Youre on the right path here...if HCG worked to "backfill" why would anyone need to supplement DHEA or Prog. It mimics LH but there's either a enzyme(?) dysfunction in the Hypo male or it just doesn't mimic well enough to spur that downstream conversion from Cholesterol. It reads well on paper but there are a ton a real world guys that categorically it does not work. There's even been heavy discussion on the compounded HCG vs Pharma HCG, like Pregnyl, being not the same. As in Pregnyl being more effective. Some guys have used both and reported a subjective better response with Pregnyl.I get confused when individuals are taking hcg along with dhea and pregnenolone supplementation.