Testicle shrinkage w/ HCG

[shooter7561]

Hi, I'm 40 years old and began HRT therapy about 4 1/2 months ago. My initial blood work was:

Total T - 360 (880-1100)
Free T - 85.3 (155-220)
DHT - 13 (25-100)
LH - 2.1 (1.5-9.3)
Estradiol 13 (16-34)

The doctor wanted to start with T injections but I opted to start slower with HCG mono-therapy. The dosage that the doctor recommended was higher that is usually recommended here (1,500 IUs twice a week). I lowered the dosage to 500 IUs twice a week and stuck to that for 2 1/2 months.

My blood work following that showed the following:

Total T - 773 (880-1100)
Free T - 71.6 (155-220)
DHT - 47 (25-100)
LH - 1.0 (1.5-9.3)
Estradiol 18 (16-34)

The doctor wasn't happy with the results (specifically free T) and recommended T injections. I agreed and he recommended 80mg of cypo once a week. The end of the first week was hell, so I changed it to 40mg twice a week and stayed with HCG, injecting 400IUs 2 days prior to the T injection as well as 1 day prior to the T injection for a total HCG injection of 1,600IUs/week. No problems since that first week.

I've been on that for almost 2 months, but no blood work yet. I feel slightly better; I really didn't have a big problem with how I felt prior to HRT. The improvement in the gym and bedroom since starting the T injections has been very dramatic, however. That's where my benefit has been. I had been stuck at a weight for various lifts for over 6 months. I powered through those in less than 2 weeks with gains still occurring today (e.g., I'm up 55 lbs on DLs in less than 2 months). Every week is a new PB in something.

All that is great, BUT my testicles have definitely shrunk in the last 2 months (more noticeable the past few weeks), even while on HCG. No noticeable pain, just shrinkage. Should some shrinkage be expected even with HCG? I tested the HCG with a pregnancy kit, and it showed positive. Given the shrinkage, I'm debating whether HRT is worth it, especially if further shrinkage or loss of function could be expected. I'm throwing in the towel yet, though, and recognize it could have been a bad batch of HCG because the doctor changed the pharmacy last month. I would appreciate any thoughts.

[powerlifterty16]

what's up with those reference ranges?

[bass]

in my opinion despite injecting hCG some shrinkage will happen while on TRT. but throw in the towel? seems like TRT has done some good things for you, who cares about the size as long as they are still functioning!

[shooter7561]

what's up with those reference ranges?

Those are the DR's, not the lab's range. He changes them to his optimal range.

[powerlifterty16]

Those are the DR's, not the lab's range. He changes them to his optimal range.

that's a little sketchy especially since a lot of people get to testosterone in the 700s and feel pretty good. is he an anti aging dr?

[shooter7561]

that's a little sketchy especially since a lot of people get to testosterone in the 700s and feel pretty good. is he an anti aging dr?

I would say so. I have the lab's ranges as well.

[EverettCD]

For ME 1050iu of HCG (150iu per day A.M.) seems to be working well for me. My testicals had atrophied substantially after about 4 months of TRT. Within a week or two of administering HCG the boys were back to what I am guessing about 90% preTRT size. From what I have read & what my Urologist states, HCG will prevent testicular atrophy but will not always keep them at 100% preTRT size. I am content with what the compounded HCG that the Urologist prescribes me is doing.

Don't sweat the Total Testosterone numbers. It's nice to see a Dr that prefers to see his Pt's Total T level in the upper range, BUT if you feel really good at a level a little less than the upper range that's good. We're all different, I may feel good with a Total T level of 650 but you may need to be closer to 1000.

[PistolPete33]

My testes are all over the place. Some days they are normal size and others they are smaller. As long as there isn't pain or discomfort I'm not too concerned. I stay consistent with my HCG and they always bounce back.

Do you keep your HCG refrigerated? Have you dropped the vial or have you shaken it up? Also, I was told that by 10 weeks the HCG is pretty much useless so be sure to keep it fresh.

[Rusty11]

Obviously, stopping trt because there is some shrinkage would be very counter productive. Don't do it. As bass stated, some shrinkage can occur even though using hcg. I waited a year to get on hcg and my size returned to normal almost immediately. Is the hcg from a pharmacy?

[kelkel]

You'll be fine with slightly smaller boys. It's the least of your worries! TRT will save your life.

[johnhenry]

For ME 1050iu of HCG (150iu per day A.M.) seems to be working well for me. My testicals had atrophied substantially after about 4 months of TRT. Within a week or two of administering HCG the boys were back to what I am guessing about 90% preTRT size. From what I have read & what my Urologist states, HCG will prevent testicular atrophy but will not always keep them at 100% preTRT size. I am content with what the compounded HCG that the Urologist prescribes me is doing.

Don't sweat the Total Testosterone numbers. It's nice to see a Dr that prefers to see his Pt's Total T level in the upper range, BUT if you feel really good at a level a little less than the upper range that's good. We're all different, I may feel good with a Total T level of 650 but you may need to be closer to 1000.

Ev - I upped my hcg to 1000/wk on your's and FR Dave's suggestion - my testicles I think have lessened in size a bit - I don't need them to shrink at all as they weren't big to start with, but the aching has pretty well subsided. I might even up it a bit more - the left one ached a bit the other day, but it is the first thing to ache at any sign of any sort of viral infection. It has a history of flaring up with a bit of epididymitis. I gave myself an extra hcg shot at the time.

[61er]

Do you keep your HCG refrigerated? Have you dropped the vial or have you shaken it up? Also, I was told that by 10 weeks the HCG is pretty much useless so be sure to keep it fresh.

Was told by a pharmacist that the brand I've switched to (Pregnyl) retains its full effectiveness longer than what I'd been trying. 60 days was mentioned. Seems unlikely, but worth exploring.

[powerlifterty16]

Was told by a pharmacist that the brand I've switched to (Pregnyl) retains its full effectiveness longer than what I'd been trying. 60 days was mentioned. Seems unlikely, but worth exploring.

she is correct.

[dreadnok89]

Hcg started working after a couple months.I did nnoticed days I skipped the gym they hang and actually are bigger. Maybe over excorcisung effects them too

[shooter7561]

Hcg started working after a couple months.I did nnoticed days I skipped the gym they hang and actually are bigger. Maybe over excorcisung effects them too

That's probably the case; mine really draw up during lifts.

I receive my HCG pre-mixed, but with an ice pack in the container. It's cold, but probably gets shaken some. I'm going to inquire about having it shipped in crystal form with the water separate. I get a new batch every 30 days.

The shrinkage seems to be getting worse.

[NyNas]

Always get a 2nd opinion when unsure of your doctor. It has saved me more than once. Also changed docs more than once.

[LowT Mike]

Gert a different brand of HCG from a different pharmacy. I have 4 pharmacies that I work with closely that I know make excellent product. On the other hand I have fired a handful of pharmacies for making HCG that I tested myself that has failed on every levels potency/strength analysis. Another avenue that I recommend to patients is if you are on a dose of 250IU 2-3x per week and still notice some atrophy of testicles then bump up to 350IU 2-3x per week not to exceed 500IU 2-3x per week for longterm HPTA stability w/TRT. HCG will work for you!!! Just got to find great quality HCG (I recommend Empower pharmacy or Hallandale) and a tailored dose just for you. My 2 cents.

[TestingMe]

^ I have emailed Empower Pharmacy 3x with no answer..Guess they're busy?

[LFH40]

Try calling them on the phone. Their customer service is outstanding! I never wait more than a minute or two to talk to a pharmacist. Their compounded prescriptions are supposed to be top notch. Hoping I don't get the testicle shrinkage on the Empower hCG. So far so good!

[LowT Mike]

^ I have emailed Empower Pharmacy 3x with no answer..Guess they're busy?

Call them

[Nofate]

I have been having excellent results with Empowers HCG and I highly recommend them. And like the others mentioned call them dont email, they have always been very responsive, even when I needed an replacement ASAP and they got it out even though the shipping cutoff had already past.

Also, HCG of any brand is VERY sensitive. Make sure to keep it as cold as possible without freezing to extend its life and keep its potency. I use a couple of ice packs in a bowl with the HCG next to it and place all of this in the fridge. This keeps it just above freezing and will extend its life. I have two more ice packs in the freezer and just put them in rotation, changing them about once a day to keep everything nice and frosty without freezing. And when you take it out to inject, get that sucker back in the fridge ASAP.

[2Sox]

I have been having excellent results with Empowers HCG and I highly recommend them. And like the others mentioned call them dont email, they have always been very responsive, even when I needed an replacement ASAP and they got it out even though the shipping cutoff had already past.

Also, HCG of any brand is VERY sensitive. Make sure to keep it as cold as possible without freezing to extend its life and keep its potency. I use a couple of ice packs in a bowl with the HCG next to it and place all of this in the fridge. This keeps it just above freezing and will extend its life. I have two more ice packs in the freezer and just put them in rotation, changing them about once a day to keep everything nice and frosty without freezing. And when you take it out to inject, get that sucker back in the fridge ASAP.

I get my hCG from India - Corion brand. I pre-fill the syringes for a week or two supply and put them in an eyeglass case (I travel a a lot and place them in a cooler with ice when I do so.) I put the vial and bottles in a zip lock in the salad draw in the fridge. My stones are doing fine. 250iu EOD.

[Carloscomacho]

Can anyone advise, how does HCG compare with something like, Clomid? Also, I am presently using "Androgel" which I am not too impressed with. How do I get my dr. to prescribe HCG, so I can stop Androgel?

Thanks.

[dreadnok89]

Can anyone advise, how does HCG compare with something like, Clomid? Also, I am presently using "Androgel" which I am not too impressed with. How do I get my dr. to prescribe HCG, so I can stop Androgel?

Thanks.

2 different things bud. You take hcg with anything you take. It keeps your balls active. Chlomid is for trying to restart your system after being on hrt or cycles. If you have low-t the best option to correct it is Testosterone and def hcg.

[shooter7561]

As an update, I finally received my blood work after 3 months on T, and as I suspected, my DHT was sky high. As a result, I'm going back to HCG-mono. It's just not worth being bald, and except for great gains in the gym, I really don't feel any different on T.

Regarding the HCG, I believe a bad batch caused my testicle shrinkage. They are back to normal.

[dreadnok89]

As an update, I finally received my blood work after 3 months on T, and as I suspected, my DHT was sky high. As a result, I'm going back to HCG-mono. It's just not worth being bald, and except for great gains in the gym, I really don't feel any different on T.

Regarding the HCG, I believe a bad batch caused my testicle shrinkage. They are back to normal.

Are you a girl? Going bald is a problem? Jk I'm bald . However hcg by itself you still might get low T symptoms. What was your T per hrt?