Can someone verify this comment on hCG?

[ZenFitness]

A couple of months ago, I switched from name-brand hCG (App) to compounded (i.e. generic hCG) as it is about 1/3 of the cost. A member here was kind enough to refer me to a pharmacy where I purchased the compounded hCG and went on my merry way. This is a legit domestic US pharmacy.

HOWEVER

Over the past two months, I have noticed my balls are smaller than they were (by about 25 - 30%) and my scrotum is higher up closer to my body. I was on TRT without hCG for a while, so I know the compounded hCG is at least doing a little bit, but I'm about halfway back to where I would be with no hCG and only exogenous testosterone (i.e. very high and tight with the sack, etc.). The main reason I use hCG is to get some comfort down in the sack as the high and tight is very uncomfortable when working out, during sex, etc (balls like to slip up into my abdomen and need to be pushed down or my scrotum feels as tight as a rubber band all the time). As it stands, I'm about 50% uncomfortable with this compounded stuff.

Thus, I called this pharmacy and told them my story. I said the efficacy of their compounded hCG doesn't seem very good. The pharmacist explained that their hCG is tested, certified, yada yada and then he made the statement that they have observed diminishing effects with hCG after prolonged use. I have only been at hCG since May (1 month of App and 2 months of the compounded), so I'm not sure I qualify for "prolonged use".

I'm curious if anyone can verify this. If not, I think I'll pay the extra $$ and go back to App to find out.

[FRDave]

When I switched from compounded HCG to freeze dried powder and constituted myself, I no longer had that dull ache in the testes so I also assumed the compounded stuff was not as strong. With all these contaminated compound pharmacies in the news, I will never use another.

[LowT Mike]

Whats your dose? This is very common. Remember HCG dosing isnt one size fits all. 250IU 2x per week is on the low end on the starting protocol. It works for most but not all. Some guys DO experience 20% atrophy at this dose just means they need to bump it up a bit.

[Metalject]

When I switched from compounded HCG to freeze dried powder and constituted myself, I no longer had that dull ache in the testes so I also assumed the compounded stuff was not as strong. With all these contaminated compound pharmacies in the news, I will never use another.

The number of compounding pharmacies that experience contamination is miniscule. Further, most of the big name pharmas have had to deal with similar contamination issues more than once. You just don't hear about it because they have the money to make sure you don't hear about it. I guarantee you LowT Mike can verify this.

[ZenFitness]

Thanks FRDave... please forgive my ignorance, but I'm assuming freeze dried powder is the name brand stuff?

[ZenFitness]

Hi LowT Mike,

Thanks for the feedback. Here is the situation:

1. I've used 250 IUs 3X a week since I started (although I did 5X my first week... my doc prescribed 250 every day, but I dialed it back)
2. When I used App (namebrand), I was hanging nice, testicles were much fuller, etc.
3. When I switched to compounded from this pharmacy, my testicles shrank about 30% and my scrotum is about 50 - 75% back up from where it was.
4. When I asked the compounding pharmacy about this, they claimed that hCG starts having a diminishing effect with continual use (i.e. my shrinkage is just my body not responding to the hCG after a while)

I'm trying to confirm statement #4 above to see if this is true or if I need to go back to a non-compounded hCG to achieve the desired effect. If #4 above is correct, then I'm curious if I should cycle hCG.

[LowT Mike]

HCG half life is very short. I see your logic titrating your frequency instead of your dose. I will guarantee you if you have functioning Leydig cells in your testicles that increasing your dose of HCG will work great. 2x a week works just fine. Not sure what your pharma is saying in number 4. It is true HCG works better in younger men than older men. Maybe he is saying as you get older generally the efficacy of HCG goes down. That I agree with.

Compounding pharmacies are bar none 10 times better quality, sterility and potency than big pharma. They are custom medications that can be specifically compounded exactly for your body. They are fantasitc. Dont believe the hype. When you hear about compounding pharmacies that get shut down. This is all about big pharma and DEA trying to shed bad light onto compounding pharmacies who cut into 3% of their revenue. They want it all!!! Big pharma controls everything, They are the DEA and the FDA. Just to give you real scoop on the menegitis outbreak that occured on the east coast. It was actually a compounding pharmacy that didnt have the right equpment who was a subcontracted out to make drugs for a big pharma company. Big pharma knew it, but they were cheap and didnt have a calibrated litholizer. and were hand litholizing there meds. Bottom line is. It was Big pharma that was overseeing this lab and made them cut corners to save profits. You dont hear that part of the story and funny you dont hear about the thousands of people that get sick daily because of bad or misdosed big pharma meds.

[ZenFitness]

Thanks again LowT Mike. I think I may be asking my question sideways as I'm still a bit confused, but I think I see what you are saying. Please let me know if this is correct:

You are indicating that a compounded hCG should be better quality than what I would get from a namebrand hCG. Thus, my observation that the compounded hCG I am using seems to be less effective than the namebrand I previously used should be limited to this particular pharmacy.

I still think I will fill App again on my next hCG fill to see the difference firsthand as the compounded stuff doesn't seem to be as effective in my experience - but I've only worked with one pharmacy.

[LowT Mike]

Whenever you switch to any medication brand. Your dosing might be subject to change. Just find the dose that works for you. Dont discount compounding pharmacies based on one episode that you are expericing less effect from the same dose than a brand HCG. Generally as a whole CP are much better medications.

Thus, my observation that the compounded hCG I am using seems to be less effective than the namebrand I previously used should be limited to this particular pharmacy. YES!!

[FRDave]

Thanks FRDave... please forgive my ignorance, but I'm assuming freeze dried powder is the name brand stuff?

If will come freeze dried from most manufactures then you have to constitute yourself with Bacteriostatic Water.

[ZenFitness]

Thanks again LowT Mike. I put a call in with my doc to see if she prefers that I switch the dosage or the frequency to adjust to a different medication.

Hi FRDave - both the namebrand and the compounded come freeze dried. My hCG is not premixed, etc.

[LowT Mike]

You bet Zen. Im here to help. If you would like a list of compounding pharmacies that I use. PM me.

[FRDave]

Thanks again LowT Mike. I put a call in with my doc to see if she prefers that I switch the dosage or the frequency to adjust to a different medication.

Hi FRDave - both the namebrand and the compounded come freeze dried. My hCG is not premixed, etc.

Oh, gotcha. My compounded HCG was already mixed, not freeze dried. Maybe different brands are more potent :-/

[powerlifterty16]

You bet Zen. Im here to help. If you would like a list of compounding pharmacies that I use. PM me.

mike did u get my pm?

[rt12008]

Low T Mike. So my balls get nice and big at 150iu a day. Is that out of range? I know specific situations are tough, but in general is that too much?

[powerlifterty16]

Low T Mike. So my balls get nice and big at 150iu a day. Is that out of range? I know specific situations are tough, but in general is that too much?

im not low t mike but 1050 per week is a good amount

[FRDave]

Low T Mike. So my balls get nice and big at 150iu a day. Is that out of range? I know specific situations are tough, but in general is that too much?

Most take 500-1000iu weekly so I would say your in range with the average.

[rt12008]

Most take 500-1000iu weekly so I would say your in range with the average.

Thank you

[Java Man]

Ive been on hcg for 8 months. I haven't noticed any diminished efficacy. I say bs. Find a new source. Medical studies have been published where men used hcg for 24 months. Diminished efficacy was not part of any of the ones I have read, either. This pharmacist is full of sh!t.

[LowT Mike]

Thats good. Some men like that protocol of 150IU per day. Others dont like pinning ED. Whatever works for you. Best way is to stage testicular size. Anything over 500IU per day is a waste. You only have so many leydig cell receptors.

[dreadnok89]

Mike, any other good supplements to help with the balls? Hcg isn't cutting it for me

[rt12008]

Thats good. Some men like that protocol of 150IU per day. Others dont like pinning ED. Whatever works for you. Best way is to stage testicular size. Anything over 500IU per day is a waste. You only have so many leydig cell receptors.

Thank you LTM. That was exactly what I was looking for.

[MArz123]

Maybe you put too much BAC water in, thus over diluted it...(compared to the name brand to used previously)