bump?
EDIT: Did not mean to go back on an older post, I was on Page 1 and thought I was on Page 2. Oh well. Still a point that readers of the thread might consider, with regard to there being evidence supporting both ways:
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
Thanks for the link. I have read quite a bit, literature that states the dosage I take, and literature that states smaller dosage. [/quote]
But does that literature compare dosage such as 3000 IU 3x/week versus 500 IU 3x/week over time and find the second lacking and the first superior?
Having some studies that find good results from very high dose use, but does not compare with lower dose, does nothing to establish need for or advantage to very high dose.
Sort of similarly, in all sorts of areas there’s insistence of “I’ve been doing it this way for 40 years” as supposed proof of being better than another way. At most, if success has been 100% over that time period and there have been no conceivable disadvantages of any kind, such would show that the 40-year method must be at least equally good. Such an argument will never prove being better.
I am waiting to here results on your bloodwork
HCG mono may be my next stop
Hey, sorry people. I got so busy this past week and this thread just skipped my mind some days.
Got lab values back for T and estradiol only. T was only 453 ng/dl and estradiol was 23. This is the lowest value I have had, but it was taken only two and a half weeks in after being shut down for over a decade. I have read that it can take two to three months for normal T levels to be reached.
Despite the value, I feel very good actually, which is surprising considering I tested between 700 to 1000 with gels or T cyp for a long time.
We will see what happens in the next three months.
My doc said he has some guys who need 5000 IU EOD to get their T levels up!
[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:
EDIT: Did not mean to go back on an older post, I was on Page 1 and thought I was on Page 2. Oh well. Still a point that readers of the thread might consider, with regard to there being evidence supporting both ways:
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
Thanks for the link. I have read quite a bit, literature that states the dosage I take, and literature that states smaller dosage. [/quote]
But does that literature compare dosage such as 3000 IU 3x/week versus 500 IU 3x/week over time and find the second lacking and the first superior?
Having some studies that find good results from very high dose use, but does not compare with lower dose, does nothing to establish need for or advantage to very high dose.
Sort of similarly, in all sorts of areas there’s insistence of “I’ve been doing it this way for 40 years” as supposed proof of being better than another way. At most, if success has been 100% over that time period and there have been no conceivable disadvantages of any kind, such would show that the 40-year method must be at least equally good. Such an argument will never prove being better.[/quote]
Thanks for adding to the thread.
No, I did not read a study involving such a comparison you write about here. I recall reading a review study in which what was stated is 3000 IU three times per week or EOD is used for spermatogenesis after pituitary suppression secondary to exogenous T and lower doses (eg, 500 IU every other day) is used for fertility maintenance while using T.
From what I discussed with my doc last week, it is implied that he prescribes HCG monotherapy on a dose-response basis. He starts at 3000 IU three times per week, which I was on for two and a half week before our quarterly visit (I was supposed to get the HCG way before this scheduled quarterly), and then goes from there, and that’s a dose that so far has not sent my T or E2 to supraphysiological levels. We will see what happens after an appreciable amount of time. As said, he even uses up to 5000 IU every other day for some men to get their T levels to mid to high normal and they have been fine for years on HCG monotherapy.
I also admit that although I have interest in the topic of TRT because I myself have been a patient for over a decade, I do not get wrapped in reading much about it because I have received good treatment all along, and as I also said, so have my friends, acquaintances, and a relative.
Glad to hear your E2 levels are good and T is improving, here’s to further improvement!
[quote]Bill Roberts wrote:
Glad to hear your E2 levels are good and T is improving, here’s to further improvement![/quote]
Thanks!
I appreciate conversing with as I said in a PM to you long ago. I remember reading stuff from you a LONG time ago over at some other places.
I’ll be interested to see how things progress for you. I just got some #'s back and will be updating my HCG monotherapy log soon. I just want to have a few more #'s back before i make the update to my thread.
Good luck along the way.
125IU ED gave the same results as 500IU ED for me. Both got me to the top of Free T range. No idea on fertility, not a concern for me.
[quote]dhickey wrote:
125IU ED gave the same results as 500IU ED for me. Both got me to the top of Free T range. No idea on fertility, not a concern for me. [/quote]
That’s good. It appears some men don’t need much. As I said, my doc gives 5000 IU EOD to some men for their T level to go up.
whatever works. Probably better to start high and work your way down. If you start high at least you know right away if it’s going to work at all. You can then start cutting the dose down significantly until you get the smallest dose that produces the desired effect.
Yup.
I do not like getting wrapped up in numbers. I was very surprised that I tested in the mid-400’s considering I feel good and for years usually tested in the 700 to 1000, with some tests coming back in the 500s and 600s. I thought, “What the heck?” I thought 9000 IU a week would have my estradiol sky rocketing and my T values pretty high too. But I feel good, and the libido on HCG is insane sometimes! I think my level will be higher at my next blood test in two months.
One day short of five weeks tonight. Feel good!
[quote]BrickHead wrote:
Anyone else here experience an extremely high libido with HCG monotherapy? [/quote]
Oh yea. It’s not in a bad way though for me. Not to the point where I cant focus at work. But the drive is always there when I need it.
I’m surprised someone posted here.
Everything still going well, Brick?
Also, if problems were to come up, is there a timeline on when that would typically manifest?
[quote]MinusTheColon wrote:
Also, if problems were to come up, is there a timeline on when that would typically manifest?[/quote]
I feel fine, so I have no idea.
My next visit to my andrologist is in June.
Update: Two months in and I feel fine.
Anyone who has questions about my experience and a referral to who I go to, let me know.
Glad to hear!