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).