Taking testosterone without human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) will effectively raise your testosterone levels, but can lead to potential side effects related to fertility and testicular size. While hCG isn't necessary to increase testosterone, it plays a role in maintaining other aspects of male health.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Increased Testosterone Levels: Exogenous testosterone (testosterone from an external source) will directly increase your testosterone levels, regardless of whether you're also taking hCG. The prescribed dose will be the primary factor determining the resulting testosterone level in your blood.
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Suppression of Natural Testosterone Production: When you introduce exogenous testosterone, your body senses that it already has sufficient levels. This triggers a negative feedback loop, suppressing the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. LH normally stimulates the testes to produce testosterone. Reduced LH therefore means reduced natural testosterone production in the testes.
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Potential for Testicular Atrophy (Shrinkage): Because LH is suppressed, the testicles receive less stimulation. This can lead to testicular atrophy, meaning the testicles may shrink in size. This is a common side effect of testosterone therapy without hCG.
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Potential Impact on Sperm Production (Infertility): FSH is crucial for sperm production (spermatogenesis). The suppression of FSH caused by exogenous testosterone can significantly reduce sperm count, potentially leading to infertility or subfertility.
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hCG's Role: hCG mimics the action of LH. By taking hCG alongside testosterone, you can help maintain testicular size and function, including sperm production, despite the suppression of LH caused by the exogenous testosterone.
In summary, while testosterone alone will elevate your testosterone levels, it can negatively affect testicular size and sperm production. Adding hCG can mitigate these side effects by mimicking LH and supporting testicular function. The decision to use hCG alongside testosterone should be discussed with a healthcare professional, weighing the potential benefits against the risks.
