Urgent question about hCG!

[LFH40]

I'm with the site sponsor and I've been eyeballing my vial of hCG and I'm about 10 weeks into TRT. I take 250iu twice per week along with my test cyp and anastrozole.
My concern is that I don't think that the small amount in the vial is going to last another 10 weeks. A couple more weeks if that. I called the pharmacy when I reconstituted the prescription
and I'm confident that it's reconstituted the correct way. I also am capable of filling the syringe to mid-way between the 20 and 30 on the slin pin.

My prescription bottle states I have FOUR refills before October of 2014.(started TRT on 10/16/13 and hCG started then as well as the test cyp) If this is supposed to last me 20 weeks, and I am 8 weeks without it, what are my options? I'm sort of freaking out here. We are 40 and trying to have a baby (the last one and it's via IVF as it is!) and now I'm going to end up shut down without hCG. This is our last chance for a baby. I've notified the site sponsor and they wanted to know if I was measuring out my syringe correctly. I am sure they're all gone for the weekend, but I replied via email that yes, I am, filling them correctly. If you divide 53 weeks by 5 prescriptions (initial prescription plus the 4 refills) you would get approx 10.5 weeks per vial. It seems like I'm almost due to be out of hCG , yet the company is telling me I should be getting another 10 weeks out of this vial?

Please help guys? Any advice? More than my testicles shriveling up, I'm at a standstill with all this mega expensive fertility treatment we are engrossed in mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. This could affect my marriage if I can't get it straightened out. Anyone from lowT care to chime in, I'd be grateful.
Thanks!

[FRDave]

Is the vial 5,000iu or 10,000iu? Assuming the normal 5,000iu, at 500iu weekly, a single vial will only last 10 weeks.

But to answer your question, a tiny amount in the vial goes further than you would think. I would be more concerned about the low dosage (if it works, great) and the fact that the typical shelf life is 4-6 weeks at which it starts to loose potency, no where near 20 :-/

Look into getting a semen analysis if you can. May have to up your weekly dosage, especially if trying to get the lady pregnant.

[64509chvl]

Im into TRT by 9.5 weeks...my HCG dose is 250iu's twice a week aswell. My 5,000 units vial is about gone, one more injection for sure, maybe 2...so it's right on the money! No possible way the one 5,000 unit vial will last 20 weeks! I think it's just a simple misunderstanding. When my HCG showed up it was 2 vials in one box...maybe the one box is one refill!? I don't know but I'm sure you're just fine!

Basic math says 5,000 devided 500 (weekly total dose) is 10.

[LFH40]

Is the vial 5,000iu or 10,000iu? Assuming the normal 5,000iu, at 500iu weekly, a single vial will only last 10 weeks.

But to answer your question, a tiny amount in the vial goes further than you would think. I would be more concerned about the low dosage (if it works, great) and the fact that the typical shelf life is 4-6 weeks at which it starts to loose potency, no where near 20 :-/

Look into getting a semen analysis if you can. May have to up your weekly dosage, especially if trying to get the lady pregnant.

My box states 11,000iu and to add in 5.5ml of bacto water, which I did. I also get a sperm analysis monthly with our treatments for the fertility. My sperm was at 30 million, up from 10 million pre trt. The fertility doc raised an eyebrow when I told him I was on 250iu twice a week. He said I should be at 2500iu per week and I thought that sounded ridiculous.

[LFH40]

Here's a pic of the box with the info.

[FRDave]

<img src="http://forums.steroid.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=147156"/> Here's a pic of the box with the info.

Sounds like you are injecting 500iu per injection (mid-way between the 20 and 30 on the slin pin per your original post), no? Should be .125 on the insulin syringe for a dosage of 250iu.

If you are injecting 500iu twice per week and drop down to the suggested 250iu twice weekly, you will most like experience atrophy (you will know if you feel a dull ache in your testes).

Majority of us use 700-1000iu weekly spread in two-three weekly doses. Any less than 700iu weekly and my testes ache pretty uncomfortably.

[EasyDoesIt]

The 2,500 iu's seems crazy, but i think i see the problem as far as running out. I don't know if they explained reconstituting, but with you using 5.5ml of bac water, you should only be injecting 125iu's of product, because your concentration is doubled. if you were using 11ccwater you inject 250ius. So what's happening is that you are doubling your dose each time do to the concentration. it is a technique some use just to shoot less water in because more water leaves a little lump, but no big deal. You have actually been injecting 1,000 iu per week. So are u using low t? u mentioned site sponor.

[LFH40]

I am with low t. Yes. Low T has told me that I "should be filling it to the the 25 mark, which is obviously between the 20 and 30 mark on the insulin syringe." This is what I have been doing for the last 10 weeks. So I wonder why they're telling me to fill the syringe to that point and also the Doctor has told me to fill it to between the 20 and 30 tick, but is there a disconnect between the pharmacy and the site sponsor with their script?

If I AM, in fact, doubling my dose (unbeknownst to me), and drop down to .125 twice a week, then run out and have several weeks unaccounted for on hCG , what is that going to do to my system? Will my T go out of wack? Will my testicles atrophy? Will my sperm count drop to nothing? I'm freaking out. All I'm doing is what I was told to do by the doctor and site sponsor and now it seems there's a disconnect on what I'm supposed to fill the syringe up to. This could be VERY bad.

[Rusty11]

Sounds like you are injecting 500iu per injection (mid-way between the 20 and 30 on the slin pin per your original post), no? Should be .125 on the insulin syringe for a dosage of 250iu.

If you are injecting 500iu twice per week and drop down to the suggested 250iu twice weekly, you will most like experience atrophy (you will know if you feel a dull ache in your testes).

Majority of us use 700-1000iu weekly spread in two-three weekly doses. Any less than 700iu weekly and my testes ache pretty uncomfortably.

Yep.

11000/5.5=2000iu x.25=500iu per injection. So, Dave is correct. You're injecting double what you thought.

[LFH40]

ARGHHHHH!!! I'm going to have an anxiety attack over this. Why would they double concentrate this and when I call the pharmacy AND the site sponsor they tell me to inject 250iu which they instruct me to fill the syringe to 25 on the slin pin? Seems really odd to do that and now there were crossed wires and I'm doubling my dose.

When I got the box I specifically called for that reason, because it looked odd compared to what I was told.

Now I really need to figure out what is going to happen while I run out and we are without it for 8-10 weeks while trying to conceive....

[EasyDoesIt]

I am with low t. Yes. Low T has told me that I "should be filling it to the the 25 mark, which is obviously between the 20 and 30 mark on the insulin syringe." This is what I have been doing for the last 10 weeks. So I wonder why they're telling me to fill the syringe to that point and also the Doctor has told me to fill it to between the 20 and 30 tick, but is there a disconnect between the pharmacy and the site sponsor with their script?

If I AM, in fact, doubling my dose (unbeknownst to me), and drop down to .125 twice a week, then run out and have several weeks unaccounted for on hCG, what is that going to do to my system? Will my T go out of wack? Will my testicles atrophy? Will my sperm count drop to nothing? I'm freaking out. All I'm doing is what I was told to do by the doctor and site sponsor and now it seems there's a disconnect on what I'm supposed to fill the syringe up to. This could be VERY bad.

Don't freak out lfh, there was apparently some misunderstanding of communication. Did they tell you to inject from the 25 mark once per week or twice? If your on TRT, doubt your nuts will disappear, but you also are concerned about fertility. I would call them and explain what was told to you. I know hcg is expensive also, so you prob feel like you dumped money down drain. Before you lose sleep, just call and explain your situation, then go from there.

[LFH40]

EasyDoesIt, thank you for your advice. I was told to inject from the 25 mark twice per week by the doc and low t. I'm wondering if the pharmacy is doing something different with the double concentrated hCG that maybe Low T wasn't aware of? I also have high E2, which I'm wondering would it be high had I not been doubling my dose of hCG? I'm afraid that I'm kind of finding the "sweet spot" now at 10 weeks and it's going to be thrown all out of wack due to this. I'll be tapering down my hCG dose after finding this out, then I'll RUN out of it, then my T level will go haywire.

I had dialogue online with low T earlier and they wrote to me asking me if I was sure I was measuring correctly to between the 20 and 30 mark. So there HAS to be a disconnect between Low T and the pharmacy. Simple enough and certainly innocent enough, but it's going to wreak havoc on my system now with regards to getting my wife pregnant. We've spent so much money on fertility treatments over the last several months. I could just cry.

[EasyDoesIt]

I just realized your box had the 5.5 listed on it as per pharmacy. When you call Low T SEND THEM THAT PICK, THEY MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN THE BOX LISTED 5.5. Or did you specifically answer that question to low-t also about the 5.5?

[EasyDoesIt]

I was posting when you were, so just saw your message. I would bet the pharmacy who probably gets from a compound company changed there dosing of water. These pharmacies change compound companies for out of stock reasons and some of these compound companies have been shut down for various reasons. But they were probably always labeling at 11cc bac and someone or different compound company uses different method. It's always simpler to keep it simple. I am surprised Low t DID NOT GO OVER MIXING INSTRUCTIONS OR SEND SHEET WITH MIXING INSTRUCTIONS VIA EMAIL.
Excuse caps i am tired

[LFH40]

I didn't ask Low T about the 5.5. At my appointment with the Dr. when he prescribed, he had instructed me and demonstrated on a slin pin where I was to measure to for each of my 2 weekly injections. I had called Empower just to ensure I was reconstituting it correctly. I contacted Low T today because my vial looks a little bit low and wondered if I was due for a refill. They had replied asking if I was filling to the 25 mark like they assumed I was supposed to be.

If that vial is supposed to last me 20 weeks, why would I have 4 refills over the course of the year? One vial plus the 4 refills would have me getting a refill every 10.5 weeks, no?

[EasyDoesIt]

Also, the higher dosage of hcg can raise estro and 2,500 ius per week can give you gyno along with test injections.

[EasyDoesIt]

It's definitely a mix up between lab and Low T. I am betting this 5.5 is different mixing then they have been doing. Low T should be giving them a call. Anymore no matter what it is you can't be specific enough, but that's not your fault.

[Rusty11]

The 2,500 iu's seems crazy, but i think i see the problem as far as running out. I don't know if they explained reconstituting, but with you using 5.5ml of bac water, you should only be injecting 125iu's of product, because your concentration is doubled. if you were using 11ccwater you inject 250ius. So what's happening is that you are doubling your dose each time do to the concentration. it is a technique some use just to shoot less water in because more water leaves a little lump, but no big deal. You have actually been injecting 1,000 iu per week. So are u using low t? u mentioned site sponor.

Maybe that's where the confusion lies. Box says use 5.5 bac water and the pharmacy assumed you were using 11iu bac water. Either way, call and explain. And, good luck-no stressing.

[LFH40]

So once I have this under control, I should probably do a few independent E2 tests to see where I'm at. I am on an AI as of about a week now due to my high E2.

[EasyDoesIt]

Maybe that's where the confusion lies. Box says use 5.5 bac water and the pharmacy assumed you were using 11iu bac water. Either way, call and explain. And, good luck-no stressing.

Yup read all our posts above.

[Rusty11]

Yup read all our posts above.

This thread's moving too quick

[EasyDoesIt]

So once I have this under control, I should probably do a few independent E2 tests to see where I'm at. I am on an AI as of about a week now due to my high E2.

Yes don't stress over that, you should be able to get that worked out without any problem and i am sure after talking to Low T and explaining situation that you were just going by both parties instructions, but not told to constitute 11 and box stated 5.5. They will be ripping lab a new one.

[LFH40]

Man, do I appreciate you guys. It's 12:11 here in Chicago and there isn't a darned thing I can do about it now, but chatting with you guys makes me feel a bit better about it. I hope that Low T is willing to work with me. It's not like I am double dosing my testosterone and claim a "broken vial" or anything like that. This was the hCG and miscommunication on measuring out the dose because I really don't think Low T was aware that their pharmacy has the 11,000iu vial. I'm only filling the syringe up to where I was told to.

[EasyDoesIt]

So once I have this under control, I should probably do a few independent E2 tests to see where I'm at. I am on an AI as of about a week now due to my high E2.

Yes you may want to do that, but i would ask that question also to Low T and let them know your concerns about getting dialed back in, due to this communication error. Your test protocol must be pretty low as low t did nor prescribe AI?

[Rusty11]

Now go to bed and make a baby

[EasyDoesIt]

When i first started through an anti aging company the rep stated the lower bac concentration, but it was a one on one and i knew what he meant. I don't feel it is your fault at all based on fact of what you have told me. I don't use Low T, but have recommended them because they are a sponsor here and i trust the operators of this site and knowledge here. Many members praise them. It's not that late where i am, but i am signing off and keep us posted friend.
It will get worked out, being new to this makes it seem more disastrous than it is.

[LFH40]

Thank you for your compassion with this. And for the record, I really do like Low T as a company. They're amazing with their customer service and answering questions. Justin and Rosie are just wonderful. I really do believe there was just a disconnect between the pharmacy and Low T. I know they're on these forums too and I don't want to sound like I am not a supporter of the company, it's just a small issue that is really really crucial to me and my marriage/family right now, so obviously I want to get it straightened out. But outside of this one issue, they're really great and will continue on for as long as they're around with them.

[LFH40]

Just to update**
Site sponsor-amazing. I had dialogue with them today and Justin is VERY explanatory and thorough. I'm able to get hCG as it would have been the testosterone that would be difficult as it's a schedule III controlled substance.

I was told it shouldn't be an issue of getting back to the actual dose I'm supposed to be taking. Shouldn't affect me much as I'm told. I'm very put at ease between you guys here and the people at Low T, namely Justin and Rosie. Fabulous! Good night everyone!

[EasyDoesIt]

Just to update**
Site sponsor-amazing. I had dialogue with them today and Justin is VERY explanatory and thorough. I'm able to get hCG as it would have been the testosterone that would be difficult as it's a schedule III controlled substance.

I was told it shouldn't be an issue of getting back to the actual dose I'm supposed to be taking. Shouldn't affect me much as I'm told. I'm very put at ease between you guys here and the people at Low T, namely Justin and Rosie. Fabulous! Good night everyone!

That's great to hear. I figured it would get worked out. Yes you can just drop that dose down asap.

[Rusty11]

That's great news. Glad it worked out.

Edit:

EasyDoesIt beat me to it

[LFH40]

That's great news. Glad it worked out.

Edit:

EasyDoesIt beat me to it

Thanks guys! Think this MAY allow me to drop the AI possibly!?

[EasyDoesIt]

Thanks guys! Think this MAY allow me to drop the AI possibly!?

I just went back and took a sneak peak at previous posts. Apparently your e levels went up from using double dose of hcg right? If thats so possibly could go back to not using it, but i would ask LOW T. They are experts and have all your bw etc.

[Moparman]

If u look at the instructions on the pic u posted, it says to add 5.5 ml water AND to fill insulin pin to 12.5

So the bottle may not have been big enough for 11 ml of water to they adjusted the amount for both bac water and insulin pin