tied to SHBG, or so I've read).. No alochol consumption so that's not the issue. In short, I gotta see a competent Doctor at some point (appointment still a couple weeks away), but they are not always easy to find. It's been a long time feeling like garbage and my brain is mush. I've been taking Boron in the mean time to try and lower my SHBG some.

Why not try enclomiphene instead for mono therapy? My issue with HCG is its actual shelf life once opened.

Is the shelf life of HCG not good? It didn't jump out to me as being any different than most things. I keep it in the fridge. I would still be interested in Enclomiphene, but I'll leave it up to my doc. Usually my e2 is low, so I was thinking Enclomiphene would lower it too much, but at this point (after 5 weeks on HCG) my e2 is probably high anyway. The next step might be back to TRT, but it depends on my follow-up labs I suppose.

 

[LW64]

thanks for the response. I've had Hyperthyroid symptoms for years, but my thyroid labs always come back looking normal, except my T3 Reverse being high (T3 is directly tied to SHBG, or so I've read).. No alochol consumption so that's not the issue. In short, I gotta see a competent Doctor at some point (appointment still a couple weeks away), but they are not always easy to find. It's been a long time feeling like garbage and my brain is mush. I've been taking Boron in the mean time to try and lower my SHBG some.


Is the shelf life of HCG not good? It didn't jump out to me as being any different than most things. I keep it in the fridge. I would still be interested in Enclomiphene, but I'll leave it up to my doc. Usually my e2 is low, so I was thinking Enclomiphene would lower it too much, but at this point (after 5 weeks on HCG) my e2 is probably high anyway. The next step might be back to TRT, but it depends on my follow-up labs I suppose.

Your reverse T3 is high but in the normal range or high as in over the top of the normal range for reverse T3? The latter would be another issue to explore with a doc.

I am skeptical about boron. Be cautious, it is possible to take too much.

Enclomiphene and HCG rev up your own production of T - but your Free T is limited by your SHBG in either case, so there is no solution to your issue by switching to that, or any other form of TRT for that matter. Injections can get you a higher T level, but (if it was me) I would be concerned about WHY IN THE HELL MY SHBG IS SO HIGH. Its not something you can just ignore.

Start pushing for answers to your SHBG problem or you will never sort this out properly.

 

[rogerdodger]

Your reverse T3 is high but in the normal range or high as in over the top of the normal range for reverse T3? The latter would be another issue to explore with a doc.

I am skeptical about boron. Be cautious, it is possible to take too much.

Enclomiphene and HCG rev up your own production of T - but your Free T is limited by your SHBG in either case, so there is no solution to your issue by switching to that, or any other form of TRT for that matter. Injections can get you a higher T level, but (if it was me) I would be concerned about WHY IN THE HELL MY SHBG IS SO HIGH. Its not something you can just ignore.

Start pushing for answers to your SHBG problem or you will never sort this out properly.

reverse T3 was high as in over the top (over by one point, so not too crazy). I appreciate & agree with your advice. I wonder if HCG would be worth revisiting in the future if I could get my SHBG back to normal range. Right now HCG just feels like a failed experiment for me, but high SHBG may have just blocked HCG from doing it's thing. I'm still thinking HCG probably just isn't a good fit for me either way, but I don't know...first things first, gotta figure out why SHBG is high. Also wondering about my Prolactin, I'll have to get that checked. Anyway, thanks again.