What did @harveylonsdale_ actually say?
The creator argued that HCG, which he repeatedly calls "HGG" throughout the video, is used on TRT to preserve testicular function and fertility by mimicking luteinizing hormone (LH). He explained that this LH signal prompts the testes to produce testosterone, which then binds to androgen-binding protein (ABP) to support sperm production. His overall position: unless you're actively trying to conceive, HCG is "an additional fat and cost" that may not be worth it. He also acknowledged uncertainty about how protective it actually is, saying "to what extent you're more insured than someone who isn't using HCG, I'm not quite sure."
That last admission of uncertainty is, frankly, more honest than most TRT content you'll find on TikTok. But there are some meaningful inaccuracies in the mechanism he described that are worth unpacking.
Does the science back this up?
The core premise is sound. HCG does mimic LH and does stimulate testicular testosterone production and spermatogenesis. The ABP claim is partially correct but muddled. The evidence on HCG for fertility preservation during TRT is real, though not as definitive as most online discussion implies.
HCG binds to LH/hCG receptors on Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating intratesticular testosterone (ITT) production. ITT is orders of magnitude higher than serum testosterone and is essential for spermatogenesis. When exogenous testosterone is used without HCG, ITT collapses, which suppresses sperm production. This is well-documented. A study by Coviello et al. (2005, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism) showed that HCG co-administration with testosterone maintained ITT and preserved spermatogenesis in healthy men.
The Superman analogy the creator uses is colorful but not entirely accurate. HCG does not merely "mimic the mechanics" without producing results. In men who remain responsive to gonadotropin stimulation, HCG can genuinely maintain or restore sperm production. The distinction matters clinically.
What did they get wrong (or right)?
The creator consistently says "HGG" instead of "HCG" (human chorionic gonadotropin). That is likely just a verbal slip and not a factual error, but worth flagging for any viewer searching for information afterward.
More substantively, the ABP explanation is off. He states that intratesticular testosterone "binds to ABP, hydrogen banding protein, and creates sperm." A few problems here. First, ABP stands for androgen-binding protein, not "hydrogen banding protein." Second, testosterone binding to ABP does not directly "create" sperm. ABP, produced by Sertoli cells, concentrates androgens in the seminiferous tubules to support Sertoli cell function, which in turn supports spermatogenesis. The process is more indirect than the creator implies.
His claim that HCG "mimics the mechanics of fertility but doesn't actually produce fertility" is also an overstatement. In hypogonadal men who retain Leydig cell function, HCG can restore fertility. Ramasamy et al. (2014, Fertility and Sterility) demonstrated this in men with secondary hypogonadism. The actor analogy is memorable but misleads viewers into thinking HCG is decorative rather than functional.
The broader point that HCG may not be necessary if you are not trying to conceive is a defensible clinical position, shared by many endocrinologists. Credit where it is due.
What should you actually know?
If fertility preservation matters to you, HCG has real evidence behind it, not just bro-science. The question of whether every TRT patient needs it is genuinely debated among clinicians.
The Endocrine Society's 2018 guidelines note that men on testosterone therapy who want to preserve fertility should be counseled on alternatives including HCG or clomiphene. A 2013 study by Wenker et al. (Reviews in Urology) found that combination testosterone and HCG therapy maintained sperm in a meaningful proportion of men, though results varied considerably. The creator's point that "if you're shut off, you're shut off" gestures at a real clinical reality: men with primary hypogonadism or severely compromised testicular function may not respond to HCG regardless. But for men with secondary hypogonadism, the picture is more optimistic than his framing suggests.
Testicular atrophy is a separate concern from fertility. Some men use HCG partly for cosmetic or psychological reasons related to testicular volume. That is a valid personal consideration but not a medical necessity. No dose guidance is offered here, and anyone considering HCG alongside TRT should work with a licensed clinician who can assess their specific situation.