Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by cells that surround a growing embryo, which eventually forms the placenta. HCG is also found in a woman’s urine and blood during pregnancy. HCG, also known as luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland of males and females of all ages.

Bodybuilders who use steroids and people who are on Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) should use HCG as it is the fastest way to restore testicular function and size when either recovering from a steroid cycle or to stop / reverse testicular atrophy caused by TRT.

HCG mimics luteinizing hormone, commonly known as LH is the hormone that signal the testes to produce testosterone. As all versions of oral, sub-dermal and injectable TRT are anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) then it makes sense to take HCG to minimize testicular shrinkage.

Bodybuilders who take steroids for weight training are left with primary and secondary hypogonadism when their testosterone cycle ends. Those with primary hypogonadism (KS, 47 XXY) is where the testes do not function properly at all but the signal from the brain is still evident. By taking HCG you can mimic LH production and follicle stimulating hormone despite the absence of natural LH and FSH in the same way we mimic testosterone levels despite the absence of testosterone being produced by our own bodies.

However, you take your testosterone, the method is quite straight forward, even when self-injecting. There is a routine to follow and once you have done it a few times it becomes second nature. Injectable testosterone comes in a premixed vial, is drawn up using a syringe and is injected into a muscle in the buttock or quad.

HCG requires a little more preparation. Typically, HCG comes in a vial with 5000iu in it. Once mixed with bacteriostatic water the shelf life is 30 days. The common dosage is 1250iu, injected twice weekly, meaning that the vial will last 2 weeks. At the same as taking HCG and TRT it is also recommended that you take an oestrogen inhibitor such as Anastrozole or Arimidex to counter Gynaecomastia that can occur due to the body stimulating your testosterone levels.

Why should you take HCG?

I have KS, which means I am infertile. When I was diagnosed with KS my testes were about 10ml in size. Now after several years of Nebido and Sustanon my testes are a lot smaller; my libido is zero and I can’t maintain a strong erection without medical intervention. At no time was I ever told that my testes would go into atrophy and at no time was I ever offered HCG to counter this.

I had to find this information out for myself. Just after I switched over to Sustanon I asked my consultant if I could go onto HCG. I was told that “I could have HCG or Sustanon, not at the same time”.

Private hormone clinics in the UK prescribe the use of different versions of TRT alongside the NHS prescribed ones. What’s different about going private is that they prescribe HCG with their TRT options. Their reasoning is that traditional monotherapy (using just the TRT) suppresses LH and FSH from the pituitary gland which can result in testicular atrophy, lower libido, and a dysregulation of the neuroendocrine system.