I have been on TRT for almost two years. Before starting, my levels were getting hard to detect!
Gel didn’t work. Twice weekly IM injections did work, however, the roller coaster was extreme. I have now tried implanted pellets and, although many of you don’t like that method of delivery, it is working well for me. My T-level is consistent at around 1200 and no more roller coaster!
I also take a pill every other day which keeps my estrogen level right in the middle of normal
I have noticed that over time, since beginning TRT, my testicles have become smaller than usual. My TRT doctor has given me HCG which I inject 20ml under my skin every evening. I just started this week so I don’t expect to see any results for a while.
But I have seen some things on the internet about HCG causing hair loss. Have any of you guys experienced this?
I haven’t seen the association directly linked. However, increased levels of testosterone, which is the goal of hCG in men among other things, leads to increase 5a reductase conversion of testosterone → dihydrotestosterone. DHT is the primary androgen in the prostate and hair follicles. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that exactly where your receptors are at it’s highest concentrations are genetic and play a role in pattern baldness. Otherwise wouldn’t we lose every hair follicle or in patches (god that would suck).
Finasteride (trade name Propecia) is a 5a-reductase inhibitor to prevent conversion but in many people it causes ED.
[quote]C27 H40 O3 wrote:
I haven’t seen the association directly linked. However, increased levels of testosterone, which is the goal of hCG in men among other things, leads to increase 5a reductase conversion of testosterone → dihydrotestosterone. DHT is the primary androgen in the prostate and hair follicles. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that exactly where your receptors are at it’s highest concentrations are genetic and play a role in pattern baldness. Otherwise wouldn’t we lose every hair follicle or in patches (god that would suck).
Finasteride (trade name Propecia) is a 5a-reductase inhibitor to prevent conversion but in many people it causes ED.[/quote]
Yes this is the most likely explanation as to why HCG would cause hair loss. Furthermore I would be interested to see if Propecia would cause as many side effects if an AI was taken…blocking conversion to DHT means more testosterone means more estradiol especially since a lot of men taking propecia are middle aged and have higher body fat.
[quote]Retinoid wrote:
[quote]C27 H40 O3 wrote:
I haven’t seen the association directly linked. However, increased levels of testosterone, which is the goal of hCG in men among other things, leads to increase 5a reductase conversion of testosterone → dihydrotestosterone. DHT is the primary androgen in the prostate and hair follicles. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that exactly where your receptors are at it’s highest concentrations are genetic and play a role in pattern baldness. Otherwise wouldn’t we lose every hair follicle or in patches (god that would suck).
Finasteride (trade name Propecia) is a 5a-reductase inhibitor to prevent conversion but in many people it causes ED.[/quote]
Yes this is the most likely explanation as to why HCG would cause hair loss. Furthermore I would be interested to see if Propecia would cause as many side effects if an AI was taken…blocking conversion to DHT means more testosterone means more estradiol especially since a lot of men taking propecia are middle aged and have higher body fat.[/quote]
I’d say ED caused by 5a-reductase inhibitors is due to the fact that DHT is the primary androgen in pretty much all tissues except for muscle (since it gets quickly metabolized into a molecule that only binds weakly to the AR), if not in concentration then at least in effect since DHT binds with more affinity to the AR than Testosterone, so reducing DHT itself is probably the cause of 5a-reductase-induced ED. This is just my theory but since we’re all going out on limbs…
[quote]
reducing DHT itself is probably the cause of 5a-reductase-induced ED. This is just my theory but since we’re all going out on limbs…[/quote]
Makes sense to me. Maybe the same guys with ED using Propecia are hypersensitive just as many are when using anastrozole; maybe too eager to keep the hair and so forgo the erections.
I don’t see Hcg as creating a high risk of hair loss. I’ve blood tested after Hcg monotherapy and gel monotherapy and the DHT level on Hcg was strikingly lower. Granted, comparing it to gel maybe isn’t fair; gel is well known to spike DHT, but I still think Hcg (at least in my body) cranks up the T, but not necessarily the DHT.
HCG
T: 1110 (348 - 1197)
DHT: 55 (30-85)
T Gel
T: 787 (348 - 1197)
DHT: 98 (30-85)
Thanks everyone. I will keep taking both the Anastrozole tablets and the HCG injections for at least the next two months until it is time for my next blood test.
I am not worried about ED - I have had that all of my life and have found Tri-mix is the only thing that helps me.
I really don’t want my testicles to shrink any more. I mean, they may not be working but they are still mine and I don’t want to look like a eunuch.
I guess I should not complain too much if this treatment does cause my hair to fall out - it is sure better than going back to that dark place I was in before TRT! It was a really bad place! I guess I can just shave my head and go with the “Sly” look!
[quote]Chicago_Cop wrote:
I will keep taking both the Anastrozole tablets and the HCG injections for at least the next two months until it is time for my next blood test.
I really don’t want my testicles to shrink any more. I mean, they may not be working but they are still mine and I don’t want to look like a eunuch.
[/quote]
Ah forgot to answer that one. hCG should keep your testicles from shrinking. In fact, it may even make them bigger than before if your hypogonadism was related to low leutenizing hormone (LH)
The HCG should help your boys out, provided they aren’t destroyed from being shut down the previous two years that you have been on TRT. You may find that you “feel” better with it added in…I know I certainly do.