What not just pregnenolone alone - without HCG? Am I missing something?

**2Sox** · 02-25-2013, 11:58 AM

I've read the sticky about hcg and pregnenolone and doing a little research. I've also been reading the posts of people here about the great importance - even the necessity - of hcg when on TRT. And I concur. My question is this: If testicular atrophy and loss of sperm production isn't an issue (and it isn't for me since I'm way past the age of having more kids and I've gotten used to seeing small stones in the sacks), why not just supplement with pregnenolone? Doesn't that cover the bases? Am I missing something?

**steroid.com 1** · 02-25-2013, 12:25 PM

HCG does much much more than just keeping your testes full and functioning.

Your testes support more than just the androgen sex hormone pathway as they support both the mineralcorticoid and glucocortioid pathways as well.

So when a mans testes shut down there are implications far beyond just sperm and full testes.

There are some who believe that HCG (LH Analog) is in and of itself a sex hormone which has significant neuro-effects as well.

**2Sox** · 02-25-2013, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by gdevine

HCG does much much more than just keeping your testes full and functioning.

Your testes support more than just the androgen sex hormone pathway as they support both the mineralcorticoid and glucocortioid pathways as well.

Looked up mineralcorticoid and glucocorticoid on Wikipedia. Interesting. Do you know where I can find the data that makes the connection between the testes and glucocorticoids and mineralcorticoids?

**steroid.com 1** · 02-25-2013, 01:57 PM

There's a ton of data out there; Google is your friend.

Remember, DHEA and Pregnenolone are produced in your testes; these two hormones are needed for every other hormone in your body. When you're testes no longer function what do think happens to these two foundation hormones?

**steroid.com 1** · 02-25-2013, 02:02 PM

See attached, this diagram may help you understand why your testes need to function as noted. The synthesis of cholesterol to Pregnenolone happens within the testes via the p450 scc enzyme. The p450 scc get activated by either LH or HCG if administered.

Click image for larger version.

Name: hormone-pathway.jpg
Views: 5426
Size: 98.7 KB
ID: 134037

**2Sox** · 02-25-2013, 02:15 PM

gdevine,
Thanks very much for your input and patience. I guess I should also supplement with DHEA? This has me be more determined to seek out an MD who will do hcg .

**steroid.com 1** · 02-25-2013, 02:28 PM

Yes, supplement with micronized Pregnenolone and DHEA 50 mg daily in the morning.

You need HCG for so many reasons...this is a wonderful peptide that is safe and effective when dosed correctly.

**HRTstudent** · 02-25-2013, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by gdevine

There's a ton of data out there; Google is your friend.

Remember, DHEA and Pregnenolone are produced in your testes; these two hormones are needed for every other hormone in your body. When you're testes no longer function what do think happens to these two foundation hormones?

With regard to DHEA, it is important to remember that most, by far, of the DHEA produced in the body is produced by the adrenal glands.

Personally, my DHEAs levels are at pretty good levels without HCG despite being on TRT.

Pregnenolone, on the other hand, I am not sure. I have heard Dr Mariano refer to pregnenolone supplemetation as a "drop in the bucket" but I don't know of other ways to raise it, except maybe HCG (which I'm not sure if he uses).

**HRTstudent** · 02-25-2013, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by 2Sox

I've read the sticky about hcg and pregnenolone and doing a little research. I've also been reading the posts of people here about the great importance - even the necessity - of hcg when on TRT. And I concur. My question is this: If testicular atrophy and loss of sperm production isn't an issue (and it isn't for me since I'm way past the age of having more kids and I've gotten used to seeing small stones in the sacks), why not just supplement with pregnenolone? Doesn't that cover the bases? Am I missing something?

One thing that I think is particularly important to keep in mind at all times is a fundamental truth - we (medicine, humans) don't really completely understand the human body nor sex organs. Sure, we know a lot, but there are many intricacies we have yet to uncover. A good example is SHBG, in the past many people thought that SHBG simply rendered testosterone useless, but we now know that SHBG has its own actions and is not merely some inert substance.

With that said, what are the implications of shutting down the testes prematurely and indefinitely? I think this goes into a personal/clinical judgment area of medicine at this point. Because really, we don't have the answer. Intuitively, to many people this sounds like a detrimental thing - who would want their testes totally nonfunctional? (They do so many things!)

**steroid.com 1** · 02-25-2013, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by HRTstudent

One thing that I think is particularly important to keep in mind at all times is a fundamental truth - we (medicine, humans) don't really completely understand the human body nor sex organs. Sure, we know a lot, but there are many intricacies we have yet to uncover. A good example is SHBG, in the past many people thought that SHBG simply rendered testosterone useless, but we now know that SHBG has its own actions and is not merely some inert substance.

With that said, what are the implications of shutting down the testes prematurely and indefinitely? I think this goes into a personal/clinical judgment area of medicine at this point. Because really, we don't have the answer. Intuitively, to many people this sounds like a detrimental thing - who would want their testes totally nonfunctional? (They do so many things!)

^^^^Really well said; Very nice!