Hi Swollennads
Interesting to read your post. I am 49, had the snip, don’t want to father any more kids. I have high SHBG which is dragging my free T down to that of a 70 year old, so just about to start taking Test enanthate @ 180ml per week (maybe go to 2 x 90ml per week).
I have also been reading about and contemplating taking HcG alongside @ 2 x 250iu per week.
What was your experience with taking HcG with TRT and what were your main reasons for stopping?
If you don’t mind me asking of course,
Kind regards
J
@jayargonaut
I can’t speak tot he thread topic as I have never taken an AI. I’ve only tried DIM which worked way better for than it does for most guys, and have since dropped that altogether as well.
Regarding your question on HCG, the main purpose of HCG is to bring the feedback loop online again, which will reverse atrophy IF one experiences it, and maintain fertility. You don’t know if you will have issues with atrophy as you haven’t started TRT yet. Fertility is a non starter for you as you’ve had a vasectomy.
Leave the HCG out of the picture. I did a trial of HCG after I had my TRT protocol dialed in just to see if it made any difference. That trial was supposed to last 12 weeks, but now on the 4th week in and the only difference I have noted is a small increase in Blood Pressure. No benefits whatsoever.
The theory has been passed around that high levels of LH (which is what HCG mimics) are beneficial for healthy adrenal function, which is the reason for my personal experiment. I have not seen that proven yet, only speculated, and the common sense camp would say why not just get a good adrenal support complex if you are experiencing adrenal fatigue?
Btw, I decided this week to cancel the experiment due to the fact that I do not like the way I feel upon an increase of BP. I am very sensitive to that and it screws with my sleep.
HCG is just another cog to throw into the wheel that you don’t need to have to try and mess with, especially if you are just starting TRT.
Thank you bmbrady77 for that comprehensive and helpful answer. All understood.
It is good to hear your experience, and others. Your answer reflects what systemlord said in a post that I read a while ago.
Thanks…this is helpful stuff.
Well, part of the issue, how are you supposed to know what is doing what if you start taking all this stuff at the same time. I just went based on my doctor’s protocol to incorporate HCG and an AI when I started TRT which was a mistake.
As far as why I stopped taking. For me, the point of TRT is to take the minimal necessary. I am not worried about kids and any ball shrinkage, who cares. The goal is to ideally mimic your body’s natural rhythm which is why I take my Test microdosed daily. Adding in another product that is going to cause spikes in your hormones is just not needed. I can’t say I noticed any benefit from HCG (took the first 4 months).
Exactly. It’s very important that guys change ONE thing at a time. If they change dose, they should not also add in an AI or anything like that. One, change, wait, see what it does. The AI’s are over-prescribed and overused. I’m not in the “No AI ever” camp, sometimes there is a legit need, but not the stupid amounts guys seem to get prescribed or told to take by some gym buddy. Low E2 is worse in every way than high E2.
Thanks for this. Yep all makes sense and seems to be the consensus from a lot of guys here…all good information!
On the AI issue, yes I seem to keep reading this too, that that are over-taken and over prescribed. I it is a bit of a scary thing when you start thinking of going on TRT, so you just look into everything. Coming to this forum is proving so valuable, as you are hearing real experience, and that is worth taking note of…thanks chaps!
If you want to get off AI I’d highly recommend subq and breaking it up into 3 injections per week.
Was on IM the past 6 months and had to take about .75mg AI per week. Switched to subq and life is a lot easier. No more AI whatsoever, quick and painless abdominal fat injections with 28g 5/16in insulin syringe and best of all feel much more ‘even’ and less anxiety. I’m on week 4 of this protocol so can’t say what the difference in numbers is yet but I’m feeling great.
Give subq a try if you’re having trouble giving up AI on IM.
When you say your e2 was low what was it at