Let’s just get to the basics…
What is HCG?
HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. It is medically used to induce ovulation in females and to stimulate testosterone production in males. HCG requires a prescription and is injected into the subcutaneous fat or in the muscle tissue.
How does HCG work?
For this discussion, we will be focusing on the action in males. HCG mimics leutenizing hormone (LH). LH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testicles to produce testosterone. This action also causes the testes to return to normal size and function if they were suppressed due to exogenous (from the outside) testosterone.
Who should use HCG?
Men who currently are on testosterone therapy should use HCG one week on and three weeks off.
What happens if I’m on testosterone and I don’t use HCG?
When your body has enough testosterone, the brain does not send the LH signal to your testicles. Therefore, you will not make any testosterone until your levels drop to below normal and the signal returns, stimulating production. Since you are getting testosterone from an outside source, your brain is most likely not sending that signal to your testicles. Over time, the old adage of “use it or lose it” comes into play and your testicles will shrink in size. The time is different for every man and the amount of “shrinkage” is different for every man. Fortunately, the HCG will quickly restore the size and function.
Will HCG stimulate my own testosterone production?
Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Using HCG regularly over time will desensitize the Leydig cells to your own LH. So when you stop the HCG, your testicles will not recognize the LH signal from your brain…not good. HCG will increase your own testosterone for about five days after you inject it.
Will HCG stimulate estrogen production?
Yes. When testosterone rises sharply, your body will aromatize the testosterone into estrogen. This can be prevented with a tablet called anastrazole. My patients take anastrazole anyway while on testosterone therapy.
Anything else I should know?
Of course…When you are on testosterone therapy, it is inevitable that your cholesterol level will go up. Cholesterol is the beginning chemical structure for many of our hormones. The enzyme that begins the changes of cholesterol into other hormones is stimulated by LH. When taking testosterone, LH is suppressed. When you inject the HCG, the enzyme is stimulated again and the pathway flows normally.
How to take HCG.
The dose I recommend is 500IU three times a week, one week on, three weeks off. Usually, my patients inject the HCG during the first week of each month. It gets injected just like a diabetic would inject insulin. The level peaks in about 6 hours and remains at this level for 36 hours. After about 72 hours, the level is back to baseline.
When my patients get their HCG from the pharmacy, it is freeze-dried and must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Everything comes ready to go in the kit. You will draw 5ml of bacteriostatic water from the vial and inject it into the dried HCG vial. DO NOT shake the HCG because the molecule is a peptide and is held together by weak carbon bonds. Shaking can destroy the molecule.
Then draw 0.5ml of mixed HCG into the small insulin syringe provided. Inject the HCG into the subcutaneous fat of your lower abdomen. Store the HCG in the refrigerator after it is mixed. The vial expires 30 days after mixing.
Using HCG while taking testosterone is important to maintain testicular size and function, help balance the other hormones needed in the body, and increases a man’s sense of well-being and libido. As time goes on and research continues, we are learning more and more about how to properly use this wonderful hormone.
Hello Dr. Connor,
I spoke to my Endo and he was not at all opposed to prescribing HCG. However, he said to inject it weekly. Right now I’m a bit confused because the prescription is for Follistim Aq. Is this what I should have expected? The cost is $9400 so I’m thinking there must be some kind of mistake also?
There are different ways HCG is prescribed?
Thank you,
Hick
Never had libido issues or erection issues until months after starting trt I take 75 mg of
Test cypionate per week my test level is 890 on the day that I inject.
Doctor doesn’t believe in hgc or arimedex
I stoped the cypionate and moved on to 50 mg of test propionate eod I’ve been on it for 2 years my test levels are about the same but my lipido is back my Bonner is back but not at 100% . I don’t have acne issues anymore. I’m 46 workout 5 times a week and very active. For me the propionate works better.
Can yo please shed some light on this issue. My doctor says it is me getting old.
I don’t buy it I didn’t have the issue until I started the trt.
I am here in Mesa Arizona. Where can I go to get a good doctor to write a prescription for this. I am currently on testosterone and my doctor does not believe in HCG.
Dr Gregory Allen is in Mesa AZ and is fantastic. He has 2 offices (Allen Family Medicine & Deseret Aesthetic Lifestyle Institute). I’ve been seeing him for years and am always impressed with his knowledge. He will help you out with any of your legitimate medical needs.
Hi
I’m about to start a regimen of hcg, Clomid and B12 shots. My testosterone levels are at 650 but my free T is low. I purchased a 6 month regimen. Is this a good idea as I’m fatigued all the time and am not responding to my work out regimen as I used to?
Thanks, Keith
Hcg and clomid should not be run together. Clomid stimulates the hpta axis while hcg will supress it.
I AM ON 70 MG TEST CYP PER WK…..I HAVE TESTICLE SHRINKAGE AND AM GOING TO START HCG….SHOULD I GO WITH THE 500 IU X 3 ONE WEEK AND OFF 3….OR AT 70MG PER WEEK….DO I NEED TO USE LESS???
When u say draw 0.5 ml out for an hcg shot 3 times a week, then 3 weeks off, my question is i have 1ml or 100iu syringes, where is 0.5 on my syringe at?
0.5ml is the same as 50 units on the insulin syringe…which is a 1 ml syringe. mdj
Thanks! One more question? When i mix 10ml’s total at 500iu’s 3 times a week, is it ok to use all of it I’ve mixed? Cause i noticed where you say it expires after 30 days
Being its 1 week on and 3 weeks off. Is it ok to use all the hcg taking it this way as u explained
My LH is too high. What medicine should I take? Please give me a helpful advice
My doctor is saying that my FSH(13) AND lh(13.5) is already high and hcg will not benefit.
do you agree ?
Dr.Conner,Following your proposed HCG schedule a 5cc vial would have to be discarded monthly after using 1.5ccs.What do you think of economizing by taking .5ccs three times per week every third week,or,even better injecting .5ccs three times on week one and injecting one full cc three times on week five on the supposition that the increased dose would compensate for the decreased strength of the solution?Thanks
HCG is not that fragile. It will last longer than 30 days. there are even reports that it is fine out of the refrigerator. There are a number of protocols for using HCG. All are based on preferences as there is no good research on what is the precise or “best” way to dose HCG. We do know that you don’t need much. Our clinic stimulates the testicles with HCG on a monthly basis. 1 month on/2 months off for most; 2 months on/1 month off for younger patients who plan to have children. We dose 0.5 ml twice a week for the month that the patient is using it. But I have clients on a 3 week on/1 week off protocol, 2 weeks on/2 weeks off protocol…all tailored to their symptoms. mdj