Achy Testicles

I am looking for some input on a new issue.

I have been on TRT for about 2 years. I am 41 years old with the following protocol.

Testosterone shot 1x per week 120mg
HCH shots 2x per week 500IU
Anastrazole .25mg 2x per week

My test levels and estradiol levels are in solid ranges.

Starting a few months ago my testicles have a noticeable retraction and slight shrinkage, but not terrible. The bigger problem is that I have an ache in my testicles (more on one side than another that has been relatively persistent during this same time period. Smetimes very achy and sometimes just barely.

I feel like my protocol is correct, but something must be wrong.

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks

Read the sticky at the top of the forum on HCG; this will explain things for you.

The fact that you are taking 1000 iu of HCG per week and still have symptoms of Testicular Atrophy is sort of confusing.

Is the HCG you are taking pharmacy grade? If so, I would question the quality of the drug and speak to your Physician as this should not be happening.

Was your diagnosis Primary or Secondary Hypogonadism?

I have a suspicion that your HCG may not be what it's supposed to be...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gdevine

Read the sticky at the top of the forum on HCG; this will explain things for you.

The fact that you are taking 1000 iu of HCG per week and still have symptoms of Testicular Atrophy is sort of confusing.

Is the HCG you are taking pharmacy grade? If so, I would question the quality of the drug and speak to your Physician as this should not be happening.

Was your diagnosis Primary or Secondary Hypogonadism?

I have a suspicion that your HCG may not be what it's supposed to be...

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Gdevine,

Thank you. I do not know what the primary vs secondary is, however I looked just Hypogonadism and I am having nearly every one of those symptoms.

I had assumed pharmacy grade as my clinic is "Ageless Men's Health" whom supposedly has a good reputation. I will order some from a different palace and see if I notice a change.

In your opinion, if this is the case, would my testicles recover over time?

Many Thanks for your help

The symptoms you are describing are testicular atrophy due to HPTA suppression (read the sticky on HCG).

The primary reason for HCG as part of overall TRT protocol is to prevent this action from happening.

There are many reasons why HCG could fail but probably the first you want to rule out is poor quality formulation...hence, why I asked if it was pharmacy grade.

Do you have to reconstitute your HCG or is it all ready in a a solution?

no pain here but been experiencing atrophy since i switched pharmacies, unfortunately it seems that more and more bunk hCG is on the rise! is there an alternative to hCG?

No alternative to HCG; it's the best LH analog.

Potency for any drug is critical and why Pharmacy Grade drugs cost more as they are regulated and potency and consistency guaranteed.

I am pretty sure that the OP's problem is shitty HCG; other then that, and assuming he's not primary, could be other medical complications.

^^Agree. Real curious if it's coming to him already mixed......therein may lie the answer.

Hey All,

No, they formulate it at the TRT clinic that I go to. I don't know the brand but plan to ask. It all started 1 year in, and I have been on TRT 2 years. At this point I am thinking along the lines of gdevine that something has been switched, quality-wise. It's the only thing that makes sense as this protocol has been the same the entire time.

I will try my own mixed HCG from an alternate source, and see if things improve. At this point all things point to ineffective HCG in my opinion after hearing you guys and reading as much as I can.

Question - If that is the case, and going forward the HCG is correct, will the atrophy and other symptoms of Hypogonadism reverse to any degree?

Thanks....

One further question. Can someone explain how to tell, or what the difference is, between primary and secondary hypogonadism? I can't seem to find anything on that.

Rob - You really really need to read the stickies at the top of the forum and educate yourself man. They are there for just that reason and so that we don't have to answer the same basic questions over and over again.

No disrespect, seriously, but you need to educate yourself; you are on a TRT protocol for the rest of you life...learn about it as it's actually very fascinating.

Now to your questions;

1) Yes, with the right potency of HCG you can reverse the condition of your testicles. From what I've read, you're not too far down the path so your condition can be reversed pretty quickly with the right HCG.

2) I am going to keep this simple as Google is your friend: a) Primary Hypogonadism is diagnosed with a pathology in your Testes. In other words, HPTA works but the Testilces will not respond. There are a number of reasons why this condition can occure. Primary is usually seen more often in younger guys than older. b) Secondary Hypogonadism is diagnosed when the Testes can perform their function but they are not getting thier signal to do so via the HPT Axis. This condition is usually seen in guys >35 years of age.

Help?

Can't really say anything else on the HCG and diagnosis stuf that hasn't been said.

Time is the best thing you can invest into this stuff. The more time you spend here, the more you will learn, and the more you learn the better off you will be with this stuff for the long haul. Optimizing your program will just take some commitment. Don't rely on your medical team to do it for you, they will only let you down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gdevine

Rob - You really really need to read the stickies at the top of the forum and educate yourself man. They are there for just that reason and so that we don't have to answer the same basic questions over and over again.

No disrespect, seriously, but you need to educate yourself; you are on a TRT protocol for the rest of you life...learn about it as it's actually very fascinating.

Now to your questions;

1) Yes, with the right potency of HCG you can reverse the condition of your testicles. From what I've read, you're not too far down the path so your condition can be reversed pretty quickly with the right HCG.

2) I am going to keep this simple as Google is your friend: a) Primary Hypogonadism is diagnosed with a pathology in your Testes. In other words, HPTA works but the Testilces will not respond. There are a number of reasons why this condition can occure. Primary is usually seen more often in younger guys than older. b) Secondary Hypogonadism is diagnosed when the Testes can perform their function but they are not getting thier signal to do so via the HPT Axis. This condition is usually seen in guys >35 years of age.

Help?

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Thank you for that explanation - I understand a bit more. Up until now I basically trusted the docs and hoped for the best. That's gotta change. I'll keep reading, and thanks for your help on this everyone.

Rob