posted Thu, 08/22/2019 - 04:01
968
Primary + Secondary Hypogonadism & PCT
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I've heard conflicting material with PCT after cycles when on TRT. For Primary I can understand the idea of just cruising, since testicular function is irrelevant, but Secondary? I've always done a PCT on the few cycles I've done before now, but I'm curious what everyone's take is.
For me, I have secondary my pituitary is damaged so LH/FSH has never really been high enough even with a SERM, though my testes still function. Before TRT my Total-T was around 200-300ng/dl, while high-dose Clomid brought me to low-400s - both measured in my mid-20s. Oddly enough, I haven't had much testicular shrinkage on cycle either. So, is PCT a waste of time for me or still something I should follow with less vigor than those without hypogonadism?
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eddoIf I understand correctly primary hypogonadism means the testes are not working but the pertuatry is ok. LH and FSH will be normal. So not much point doing HCG/HMG there as you already have LH/FSH it’s just the testes can’t work to use it.
Secondary or central hypogonadism is a failure of pertuatry. Blood test will show very low LH/FSH. In this case HCG/HMG can be very beneficial in activating the testes to produce testosterone and semen.
If you are diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism and put on TRT it can be very beneficial to also take HCG and even HMG as this will force your testes to keep working which would otherwise have been shut down due to the synthetic testosterone. Using this method guys can maintain fertility and even reverse infertility in some cases.
This also applies to most guys doing steroid cycles as while taking extra testosterone you effectively induce secondary hypogonadism by shutting down the pertuatry release of LH/FSH. Most of the times this is completely reversible one you stop taking steroids especially if you perform a PCT.
To answer your question in my opinion if you have been diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism before using or while off steroids you should not come of your TRT just add a maintenance dose of HCG to maintain some level of testicular function.
HCG and HMG are good for LH/FSH. The question you are asking is one of a personal decision. You know your body, and goals and have to make decisions based on those factors. No one here can really answer what course of action is right for you.
Sweet jesus
Smh
More information to make a good decision is always welcome though, at least for me.
Incidentally, this is the first time I even heard about HMG lol
Hormone replacement therapy (TRT)) is exogenous testosterone. If you give your body this it quits making it on it's own. I.E. shuts you down. If you run a cycle or 100 mg a week. You are shut down. If you keep injecting test you are shut down. Running a pct regiment will not do any thing . You are shut down. Waste of time and money.
I would micro-dose Clomid while on TRT and not doing any cycle, which would keep LH/FSH up and give me a decent level of T. I know Dr. Crisler and others had come to promote Clomid and HCG use while on TRT to keep testicular function. Though, the general idea with most endocrinologists is that HCG should be administed only before I desire to shoot for kids, but the effects on long-term testicular shut down concern me.
I see. I'll have to read up on that. Personally I choose not to use HCG therapy. My wife and I have 8 kids between the 2 of us. So I'm done populating the world. And clomid makes me crazy, like I dont drive over bridges alone while taking it crazy. A lot of men are concerned with size of thier testicles so they will take it. Personally I'm sick of sitting on them so looking like a 12 year old boy offends me NOT AT All.
If LH is the issue, have you tried using HCG which mimics LH? It would stimulate your leydig cells to produce testosterone. There’s still the issue of desensitizing your Leydig cells over time with high doses. I’d suggest looking into HCG treatment if you haven’t yet.
Edit: lack of testicular shrinkage is to be expected as your testicles are already shrunken due to lack of natural LH, on HCG you will most likely get an increase in testicular size/volume with their stimulation and restored function.
Edit 2: just a little clarification, are you currently on TRT? Are you planning on staying on TRT? If yes, there is no need for PCT. if you are planning on getting off TRT then PCT is necessary.
I'm currently on TRT, I don't think I'll ever be able to get off it due to the pituitary damage. Though I've never tried to see if HCG could possibly correct the issue, though I've thought about adding it as it was advocated by Dr. John Crisler. I'm just worried about potential reproductive problems in the future, as I've heard mixed opinions on testicular atrophy. I used to take a micro-dose of clomid when normally on TRT in order to maintain LH/FSH.
I’m in a similar boat as you, I will be trying for kids in the next few months after getting married. From talking to my doctor he was pretty adamant that while my sperm count would be reduced by the TRT that the difference in conceiving shouldn’t be too noticeable and after a couple months he’d start me on HCG and start looking at sperm count if it was an issue. Typical doctors taking a reactionary instead of proactive approach to health.