I’ve been on trt for 6 months, androgel 1.62% x 4 pumps daily. Once I got dialled in my T levels were stable around 850.
Recently we have decided to try for baby, a sperm test showed infertility. Not surprising as my lh & fsh levels fell to less than 0.5 after starting trt.
The fertility doc has put me on hcg 1000iu x 3 times weekly & gonal-f 150iu x 3 times weekly. She also said I should stop trt.
Has anybody else had experience with this treatment? Is the dosage of hcg enough to get my t levels within normal range & how long would this take given that I’ve been shutdown for 5 to 6 months?
Will exogenous T effect sperm production even with the gonal-f treatment?
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You should inject HCG and FSH together with your TRT, the HCG will wake up the testicles and FSH, well will increase FSH getting the sperm count up, afterall the reason for your infertility is a lack of LH and FSH, HCG mimics LH.
There is no need to jump right into androgen deprivation therapy if you don’t have to, but I expect your doctor to stop your TRT and use clomid and/or HCG. HGH can also work, but good luck getting insurance to pay for it.
Usually I see this happening, you stop TRT and go on clomid and/or HCG, you get your wife pregnant, you stop clomid and now your levels are barely within ranges and at the bottom and your doctor says you no longer qualify for TRT.
Be careful, I see this happen a lot.
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This is how I understand it too. I couldn’t see any benefit to fsh/sperm production by stopping trt. The injected dosage of fsh will signal the testies to produce sperm regardless of the presence of exogenous testosterone.
From one of the world’s best fertility doctors I know this is only in theory so but in practice HCG somehow stimulates FSH as well and if dosed correctly in most cases HCG alone is enough
Pardon my ignorance but what is FSH ? I’m on trt and my gf and I want a child soon.
Much appreciated…
It could take the better part of 6 months. I was giving you the easy way to fertility.
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Intertesticular testosterone levels need to reach a certain level before fsh is released & starts sperm production.
Hcg injections will minic LH & signal endogenous testosterone production, the rise intertesticular testosterone leads to an increase in sperm production.
I would guess the dosage required would be on a case by case basis.
I’m curious to know the effects of exogenous testosterone on intertesticular testosterone & sperm production when a person is also receiving exogenous FSH & LH (hmg & hcg)?
Does ITT matter to sperm production if FSH (hmg) is being administered?
These are very interesting points I wish i could know the answer…
I have two friends that both have two kids while on TRT and occasional blasts (no HCG or anything). I have another friend who was put on HMG (maybe HCG as well) while on TRT and conceived pretty soon after.
My brother had 2 on trt. And another friend had twins while on. Are the effects on sperm production overblown by the medical community, in your opinion?
Yes they are. I work in medical device sales and until a few months ago I spent the last 10 years at NYC’s top hospitals and surgery centers. One of my reservations about getting on TRT was that having kids is very important to me. I spoke to two of the top fertility docs in the US on separate occasions (prior relationship from work) and both told me they’ve never had someone become permanently infertile from testosterone. They both said they could have anyone on TRT conceiving that didn’t have other issues. I started the next day. They both believe that HCG isn’t actually needed until ready to conceive but taking it throughout doesn’t hurt.
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Whew… Thank you, sir. I want kids with my gf and have been on trt for almost 5 years now. My brother owns a clinic and offered hcg. In your informed opinion should I try it or just keep at it until it’s obviously an issue? Thanks again.
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I’m not touching it until I’m ready for kids. I’ve seen too many people have issues on it and I feel good now so not f-ing with anything.
What sorts of issues ?
Read the last bit of my diary thread for an example.
I was told to take hcg to keep my testicles normal size and to keep my sperm production up. I wanted to see how I felt with testosterone only for the first few months.
Week 16 and I notice no difference in testicle size and my semen volume didn’t decrease at all ( if anything it’s larger).
I know 3 bodybuilders in my area that have been cruising and blasting for years. Never used hcg and they all have produced kids.
I love you man…
I just have some consideration regarding fertility. Isnt possible if your testicles on TRT are shrunk, you dont use HCG they become permanently shrunk? I mean like cannot be revived or whatever…
If you want to do it now and have issues I would recommend to try to find dr Merrill Matschke.
He is the DOCTOR when it comes to fertility.