From testosterone to HCG only - an experiment

[61er]

After six months on gel and three rounds of Testopel (pellets) I decided to give hcg -only treatment a try. My first injection was July 5. Dosage was 500 IU two times a week.

On August 7, I had bloodwork done and the results were on the low side: TT 279 (300-890), FT 67.5 (47-244), SHBG 22 (13-71), and Estradiol 14.2 pg/ml (no reference range). The TT and FT were well below levels on pellets, but I felt pretty good, but not great. (Before treatment began, about 2.5 years ago, TT was in the mid hundreds and I felt like crap.)

To boost TT, my endo suggested a 3x week treatment regimen. This began two weeks ago.

The next month or two should be interesting. If TT doesn't rebound, I assume my doctor will advise adding some exogenous T to the mix.

On the whole, I've happy with hcg. Testicles are full size and morning erections are good. Injecting is a breeze and painless with 31 gauge SQ.

Can anyone shed light on the relatively low T? Does it take time for Leydig cells to fully reactivate? (I'm 7 weeks on HCG only.) Or, at 51, are testes unlikely to ever produce the levels I loved while on T?

Just a quick update on this post. After four months of HCG only, I've decided to go back on testosterone . Many of the typical symptoms of low T have returned.

Bloodwork from Nov. 1: TT 209 (300-890), FT 49.5 (47-244), SHBG 22 (13-71), and Estradiol 23.2 pg/ml (no reference range).

I'll definitely stay on HCG.

[ZenFitness]

Sorry to hear that it didn't work, but glad for you that you got to figure it out for yourself. Everyone is different.