HRT and Acne

[Spyke]

My biggest and only HRT related side at this time is acne. Most of it is on my back and a bit on my chest. This really sucks because I am now at the point where I think I look pretty good without a shirt on. I have gained some nice muscle and lost alot of fat, but I don't want to go shirtless because of the acne.

I have tried benzoil peroxide, using anti bacterial dish soap on my body after workouts and tanning with little success. I am on a 30 day cycle of an oral antibiotic right now and it has helped a little, but I think I may need a couple more cycles of it to see real results?. I know there is accutaine but that stuff has more bad sides then any AAS know to man, so I want to avoid that.

Anyone have suggestions?

[WallyWorld637]

I have the same thing. I need help too.

[Ufa]

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[Spyke]

UPDATE

Went to a derm today. Told her about my HRT program and she was cool about it. So she gives me another cycle of oral antibiotics, a cream and a special soap. She did mention that she was a little concerned because if my test levels were in the normal range there shouldnt be a major problem with acne. So it got me thinking....

I was last tested after being on 150mg per week for about 12 weeks. It came back at 650 on the Lab Corp scale. Since then I have added 500 units of HCG and .5mg arimidex every 3 days. I am thinking maybe the hcg and arimidex has boosted my test beyond normal. The acne really started getting bad after adding them too.

So I am thinking of grabbing a quick total testosterone test to see where I am at. If I am too high, that would be an easy fix for the acne.

[Pac8541]

Sorry to hear about your condition but it relieves my a little to hear this. I was completely acne free during my last cycle until I started PCT. I used HCG and nolva and within the first week broke out on my back and forehead with a little on my chest. WTF? Anyway, I kind of came to the same conclusion you did about the PCT boosting my test above normal but isn't that what the cycle does anyway? Boosts your test way above normal? I was using letro during the last 4 weeks of my cycle so maybe I had a rebound of estrogen when I went into PCT since I discontinued it at that point.

PCT for my current cycle will be considerably different as is this entire cycle. I'm on track now. Best of luck to you.

[Ufa]

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[Pac8541]

spyke,

I'm sorry. I think I got completely off topic with my response to your question/concern. What I responded with really isn't anything like what you're dealing with and my response isn't even appropriate for this thread. I think I may have read it wrong from the get go. Sorry about that bro. Still, best of luck to you. I'm probably going the HRT route when I'm finished with my current cycle. I should have something more constructive then.

Take care.

[vermin]

It is not the test, it is the HCG. For the amount of test you are taking, I doubt HCG is really necessary and the poential for more & worse sides makes it seem like a bad idea. Did you have any test sides that made you think HCG would be needed? At 650 I would doubt it.

[Kale]

It is not the test, it is the HCG. For the amount of test you are taking, I doubt HCG is really necessary and the poential for more & worse sides makes it seem like a bad idea. Did you have any test sides that made you think HCG would be needed? At 650 I would doubt it.

I absolutely agree, the HCG will be causing the problem. Drop it, you dont need it.

[Spyke]

No, my doc puts all his guys on HCG after 12 weeks of test only. It is to keep the testes from shrinking. Like the test, the HCG is not cycled. I take 250iu 2 times a week.

Problem is if I go off it my balls shrink. The acne got real bad after starting HCG so there may be something going on......I am considering cycling the HCG....What do you think?

[vermin]

I would doubt that you'd get those side from test at that dosage. Had you noticed any shrinkage?

[Spyke]

yeah I did notice some shrinkage that went away as soon as I started the HCG, but the acne soon followed.

[vermin]

Maybe that Anthony Roberts new supp might help instead of the HCG?

[Ufa]

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[Kale]

HCG should only be used for PCT. Don't abuse any supplement, steroid,
hormone, or vitamin.

Dude that is just not right !!!!

[Ufa]

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[UpstateNY]

As far as the acne issue, I found that I developed it on my shoulders and upper arms with a little on my upper chest now and then. I was on 1ML/wk. Doc put me on 1/2 every 5 days and it reduced it somewhat. Hope to go back to the 1 Ml as I felt a bit better. I found that washing with a cleansing scrub helped a lot. I also wiped the area down once a day with a cleansing pad such as Oxy or Clearasil. Made a big difference for me. If I don't use the scrub regularly it comes back.
I don't cycle, it's a regular deal for me to maintain my health and quality of life. I'm comfortable enough with my apearance and accept that even with higher doses or other drugs, I can't do the required exercise due to my injuries. I could never afford the costs or the risks either. I haven't had any issue with testicular atrophy.
Hope this helps you guys out some.
RM

[Spyke]

HCG should only be used for PCT. Don't abuse any supplement, steroid,
hormone, or vitamin.

UFA I did not just start taking the stuff on my own. My Dr put me on it so I would not really say that is abuse.

[vermin]

It is comonly used as an augment to HRT, but it sounds to me like you have some trade-offs to weigh. I thought you said what kind of test you were on, but I scanned and could not find it. I wonder if a different form of test, or a different way of taking it, may reduce the test sides so you'd be more comfortable doing without the HCG.

If you are shooting a long-ester test, I can state with experience that 2Xweek works much better than once a week (or even every 2 weeks like some endos will do). Getting those sides with so little test would bother me, too.

[Ufa]

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[Spyke]

I am just on cyp.

I am going in for bloodwork this week. I want to see where the total test is.(also wanna see the hdl/ldl)If my total test is normal then I am going to first try to cycle the hcg to see what that does for the acne. Maybe if that does not help I can look at doing injections 2 times a week.

[Ufa]

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[Columbus]

What are your current doses?

I am running 125mg of cyp every 4th day or so and just a tad acne on my face...nothing bad.....thinking I need some hcg after week 14.....250mg twice ok?