What’s up guys. I’m coming up on 2 years of TRT, and have decided to try coming off. Early on I felt great, but eventually started to develop some serious anxiety issues, bloating, injuries, lack of motivation, etc. We tried numerous protocols over two years. The most recent we landed on was 25mg test propionate subQ daily, and 500iU HCG 2x week. I’ve felt the most “normal” and the most like I should be feeling on TRT based on what people describe.
That being said, my original reason for jumping on TRT was extremely high SHBG (~100nmol). Looking back, I was going through some serious stress, massively low on calories, and I was working out like a mad man. Absolutely beating my body to death, and I was taking on basically no carbs, other than my “cheat days” on Saturdays. My total test was 950, and I believe I can get back to that with more strategic dieting, lifting, resting, etc.
I’m 3 days into pct (clomid + HCG), and I’m wondering, are there guys who do HCG long term? I’ve seen some studies but most seem limited to ~3 years. If my SHBG comes back up after TRT (dropped to 29.2nmol/L on TRT), I’m considering trying Danazol + clomid or HCG to keep natural test levels high while mitigating some of that high SHBG. Any thoughts on trying this protocol? I know early on in my journey, @traveling-man mentioned this as a possible route, but wondering since if anyone has tried this for SHBG?
I should also mention that I’m only 30 years old, which is part of why I’m considering the restart and attempting to stay off TRT for a while (at least until I’m in my 40s or so, have kids, etc). I’m well aware that long term TRT is likely my future outcome.
@traveling-man I was thinking of the clomid more as a way to keep my natural test production high, while the Danazol knocks SHBG down. Danazol is mildly suppressive, correct?
If your natural TT is 950ng you won’t need Clomid to keep it high. It’ll also work to keep SHBG high, the opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish. Oral AAS will lower SHBG and it doesn’t take a large dose to do it. SARMs will as well.
There are different schools of though about Danazol. On the face, everyone says it is suppressive. There are also those who believe that low doses have no measurable suppression.
With all my data and labs, I can’t provide you with evidence that it is – or is not – suppressive. I started Danazol on TRT and have continued since I exited my TRT program.
Did you ever try TRT in isolation, without the hCG?
HCG can cause bloating and anxiety among other things. A lot of guys drop the hCG and feel better on TRT with no other compounds.
Clomid raises SHBG, substantially is most cases, this will work against you. It’s doubtful you’ll ever manage to suppress your insanely high SHBG without TRT.