That’s a fairly standard restart protocol, basically what I did. Clomid and Nolvadex are both SERMS and can each be used (just not together). I did 4 weeks Nolva just to give it more time to bounce back. They say Clomid has more sides for some people, but I wouldn’t know.
What are your thoughts on injection frequency of HCG? I am toying with the idea of small, daily injections of both T and HCG. Not something I would implement before discussing with my provider, but an interesting idea.
Am I the only one who gets bloated as hell on HCG? I take 30 iu’s Twice a week for atrophy, but considering dropping it or lowering dose due to the water retention.
Do you think its even possible for me to have a sucessful restart. Did you go through a hormonal rolacoster when you did yours?
I’d have to go back and find some of the things I was researching to give you a complete answer, but off the top of my head I seem to remember a general consensus that doses less than 500iu do not raise an LH level high enough to do much good. HCG, from what I understand anyway, does not stay in the system very long (couple of days) so it’s not like you can “build it up over time” the same way you can with something like Test Cyp or Enanthate. It’s water soluble so you get rid of it fairly quickly.
If this is all true, then daily doses would have to be above 250IU per day to reach a high enough concentration in time to raise LH to a good level, but the timing and dosage level of this type of protocol would almost certainly have points where concentrations are too high and you pass the point of negative returns more than once every week.
This is my understanding, though I reserve to right to have my facts wrong lol.
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Hmm, I think that would mean my 2X/week injections of 300IU (600 total) wouldn’t have an effect though, right? I don’t think my Defy doc would prescribe that protocol if that were the case.
500iu is just a general consensus. You have to consider that, just like with everything else, each person is unique. If the level of LH in your body on a dose of 300iu is high enough to be noticeably beneficial for you, then I would not argue for sure.
It’s kind of like saying that a general starting dose of test is 100mg per week. This works for a lot of guys, but not all. Some need less. Some need more.
I’m sure that your dose as prescribed by Defy was taking into account other known factors specific to your case. I am prescribed through Defy as well and my starting protocol was set at 500iu x2 per week.
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First injection was Monday evening when I started this thread. Did my second injection this morning. I’m not noticing anything to report as of yet. I really don’t expect to feel any difference (good or bad) for at least a few more weeks though.
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500iu is a general consensus, but Dr. Saya has run a small case study on the use of HCG as an adjunctive treatment to TRT. Have a read if you want to know more.
That states it WAY better than I ever could. Thank you so much for sharing that!
Are you saying HGC increases or decreases SHBG? I’m assuming increases?
Yes, increases
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What are good options for lowering it? Pharmaceutically or naturally? Also I am surprised by the mechanisms of TRT that dhea and pregnenolone isn’t prescribed more often as conjunction treatment.
Danazol
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Yeah, Danazol has been the only thing that’s worked for me. None of the natural remedies were working. T on its own wasn’t doing it. I also use DHEA but not sure how much that helps. Some do use pregnenolone but again, haven’t heard much about that really helping.
I guess I was curious about that, especially if someone isn’t using HCG since using exogenous testosterone shuts down LH and FSH. And then the body is less likely to convert cholesterol to hormones like DHEA, Testosterone, and Pregnenolone. I figured I would try something to keep prevent my SHBG from getting too high with the HCG. But I don’t think it would be to the point I would need Danazol. I was flip flopping between getting off HCG, or staying on for the LH receptor benefits, seems there is draw backs to both being on it and off it though.
It’s not general consensus. There is a study about this that I’ve seen and it’s not the one that was posted just now. I’ll see if I can find it. 500iu 2-3 times a week gave the best results over any other dosing protocol.
Also guys, you NEVER want to take anything to purposely try to lower your SHBG levels.
I don’t think the HCG will have too strong of an effect on your SHBG; I think the effect is just there, but not too extreme. I definitely wouldn’t make the decision based on that criteria.
That’s been the clear aim of my Defy treatment…can you please elaborate?