Every a break from hcg?

[geezuschrist]

I'm on trt and also take 500iu of hcg a week. My question is should you ever take a break from hcg? I know this small a dose won't cause desensitization, but I've heard many different opinions on if you should take a break. I would like to see a study if anyone can find one instead of going purely off advice. Thanks!

[kelkel]

No. Think of it this way. When your body was functioning normally and producing LH on it's own, did it need to take a break? Consistency is key to homeostasis. I'll check my saved studies for you.

[Youthful55guy]

I'm on trt and also take 500iu of hcg a week. My question is should you ever take a break from hcg? I know this small a dose won't cause desensitization, but I've heard many different opinions on if you should take a break. I would like to see a study if anyone can find one instead of going purely off advice. Thanks!

There are no studies or published information (that I know of) for or against this practice, and I personally do not buy into it. If there is published data, I'd like for someone to point me to it.

There is no reason at all to suspect that there is down regulation of the LH receptors in the testicles. Those who promote the theory of down regulation point to the biological need to pulse LH. This is true, but not for the reason they purport. It is well documented that GnRH receptors in the pituitary do down regulate, so the pulsatile nature of LH is indirectly related to the need for the hypothalamus to pulse GnRH to the pituitary to prevent down regulation of the GnRH receptors. BTW, I happened to do my master thesis on this subject.

[kelkel]

BTW, I happened to do my master thesis on this subject.

That's awesome!

[Youthful55guy]

That's awesome!

I was actually one of the first researchers (I think second) to publish on pulsatile GnRH infusions to override the normal hypothalamic control of LH secretion. Synthetic GnRH had just been commercially released for veterinary use, so that tells you how long ago that was. I have not worked in that area of research since completing my masters degree. Pretty much everything I know has been driven by my current need for TRT. The degree simply lets me shortcut the learning curve to understanding the basics of reproductive endocrinology 101.

[geezuschrist]

I was actually one of the first researchers (I think second) to publish on pulsatile GnRH infusions to override the normal hypothalamic control of LH secretion. Synthetic GnRH had just been commercially released for veterinary use, so that tells you how long ago that was. I have not worked in that area of research since completing my masters degree. Pretty much everything I know has been driven by my current need for TRT. The degree simply lets me shortcut the learning curve to understanding the basics of reproductive endocrinology 101.

You and kel need to be trt doctors. There's so many out there that just don't understand like my first one wanted me to take 300 mg once a month and refused that there was even a half life. It's guys like these that turn people away and make them feel worse.

[kelkel]

I was actually one of the first researchers (I think second) to publish on pulsatile GnRH infusions to override the normal hypothalamic control of LH secretion. Synthetic GnRH had just been commercially released for veterinary use, so that tells you how long ago that was. I have not worked in that area of research since completing my masters degree. Pretty much everything I know has been driven by my current need for TRT. The degree simply lets me shortcut the learning curve to understanding the basics of reproductive endocrinology 101.

Great stuff Y55! I'm sure it amazes you, as it does me, with the casual ineptness that so many doctors present these days. One day they'll start giving more than a 4 hour block on hormones in med school.

[geezuschrist]

Thanks guys! Both great answers. I thought about it after I posted this and I figured there wouldn't be any study on downreguation or desensitization