hCG (Chorionic Gonadrotropin) -- The h is for human

We’ve received a significant number of requests to write about HCG or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in the past month.
This post will be a complete breakdown of the use of HCG on cycle.
We will look at the positive benefits of cycling HCG, sample dosages, and side effects.

 

1) What is HCG?

 

 
HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.
It’s provided as a powder to be diluted in water and is taken by injection.
It acts in the body as a luteinizing hormone (LH), stimulating the testes to produce testosterone and is useful for maintaining testosterone production and/or testicle size during a steroid cycle.
HCG is very useful for increasing test production when you are off or between cycles. Including HCG as a part of hormone replacement therapy is superior to cycling test alone. (Read Testosterone only cycle)
Maintenance of sperm production and having a normal testicle size should be considered important.
With regard to cycling HCG, It should be noted that HCG should not be used as part of a Post-cycle therapy (PCT) at all, and it should be used during the cycle as an alternative to arimidex, and to maintain healthy testes function.
 

2) Where does HCG come from?

 

It is extracted from the urine of pregnant women.
You’re going to find this out when you do a quick google search from other sources so we might as well let you know here.
 

3) Is HCG a scheduled medication?

 

No, it’s similar to clomid and Liquidex as far as Singapore laws go. However you would need a prescription to purchase legally in the Singapore.
 

4) What is HCG normally used for?

 

Its primary use is to help females get pregnant, and can be used to stimulate testosterone production in men.
 

5) How does HCG work?

 

HCG mimics LH (luteinizing hormone). The presence of LH causes the Leydig cells in the gonads to produce testosterone. This effect also restores the size of the testes rather quickly if they were suppressed from a cycle. (Read Test Only cycle)
 

6) What should HCG be used for?

 

HCG is commonly used by bodybuilders on either very heavy or very long cycles, when the HPTA(read HPTA) gets severely suppressed. Although HCG can be used in almost any cycle, the benefits are most pronounced on heavy/long ones.
 

7) How do you take it?

 

You can take it intramuscularly or subcutaneously.
 

8) Can I use HCG only for PCT?

 

The simple answer would be no, Do not use HCG only for PCT.

SERMS such as Clomid and Nolva should be used to restart the testes and aid in pushing your body to produce its own LH.
HCG mimics luteinizing hormone and so your body won’t begin producing its own LH, as it sees no need to because test levels are high.
Even if you stop taking HCG, your body will not make test until it begins producing adequate levels of its own LH, and that may take a while if you don’t use clomid or nolvadex to stimulate LH production. The use of clomid or Nolvadex should also be continued at least 2 weeks after HCG is discontinued to avoid causing problems.
 

9) Can I use HCG during cycle and when?

 

Yes HCG can be used during cycle.

In the opinion of most body builders, HCG is best utilised in the last 3-4 weeks of the steroid cycle.
However, if you are getting signs of gyno, do not run HCG.
HCG may aggravate the condition and make it worse so ample care should be taken when cycling HCG.

 

10) How much HCG is needed during cycle and/or PCT?

 

For PCT a minimum of 10,000 IU’s HCG is needed. When you have a proper PCT planned with a serm(Clomid and Nolva) and an AI(Arimidex), and you want to run HCG during the last 4 weeks of your cycle, then you might only need 5,000iu’s.

An anti-estrogen (Nolva, etc.) is to be used with HCG during your last 4 weeks of cycle.

 

11) What dose do you run HCG at?

 

HCG is best dosed at 500 IU and/or 1000iu, more than that can cause too much aromatization.

Some people won’t react to less than 500iu.
During the last 4 weeks of a cycle, Inject 500 IU of HCG twice a week or 1000 IU once a week.
For PCT, 500 IU ED or 1000 IU at the end of the day.

 

12) Can HCG be used to boost test production above baseline?

 
While possible, it is not recommended.

Prolonged use of HCG may desensitize LH producing cells.
Once you stop using HCG as an artificial LH, you may crash hard and LH production my not be restored to optimum levels.
To boost natural test above the baseline, anastrozole, Novadex and clomid are better choices.
 

13) How long does HCG boost testosterone for?

 

HCG can boost testosterone for up to 5 days following the last dose, although the drugs half-life is very short, and it’s no longer active at that point.
 

14) Can HCG cause gyno?

 

In short, Yes Estrogen is elevated from HCG use.

Firstly, the sharp rise in testosterone in your body, allows more testosterone to aromatize to estrogen.
Secondly, HCG can cause a small amount of estrogen to be produced during use.
The use of a combination of Aromatase inhibitors such as arimidex/liquidex/letrozole and an estrogen receptor bloacker such as nolvadex are
Used.
Nolvadex offers increased benefit to help avoid a negative estrogen feedback to the HPTA during HCG therapy.
 

15) How does HCG come packaged?

 

Meditech Pregnyl HCG (5,000 IU, 10 Vial) comes in a set of 10 Vials and 10 amps of bacteriostatic water.

The vials come with powdered HCG inside, This is the normal practice, do not expect vials similar to testosterone.
The amps come with the solvent, which is typically bacteriostatic water. (sterile water with 0.09% sodium chloride)

If your package is 5000 IU, and you add 1ml diluents, you have 5000 IU per ml.
If you add 5ml diluents, you final mix is then 1000 IU per ml.
If you add 10ml diluents, then 500 IU per ml and so on.

This is simple math so make sure you know what dose you are taking!
 

Reconstituting HCG

 

Mix HCG and the bacteriostatic water together.
While they dissolve into each other very easily, HCG can be very unstable and make sure not to shake the HCG and let it foam.
Be gentle and allow the bacteriostatic water to run down the side of the vial while ensuring the HCG does not foam up…
Keep HCG in sterile conditions.
Unused HCG can be refrigerated and is ok up to 30 days up after the initial mixing.

Remember: Store HCG at controlled room temperature. ( In Singapore, please keep your HCG in the shade)
After reconstituting store in refrigerator (2-8 Degrees C) .
 

Absorption

 

A detectable rise in HCG is seen in 2 h; peak levels are reached in 6 h and remain at this level for 36 h.
 

Elimination

 

HCG levels begin to decline at 48h and approach baseline at 72h.
 

HCG Preparation & Usage :

 

The proper way to prepare Meditech Pregnyl HCG is as follows.
HCG is a peptide and is sensitive to shock, light, freezing and heat.
It is imperative that it is handled delicately through out the preparation process.
A clean, dry and well-lit work area should be sterilised and used to the prep.

  • 1) Remove 1 vial of HCG and 1 amp of bacteriostatic water
  • 2) Crack the amp of bacteriostatic water open
  • 3) Using a 1 1/2″ needle, draw up 1 ml of the supplied bac water
  • 4) Insert the needle into the vial.
  • 5) SLOWLY run the 1ml bacwater down the side of the vial containing the lyophilised hcg powder.
  • 6) Allow to mix on its own
  • 7) SLOWLY pull plunger back out, and push in again, to “rinse”.
  • 8) Withdraw 1 1/2″ needle and discard.
  • 9) Refrigerate finished product.

 

This is how to properly prepare 1 vial of Meditech Pregnyl HCG
 

Administering HCG

 

With your prepared HCG, we will now show you how to proceed with a subcutaneous injection.

  • 1)HCG is injected Sub-Cutaneously (below the skin) with an insulin needle(u-100).
  • 2)A u-1oo needle is designed specifically for insulin dosing. But for our purposes,- 1/2 the syringe-the hash mark designated 50 equals 1/2 ml which, assuming you followed the instructions above, equals 250 iu’s.
  • 3)Once you’ve drawn up the desired dose.
  • 4)Find a spot on your legs or abdomen you can reach with both hands, and pinch up 1/2 inch of skin.
  • 5)Prepare site with alcohol.
  • 6)Insert needle into skin.
  • 7)Withdraw and discard.

 

Calculating HCG:

 

There isn’t a specific ratio of cc/ml to IU. It depends on how you mix it. It’s quite simple. If you dilute 5,000 IUs HCG with 5ml (cc) solvent, the end result is 1,000 IUs per ml (cc). Divide the same 5,000 IUs with 10 ml (cc) and the end result is 500 IUs per ml (cc). Therefore, a large part depends on the concentration of HCG per ampoule or vial.

If you would like to take a look at HCG and HGH prices you can do so here.