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.
Invaluable for men on TRT who want to preserve testicular size and fertility.
Typical use: 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.
What this is
Invaluable for men on TRT who want to preserve testicular size and fertility. '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
Dose & route
250-500 IU subQ 2-3x/week alongside TRT; 1500-3000 IU 2x/week for restart
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15705014/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16093462/
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hcg-diet-products-are-illegal
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) work?
- 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). Invaluable for men on TRT who want to preserve testicular size and fertility.
- Is HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) safe?
- HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Rx (compounded in US since Novarel/Pregnyl discontinued); banned sport. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)?
- 250-500 IU subQ 2-3x/week alongside TRT; 1500-3000 IU 2x/week for restart
- 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.