Research Peptides — HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Testosterone and HCG -- Information That Could Change Your Life

If you are a low-t patient that is concerned about maintaining the normal function of your testes, including fertility, you may be interested in HCG. HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin, and, when taken along with bio-identical testosterone therapy, it can prevent the testicular withering that is a side effect of testosterone replacement.

What Does HCG Do?

For years, people have been using bio-identical HCG in combination with their testosterone therapy. It not only supports testicular function but also preserves the size of the testicles, which tend to shrivel up as a result of treatment.

Prescription HCG is a lyophilized powder of glycoproteins that are reconstituted and delivered subcutaneously or intramuscularly via syringe. In the male body, HCG mimics the function of a vital sex hormone known as luteinizing hormone, often abbreviated LH.

Luteinizing hormone is responsible for both encouraging testicular fullness (prevention of testicular atrophy) and maintaining natural testosterone and semen production.

This helps the body keep its natural testosterone secretion. When taking testosterone therapy alone, this directly leads to a corresponding drop in testosterone production, because prescription testosterone flowing through the body signals the brain to stop producing luteinizing hormone.

Human chorionic gonadotropin is also beneficial as a means to properly cycle testosterone therapy.

If you ever stop taking recombinant testosterone, HCG can help boost your natural testosterone synthesis to a more natural state.

Some patients with mild low-t may benefit from taking HCG for testosterone. HCG doesn’t work for everyone in this way, however. For example, your body’s own natural testosterone production may have dropped too low for HCG to be beneficial.

HCG for Weight Loss

Human chorionic gonadotropin is also used by weight loss specialists as a treatment for patients interested in losing weight quickly. At its core, the HCG diet is a combination of significant caloric restriction with daily HCG injections.

Doctors that prescribe HCG for weight loss claim that patients can lose up to thirty pounds per month using HCG therapy for weight loss. The HCG diet is available for both men and women.

How Does HCG Work?

Originally, HCG therapy was designed to stimulate ovaries in women, but it has been shown to benefit patients in other ways, especially men. HCG is a hormone released by women to boost embryo implantation in the placenta.

When used for other purposes, it shares strong characteristics with luteinizing hormone, which has different functions with both female and male physiology.

In men, luteinizing hormone is the precursor necessary to stimulate natural testosterone production, and it increases sperm count and sperm production.

For women, HCG injections promote ovulation. Bodybuilders have been using HCG for a long time to boost testicular function while using testosterone injections, and it's also beneficial to patients taking prescription testosterone for low-t.

HCG has also been prescribed to boys that experience pituitary deficiencies that prevent the luteinizing hormone from being produced sufficiently, to stimulate puberty and assist in the typical male testicular development.

How Is HCG Used?

For many patients, especially those interested in having children or those interested in maintaining testicular form, using HCG along with testosterone in a therapeutic regimen for low-t is the best course of action.

For all of testosterone’s benefits (increased muscle mass and energy, reduced body fat, etc.), testosterone does directly lead to side effects: significantly decreased fertility and testicular atrophy.

To enhance the benefits of HCG, it should be used in a specific manner. For example, even though some people use HCG to boost testicular function only after they have completed their testosterone therapy cycle, hormone doctors generally don’t consider this the best way to go about things.

Hormone therapy specialists prefer that HCG is used at specific times during testosterone replacement therapy, not afterward, to maintain testicular function and reduce the risk of issues after testosterone or other steroids have been used.

How Does HCG Help You Lose Weight?

The HCG protocol is a bit different when the hormone is used for weight loss. HCG is generally delivered at a lower dose, and more regularly. HCG injections are given five days per week, typically, to burn calories most effectively.

HCG injections are combined with diet phases between 500-1,000 calories. Because of reduced calorie intake, patients will have to forgo excessive physical activity while on the HCG program and need to follow the meal plan during treatment precisely.

How is HCG Injections Delivered?

Human chorionic gonadotropin injections are delivered the same way as growth hormone, via subcutaneous injection. They are also sometimes given as intramuscular injections.  These can be self-administered or administered with the assistance of another person.

In subcutaneous injection, the medication is delivered between the epidermis and the dermis. In an intramuscular injection, HCG is injected directly into muscle tissue.

Before using or administering HCG for the first time, your doctor will provide specific instructions regarding how to safely deliver an HCG injection. Do not try to give yourself or another person an injection without initial guidance from a medical professional.

Is HCG Safe?

As with any hormone therapy treatment, HCG therapy is safest when used as prescribed by a medical doctor, and when used recreationally or improperly, it can potentially lead to significant side effects. One symptom associated with HCG is blood clots.

Because of this, it’s essential to understand the signs of a blood clot: tingling and numbness in the extremities, ruddiness, abnormal warmth, and pain. Headaches, dizziness, and confusion are other symptoms of a blood clot.

See a doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms while taking HCG.
The vast majority of people take HCG and experience no significant side effects.

Women may experience a condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome as a result of HCG therapy. Symptoms include infrequent urination, weight gain, stomach issues, stomach distention and pain, swelling in the legs and hands, and pelvic discomfort.

OHSS is dangerous and can be life-threatening, so contact a doctor as soon as possible if you experience these symptoms. Because of HCG’s effect on fertility, women using HCG are more likely to have twins and triplets.

How Do I Know if HCG Is Right for Me?

If you are interested in HCG for weight loss, fertility, or as an essential aspect of your testosterone replacement low-t therapy, your doctor will assess your needs and help you decide if HCG is right for you. HCG should not be used without a prescription and should be explicitly used as indicated by your hormone doctor.

Where Can I Find HCG?

Human chorionic gonadotropin is available under some different brand names, including Pregnyl, Ovidrel, and Novarel. If you’re interested in prescription HCG, talk to a licensed medical specialist.

Like most drugs, it's possible to find real HCG online, but it’s safer, and ultimately in your best interest, to be assessed by a medical professional to obtain prescription HCG.

Remember that there are always potential drawbacks to steroids and other hormone therapies. When used as indicated to restore and maintain hormone balance, these risks are quite low, but they are still present. Always do your research when it comes to any medical treatment, including face-time with a doctor or pharmacist.

We Offer Hormone Optimization Treatments, including HCG Therapy

If you are interested in learning more about HCG, testosterone, human growth hormone, or any other form of hormone replacement therapy or hormone supplementation, our licensed and board-certified hormone clinic have specialists standing by to answer any questions that you may have.

If you feel that you may benefit from any of the HRT treatments that we provide, we can set you up with an appointment with a doctor in your area for prerequisite examination, and, if you qualify, we can have quality HRT products, including recombinant testosterone and HCG, delivered directly to your home or office!

Reference

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

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