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Can HCG Intake Cause Anxiety And Panic Attacks?
Question: Recently have had a lot of anxiety, almost like panic attacks (sinus tachycardia, tight chest, labored breathing). ER visit indicates no life threatening issue, ativan cleared the symptoms. Im looking for a root cause. Im using hCG 500IU 2x weekly subq with T cyp HRT. Could hcg be causing anxiety/panic at this dose? Ive read many accounts that it could, but wanting advice from an endo or ando specialist.
Brief Answer:
Possible
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Welcome to healthcare magic and thank you for aking the question. HCG can cause restlessness, however, other symptoms mentioned are unusual. ( but high dose hCG treatment in women for ovulation induction can cause these symptoms by cauing ovarian hyperstimulation).
Panic episodes relatively common. Generally few causes have to be ruled out. a) Irregular heart rhythms ( SVT, paroxysmal AF) b) Hormonal conditions where excess amount of adrenaline/noradrenalie is produced c) rare other hormone conditions like excess cortisol etc. d) Excess Tea/Coffee or Nicotine use.
If these are ruled out, then it is likely to be purely anxiety related. You may need assessment by a psychologist in that case.
In your case, i am not sure why your doctor is combining hCG with Tetosterone treatment. I realize from your previous quetion that your Testosterone levels are too high. hCG will stimulate testes to produce Testosterone. You are getting Testosterone from 2 sources ( Testsoterone Cypionate injections and hCG induced testes production of testoterone). Usually we combine hcg/FSH treatment along with Testo in rare occasions when the person desire for fertility too. Otherwise, i do not see a rationale in this combination
Regards
Binu
Possible
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Welcome to healthcare magic and thank you for aking the question. HCG can cause restlessness, however, other symptoms mentioned are unusual. ( but high dose hCG treatment in women for ovulation induction can cause these symptoms by cauing ovarian hyperstimulation).
Panic episodes relatively common. Generally few causes have to be ruled out. a) Irregular heart rhythms ( SVT, paroxysmal AF) b) Hormonal conditions where excess amount of adrenaline/noradrenalie is produced c) rare other hormone conditions like excess cortisol etc. d) Excess Tea/Coffee or Nicotine use.
If these are ruled out, then it is likely to be purely anxiety related. You may need assessment by a psychologist in that case.
In your case, i am not sure why your doctor is combining hCG with Tetosterone treatment. I realize from your previous quetion that your Testosterone levels are too high. hCG will stimulate testes to produce Testosterone. You are getting Testosterone from 2 sources ( Testsoterone Cypionate injections and hCG induced testes production of testoterone). Usually we combine hcg/FSH treatment along with Testo in rare occasions when the person desire for fertility too. Otherwise, i do not see a rationale in this combination
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hcg used only to prevent testes atrophy, mainly for asthetic reason. I've arranged to stop the hcg and reduce t cyp 25% to see if the anxiety stops. I presume that hrt will be required the rest of my life (i was hoping that hcg may help preserve the testicles should i decide to stop hrt later). Should i not see improvement with anxiety, i will want to test further to identify any adrenal issues. (Thyroid is fine, if anything im a bit hypo based on free t3/t4 levels). What testing would be typical to identify adrenal function?
Brief Answer:
Adrenal tests
Detailed Answer:
Adrenal gland produces several hormones and it is essential to examine the patient before test is ordered. You may need Plasma Metanephrines and Normetanephrines. If that is difficult, the next option is 24 hour urine Metanephrines and Normetanephrines.
If there are clinical features suggestive of Cushing's disease, then 24 hour urine free cortisol is the preferred test. Other adrenal tests are complex are ordered only in special situations.
Good to hear that you are planning to reduce Testosterone dose. The bulk of testes is maintained by seminiferous tubules ( not by Testosterone producing Leydig cells). When we use testosterone, there is negative feedback at pituitary gland and FSH and LH production are reduced or stopped at pituitary. When FSH comes down, seminiferous tubules atrophy and that is how testes atrophy while on testosterone treatment.
The integrity of seminiferous tubules are maintained by FSH , not by LH. hCG functions like LH rather than FSH.
Adrenal tests
Detailed Answer:
Adrenal gland produces several hormones and it is essential to examine the patient before test is ordered. You may need Plasma Metanephrines and Normetanephrines. If that is difficult, the next option is 24 hour urine Metanephrines and Normetanephrines.
If there are clinical features suggestive of Cushing's disease, then 24 hour urine free cortisol is the preferred test. Other adrenal tests are complex are ordered only in special situations.
Good to hear that you are planning to reduce Testosterone dose. The bulk of testes is maintained by seminiferous tubules ( not by Testosterone producing Leydig cells). When we use testosterone, there is negative feedback at pituitary gland and FSH and LH production are reduced or stopped at pituitary. When FSH comes down, seminiferous tubules atrophy and that is how testes atrophy while on testosterone treatment.
The integrity of seminiferous tubules are maintained by FSH , not by LH. hCG functions like LH rather than FSH.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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