HCG
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a glycoprotein hormone studied in endocrine and reproductive research.
We have not published an audit on HCG. Everything below is reference material, not our own reading of the literature, treat it as a starting point for questions, not as a grade.
How it is thought to work
act through TGFβRII independently of LHCGR, broadening angiogenic control beyond classical GPCR signaling [Source: Peptide Protocol Wiki]
hCG is a hormone made by the placenta during pregnancy that helps maintain progesterone levels and is detected by pregnancy tests; it also acts like the body's LH signal, which is why doctors use it as a medication to trigger ovulation or stimulate testosterone production in certain conditions.
Reported side effects
The main serious side effect mentioned is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can occur in fertility treatment contexts.
Who should avoid it
People seeking weight loss should avoid hCG diet products (the FDA says they don't work beyond calorie restriction), male athletes in tested sports should check anti-doping rules before using it, and no one should use prescription hCG without clinician supervision due to serious potential risks.
What gets monitored
The page states that clinicians should monitor with labs and adverse-effect surveillance if hCG is used therapeutically. It also references serial quantitative hCG measurements (repeat lab testing) when providers are concerned about early pregnancy progression or pregnancy of unknown location, used alongside clinical evaluation and imaging decisions. No specific named lab panels or monitoring intervals beyond these are stated. [Source: Peptide Dosages]
What sources report
These are figures published elsewhere, reproduced with their source. Peppersite does not recommend an amount for HCG or for anything else, and nothing below has been checked against the study it came from.
| Amount | Frequency | Route | Reported by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250-500 IU per injection (TRT adjunct); 1500-5000 IU (fertility protocols) | Every other day or 2-3 times per week | subcutaneous or oral or topical or intramuscular | Peptide Protocol WikiWhat it saysHide(secondary reference; provider confirmation required). |
- Every other day or 2-3 times per week
- subcutaneous or oral or topical or intramuscular
- Peptide Protocol Wiki
What it saysHide
(secondary reference; provider confirmation required).
- Bacteriostatic water
Common questions
What is hCG?
hCG is a glycoprotein hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin) made primarily by placental tissue during pregnancy, and it is the hormone most pregnancy tests detect in urine or blood. Clinically, hCG testing is also used in specific pregnancy-related evaluations and as a tumor marker in certain cancers.
What does hCG do in early pregnancy?
hCG supports early pregnancy by promoting progesterone production from the corpus luteum, helping maintain the uterine environment until placental hormone production is established. hCG levels generally rise quickly in early pregnancy and peak around the end of the first trimester before declining and stabilizing.
What is beta-hCG and why do labs use it?
Beta-hCG refers to the beta subunit (or beta-related fragments) of hCG, which helps testing distinguish hCG from other related glycoprotein hormones. Some urine tests detect beta-core fragments, and quantitative testing is used both in pregnancy contexts and in select tumor marker monitoring.
What is hCG used for in fertility treatment?
In assisted reproduction, hCG is commonly used as an injectable medication to complete final egg maturation and help coordinate ovulation timing, because it can mimic aspects of the body's LH signal at the LH/hCG receptor. Fertility protocols vary and should be managed by experienced clinicians due to risks such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Can hCG help with weight loss?
hCG has not been shown to produce meaningful weight loss beyond what occurs with calorie restriction, and systematic reviews and regulators have concluded it isn't an effective obesity treatment. The FDA has also warned consumers to avoid hCG products marketed for weight loss, especially those sold as drops, pellets, or sprays.
Is hCG banned in sports?
hCG is listed under 'testosterone-stimulating peptides in males' on the 2026 prohibited list materials, and anti-doping rules can treat it as a prohibited substance for male athletes. If you compete, you should check the current prohibited list and obtain formal guidance (including any therapeutic use exemption rules) before using any hormone-related product.
What is the difference between an hCG lab value (mIU/mL) and an hCG medication dose (IU)?
A lab value like 'hCG 5,000 mIU/mL' is a concentration measured in your body, while a '5,000 IU hCG vial' describes a dose amount in a medication vial. They are different units measuring different things and are not interchangeable; mixing them up is one of the most common causes of bad interpretation.
Are hCG and LH the same thing?
hCG and LH are not the same hormone, but they can activate the same receptor (LHCGR), which is why hCG can 'stand in for' LH in selected medical settings. hCG is produced by placental tissue during pregnancy and has a longer half-life (~29 hours for recombinant hCG), while LH is produced by the pituitary gland and has a much shorter half-life (~20–30 minutes).
Sources
The reference sections above are imported from our compound knowledge base, which classes the evidence for HCG as emerging. That classification is the knowledge base’s, not ours, our own grade appears only where an audit is linked above. Research use only; nothing here is medical advice or a protocol.
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