- Hoping every is familiar with what HCG is and the importance of it presence when cycling. Have been seeing a lot of cycles where HCG isn't even mentioned. This little piece below is a good short read that is most informative. The actual dosages will need to be taylored. A good baseline is 500ui/week so 250ui twice a week is what most do.
- If your boys continue to shrink, you can up the dosage or frequency. HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, is a peptide hormone which can be useful to bodybuilders who suffer from testicular atrophy whilst on cycle. It was once commonly used during PCT in the belief it will aid testosterone restoration, however this is flawed due to its mechanism action. The drug mimics the effects of LH in the body, stimulating the Leydig cells to produce testosterone in the testes. This can be fruitful in rectify existing, or avoiding testicular atrophy on cycle.
- It will not aid the process of recovery in the post cycle phrase however, as the drug will bring about heightened oestrogen levels due to the greater aromatising of the testosterone being produced in the testes, thus bringing about greater inhibition of the HPTA. It is therefore wise to use HCG for rectify existing, or avoiding testicular atrophy on cycle, and possibly prior to PCT to help bring the testes back up to condition so they are more effective at producing testosterone.
- We should leave about a week prior to PCT, with any HCG administration occurring before this. It is wise to use HCG in smaller frequent amounts over the course of two weeks to help minimise side effects and give more fruitful results. This is usually accompanied by nolvadex at 20-40mg each day to avoid oestrogen related side effects becoming pronounced due to the greater aromatisation occurring. 500-1000IU over a two week period should prove effective interms of results and minimising oestrogen related side effects.
The "When to use" Debate
This is one of the most debatable topics I have ever seen with both sides standing their ground for what they believe. I am a firm believer of PREVENTION and with that being said, I present my case as to why HCG is better ran during a cycle rather then after. Everyone’s opinion should be used for research purposes and hopefully help you make your own decision for a HCG protocol. I am not here to start a debate and I certainly respect everyone’s input, I am merely contributing to this forum with my opinion. I do however see logic on both sides, but still feel that the benefits in running HCG during a cycle out weigh running it post cycle. And here’s why:
I will present a few known facts to hopefully shed some light on those who may be uncertain when to run HCG.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. In females, an increase of LH triggers ovulation where as in men an increase in LH stimulates the production of testosterone (T). For this discussion, we shall reference LH levels in men. When T levels increase, it creates a negative feedback loop and inhibits the release of LH. So more T = less LH = less T production.
Testosterone must first aromatize into estrogen before it can inhibit the release of LH. This further dramatized the need to keep your E2 in check not only for visible related sides like bloat & acne, but for hidden reasons such as hogging free-T, LH suppression, and fluctuation SHGB values to name a few. This is another topic which can be researched in the forums. (Or Keyword estrogen)
FACTS
1- LH stimulates the production of testosterone. Therefore, High T levels = low LH levels = low T production.
2-HCG is a peptide hormone that mimics the action of (LH). LH is the hormone that stimulates the testes to produce testosterone.
3- HCG helps to PREVENT testicular non-responsiveness or atrophy. Atrophy is the wasting away of a body part and that definition doesn’t sound to comforting to me. So the keyword here is PREVENT which we will tie in later in this discussion.
4- The longer the cycle, the greater chance testicular atrophy will occur.
So here’s the million dollar question. Why would you allow your testes to atrophy by electing NOT to run HCG during a cycle ? IMO
PREVENTION is and would much rather avoid this from occurring rather then having to deal with correction it at cycle end. Plus, when used as PCT, HCG suppressed the recovery of LH production. Sure you are “Kick starting” your T production but what about your natural LH production? You are further stuffing its recovery down a few more weeks. I would rather leave the “Kick Starting” to the SERMS and let them do their job. Remember, Serms like clomid and nova have the ability to stimulate the release of LH thus initiating the production of testosterone. It’s how they work and why they are used for PCT purposes. (Also use during cycles, but that’s another forum)
Now on the flip side yes I would use HCG at the start of PCT if for some reason or the other atrophy has occurred during my cycle. When entering recovery mode you want to be playing with a full deck and that translates to plum healthy testicles that are ready to start doing their job again.
So in conclusion, utilizing HCG during a steroid cycle will significantly prevent atrophy thus avoiding the post cycle crash period.