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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) alternative to T supplement

Posted by seasuite @seasuite, Jan 21 3:10pm

"HCG" treatment for testosterone refers to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone used to stimulate the body's own testosterone and sperm production.

I had an interesting discussion with my Urologist regarding the treatment I've been getting for low T. While I was only on Orgovyx for 4 months, that ended two years ago, I still have major side effects: hot flashes, visceral fat, lower strength/energy and light ED.

He put me on TGel two pumps per day and 10mg Cialis. My T level went from 250 to 425, however, the side effects that I was hoping to address never went away. Hence, I stopped the Cialis since it works when as a one off OK and scaled the TGel to one pump every other day. My T stayed in the normal range, recently 350.

He told me that 1. Getting T levels above 500 might relieve the side effects and would require more TGel pumps. 2. There is a
highly accepted 2023 study showing NO PCa risk associated with rising T levels.

We also discussed HCG as an option that supports native production of T. My plan is to see an endocrinologist, discuss the side effects and consider the best approach, possibly HCG rather than T therapy. I am wondering if anyone has had good results with HCG?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

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billybwbf2 | @billybwbf2 | Jan 29 10:04am

Thanks for your post! I had a RP on October 22, 2025 and I am thankful to be cancer free. I do regret to side effects of leakage and no erections.
I hope it changes with time! Do any of you more seasoned veterans of RP have any advice on how to improve?

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glenninjb | @glenninjb | Jan 30 5:41pm

I am taking hCG now for restoring testosterone with good results. I had 44 radiation therapy sessions with one and a half years of ADT (Eligard 6-month shots). The ADT brought my testosterone to less than 12, and it stayed there for a year. I asked my urologist about recovering my testosterone, and since my PSA remained low (0.02) the whole time, he started me on Clomiphene 25 mg. The Clomiphene was a failure – even after doubling the dose and giving it four months to work, my total T was 39 at the highest test. I asked if we could try hCG because it also stimulates natural production and fixes the testicular atrophy I had during ADT. After two months on hCG my lab test showed total T of 537, beyond my wildest expectations. Later lab tests were 694, 629, 621, and 601. My urologist thought of hCG as a jump-start of my natural production, and planned to wean me from it over time, hoping my natural production would be sufficient. I take a weekly subcutaneous self-injection starting with 2.5 ml weekly, then slowly reducing the dose to 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, and now 0.75. I have another lab test next week, after which I expect the dose will be dropped further.

It took a few months before the terrible (IMO) effects of ADT went away. When I was on ADT I had real anxiety, depression, insomnia, and rage, as well as the familiar hot flashes and night sweats, penile atrophy, ED, loss of libido, and some fatigue. I kept up resistance training and that helped avoid most of the fatigue and weakness. Now, I continue to exercise and make progress faster. I still have some ED but it is improving. All hot flashes and night sweats disappeared after about three months of hCG. My penis returned to its size before cancer, and my testicles are actually slightly larger, or at least they feel larger.
My PSA was tested twice after starting hCG, results were 0.28 five months ago and 0.70 two months ago. I have another PSA test next week, along with the total T.

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seasuite | @seasuite | Jan 31 9:12am
In reply to @glenninjb "I am taking hCG now for restoring testosterone with good results. I had 44 radiation therapy..." + (show)
Profile picture for glenninjb @glenninjb

I am taking hCG now for restoring testosterone with good results. I had 44 radiation therapy sessions with one and a half years of ADT (Eligard 6-month shots). The ADT brought my testosterone to less than 12, and it stayed there for a year. I asked my urologist about recovering my testosterone, and since my PSA remained low (0.02) the whole time, he started me on Clomiphene 25 mg. The Clomiphene was a failure – even after doubling the dose and giving it four months to work, my total T was 39 at the highest test. I asked if we could try hCG because it also stimulates natural production and fixes the testicular atrophy I had during ADT. After two months on hCG my lab test showed total T of 537, beyond my wildest expectations. Later lab tests were 694, 629, 621, and 601. My urologist thought of hCG as a jump-start of my natural production, and planned to wean me from it over time, hoping my natural production would be sufficient. I take a weekly subcutaneous self-injection starting with 2.5 ml weekly, then slowly reducing the dose to 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, and now 0.75. I have another lab test next week, after which I expect the dose will be dropped further.

It took a few months before the terrible (IMO) effects of ADT went away. When I was on ADT I had real anxiety, depression, insomnia, and rage, as well as the familiar hot flashes and night sweats, penile atrophy, ED, loss of libido, and some fatigue. I kept up resistance training and that helped avoid most of the fatigue and weakness. Now, I continue to exercise and make progress faster. I still have some ED but it is improving. All hot flashes and night sweats disappeared after about three months of hCG. My penis returned to its size before cancer, and my testicles are actually slightly larger, or at least they feel larger.
My PSA was tested twice after starting hCG, results were 0.28 five months ago and 0.70 two months ago. I have another PSA test next week, along with the total T.

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@glenninjb Congratulations, that is amazing and I appreciate your sharing. I will strongly consider hCG in my own treatment alternatives.

I agree with your concern over 'terrible side effect of ADT'. Of course, I am thankful that my PCa is in remission and hope/pray that it stays that way, I think we should strive to be as normal as possible. Based on what I was told prior to treatment, I am simply incredulous why only 4 months of Orgovyx has side effects that permanently changed my hormones and left me with terrible side effects 2 years later. Not only was I told that ADT side effects dissipate over time, I also paid several thousand dollars to take Orgovyx (not covered by insurance) since I was told it clears the system much faster than Eligard.

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