pmgamer - I did get a pituitary MRI, but they did not see anything abnormal. I know I am secondary, because the first time I was tested, I had low total T, low SHBG, and average free T (because of low SHBG.)
rupert - i have tried
HCG + T, but since SBGH is so low -- the 60mg of T by itself shoots my free T pretty high over the normal range, while my normal T stays around 600ng/dl. i have tried supraphysiological levels around the 1200 range.. I can't remember exactly -- but when I was around 1200ng/dl, my free T was QUADRUPLE the highest normal value. The 1200ng/dl levels were the result of about 150mg T and 500iu of
HCG 2x/wk..
I think the benefit of
HCG would be that I might have a chance of getting my testes to produce T on their own if I can get my body used to higher levels. It is also a much cheaper approach, and I won't have to rip little holes in my glutes to inject 52 pockets of oil per year. And yes, I would like to feel the other benefits of T being produced by my testicles like it is supposed to be.
I have to takte T, Arimidex, and progesterone. I used to take HCG, too. How ridiculous would I look going to a GP for
Viagra and explaining that I'm on four different hormones, two of which are for 'off label' usage. It sounds just as ridiculous to me, too. I need to get to the root of the problem -- which is that my testicles aren't producing T.
I'm pretty convinced now that Dr. John is just too busy for individuals, and just tapers you according to his current beliefs and protocols -- not your individual situaton. I don't know why you'd start a 21 year old (as I was at the time) on exogenous T when there is a possiblity of his testicles being perfectly fine. Regardless of what they've done for others, his protocols have certainly done me more damage than good.
eeso - What is your recovery protocol?