What are your views on long term HCG use instead of TRT? My T level is shit but TRT killed my sex drive. Not on anything for a couple years now and sex drive and function is good but I'll have to address an unacceptable T level at some point. Also, I want to retain my fertility.
Thanks for any insight.
I need more info, what type of TRT therapy were you on? Creams or Gels or IM?
HCG sounds like a good choice for hypogonadotrophic (secondary) hypogonadism. Such certainly makes sense, as supplementing with a LH analog indeed increases testosterone production in patients who do not concurrently suffer primary hypogonadism. But often, upwards of 1000IU per day must be given to achieve the desired serum T level. Even then, for some unexplained reason, while serum T levels may be adequately elevated,patients simply do not report realization of the benefits of TRT, when HCG is administered as sole TRT. You also run the risk of inducing LH insensitivity at that dosage, and therefore may actually cause primary hypogonadism while attempting to treat secondary hypogonadism. HCG, especially at higher doses, also dramatically increases aromatase activity, thus inappropriately elevating estrogens. Personally, I recommend never giving more than 500IU of HCG at a time.
It is not a good idea in my professional opinion.
How effective testosterone therapy will be, though, depends on what type of hypogonadism you have.
Those men affected by primary hypogonadism will be able to increase their testosterone production through the use of TRT. However, it is unlikely that your fertility will return, making it necessary to utilize ART in order to conceive. Men with secondary hypogonadism usually respond better to testosterone treatment and are often able to recover their fertility through the use of a testosterone supplement.
I have no way of knowing which type you have so there is no way of knowing if your fertility would be effected.
I need more information.
