My experience is that the doses of HCG we typically use in TRT for testicular atrophy will not affect T levels to any great extent. Perhaps a slight boost, but minimal. Per my prior post, HCG is affecting other glands too. The seminal vesicles produce the bulk of the ejaculate and they are known to be LH responsive. So, even though the HCG may not be affecting the testicular production of testosterone, it probably is having an effect on the seminal vesicles.
Agree that dbossa and I are not that far apart in our approach, we just seem to differ on upper end dosing and how you get there. Like him, I also am not a proponent of indiscriminate use of AIs. There’s a lot of E2 fear mongering in these forums. It needs to stop.
Maybe there are no studies on using low doses of AI, but my doctor regularly gets such patients and he has shown some of their bone dexa scans - they suck. There is also evidence suggesting even low dose AI can cause creation of micro blisters, but I have not dealt too deep into that. I just know enough to stay away from AI for good
75mg Monday and Thursday. I did try 3 times a week but I don’t think i gave it long enough, I only did that for about 4 weeks I believe. I think soon I’m going to my doctor and convince him to run all the labs I want. Getting tired of trying things and not getting anywhere. Also as I get a little older I start to worry about long term health, I’m a new father so that has changed my mindset a bit Forsure.
I have NO idea whatsoever, by any stretch of the imagination, why you would recommend an AI. None.
Not an opinion. Fact. There is zero evidence in the medical literature that demonstrates why men on TRT should be controlling/managing their E2. This has been discussed AT LENGTH on our channel with a ton of evidence provided. Peer reviewed, factual evidence in the medical literature. FACT, not opinion.
Bad advice about cholesterol? Are you living in the 1990’s? If you’re recommending statins to people with elevated cholesterol in the year 2020, with everything we know on the subject, you clearly have a LOT of catching up to do.
Evidence as to why you should not be blocking estradiol:
@dbossa The benefits of statins typically outweight the risks by far. And as always, its about the dose. At 10mg atrovastin the risks of long term side effects is very low.
Thanks Johann! I’ll give it a read. Always open to understanding health topics in more depth. I can say that in my experience, 10mg atrovastin is extremely effective in normalizing my cholesterol and lipids after TRT sent them way up (and that was with only a 100mg/week dose). The effect of high testosterone on lipids is real and we need to pay attention to it. I should also add that at 10mg/day (for over 2 years now), there absolutely no discernible side-effects.
No sure why you are turning this into an argument and taking my words out of context. I never asked for evidence about not blocking E2 with an AI. I’ve said consistently that I’m generally in agreement with you that AIs should not be used indiscriminately. However, when E2 gets way out of the normal range, it may be worth a trial. A trial no way implies continued use for the rest of their life. One can always discontinue if the results of that trial are not to one’s liking.
I have consistently said that jumping to a high dose of 200mg/week without interim evaluation is bad advice and I stand behind that recommend
As for the statin use. My experience is that pushing T levels up with TRT does have an impact on cholesterol and lipids that are difficult to control with diet and exercise alone. I have over 2 years of successful low dose use of atrovastin with no discernible side-effects. I invite you to read with me the review article that Johann77 posted and have a real discussion on the topic.
I’m unfortunately not an expert on statins. I rely on every single physician that I deal with, who I trust (as their trust has been earned over time) to not use statins. None of them do. I should do some videos on that topic to allow them to explain why. Otherwise I would have been happy to discuss.
Again, you really need to read the posts more closely to avoid selective reading. Once again, I will make my point as clear as possible for you. I said (paraphrase) that the individual may wish to consider a trial of an AI. He can always stop the trial if the results are not to his satisfaction.
I’ll need to go back and check my various posts but I don’t think (or ever implied" that he “should” use an AI. Those are your words, not mine.
Don’t mean to carry on the negative and argumentative direction that this thread has taken, but since you put us on this path…
You are not an expert, yet you give advice on not using statins to someone who’s lipids are out of range? I’d definitely put that in the “Bad Advice” category (which you so often post).
Nor am I an expert. I rely on my doctor. I trust her, and her credentials and experience trumps yours:
Assistant Clinical Professor (2001-2006), Stanford University Medical Center
Assistant Professor (1998-1999), Columbia Medical School
Assistant Professor of Medicine (1996-1998), New York Medical College
