![Testicular Dysfunction in COVID-19. The reports on the incidence of testicular pathology in COVID-19 have increasingly been conclusive. It is clear that men are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection than women [43, 44].Abnormal levels of testosterone have been identified as a key determinant for COVID-19-related …. Integral 1 x 2](/img/512x512/28235929486.webp)
Some men on T therapy take a second medication like HCG to stimulate the testes so that they don't experience testicular atrophy (shrinkage). This probably ...T here is an unambiguous and direct connection between anabolic steroids and testicular shrinkage. By juicing (slang name for taking anabolic steroids), you’re skyrocketing your testosterone levels, throwing your hormonal balance way off-kilter. Your body, as a response, will shut down natural testosterone production, which leads to …I started TRT only for the 1st 3 months and the boys started to shrink. My Dr put me on 45 mg of Clomid daily and they were back almost 100 percent in another 3 months. That was about 18 months ago, I am still taking 45 mg of Clomid every other day, but they have shrunk again maintaining about 75 percent of what they were before I …I started TRT only for the 1st 3 months and the boys started to shrink. My Dr put me on 45 mg of Clomid daily and they were back almost 100 percent in another 3 months. That was about 18 months ago, I am still taking 45 mg of Clomid every other day, but they have shrunk again maintaining about 75 percent of what they were before I …This subreddit is for questions and discussion related to testosterone replacement therapy and testosterone. It also focuses on lifestyle activities like exercise and nutrition for raising testosterone levels naturally or anything else related to testosterone the substance. 153K Members. 379 Online.Mar 26, 2019 · Men who had used androgens in the past had significantly lower testicular volume (23.2 vs 18.6 mL) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels (42 vs 33.9 IU/L), Narayana reported at ENDO 2019 ... 4. HCG Side Effects In Males. HCG is often a fairly well-tolerated medication, and few users will encounter any negative effects. Headaches, irritability, restlessness, exhaustion, depression, and gynecomastia are a few adverse effects to be aware of. To prevent any gynecomastia symptoms, HCG should only be taken concurrently with …Jan 20, 2021. #5. HCG when I worked with Expert Endos like Dr. O'Connor or others, was prescribed at 250-500iu 2x per week most common. 3x per week was probably the second most common. Studies on Pubmed (search) reveal that 900iu in the average male patient kept intracelluar Testosterone levels in range. S.Jun 23, 2020 ... Testicular atrophy is a side effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT.) This video is the third in my series, “On Testosterone,” ...Dec 20, 2011 · Compounding pharmacies can also make HCG by prescription in different vial sizes. Brand names of HCG in regular pharmacies cost over $100 per 10,000 IUs. The same amount of IUs cost around $50 in compounding pharmacies. Many insurance policies do not pay for HCG since they consider its use for testicular atrophy while on TRT an off label use. Clomiphene citrate was administered in 2 different modes. Group 1 (n = 8) was treated for 6 days (100 mg of the antioestrogen once a day) and a single dose of hCG (5000 IU im) was given at the beginning of the experiment. In group 2 (n = 9), the treatment was started 7 days prior to the hCG injection and was continued for additional 6 days.Jan 18, 2024 · Another way to prevent testicular atrophy is to switch the methods of administration (i.e. from injection to gel). A study discovered that those who received testosterone injections were more likely to experience testicular atrophy when compared with patients who applied testosterone ointment. [ 6] HCG Dosage to Reverse Testicular Atrophy. You may end up injecting anywhere from 250 IU every other day to 1000 IU once a week. However, there’s no one hCG dose that’ll work for everyone who ... Prevention of testicular atrophy; Reversing testicular atrophy; Jumpstart testo production; ... One thing to note for those using HCG for the long term while on TRT, is that HCG will become less effective over time due to desensitization. I personally do HCG one week on and two weeks off. I dose it at 500iu 2x a week.Mar 26, 2019 · Men who had used androgens in the past had significantly lower testicular volume (23.2 vs 18.6 mL) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels (42 vs 33.9 IU/L), Narayana reported at ENDO 2019 ... HCG is a hormone that is commonly used for post cycle therapy. This hormone can help to stimulate the production of testosterone and can be used for four weeks. To start post cycle therapy with HCG, you should take 5000 IU of HCG per week for two weeks. After two weeks, you should increase the dose to 10,000 IU per week.The brain then stops releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) that stimulates the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) because the brain assumes that the rise in testosterone levels is a sign that you now have enough. The FSH and LH cause the testes … See moreAll of this is reversed by the once the cause of the reaction goes away since the goal of these muscles are to make sure the testes remain safe from possible injury. If anything, one would expect scrotum to retract in acute response to masturbation rather than it's cessastion. Having said that I'm not a medical doctor.Even my doctor said it’s not as effective as hCG for testicular atrophy”. Another one said, I’ve spoke with 4 different clinics and everyone of them said that gonaderllin as a low success rate and the only reason they was offering it was cause at this time, it’s all they really got to replace HCG, even though they know it isn’t ...Top 9+ how long does it take hcg to reverse testicular atrophy Latest. Testicular Atrophy: Everything You Need to Know. By admin 7 Tháng Mười, 2023. ... is important because the testicles produce sperm that require a certain temperature range to remain healthy and survive longer. As the surrounding area gets colder, the scrotum …I mean. It can take longer for full atrophy than 9 weeks. A lot longer. Just like recovery. I thought I wasn’t taking enough hcg but really it just takes a long time for them to plump back up. That being said the level of atrophy is dependent on a slew of things and varies.For testicular atrophy, 500 usually does the trick. 1000 is usually the upper end for guys trying to prevent atrophy. Only time guys use over 1000 is usually for fertility purposes. E2 is definitely something to monitor for while on HCG, as well as prolactin. I wouldn’t worry too much about HCT.It really depends. You won’t need hCG to raise your testosterone levels because we’ll give you an adequate dose to get you to optimal levels. However, you’ll want to add hCG in case you want to maintain a healthy sperm count and/or prevent testicular atrophy. While you’re on testosterone, your body reduces the production of luteinizing ...In men with HH, all gonadotropin therapies, including hCG monotherapy or hCG in combination with HMG and rFSH, showed similar results with respect to testicular growth and virilization, in addition to promising results with spermatogenesis and conception. 8,22-25 Cryptorchidism and pre-therapy testicular volume in adult men may be …The testicle position was evaluated before and one year after therapy. Every patient was seen in our outpatient department 2 to 16 years after the therapy. Out ...Sep 20, 2003 ... Low doses like 1000 to 2000 units a week are used. I will warn you that there are no long term safety data on this approach and that most ...How to Reverse Testicular Atrophy from Exogenous Testosterone . I have been taking testosterone for about 12 weeks now starting on 200mg a week (50mg x4 a week) and going up to 300mg a week for the past few weeks, I have noticed great benefits to my mood and mental health and I have also been able to put on some muscle but the downside is that ...Sep 2, 2021 ... I've been back on HCG for about 5 weeks now on the same protocol as you. They are slowly coming back. My wife says I'm crazy but I know my own ...4. HCG Side Effects In Males. HCG is often a fairly well-tolerated medication, and few users will encounter any negative effects. Headaches, irritability, restlessness, exhaustion, depression, and gynecomastia are a few adverse effects to be aware of. To prevent any gynecomastia symptoms, HCG should only be taken concurrently with …Sep 27, 2013 · Compounding pharmacies can also make HCG by prescription in different vial sizes. Brand names of HCG in regular pharmacies cost over $100 per 10,000 IUs. The same amount of IUs cost around $50 in compounding pharmacies. Many insurance policies do not pay for HCG since they consider its use for testicular atrophy while on TRT an off label use. Testicular atrophy is the shrinking of the testicular tissue, and can be caused by many things, including infections, testosterone treatments, and even lifestyle choices like drinking alcohol. By understanding the risk factors and what you can do to prevent these things from happening, you can take charge of your own health and how …Jul 6, 2021 ... How to prevent testicular shrinkage on testosterone replacement therapy? Brian Burk explains How To Prevent Testicular Atrophy On TRT.can clomid reverse testicular atrophy. von | Mrz 15, 2023 | f6tc spark plug cross to ngk | do not hire list for nurses | Mrz 15, 2023 | f6tc spark plug cross to ngk | do not hire list for nursesMar 26, 2019 · Men who had used androgens in the past had significantly lower testicular volume (23.2 vs 18.6 mL) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels (42 vs 33.9 IU/L), Narayana reported at ENDO 2019 ... hCG is a hormone that mimics the action of luteinizing hormone (LH), crucial for stimulating the testicles to produce testosterone naturally. By administering hCG alongside TRT, you can “trick” your testicles into continuing their natural testosterone production. This can help prevent or reduce testicular atrophy or shrinkage associated ...Apr 26, 2022 ... How long does it take hCG to increase testicle size? Individual results can vary when it comes to how quickly hCG may increase testicle size.Sep 7, 2012 · Answer HCG is available via prescription and it reverses testicular atrophy even in men on long term testosterone replacement. It is not covered by ADAP but it can be purchased cheaply from... The patients' mean age was 18.9 years (range, 12 to 24 years). The mean serum testosterone level was significantly increased after hCG treatment (baseline, 2, 4, …Several studies have found that low doses of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can help to solve the testicular shrinkage caused by testosterone replacement therapy. hCG is another hormone in the body that is mainly responsible for fertility and fetal development. In men, it can help to increase the production of testosterone and sperm.The gel already caused shrinkage. But since starting injections in October they have shrunk even more! Injections seem to cause more shrinkage than gels probably because when you use gel you have your T levels go up and down during 24 hours. But when you use injections the T levels stay high for much longer.Total testosterone is 2.65 nm/mL. (equivalent to 265 I think in US units). I'm taking HCG as prescribed by my doctor (5000 ui twice a week for a month) but what else can I do? How do you regenerate Leydig cells and other testicle cells? Scared of …HCG is a hormone that is commonly used for post cycle therapy. This hormone can help to stimulate the production of testosterone and can be used for four weeks. To start post cycle therapy with HCG, you should take 5000 IU of HCG per week for two weeks. After two weeks, you should increase the dose to 10,000 IU per week.HCG Dosage to Reverse Testicular Atrophy. You may end up injecting anywhere from 250 IU every other day to 1000 IU once a week. However, there’s no one hCG dose that’ll work for everyone who ... hCG is a hormone that mimics the action of luteinizing hormone (LH), crucial for stimulating the testicles to produce testosterone naturally. By administering hCG alongside TRT, you can “trick” your testicles into continuing their natural testosterone production. This can help prevent or reduce testicular atrophy or shrinkage associated ... Oct 29, 2021 · Will hCG reverse testicular atrophy? HCG is available via prescription and it reverses testicular atrophy even in men on long term testosterone replacement. It is not covered by ADAP but it can be purchased cheaply from compounding pharmacies (cost is about 7 dollars per week if two 500 IU injections are used weekly). Sep 2, 2021 ... I've been back on HCG for about 5 weeks now on the same protocol as you. They are slowly coming back. My wife says I'm crazy but I know my own ...Overview. Treatment. Undescended testicles will usually move down into the scrotum naturally by the time your child is 3 to 6 months old. If the testicles don't descend by 6 months, it's very unlikely they will without treatment. In this case, a surgical procedure called an orchidopexy will be recommended to reposition one or both testicles.I didn't worry about HCG, because I didn't want children. I also didn't care about atrophy, because balls are overrated anyhow, lol. I take Testosterone Cyponate daily, via slin pin, at a dose of 15mg. Been dialed in for years and feel mostly great, overall. Well, since that time, my semen volume is almost laughable. Jul 6, 2021 · Ill make a full post on my situation another time because its very long and complex. But the basics are this: I am on 50mg of Testim Gel per day (applied to shoulders). I have now added 500mcg of HCG (Pregnyl) EOD as of a week ago. I have already noticed a major change in my mental state. The direct and indirect influence of LH / HCG on the testis has a significant effect on the majority of the cells within the testis 19. This may seem like a purely aesthetic consideration, however testicular atrophy can cause significant discomfort and distress 20. I’m rather uncomfortable with the notion of allowing an organ to atrophy, it ...Apr 22, 2021 ... Testicular atrophy, azoospermia, and infertility. Testosterone=160 ng/dl. Tamoxifen (10 mg. twice daily) and injections of 2,000 IU of hCG ( ...Will hCG reverse testicular atrophy? HCG is available via prescription and it reverses testicular atrophy even in men on long term testosterone replacement. It is not covered by ADAP but it can be purchased cheaply from compounding pharmacies (cost is about 7 dollars per week if two 500 IU injections are used weekly).Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) counters testicular atrophy by mimicking lutenizing hormone which stimulates the leydig cells to synthesize testosterone in the testes, which keeps the natural testosterone production on going preventing testicular atrophy. Testicular atrophy can be painful and whether one seeks to have children or …A delayed peak of testosterone (2.4 0.3-fold) was seen between 7296 hours. Thereafter, testosterone declined and reached the initial levels at 144 hours. In the …HCG Levels and Testosterone Dosing Schedules. There are a number of protocols currently favoured in the medical community. One common dosage pattern is a 500 IU HCG injection on days 5 and 6, used concomitantly with a weekly 100 mg testosterone injection on day 7. If you prefer a shorter dosage pattern, as I do, due to the …For men, the most common side effects of hCG injections include: gynecomastia, or the growth of male breasts. pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. stomach pain. nausea. vomiting. In ...They will increase in size when you take it because they are responding to an increased level of hcg. When you stop hcg, you will revert back to normal levels and your testicles will naturally atrophy from supra physiological levels back to the size they were when those levels are ceased. Mind you it may take a fair amount of time for them to ...TRT can reduce the production of GnRH by the hypothalamus, leading to testicular atrophy (shrinkage). You can reverse this effect by using hCG, which increases endogenous testosterone levels and resists testicular shrinkage. Additionally, hCG can help men with low testosterone improve their sex drive, cognitive functions, and exercise …ball shrink hcg shrinakge testicular atrophy 1; 2; Next. 1 of 2 Go to page. Go. Next Last. M. mg707 Member. Jun 18, 2022 #1 ... Will starting HCG thru Defy or another men’s clinic restore my balls to their pre-TRT size in HCG. If so, how long does it generally take? Thanks . Reply. Reactions: MWC78. Vince Super Moderator. Jun 18, 2022 #2This urologist ordered a scrotal ultrasound, and I just got the results. My left testicle currently measures 4.2 x 1.4 x 2.3 cm. According to the formula used on this site, that places it in the bottom 1% of testicular volume for men my age (26). The other testicle is more or less normal, slightly below the mean volume but nothing significant.Clomid for men stimulates the body’s own production of testosterone. Clomid is a pill taken daily. It is generic and cheap. No shots. It does not interfere with the body’s checks and balances of testosterone. Fertility is preserved. No testicular shrinkage. It has few, if any, side effects and this is usually dose-related. A varicocele is a varicose vein of the testicle and scrotum that may cause pain, testicular atrophy (shrinkage) or fertility problems. Veins contain one-way ...Apr 26, 2022 · Testosterone production/Testicular volume/Atrophy/Sperm count/Micropenis - hCG 1,500-2000IU intramuscular injections 3x per week for 8 weeks. Increasing/preserving intratesticular testosterone and volume using HCG (with TRT) - Either 2000-5000IU hCG weekly or 125, 250, or 500 units per day Is Testicular Atrophy Reversible? CamiMayes. My husband was diagnosed with low Testosterone levels in 2000. He started on patches and later injections of supplemental testosterone. Our doctor never did any other hormone testing and his levels were not checked on a regular basis. We conceived a child in 2003 and she was born in 2004. It really depends. You won’t need hCG to raise your testosterone levels because we’ll give you an adequate dose to get you to optimal levels. However, you’ll want to add hCG in case you want to maintain a healthy sperm count and/or prevent testicular atrophy. While you’re on testosterone, your body reduces the production of luteinizing ...What is the main mechanism of action of clomiphene in male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism? A: Clomiphene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It works by interacting with the estrogen receptor on the pituitary gland. Clomiphene binds to this receptor and blocks the effects of estrogen on the pituitary gland.Exogenous hCG increases serum testosterone levels thus increasing ITT concentrations: Although most men taking testosterone for contraceptive use trials recover ...Nov 16, 2023 · Use of Anabolic steroids and Corticosteroids - The main cause of testicular atrophy. Anabolic steroids are synthetic alternatives to the male hormone testosterone. When used in excessive amounts, they can disrupt the body's natural hormone balance by reducing the production of natural testosterone. This can ultimately result in testicular atrophy. T here is an unambiguous and direct connection between anabolic steroids and testicular shrinkage. By juicing (slang name for taking anabolic steroids), you’re skyrocketing your testosterone levels, throwing your hormonal balance way off-kilter. Your body, as a response, will shut down natural testosterone production, which leads to …Take painkillers and antibiotics as prescribed; Use a protective sac to protect the testicles; Avoid lifting after varicocele surgery; Use an ice pack to prevent swelling; About six hours after the operation, you can have drinks; You should limit your movement in the first 24 hours after surgery;Aug 8, 2023. #3. You need higher doses during the first two weeks, then go back down. If you did not see improvements at 500 IU twice per week, you won’t see improvement at 250 or 300. Start with 1000 IU twice per week for two weeks to jump start your Leydig cells. Then move down to 500 twice per week.HCG Dosage to Reverse Testicular Atrophy. You may end up injecting anywhere from 250 IU every other day to 1000 IU once a week. However, there’s no one hCG dose that’ll work for everyone who ... Median duration of therapy was 8 months (SD 5 months). Fifty percent of patients reported symptom improvement. Conclusions Treatment of hypogonadal …Extrem testicular atrophy. 23 years old man. Was on trt from january 2017 to january 2018. Decided to quit because of mood swings and terrible cystic acne (sides effects with e2 dht and testosterone in perfect ranges) Decided to try trt because of low t sides. Doctor's protocol was 125mg enanthate per week with 0,5mg anastrozole per 2x week.For testicular atrophy, 500 usually does the trick. 1000 is usually the upper end for guys trying to prevent atrophy. Only time guys use over 1000 is usually for fertility purposes. E2 is definitely something to monitor for while on HCG, as well as prolactin. I wouldn’t worry too much about HCT.@jonbuuck, I'm tagging some of the prostate gang who had Lupron, like @frankstags @bruto1 @dmadi61 @john57 @semeon @kujhawk1978 @ednh @dave2020 @ken82 and @dave2020 to share their experiences with side effects and how long they lasted after completing treatment.. In the meantime, you may also be interested in this …LONG TERM HCG- Does it stop working due to testicle Leydig cell desensitization? This study of two people did not show issues after 23 months of high doses: A STUDY OF HUMAN TESTICULAR FUNCTION BY THE USE OF HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPHIN AND OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN …Testicular atrophy; Decreased well-being; Diminished libido and sexual function; Users can experience the above for several weeks or months, depending on the severity of damage to the HPTA axis. ... hCG: 2000 IU administered every other day for 20 days; Nolvadex: 2 x 20mg for 45 days;The testis atrophy caused by estradiol is most actively inhibited by delta-5-pregnenolone (group 19) in the low dosage series, while at the 10 mg. dose level several of the testoid compounds are somewhat more active. This is of particular interest since in castrate rats delta-5-pregnenolone is practically inactive as a testoid compound whence ...Apr 26, 2022 · Testosterone production/Testicular volume/Atrophy/Sperm count/Micropenis - hCG 1,500-2000IU intramuscular injections 3x per week for 8 weeks. Increasing/preserving intratesticular testosterone and volume using HCG (with TRT) - Either 2000-5000IU hCG weekly or 125, 250, or 500 units per day Information about testicular atrophy and how treatment with hCG is an option, with a link to and from David's Story Centre for Men's Health Call us on +44 (0)20 7486 2277
Feb 21, 2022 · Clomid is called Clomophine citrate. It's got a seven to 10 day half-life, depending on the manufacturer. Um, n clomophine has about a 10 hour half-life. So it jumps on that estrogen receptor and it jumps off. But that little bit of time that is on there, it stimulates testicular function. And that is what is going to take the atrophy out of play. . Times journal cobleskill ny
A delayed peak of testosterone (2.4 0.3-fold) was seen between 7296 hours. Thereafter, testosterone declined and reached the initial levels at 144 hours. In the …Apr 15, 2018 · Here is the protocol he was on while being on TRT at the same time. Clomiphene 10mg per day throughout. 20,000IU HCG on day one as a trigger shot then 10,000IU per day for 1 week. 4,000IU HCG everyday for week 2. Jul 21, 2016 · The proper term for shrunken balls is testicular atrophy. It is a pathological condition where the testes start off healthy, but gradually reduce in size. High levels of T from anabolic steroids lead to the Leydig cells decreasing natural testosterone release- this leads to a loss of size, firmness and shape of your testes. As well as testicular atrophy you'll more than likely also see a loss ... Aromatase inhibitors effectively delay epiphysial maturation in boys and improve testosterone levels in adult men Therefore, aromatase inhibitors may be used to increase adult height in boys with gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty, idiopathic short stature and constitutional delay of puberty. Long-term efficacy and safety of the …Both on the same dosage of 1000iu’s per week. In my experience, past a certain dose, I don’t think there is much change in size. Again, everyone is different. When I was doing HCG monotherapy, my testicles were only slightly larger when on 2000iu’s per week, compared to 1000iu’s per week.Top 9+ how long does it take hcg to reverse testicular atrophy Latest. HCG Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) By admin 7 Tháng Mười, 2023. HCG: What Every Man Should Know. ... 4000 Units every 4th or 5th day, taken for no longer than 2 or 3 weeks. If used for too long or at too high a dose, the drug may actually function to desensitize the …Testicular atrophy is the condition where the male reproductive glands – your testicles – shrink. Testicles are a part of the male reproductive system. They are …@jonbuuck, I'm tagging some of the prostate gang who had Lupron, like @frankstags @bruto1 @dmadi61 @john57 @semeon @kujhawk1978 @ednh @dave2020 @ken82 and @dave2020 to share their experiences with side effects and how long they lasted after completing treatment.. In the meantime, you may also be interested in this …Jul 6, 2021 ... How to prevent testicular shrinkage on testosterone replacement therapy? Brian Burk explains How To Prevent Testicular Atrophy On TRT.Gonadorelin helps increase sperm count and volume in men and increase testosterone production. It also helps with testicular atrophy, otherwise known as testicular shrinkage. Gonadorelin also: Stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are necessary for normal fertility in adults.Infertility. Decrease in hair growth on the face and body. Decrease in muscle mass. Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia) Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis) Severe hypogonadism can also cause mental and emotional changes. As testosterone decreases, some men have symptoms similar to those of menopause in women.Jan 22, 2022 ... The incidence of testicular atrophy was also seen in five testicular ... However, Vit-C given with b-hCG could not reverse the damage in the ...Oct 22, 2019 ... Infertility can be avoided by taking a less intense treatment route like Clomid. Testicle shrinkage is prevented with hCG and should always be ...Does HCG therapy help reverse testicular atrophy ?, permanent or temporary ? My testies measure about 4x4 cm for both. Does seem small, average 5.5 cm. Testosterone levels were normal, but could be low normal from 400-1000ng/dl. Is it normal 21 y old?Go and check your levels of LH, FSH and Total T before using HCG. I only had a testosterone test like 8.6once during my inflammation and 7.13 after a month or so but didnt test since but i will ask though althoigh i dunno the names of some hormones in german. Testosteron total/gesamt (T), Lutheinisierendes Hormon (LH), Folikel stimulierendes ...Introduction. Varicocele is dilation in the pampiniform plexus of veins in scrotal sac, secondary to the retrograde flow of blood to the testicle [].It affects 15% of adolescent population and it is considered to be the most common correctable pathology found in young men with infertility [].The common goal of all treatments is to eliminate the …Permanent testicular atrophy may happen due to trauma, using Anabolic steroids and Corticosteroids, genetic disease, alcohol and drug abuse, infection, cancer, taking hormonal medications, and testicular torsion. Lifestyle changes, medications, different surgeries, and other methods can treat this disorder. Topics.Will hCG reverse testicular atrophy? HCG is available via prescription and it reverses testicular atrophy even in men on long term testosterone replacement. It is not covered by ADAP but it can be purchased cheaply from compounding pharmacies (cost is about 7 dollars per week if two 500 IU injections are used weekly)..