Yes, and 250 IU hCG EOD is proven to maintain that level. I'm in the dark how this is an argument for making it a huge leap?
INSL3 is a better predictor, and why would serum TT be a better measurement? It highly influenced by serum binding protein concentrations and consequently metabolism of the AAS. Serum TT levels can be normal with extremely high levels of SHBG, prolonging half-life of T, which thus in some cases might mask primary hypogonadism.
Yes, the treshold for spermatogenesis is relatively low. I'm missing the point though?
Is it? Oligospermia without hypogonadism can have perfectly normal testes volume. Besides that, I'm only guessing its the ITT which maintains the size of the testes (regardless of spermatogenesis) based on some in vitro material (atleast for me ITT was the most likely candidate downstream of LHR activation, feel free to suggest others). The reason I'm writing this is to explain what I'm observing: people who recover within a few weeks, regardless of how long they have been anabolic steroids. I didn't came up with it for the sole purpose of coming up with something new. Bodybuilders I've worked with who used anabolic steroids for prolonged periods of time in conjunction with hCG simply don't have any problems with recovering from hypogonadism
Why would your balls care about the amount of testosterone in circulation? 0 LH & FSH is all they care about. Regardless whether it is due to 1 gram of testosterone or 10 grams of testosterone every week.
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Hey if you want to believe ITT is a more accurate means to assay LH recovery from HCG when the concentration required is 100 fold less than serum so be it. However there is no EVIDENCE to support this opinion because the primary utility of ITT is it's effect on spermatogenesis, which is WHY it's used in fertility trials LIKE YOURS.
Why is serum TT a better predictor. Because the SERUM LEVEL is what systemic cells are exposed to (or close to it) and in spite of the factors you mentioned such as albumin and SHBG.
The ITT level required to maintain spermatogenesis is indeed very low, which is ANOTHER reason ITT levels do not correlate with serum. This is particularly relevant because MANY AAS users use gonadal size as a measure of LH recovery. However an increase in testicular size bears little to no correlation to SYSTEMIC TT levels, LH recovery or the benefits of HCG exclusive of spermatogenesis.
Oligospermia with normal testicular size, oh I know that would be rare. Why else is gonadal palpation and sonography used in the initial evaluation of infertility.
Gonadotropins are REQUIRED for spermatogenesis and absence their stimulation TESTICULAR ATROPHY follows. There are a few rare exceptions such as; disease onset, genetic or metabolic defects, BUT those are rare EXCEPTIONS and certainly not the norm in AAS users.
Well "your balls better care" about the amount of TT within the systemic circulation because the TT level influences
(in addition to E-2) HTPA LH secretion.
Regarding the HTPA recovery of BB many have difficulties with recovery. The reasons are legion and range from mis-information, cycle selection, duration and potency. Most whom do have problems and there are SEVERAL ON TID, cycled for prolonged periods and "cruised" in between their "high end cycles".
Now for those who choose the correct methods and enable an adequate HTPA recovery interval most will do just fine.
The same can be said for "Pro" BB (those whom are fully sponsored and view BB as a career and or full time occupation) nope those guys have literally everything at their disposal and recover fine, providing they are not cruisers also.
Thx for corresponding GS
JIM