Pushtoday
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Overview and History of HCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is what is known as a protein hormone (or a peptide hormone) that is naturally and endogenously produced by the female human body by the syncytiotrophoblast cells in the placenta. In females, HCG plays a very important role in stimulating the release of Progesterone, which is a hormone vitally essential for pregnancy. HCG that is bottled for human use is not synthesized in creation, but is instead obtained from humans. Specifically, it is found in very high concentrations in pregnant females as previously stated. HCG is in fact what is used as the number one primary indication of pregnancy in females, as it is only present in very, very high quantities in females during pregnancy. HCG is what the home pregnancy tests detect in urine, and if present in significant quantities, the home pregnancy tests will turn blue. In women who are pregnant, HCG increases in the body rise very rapidly, and can be detected within 7 days of increased secretion in the body. At this time period, however, HCG levels are only beginning to rise, and blood plasma levels of HCG do not actually peak until approximately 2 – 3 months into pregnancy. Following this 2 – 3 month period, HCG levels then begin to decline.
HCG itself could technically be considered synthetic LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), but the truth is that HCG is indeed a different hormone, but in men it will mimic the actions of LH and FSH identically. LH and FSH are gonadotropins manufactured and secreted by the pituitary gland, and these two hormones in men signal the Leydig cells in the testes to begin or increase the manufacture of Testosterone. The term ‘gonadotropin’ refers to any compound or hormone that stimulates the gonadal organs (testes in men, ovaries in females). In females, LH and FSH trigger ovulation (the manufacture of eggs in the ovaries). HCG, because it is essentially a mimic of LH and FSH in terms of its physiological activity, is administered medically to females that suffer from infertility (perhaps because they do not endogenously manufacture sufficient levels of gonadotropins as it is or for other reasons). Within medicine, HCG is also administered to males for the treatment of hypogonadism (deficient androgen production). It is also used medically for the treatment of pubertal delay in adolescent males, as well as prepubertal cryptorchidism, which is a condition in which an individual’s testicles have improperly descended (either during or after puberty). Among the anabolic steroid using bodybuilders and athletes, HCG has been utilized for a long time for its ability to restore endogenous Testosterone production following the termination of an anabolic steroid cycle. This is a period in which hormonal restoration is imperative, and HCG is normally inserted into a multi-compound protocol of approximately 4 – 6 weeks after an anabolic steroid cycle has ended, and this is known as PCT (Post Cycle Therapy).
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) was discovered in 1920 when HCG extract from human placenta was utilized on rabbits and its effects were observed[1]. It was then discovered in 1928 that HCG was actually a hormone vital for pregnancy and all of its involved roles[2]. Shortly afterwards, different preparations were developed and tested, with the first HCG preparations extracted from the pituitary gland of various animals, and subsequently marketed by Organon on the prescription drug market in 1931 as Pregnon. Eventually in 1932, this trade name was changed to Pregnyl, which is the trade name by which HCG is universally known as. Organon still manufactures, markets, and sells Pregnyl today, but it is not manufactured by way of pituitary extract. Eventually in the 1940s, advancing techniques allowed laboratories to extract HCG from the urine of pregnant females by way of filtration and purification, and eventually by the 1960s all pharmaceutical manufacturers of HCG had adopted this method of HCG manufacture. Today this is still the manner by which HCG is still manufactured, and although other methods have been developed, the extraction of HCG from the urine of pregnant females remains the most effective, efficient, and cost effective means of doing so.
During the 1950s and 1960s, when HCG was initially beginning to see widespread use within medicine, it held a very broad range of medical indications that it was approved to treat. These included: treatment for excessive bleeding from the uterus, Froehlich syndrome, cryptorchidism, female infertility, depression, male infertility, and hypogonadism, and many more medical indications. Eventually, the large list of approved treatments were cut short when the FDA had been granted increasing control over the prescription drug market in the 1970s, and today HCG is only utilized for the treatment of hypogonadism and cryptorchidism in males, and infertility in females.
Despite what rumors one may hear, HCG is ineffective for fat loss, and holds no capabilities in stimulating the thyroid gland to manufacture more thyroid hormone. This must be made especially clear due to the fact that for a long time, HCG was utilized wrongfully and mistakenly to treat obesity, with the origins of this practice coming from a wrongfully interpreted study in 1954. This study claimed that test subjects had lost significant amounts of body fat following the use of HCG while on a severely low caloric deficit (500 calories daily). Many interpreted the study wrongfully, and focused solely on the fact that HCG was utilized without any thought for the caloric deficit used in the subjects. More than 30 years later, the whole study and HCG-centered medical treatments for obesity were reviewed, and the approved use for the treatment of obesity was eliminated[3].
Little did people know that the severe caloric restriction caused individuals to lose important lean tissue mass (muscle) as well as important organ tissue in order to preserve itself, and that this result of severe caloric deficits were worse on the body than obesity. Eventually the FDA in 1974 had even issued a statement on all pamphlets that were packaged with HCG that made it very clear that the use of HCG for fat loss is ineffective and should not be used as such.
Today HCG is still widely utilized in medicine, and is widely available on all markets internationally under various major brand names (Pregnyl by Organon, Profasi by Serono and Novarel by Ferring, as well as many others) including an abundance of generic HCG as well. HCG is a non-controlled substance in almost all countries in the world, including in the United States (although it is still only obtainable by prescription there, it is not a controlled substance). Because of its immense popularity, overabundance on the market, and ease of manufacture, counterfeits and fakes are not an issue.
Chemical Characteristics of HCG
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a protein (or peptide) hormone, but it is more specifically referred to as an oligosaccharide glycoprotein (a protein molecule that contains one or more carbohydrates/sugar molecules affixed to it as well). Its protein structure consists of an amino acid chain of 244 amino acids, with a sub-unit of 92 amino acids on it that is 100% identical to LH and FSH. It is this subsection of the HCG molecule that enables it to mimic the action of LH and FSH 100% identically on the same receptors in the cells that LH and FSH activate.
Properties of HCG
HCG’s primary purpose is that of either the treatment of female infertility, or for the use of stimulating and/or increasing endogenous Testosterone production in men.
HCG is generally very well tolerated by the majority of men who utilize it for hormonal recovery following the cessation of an anabolic steroid cycle. There are only but two HCG side effects worth noting that every individual must be aware of prior to engaging in use, especially since there have existed a plethora of misconceptions in regards to HCG ever since its introduction into the world of anabolic steroid use.
HCG Side Effects
Estrogenic Side Effects
It has been previously covered in this profile that HCG will increase testicular aromatase activity, which can result in the manifestation of Estrogenic side effects as a result of increased Estrogen generated by aromatization (conversion) of androgens into Estrogen. It has therefore been recommended that individuals utilize an aromatase inhibitor (AI) during HCG use, and as previously outlined, the most suitable AI for this purpose is Aromasin (Exemestane). Other AIs can be utilized as well, but the common PCT protocol of HCG, Nolvadex, and an aromatase inhibitor will present problems if the other two commonly known AIs are used (Letrozole and Arimidex). This has been covered extensively in the HCG doses portion of this profile. If an AI is not utilized to lower circulating levels of aromatase, and subsequently Estrogen, then not only will Estrogenic side effects result, but an impairment of endogenous HPTA function will result. This will be counterproductive to the original goal of restoration of hormonal function. Estrogenic side effects include the following: water retention and bloating, blood pressure elevations (as a result of the water retention), increased possible fat retention/gain, and gynecomastia.
Androgenic Side Effects
Androgenic side effects are indeed a part of HCG side effects due to the fact that HCG will increase circulating blood plasma levels of androgens, notably Testosterone, and subsequently Dihydrotestosterone. This is a naturally expected and desired effect of HCG use. Androgenic side effects include: increased sebum secretion (oily skin), increased bouts of acne (linked to increased sebum secretion), bodily and facial hair growth, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and the increased risk of triggering Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) in individuals that possess the genetic trait required for the condition to manifest itself.
HCG References:
[1] Exogenous stimulation of corpus luteum formation in the rabbit; influence of extracts of human placenta, decidua, fetus, hydatid mole and corpus luteum on the rabbit gonad. Hirose T 1920 J Jpn Gynecol Sot 16:1055.
[2] Die Schwangerschaftsdiagnose ausdem Ham durch Nachweis des Hypophysenvorderlappen-hormone.11. Pracktishe und theoretische Ergebnisse aus den hamuntersuchungen. Ascheim S/ Zondek B 1928 Klin Wochenschr 7:1453-1457.
[3] The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis. Lijesen GKS, et al. Br J Clin Pharmacol1995; 40: 237-43.
[h=1]HCG Dosage[/h]
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) essentially holds only one valid major use within the anabolic steroid using community, and that is for the purpose of maintaining, increasing, or restoring proper endogenous Testosterone production. HCG doses are best utilized in conjunction with other Testosterone production stimulating compounds during PCT (Post Cycle Therapy), and the use of HCG alone for the purpose of hormonal recovery after an anabolic steroid cycle is highly advised against. The practice of using HCG solitarily as the only hormonal recovery agent following the end of a cycle is a bygone practice of the pre-1990 era that is obsolete.
The understanding of HCG and all other drugs has improved vastly ever since bodybuilders in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s have utilized anabolic steroids. In fact, the majority of anabolic steroid users from the 1960s – mid 1980s did not even utilize any compounds for the purpose of hormonal recovery, and the term PCT did not even exist at that time. When the use of HCG became increasingly popular (circa 1980), it was the only compound utilized. Since then, the medical and scientific understanding of such things has increased exponentially and there should be no reason for any informed and properly educated individual to utilize HCG on its own for PCT.
HCG is one compound among the anabolic steroid using community (as well as the general public) that is highly misunderstood and misused. The misuse of HCG among the general public as a fat loss agent has already been covered in detail, but it is the misuse among the anabolic steroid using community that is of primary concern here. The misuse of HCG can actually become dangerous and serve to work against the recovery of the HPTA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis), and possibly cause permanent damage to the Leydig cells of the testes if utilized too frequently, too long, or if HCG doses are too high (desensitization of the Leydig cells to LH and FSH)[1]. At the same time, if improperly used, HCG can simply end up putting the user back to ‘square one’ and leave nothing accomplished.
It is very important to understand some preliminary details and considerations where HCG use is concerned. First of all, HCG use has demonstrated to increase aromatase activity in the body via increased testicular aromatase expression[2]. Aromatase is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens into Estrogen, and so the result with HCG use is that of an increased level of Estrogen in the body in addition to the Testosterone production stimulation. Many users have reported developing gynecomastia as a result. The rising Estrogen levels that can result from HCG are also bound to cause suppression of the HPTA and endogenous Testosterone production, hence the previous statement about the user bringing them back to ‘square one’ if HCG doses are misused. Therefore, the use of an aromatase inhibitor is essential during HCG use.
The use of HCG, although central to a single purpose, is actually very diverse in the manner by which it can be used, and the protocol of HCG doses, as there are a myriad of different protocols and uses that have been developed over the years. Only the most effective and prominent protocols will be covered here.
Medical HCG Dosage
Within the medical establishment, HCG is approved for the treatment and recovery of hypogonadism, where prescription protocols refer to several different methods of treatment:
– A short-term 6 week long period of HCG therapy
– Long-term therapy of a one year period maximum
– A patient customized program dependent on the individual as discussed between the patient and doctor
Medical prescription HCG doses recommend 500 – 1,000IU of HCG are to be administered 3 times weekly for a 3 week period, after which HCG doses are reduced to the same amount only twice weekly. For long-term therapy, a higher dose of 4,000IU administered 3 times per week is recommended for a 6 – 9 month period. Following this period, the HCG doses are to then be lowered to 2,000IU 3 times per week for a remaining 3 month period.
HCG Dosage During Anabolic Steroid Use
HCG in particular cannot be categorized into the three tiers of users (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) as normally outlined and listed in common profiles of the different compounds and drugs. This is due to the fact that HCG is an ancillary drug not particularly used for the purpose of performance enhancement, but instead is utilized to maintain, increase, or restore proper endogenous Testosterone production.
The use of HCG doses during anabolic steroid use must only be performed under very specific conditions and circumstances, and the following must be made pertinently clear to the reader considering HCG use during anabolic steroid cycles:
HCG should not automatically be utilized during an anabolic steroid cycle unless the cycle is of an extremely long length (12 or more weeks), and/or the individual is prone to very quick and very severe suppression/shutdown of the HPTA.
Unless an individual exhibits very difficult recovery of endogenous Testosterone production following a cycle, there is no need to utilize HCG during anabolic steroid cycles to maintain testicular function. This is especially true if anabolic steroid cycles are kept short (8 – 10 weeks), as testicular atrophy (if it does occur) will not have remained so for long enough periods of time that there would be difficulty resuming testicular function. If an individual engages in an anabolic steroid cycle of very long cycle lengths (12 weeks or longer), the use of HCG doses every week during the cycle might be necessary due to the extended time in which testicular atrophy will remain. In excessively long cycles, testicular atrophy can result in greater difficulty in hormonal recovery during PCT as a result of desensitization to gonadotropins.
For the purpose of maintaining testicular function during an anabolic steroid cycle, a standard dose of 250 – 500IU of HCG doses administered 1 – 2 times weekly (each injection spaced evenly apart during the week) should be performed if necessary. 500IU should never be exceeded for such a use.
HCG Dosage for Increased Endogenous Testosterone Secretion and PCT (Post Cycle Therapy)
It has been clearly stated earlier in this section of the profile that the use of HCG alone is a very bad idea for the purpose of endogenous Testosterone production recovery during PCT. HCG is, for all intents and purposes, synthetic Luteinizing Hormone, and LH just like any other hormone in the human body works on a negative feedback loop whereby when excess exogenous sources of a hormone is detected by the HPTA, the body will suppress or shut down its own endogenous production of the hormone. It would therefore actually be counterproductive to administer HCG doses alone for hormonal recovery during PCT as many bodybuilders did prior to the 1990s. Although it might have worked for some, the majority of individuals doing this ended up with more endocrine and recovery problems than they had attempted to fix. This is an old outdated practice of the pre-1990 bodybuilders and should not be used.
HCG should ideally be utilized as a part of a multi-component PCT protocol whereby HCG is utilized for the first 1 – 2 weeks of PCT, while the other components of the PCT protocol are utilized for the remaining weeks of the total PCT program (4 – 6 weeks total). The best possible addition to HCG in a PCT protocol is Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate), as studies have demonstrated that HCG and Nolvadex utilized together have exhibited a remarkable synergistic effect in terms of stimulating endogenous Testosterone production, and that Nolvadex will actually work to block the desensitization effect on the Leydig cells of the testes caused by high doses of HCG[3].
Furthermore, it has been outlined early on in this section of this profile that HCG will increase testicular aromatase expression, causing Estrogenic side effects as a result of HCG use. The combination of HCG and Nolvadex must also therefore be utilized with an aromatase inhibitor (AI). However, the use of HCG with Nolvadex leaves only the most valid choice being Aromasin (Exemestane), as studies have demonstrated that when the other two AIs (Letrozole or Arimidex) are utilized with Nolvadex, Nolvadex will decrease blood plasma concentration of Letrozole as well as Arimidex. Therefore, the best possible choice of aromatase inhibitor in order to mitigate the increased aromatase activity caused by HCG administration would be Aromasin.
Finally, HCG doses for the purpose of hormonal restoration during PCT are that of 500IU daily for the first 1 – 2 weeks of PCT. The higher and more frequent HCG doses are only necessary during the first initial weeks following the termination of an anabolic steroid cycle in order to provide an initial ‘jolt’ of Testosterone output after an anabolic steroid cycle where extended periods of testicular atrophy might have occurred.
Female HCG Dosage
Aside from medical use for the purpose of ovulation induction in females that are infertile, there is no need for anabolic steroid using females to resort to the use of HCG, it is for the most part useless for this purpose.
Proper Administration and Timing of HCG Dosage
HCG within the medical field is primarily administered via intramuscular (IM) injections, although it can also be administered subcutaneously, which has also become just as frequent as IM injections. Studies have found that when intramuscular and subcutaneous injections of HCG were compared, the results were almost the exact same for both, indicating almost no difference between the two[4]. The only difference between the two methods of injection is the difference in the rate of release from the injection site and the time required for peak blood plasma levels to be reached (6 hours for IM, and 16 – 20 hours for subcutaneous). The majority of anabolic steroid users will elect to inject HCG subcutaneously.
HCG should always be contained inside vials or ampoules as a lyophilized (freeze dried) powder that must be reconstituted with the proper amounts of bacteriostatic water (or sterile water) prior to administration. How many IU of HCG an individual will obtain from a given amount in a syringe is also dependent on how much bacteriostatic or sterile water the HCG powder is reconstituted with. The more water it is reconstituted with, the more diluted the concentration will be, and vice versa with less water.
HCG should always be kept refrigerated after reconstitution (approximately 2 – 8 degrees Celsius or 35.6 – 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Due to the fragile nature of the protein hormone, if kept at room temperatures after reconstitution, the molecule will become denatured and destroyed, and the HCG will be ineffective. Violent shaking of the reconstituted HCG will also destroy the delicate protein molecule, and violent shaking should be avoided when reconstituting or otherwise.
Medical References:
[1] The different mechanisms for suppression of pituitary and testicular function. Sandow J, Engelbart K, von Rechenberg W. Med BioI. 1986;63(56):192-200.
[2] Acute stimulation of aromatization in Leydig cells by human chorionic gonadotropin in vitro. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 76:4460-3/1979.
[3] Tamoxifen suppresses gonadotropin-induced 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone accumulation in normal men. Smals AG, Pieters GF, Drayer JI, Boers GH, Benraad TJ, Kloppenborg PW. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1980 Nov;51(5):1026-9.
[4] A randomized three-way cross-over study in healthy pituitary-suppressed women to compare the bioavailability of human chorionic gonadotrophin (Pregnyl) after intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. Mannaerts BM, Geurts TB, Odink J. Hum Reprod. 1998 Jun;13(6):1461-4.
