Rankings / Hormones & Endocrine
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Hormones & Endocrine · LH-analog gonadotropin
Tier B+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) as B+ (7.2/10) based on strong evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
Clinical and off-label protocols use HCG alongside TRT to study maintenance of intratesticular testosterone, testicular volume, and fertility-related endpoints.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 250-500 IU subQ 2-3x/week alongside TRT; 1500-3000 IU 2x/week for restart — Rx (compounded in US since Novarel/Pregnyl discontinued); banned sport; not individualized guidance.
Citation correction in progress
1 PubMed link was found to be unrelated to this entry and removed from public output. The remaining sources are shown below, but this row's claims and score still need a full source-by-source revalidation.
What the evidence says
Clinical and off-label protocols use HCG alongside TRT to study maintenance of intratesticular testosterone, testicular volume, and fertility-related endpoints. 'HCG diet' (Simeons protocol + 500 kcal/day) has been FDA-warned and thoroughly debunked — weight loss comes from starvation, not HCG. Counterfeit HCG rampant on the gray market. Gonadorelin has emerged as a domestic alternative.
Mechanism
Placenta-derived glycoprotein that structurally resembles LH; binds LHR on Leydig cells to stimulate endogenous testosterone and maintain testicular size/fertility during TRT or post-AAS-cycle
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
250-500 IU subQ 2-3x/week alongside TRT; 1500-3000 IU 2x/week for restart
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) as Strong and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of B+ (7.2/10). Clinical and off-label protocols use HCG alongside TRT to study maintenance of intratesticular testosterone, testicular volume, and fertility-related endpoints.
- What safety findings are reported for HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)?
- HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) has a low-med risk profile in the database. Low-Med (gyno via elevated estradiol; elevated BP; fluid retention; desensitization with chronic high doses) Legal status: Rx (compounded in US since Novarel/Pregnyl discontinued); banned sport.
- What doses or routes are reported for HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)?
- 250-500 IU subQ 2-3x/week alongside TRT; 1500-3000 IU 2x/week for restart This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) work?
- Placenta-derived glycoprotein that structurally resembles LH; binds LHR on Leydig cells to stimulate endogenous testosterone and maintain testicular size/fertility during TRT or post-AAS-cycle
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.