Put on TRT - HCG?

What's up folks

Recent went to the doc about fatigue, had bloods done. Apparently I have low test.

I am 30 this year, have never taken any anabolics or adrogenics, after an injury I have become fairly sedentary due to chronic pain, but I do some basics every other day (push ups, pull ups, bodyweight squats, planks as well as rehab work and stretching)

Total T is 7.1nmol/L
SHBG is 19.90nmol/L
Free test is 176 pmol/L

Next time my bloodwork is done, I will have the e2 checked as well, is there anything else I should be monitoring? I did not expect these results (no libido issues etc) so it was a bit of a surprise.

My dr has prescribed solo test cyp and has started me off on a dose of 250mg (I'm not sure if it's the front loading dose though)

Of course my primary concern is resolving the depressive like symptoms. Secondary concern is preserving fertility as best possible. I have read about the benefits of using HCG while running test, especially long term.

I brought this up with my doctor and was told that HCG is not easily available in SA (????), and suggested deca as an alternative, which seems a little wild.

Can anyone shed any additional light on this? If necessary I will discuss self medication with my doctor, it's already a consideration based on the R750 bill I received today - if this ends up being a long term requirement and medical aid won't cover it.

I'd appreciate any advice ????????

Check your iron (Ferritin) as well. Mine use to be very high and I was fatigued all the time. After 3 years of donating blood (as per Doc request) my Ferritin is now extremely now and I need to supplement. Low ferritin has same symptoms as high. Just a thought to check that out.

prohunt wrote: Check your iron (Ferritin) as well. Mine use to be very high and I was fatigued all the time. After 3 years of donating blood (as per Doc request) my Ferritin is now extremely now and I need to supplement. Low ferritin has same symptoms as high. Just a thought to check that out.

My ferritin was high interestingly enough, Lancet's range is 20-300ng/mL, I clocked in at 417.

However my doc said this has come down drastically in other patients who have hypogonadism, after being treated with test.

I guess I'll know next time I have bloods done!!


As a matter of interest,

Parathormone-s was tested just above range at 68pg/ml
Vit D came in low at 18ng/mL (even though I have been supplementing with 1000ui daily)

Everything else was within range, outside of the test ofc.

Supplement with 25mg dhea and 10mg pregnenolone with your trt to keep those hormones in range as it reduces when on trt. Use HCG only when needed ( when the nuts shrink ) about 500iu to 1000iu EOD ( total of 7 - 10 injections ) .. your lack of libido will tell you when its time to use HCG during trt .. desensitization of LH receptors can happen when long term HCG is used on trt

MikeM wrote: Secondary concern is preserving fertility as best possible. I have read about the benefits of using HCG while running test, especially long term.

I brought this up with my doctor and was told that HCG is not easily available in SA (????), and suggested deca as an alternative, which seems a little wild.

Can anyone shed any additional light on this?

Another doc who is clueless about hormones. Deca is one of the most suppressive steroids for your fertility, and HCG is not hard to get.