HCG + acne?

[Gutterpump]

Since I've started hcg + liquidex (monotherapy), I've started breaking out on my shoulders and back worse than I ever have before. Is this likely from too much fluctuation in e2 levels? I was hitting the adex a bit hard at first, going to ease off a bit now. I was paranoid at the slightest itch so I was probably using too much (wasn't having any issues with erections though at these levels).

But what would be likely causing the bacne to be so bad? I've never had it like this, plus now I am getting some on my face and neck..not good.. Thinking of starting accutane now because of it. I've tried 'the regimine' from acne.org and also nizoral 1% but it doesn't seem to help much.

 

[Gutterpump]

Going to try to bring the convo over to this thread so I don't hijack the other:

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I think the main thing with hormonal acne is fluctuating levels though. As long as the levels remain stable, even if high, there should be very little sides.

I don't have new labs, been dosing based off how I feel. I've also been searching for a new doctor, but I should order my own labs today just to be sure about my current levels.

Currently doing 500iu hcg e3d. Was taking .5mg of liquidex on each of these days. I skipped my dosing of liquidex on my last shot (2 days ago)...I felt a bit of light itching the day after around my chest, but erections were like diamonds yesterday.

Thing is, if I am sticking to this schedule, I don't see how my levels could be changing often enough to cause hormonal acne.

To be honest, it started mainly when I switched from T shots to HCG only (just over two months ago), but has been getting worse. I definitely feel better on HCG though. I had a crash when transitioning though. I felt like **** for almost a whole month.

I think this is what caused the initial breakout (test levels crashing, then spiking back up via HCG)..but yeah, I thought once my levels evened out (as it feels like now), that things would clear up.

 

[LeanGuy]

Welcome to the mono club, gutterpump

I haven't had any acne yet, nor have I needed liquidex, but I am on a lower dose. I've heard HCG is famous for shoulders/back acne but I'm not sure why... might be the E2 fluctuations. I had itchy nips and thought high E2 for sure, but when I tested it was only 21.

Before starting accutane, check out high dose B5 first... this would be my choice if I start breaking out.

http://anabolicminds.com/forum/supplement-articles/52155-vitamin-b-5-a.html

 

[Gutterpump]

I've tried it many times in the past with horrible results. It gave me really bad skin.

It didn't clear any acne, and gave me horribly red/dry skin in my 'T' zone on my face, regardless of using moisturizers. I think this is due to how it causes a defficiency in Biotin. I also don't like the idea of taking in that much calcium or taking that many pills everyday.

I've used accutane when I was a teenager and it seemed to work then but I was taken off due to liver values. Going to talk to a dermatologist again I think and ask for it or something new besides antibiotics.

I just ordered new labs online, should have the kit in a few days. I've been doing the hcg mono now for 2 months so the bloodwork will be interesting.

 

[Gutterpump]

I ordered this test: http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/hormone_health_profile.html

I can't order my own blood tests in NY (stupid law here), so I ordered a saliva test for sex + adrenal hormones. Best I can do until I find a new doctor.

Leanguy, how is this place for testing? I remember you used them before.

 

[LeanGuy]

I ordered this test: http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/hormone_health_profile.html

I can't order my own blood tests in NY (stupid law here), so I ordered a saliva test for sex + adrenal hormones. Best I can do until I find a new doctor.

Leanguy, how is this place for testing? I remember you used them before.

That folks at that site are top-notch. I just doubt the accuracy for saliva testing, except for cortisol. That new york law is just insane.

 

[Gutterpump]

Yeah that's what I've heard. But hopefully it will give me an indication if the monotherapy is working, plus I have never had my adrenals tested. I think their adrenals test wasn't much less costly than this.

 

[LeanGuy]

Yeah that's what I've heard. But hopefully it will give me an indication if the monotherapy is working, plus I have never had my adrenals tested. I think their adrenals test wasn't much less costly than this.

The adrenal test is definitely worth it. I just thought of something... are mail-order urine tests legal in NY? You can call them and order a full rhein lab for $275... supposedly more accurate that blood. Good to do at least once.

 

[Gutterpump]

Ahh I didn't see that under hormone tests. I will call them and change the order if that is the case!
Urine is fine afaik

 

[Gutterpump]

Can't seem to find the rhein labs on their site

 

[LeanGuy]

Can't seem to find the rhein labs on their site

Its not listed, you have to call.

 

[thenxtgrt1]

Has Rhein Test gone up? I believe it used to be $225. And from what I recollect, only a Dr can order it. But I guess it should tell you on website. I think the Rhein is a great tool for a lot of folks. But I prefer serum testing. I've had extremely varying testo results (although taken at different times) on rhein vs. blood. There is also research that shows for some (a small few) that true testo levels don't show up in urine.

 

[JanSz]

I ordered this test: http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/hormone_health_profile.html

I can't order my own blood tests in NY (stupid law here), so I ordered a saliva test for sex + adrenal hormones. Best I can do until I find a new doctor.

Leanguy, how is this place for testing? I remember you used them before.

Wonder if this people would help NYState residents?
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[JanSz]

Ahh I didn't see that under hormone tests. I will call them and change the order if that is the case!
Urine is fine afaik

Urine labs are mostly for study of metabolising.

I would not use them to adjust any medications that we use.

To adjust medications blood tests are proper.
===================================
Example:
Urine test high
Blood test low
Mean that that person is hypermetabolizing and that he have to increase frequency of his shots.
-----------------------

It does not mean that he have high testosterone and does not need more of it.
He needs more but have a hard time to hold on to it.
He have to reduce size of individual shot but do those shots more often.
------------

 

[Gutterpump]

Ok thanks, so for the sake of this current test, I will stick with the saliva test for now until I get a new doctor. It should give me a 'decent' look into bioavailable hormone levels, and also my adrenal panel which I have never done.

 

[Gutterpump]

Ok honestly, how long does this tend to happen for people who start hCG?

It's been 3 months again this time, and it seems to be getting worse? Strange thing is, I have a breakout, it starts to go away, then I get another one and it seems worse that before! I don't f&*king get it.

Started on B5 today, tired of this...I've never had bacne in my past through adolesence. It's not just on my shoulders and upper back now.

I'm only on 450-500iu of hCG e3d as well, and .5mg arimidex on the same day...doesn't seem like a heck of a lot? So I'm not sure why it's happening, and for so long...figured after a couple months it would have stopped once things leveled off? Am I wrong?

 

[fenstermaker]

I have been thru the monotherapy route..... Had unbelievable back acne.....and it did not work for me..... tried for over a year. I could never get above a Quest test level of 160. I have since gone back to test cyp injections. I had my e levels checked monthly throughout both types of therapy and I have been arimidex 1 pill a day to keep e levels in check...... On mono therapy I had to even take two pills on Fridays and Mondays....... Anyway, I hope you have some luck getting your levels stabilized, I am not sure I agree with the mono therapy but I by no means am a Dr... just someone that it did not work for..... God Bless.

 

[Gutterpump]

Thank you. My test levels before TRT were around 375 total. Bioavailable was actually not too bad, just under midrange, but I have been feeling the effects of this for sometime... a lot of irritability, depression, occasional ED, lost of interest...libido is there but at times I can lose interest during the act even if the girl is smokin hot...so I guess libido is fluctuating. It could be partially a mental thing too (dopamine, other neurotransmitters) because I think about sex a LOT, it's just that the sensation is not what it used to be (takes me forever to finish - doesn't feel as good) and erections were not always the best.

Since starting hCG, things have improved sexually but I still need cialis from time to time, and other issues have been disappearing. Still takes me forever to finish during sex though but I have yet to try l-histadine.

Overall, I feel I have been suffering long-term adrenal fatigue and had a really bad unhealthy diet for too many years...always pushed myself too far and NEVER gave myself time to rest as well. My motto was "you only live once" so I was a workaholic and wanted to do everything. I'm smarter than this now.

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

To make a long story short:

So yeah, I am also planning my future, and would like to have kids within the next 5-6 years, so I don't want to go on test long term at the moment, and I want to stay as fertile as possible while fixing any health issues I may have.

Current drugs include hCG, HC, arimidex, and also some dopamine enhancement. I feel this is all helping and I feel much better than I have in a while...even though it may not be the best solution longterm. I also need to say that I have not found a good DR in NYC (after 1 solid year of testing, they all want to give me androgel only and are hesitant to even do this) so I am self-treating atm, because I care about my health, reproductive ability and especially about the way I feel.

When you say 1 pill, do you mean 1 whole milligram? That is a lot! You must be primary then if your test did not raise over 160. Do you have any insight as to what was causing acne if your test / DHT levels weren't really increasing?
I wish you all the best in your therapy.

 

[JanSz]

Thank you. My test levels before TRT were around 375 total. Bioavailable was actually not too bad, just under midrange, but I have been feeling the effects of this for sometime... a lot of irritability, depression, occasional ED, lost of interest...libido is there but at times I can lose interest during the act even if the girl is smokin hot...so I guess libido is fluctuating. It could be partially a mental thing too (dopamine, other neurotransmitters) because I think about sex a LOT, it's just that the sensation is not what it used to be (takes me forever to finish - doesn't feel as good) and erections were not always the best.

Since starting hCG, things have improved sexually but I still need cialis from time to time, and other issues have been disappearing. Still takes me forever to finish during sex though but I have yet to try l-histadine.

Overall, I feel I have been suffering long-term adrenal fatigue and had a really bad unhealthy diet for too many years...always pushed myself too far and NEVER gave myself time to rest as well. My motto was "you only live once" so I was a workaholic and wanted to do everything. I'm smarter than this now.

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

To make a long story short:

So yeah, I am also planning my future, and would like to have kids within the next 5-6 years, so I don't want to go on test long term at the moment, and I want to stay as fertile as possible while fixing any health issues I may have.

Current drugs include hCG, HC, arimidex, and also some dopamine enhancement. I feel this is all helping and I feel much better than I have in a while...even though it may not be the best solution longterm. I also need to say that I have not found a good DR in NYC (after 1 solid year of testing, they all want to give me androgel only and are hesitant to even do this) so I am self-treating atm, because I care about my health, reproductive ability and especially about the way I feel.

When you say 1 pill, do you mean 1 whole milligram? That is a lot! You must be primary then if your test did not raise over 160. Do you have any insight as to what was causing acne if your test / DHT levels weren't really increasing?
I wish you all the best in your therapy.

So what is your arrangement?
Guessing:
Your ask doc for scripts, blood test and medicine and he oblige?
You decide on details of your theraphy, right?

If that is so, that is the best that I was able to find.
I live in northen NJ.

That requires some level of knowledge and involvement, and mistakes are on you not on the doc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I rather spend $$ on my blood testing and medicines then give $5k to cenegenics or similar outfit, still pay for blood tests, except they ask for testing 3-4 item only and the rest is a part of their art.

On the other board there is a guy working with famous doctor for over two years, he just found that hi have a thyroid problem.
I rather if he had found it at his first blood test two years ago.
.
.
./

 

[Gutterpump]

I have been asking my doctors for blood tests (GP, urologist, and endo), but they won't give scripts - they've only offered androgel when I told them I am only interested in hCG, so after wasting my time with tests for over a year > I source my own hCG and arimidex. I am now ordering my own tests as well. Maybe if I tell these doctors that I am aiming for fertility, and am trying to have a baby (even though it's not the case now), they will comply with my requested therapy?

I switched from isocort to a low dose of HC and this also helps. Only taking 5mg HC in the AM and 4 tabs of isocort in the afternoon until I can get this latest saliva test done. I will bring the results of this test into a doc, because I would optimally prefer being treated by a doctor.

I would also love to get rid of this bacne soon too. Hopefully the b5 helps.

 

[aisstea]

don't have any acne at all from hcg.

 

[Gutterpump]

I had acne while in adolesence, but never on my back. When I started training seriously, it started a bit on my shoulders, and now that I've been on hCG for a while, it's way worse and it won't stop.

My vial was approaching empty recently and I could feel it wasn't working as well so I also purposely held off two extra days on a shot last week before starting a new fresh vial, and it was starting to go away..so it's obvious it's the hcg. Once I started with the fresh vial, I got a new breakout quickly. It's all mostly around my shoulder blades / upper back and shoulders. Few on the chest, and few on face/neck.

But on a positive note, my libido is way uppppp.

 

[colkurtz_spf]

So what is your arrangement?
Guessing:
Your ask doc for scripts, blood test and medicine and he oblige?
You decide on details of your theraphy, right?

If that is so, that is the best that I was able to find.
I live in northen NJ.

That requires some level of knowledge and involvement, and mistakes are on you not on the doc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I rather spend $$ on my blood testing and medicines then give $5k to cenegenics or similar outfit, still pay for blood tests, except they ask for testing 3-4 item only and the rest is a part of their art.

On the other board there is a guy working with famous doctor for over two years, he just found that hi have a thyroid problem.
I rather if he had found it at his first blood test two years ago.
.
.
./

Cenegenics is overpriced. They turned my doctor into an overpriced primadonna, which is why I no long use him. On the other hand, he is an expert in lab diagnosis and was able to make this work me. For some, it may be necessary to do this on their own, but in my opinion that's not ideal. I'd be reluctant to advise anyone to take these matters into their own hands. After all, there is a reason for medical school. I still do this under the supervision of a doctor - one that I have a lot of respect for. It's nice to get the forum's take on my results, but it's comforting to know I also have the opinion of an expert.