Re: UK / US differences in protocol

[Guest guest]

Colin

I am new to all this and just gone back onto treatment for hypogonadism at 42,

yet treated for it at 12 and no treatment inbetween.

From my very little understanding, testosterone blocks sperm production and HCG

enhances it. I am just as confused as one would counteract the other.

Lets hope some one has some answers

Colin <colinpaulturner@...> wrote:

I'm about to change from three-weekly injections of testosterone to

self-administered HCG, and am totally mystified by the conflicting advice that

I'm receiving from my doctors here in the UK and experts in the USA. In the

States it would appear that HCG doses are far smaller than they are here: my own

consultant is advising twice-weekly shots of 5000 units of HCG - which,

according to what I've read of the American literature, is a surefire way of

engendering primary hypogonadism, while attempting to treat secondary! I've

also read that in the States, HCG is given alongside testosterone replacement -

something that my specialists here have never heard of! I'm confused, confused

and confused. Can anyone advise?

Colin (in Durham, UK)

---------------------------------

ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun!

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

I read that too much Hcg will fry your testicles.

click the files link on the left of the screen, lots of good reading

there. REad how Dave, I believe in secondary hypogonadism is working

towards self sufficiency.

I intend use his therapy as a guide for me.

Tony

Read this

( /files/%20Z%

27s%20Primer%20Articles/

TOny

> I'm about to change from three-weekly injections of testosterone

to self-administered HCG, and am totally mystified by the

conflicting advice that I'm receiving from my doctors here in the UK

and experts in the USA. In the States it would appear that HCG doses

are far smaller than they are here: my own consultant is advising

twice-weekly shots of 5000 units of HCG - which, according to what

I've read of the American literature, is a surefire way of

engendering primary hypogonadism, while attempting to treat

secondary! I've also read that in the States, HCG is given

alongside testosterone replacement - something that my specialists

here have never heard of! I'm confused, confused and confused. Can

anyone advise?

>

> Colin (in Durham, UK)

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I've never used HCG, but from what I've heard 5000 units is for a stimulati=

on

test, not long term therapy.

AACE Guidelines read: hCG Stimulation Test.—Various protocols are used

for hCG stimulation testing.In general for postpubertal

male patients,a single dose of hCG (5,000 IU intramuscu-

larly)is administered,and pretherapy and 72-hour postther-

apy testosterone measurements are done (some protocols

use 1,000 to 4,000 IU of hCG or multiday dosing)(14).

-and-

Gonadotropin Therapy in Androgen Deficiency

It is known that hCG binds to Leydig cell LH recep-

tors and stimulates the production of testosterone.

Peripubertal boys with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

and delayed puberty can be treated with hCG instead of

testosterone to induce pubertal development.The initial

regimen of hCG is usually 1,000 to 2,000 IU administered

intramuscularly two to three times a week (65).The clini-

cal esponse is monitored,and testosterone levels are mea-

sured about every 2 to 3 months.Dosage adjustments of

hCG may be needed to determine an optimal schedule.

Increasing doses of hCG may reduce testicular stimulation

by down-regulating the end-organ;thus,a more optimal

result may occur with less frequent or reduced dosing.The

half-life of hCG is long.

Bruce

> I'm about to change from three-weekly injections of testosterone to

self-administered HCG, and am totally mystified by the conflicting advice t=

hat

I'm receiving from my doctors here in the UK and experts in the USA. In the=

States it would appear that HCG doses are far smaller than they are here: m=

y

own consultant is advising twice-weekly shots of 5000 units of HCG - which,=

according to what I've read of the American literature, is a surefire way o=

f

engendering primary hypogonadism, while attempting to treat secondary! I'v=

e

also read that in the States, HCG is given alongside testosterone replaceme=

nt

- something that my specialists here have never heard of! I'm confused,

confused and confused. Can anyone advise?

>

> Colin (in Durham, UK)

---

[Guest guest]

> I'm about to change from three-weekly injections of testosterone to

>self-administered HCG, and am totally mystified by the conflicting

>advice that I'm receiving from my doctors here in the UK and experts

>in the USA. In the States it would appear that HCG doses are far

>smaller than they are here: my own consultant is advising

>twice-weekly shots of 5000 units of HCG - which, according to what

>I've read of the American literature, is a surefire way of

>engendering primary hypogonadism, while attempting to treat >secondary!

I would just take a credible article that discusses the

desensitization issue to your consultation. I would ask for the most

conservative treatment/dose. If the dose is too low, you'll learn

that soon enough via your bloodwork. Even if your doc thinks the

starting dose is too low to be effective I can see no compelling

reason for objecting to it.

>I've also read that in the States, HCG is given alongside

>testosterone replacement - something that my specialists here have

>never heard of! I'm confused, confused and confused. Can anyone >advise?

>

> Colin (in Durham, UK)

>

Very few would have heard of it here either. You must appreciate that

the posts here are not a representative sample of actual practice. If

someone here is diagnosed with hypo, he will usually be started on

some form of testosterone. Most often hcg won't even be mentioned as

an option. Those who wish to use it must often be highly persuasive

or go doc-shopping to find someone willing to prescribe the treatment

for them. A combo treatment is almost unheard of here as well. Dr.

is the only one I have heard of that provides this treatment.

Brad

[Guest guest]

Thanks, guys: I've taken on board your various responses, printed out

the various files on HCG and can now approach my specialist with the

necessary info. One of the most frustrating things with the whole

business is how badly informed some doctors really are, and how

little time they have to spend on you as an individual. I am

fortunate to have one of the best endocrinologists in the country as

my specialist, but naturally even he isn't perfect, and he's locked

into a national health service that treats the illness rather than

the patient, and in a very business-like, conveyor-belt way. I hate

to think what happens to people who aren't as pushy as I am, and who

just take what their doctors give without questioning: as someone

here said, it's our health and we have to push for answers, where

possible.

Again, many thanks: you've all given great advice and I feel much

better for it.

Colin