Fertility Regimen - Low T, Low Sperm, Otherwise Normal

Pharma TRT
41

Labs are in from 01/12/18. Blood was taken between 11:30-12:00 so I expect test numbers to be slightly lower than peak regarding testosterone. Regimen continues to be 250iu hCG daily, and for the past month (12/11/17), 12.5mg Aromasin daily. I have added to my vitamin lineup both fish oil and CoQ10. hMG has not yet been started.

Total Testosterone: 487 (348-1000)

Free Testosterone: 20.3 (9.3-26.5)

E2/Estradiol: 22.7 pg/mL (7.6-42.6)

**LH and FSH bottomed out last set of labs, so those were not taken. TSH and Prolactin were also not taken for reasons unknown.

Additional labs to consider:

Red Blood Cell count: 5.08 M/UL (4.43 - 5.67)

White Blood Cell count: 4.3 K/UL (4.1 - 10.7)

Hemoglobin: 15.1 G/DL (13.4 - 17.0)

Hemocrit: 44.80% (39.10 - 49.50)

Labs that are boarderline high according to ‘‘normal range values’’:

Blood Albumin Protein: 5.3 G/DL (3.5 - 5.2)

Cancer Antigen: 10.3 MG/DL (8.6 - 10.0)

Undecided if I should be concerned with the last two numbers… Haven’t had a a chance to do much research on them. At a glance, both indicate possible cancer activity or infection, but based on lower end white blood cell counts I would think acute infection is out. For now, not going to worry myself over it.

42

RC = research chemical. A quick Google search will yield some good results. Can’t really divulge sources per forum rules as mentioned above.

Blue - when is your next semen analysis scheduled? Also, I have no idea what the cancer antigen is, I’ve never seen that one. The only lab of mine that ever comes back high is creatinine. I try to drink more water to help that.

43

None scheduled, but the IVF facility is pretty good about doing what I want when I want. I sort of figure that there’s no sense in doing another until the beginning of March, if not the end of March… Many sources agree, it takes between 8-12 weeks for sperm to maturate. I began treatment December 2nd, so Beginning of march is 12 weeks. End of March ensures that semen analysis has been affected by at least hCG treatment.

I have not read anything that states hCG/hMG speeds up maturation… I’ll search around, because if it does, I’ll test earlier.

Any other reason you see to test earlier?

Yeah I’m pretty good with total water for the day, but I usually just drink about four blender-bottles full during my daily workouts so I’m sure absorption rate is poor lol

44

No, no reason to test early. I didn’t look at the dates close enough.

45

Today (01/30/18) I finally started the Menotropins (hMG). This is still in addition to the 250iu hCG ED.

Brand name is Menopur, each dose comes in it’s own vial of lyophilized powder much like the hCG, and must be re-constituted using 1ml bacteriostatic water. According to the label, it consists of 75iu hCG and 75iu hFSH. This is a urinary derivative. According to my readings, it’s marginally less effective as rhFSH, but that was not covered under my insurance.

Prescription is for 3x per week until further notice.

46

I had labs taken one month after starting the Menopur (03/23/2018). Blood was drawn at 11:30am, so not optimal, but numbers are looking decent. They are as follows…

Total Testosterone: 636 (264-916) +149

Free Testosterone: 19.2 (9.3-26.5) +1.1

E2/Estradiol: 30 (10-40) +7.3

AST: 26 U/L (0-40) (With DOMS)

ALT: 36 U/L (0-41) (With DOMS)

Red Blood Cell CT: 5.19 M/UL (4.43-5.67) Same

Since Menopur is half hCG, it doesn’t surprise me that without having changed my actual hCG schedule that both testosterone and estrogen have gone up. Now, knowing that additional hCG will boost testosterone further, I will probably compensate for the estrogen by increasing Aromasin rather than decreasing hCG.

Cognitive ability is still drastically increased as well as physical performance with decreased time in the gym. I do have an undying appetite for everything and anything which requires some serious self control… Roll back before I started this program, I would eat clean every day for every meal. That is no longer the case.

  • Increase Aromasin
  • Regain self control for eating habits
47

Not optimal, how do you know that your numbers aren’t optimal for you? It isn’t about the numbers, it’s about how you feel.

You’re not treating ink on a piece of paper. Optimal = how you feel.

When you’re optimal you know it.

48

I agree that I would know what optimal is by how I feel… Which is why I know I’m not optimal.

With that said, this regimen is in regards to fertility… Any benefits associated with HRT/TRT is just a bonus. I’m happy with the way I feel, but know it could be better. Bloating and [poor] digestion, combined with constant hunger being of primary irritation thus far on this regimen.

49

So I had a case of the butter fingers this morning and dropped a vile of hCG on the countertop from about 3-4 inches… There were bubbles (I wouldn’t necessarily call it foam).

I have read about the internet lore pertaining to the fragility of the peptide, but what do you guys think? Ditch it or use it? There’s probably 4,000iu left… Nothing on the insert about being careful with the peptide. It doesn’t even say not to shake it??

50

In regards to my previous post, I ran the rest of the hCG vile anyway and felt that it was not as effective as non-dropped hCG. Maybe that was a product of mental expectations, I don’t know, but in the future if I drop another vile I’ll probably chuck it…

On Monday, 04/23/18 I had both a routine semen analysis performed, in addition to a two-month checkup with the Endo (involving blood work, of course). I tried not to do both in the same day, or at least have blood done first, but that didn’t work out… Blood is as follows;

Total Testosterone: 519 (264-916) -117

Free Testosterone: 13.7 (9.3-26.5) -5.5

E2/Estradiol: 28 (10-40) -2.0

AST: 24 U/L (0-40) (Without DOMS) -2.0

ALT: 27 U/L (0-41) (Without DOMS) -9.0

All others are about the same.

I would imagine that having to provide a sample for the semen analysis prior to having blood work done would skew my test levels somewhat, but those seem rather low considering last set of labs done at the same time of day. Been a few significant stress factors in my life lately also, which I am now beyond, so hopefully numbers bounce back a little higher

Semen analysis:

41.5 million total count (40 million total minimum normal) (+ 37.9 million from last)

31.54 million count motility (76%) (50% minimum normal) (+ 31.14 million from last)

0% morphology (4% normal, Tygerberg Strict) (still no change from last)

5.0ml total volume (Unsure of normal range) + 1.0ml from last

This is by far my best analysis yet, both total count and motility wise. Morphology is still at 0%, with 4% being normal. I have been taking high doses of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E to achieve better morphology with no result. I will continue this regimen as morphology is always the longest road to improvement compared to other parameters.

There is a lot of controversy about doing IUI procedures with low/no morphology, but my wife and I have decided to give it a shot anyway since numbers are looking good. It wont be for another month before her next cycle anyway, so there is still time for some improvement.

I am pleased to say that for me, this regimen is working well thus far using minimal hCG doses… Although a burden to inject daily, it has been worth it up to this point.

I will keep updating this thread with new information as I receive it.

51

Received a two-month follow up of blood labs, they are as follows;

Total Testosterone: 438 (264-916) -81

Free Testosterone: 19.7 (9.3-26.5) +6.0

E2/Estradiol: 22 (10-40) -6.0

AST: 25 U/L (0-40) (Without DOMS) +1.0

ALT: 26 U/L (0-41) (Without DOMS) -1.0

The other labs, such as blood glucose, RBC’s, etc all are within ‘‘normal’’ range and not worth posting at this time.

My concern here is with my testosterone numbers falling for seemingly no reason. I have been having labs done at the same time of day every time I get them, from the same office/lab. I have continued to use the same dosage of medication from the same manufacturer at approximately the same times of day without missed doses.

Four months ago my total testosterone was 600+, dropped approx. 100 points 2 months later, then almost another 100 points after an additional two months.

This is quite frustrating as I can feel a significant difference in my well-being and especially in my ability to maintain muscle mass. Back in February/March, I was working out half as often and maintaining another 12 pounds of lean mass.

Is there such thing as hCG resistance? Is there a chance I’m getting ‘‘immune’’ to it? I hesitate to raise the dose of hCG at this time due to recommendations of members in early posts on this thread…

52

Sounds like the effects of HCG are tapering off, it’s quite common. HCG also suppresses the top half of the testicles while stimulating the bottom half.

53

That sounds… not good…

What are my options to maintain numbers? Exogenous testosterone wont help the super high inter-testicular numbers that are necessary for sperm maturation.

I would normally suggest increase hCG, but your mentioning of the suppression of the top of the testes is of concern. What exactly do you mean by that? I have not come across this information during my research… I’m completely unfamiliar with it.

54

No one seems to be in a rush to disclose information, now one may understand why HCG mono therapy doesn’t work for everyone or that anastrozole doesn’t effect E2 inside the testicles.

55

I’m not understanding what your previous message is in regards to? I don’t think anyone disagrees that HCG mono generally does not work, nor that anastrozole does not counteract Estradiol inside of the testicles… If this is in regards to my current situation, that information is extraneous… I am not seeking TRT/HCG mono at this time and I am not using anastrozole.

I mean no disrespect, I just do not know what you mean by your last statements.