HCG Profile
HCG Profile
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a peptide hormone that mimics LH (luteinizing hormone) to restart natural testosterone production in the testes. At 250-500 IU subcutaneously 2-3x per week, it preserves testicular size and function during steroid cycles, accelerates recovery during PCT, and addresses secondary hypogonadism in clinical settings. Half-life 24-36 hours. The single most important compound for steroid users worried about long-term fertility and HPTA recovery.
What is HCG?
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a 244-amino-acid glycoprotein hormone naturally produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Its primary biological role in pregnancy is signalling the corpus luteum to keep producing progesterone. In men – and in supplementation contexts – HCG binds the LH receptor in the testes with extreme specificity, triggering the Leydig cells to produce testosterone exactly as LH normally would. Pharmaceutical HCG is purified from the urine of pregnant women (uHCG) or synthesized via recombinant DNA (rHCG).
Why do steroid users need HCG?
Exogenous testosterone shuts down the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. The hypothalamus stops releasing GnRH, the pituitary stops releasing LH and FSH, and the testes stop producing testosterone and sperm. Without LH stimulation, the testes shrink (testicular atrophy) within 4-8 weeks of cycle start. HCG mimics LH directly, keeping the testes active throughout a cycle so they don’t shrink, don’t lose function, and recover quickly during PCT.
What dose should you use?
Standard protocols depending on context:
- On-cycle (anti-atrophy): 250-500 IU subcutaneously, 2-3x per week
- Pre-PCT bridge: 1000-1500 IU 3x per week for 2 weeks before SERM PCT starts
- Fertility restoration: 1500-2500 IU 3x per week for 8-12 weeks
- Clinical secondary hypogonadism: 1500-3000 IU 2x per week long-term
Subcutaneous injection into abdominal fat. The dose ranges look wide but each protocol has a specific purpose – lower doses preserve function, higher doses restore function. Start at the lower end of the protocol range and scale based on bloodwork.
When during a cycle should you start HCG?
Two valid approaches:
- Throughout cycle: 250 IU 2x per week from cycle start through last shot
- Mid-cycle start: begin at week 4-6 of a longer cycle when atrophy becomes visible
The throughout-cycle approach is cleaner because it prevents atrophy from ever developing. The mid-cycle start works but you’re playing catch-up – reversing existing atrophy takes longer than preventing it.
How is HCG different from a SERM?
Both restore testosterone but through different mechanisms:
- HCG: directly stimulates Leydig cells via LH receptor – works downstream
- SERMs (Nolvadex, Clomid): block estrogen feedback at the hypothalamus, indirectly raising LH/FSH – works upstream
The strongest PCT protocols use both: HCG for the first 2 weeks to wake the testes, then SERMs to restart the hypothalamic-pituitary signalling. Using HCG alone during PCT can actually delay full recovery because it keeps the upstream signalling suppressed.
What about HCG during PCT specifically?
Standard PCT protocol incorporating HCG:
- Weeks 1-2 of PCT: HCG 1000-1500 IU 3x/week + low-dose SERM
- Weeks 3-5: stop HCG, full SERM (Nolvadex 40/40/20/20 or Clomid 50/50/25/25)
- Week 6+: taper SERM, bloodwork at week 8
The HCG portion wakes up dormant Leydig cells before the SERM portion tries to restart the upstream signalling. Skipping HCG and going straight to SERM works for short cycles but produces slower recovery for longer ones.
What are the side effects?
At standard 250-500 IU doses:
- Mild water retention
- Estradiol elevation (HCG stimulates aromatase in testes)
- Acne flare
- Possible gyno sensitivity from E2 rise
- Injection-site soreness
At higher doses (above 1500 IU per dose), risks include Leydig cell desensitization (the testes stop responding to LH), HCG antibody formation, and exaggerated estradiol crisis. Bloodwork at week 4 of any sustained HCG protocol is non-negotiable to catch estradiol creep.
What bloodwork should you run?
Before, mid-protocol, and 4 weeks after stopping:
- Total + free testosterone
- LH and FSH
- Estradiol (E2)
- Prolactin
- SHBG
- Complete blood count
The E2 measurement is the most critical – HCG can spike estradiol fast and that’s where most users run into trouble. Target E2 of 25-40 pg/mL. If E2 exceeds 50, add an AI (aromatase inhibitor) at low dose like anastrozole 0.5 mg every other day. Our peptide math guide covers dose calculation.
How do you reconstitute HCG?
Standard reconstitution for the 5000 IU ampule:
- 5000 IU + 5 mL bacteriostatic water = 1000 IU/mL (250 IU = 0.25 mL = 25 units on insulin syringe)
- 5000 IU + 10 mL bacteriostatic water = 500 IU/mL (250 IU = 0.5 mL = 50 units)
Reconstituted HCG must be refrigerated and used within 30 days – the proteinaceous structure degrades faster than smaller peptides. Some users freeze pre-loaded syringes for longer storage, but freezing-thawing cycles damage HCG and should be avoided. Lyophilized HCG ampules stable 18-24 months at room temperature in sealed containers.
How can you tell real HCG from fake?
Real HCG signatures:
- Lyophilized powder is fine white
- Reconstitutes clear without clouding
- Produces visible testosterone response on bloodwork by week 2
- Causes characteristic mild flu-like feeling on first injections (immune system response to glycoprotein)
Counterfeit HCG is common in underground supply. The biggest tells are zero testosterone response on bloodwork at week 2-3 (real HCG produces measurable test elevation within 7-10 days). Without bloodwork verification, fake HCG can ride through a cycle invisibly while delivering nothing.
Is HCG legal in Canada?
Pharmaceutical HCG (Pregnyl, Novarel) is Health Canada approved and prescription-only for clinical fertility and hypogonadism use. Research peptide HCG operates in a separate regulatory category – sold for research purposes, not Health Canada approved for human consumption. WADA prohibits HCG in male athletes both in and out of competition. Detection windows on extended urine tests run roughly 5-7 days post-dose. Full Health Canada drug regulations.
Sources
- Coviello AD, et al. Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin maintains intratesticular testosterone in normal men with testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2005.
- Liu PY, Handelsman DJ. The present and future state of hormonal treatment for male infertility. Hum Reprod Update, 2003.
- Lykhonosov MP, et al. HCG use in androgen abuse recovery: a review. Andrology, 2019.
- WADA Prohibited List, current edition.
Related Resources
- Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide vs Retatrutide: The 2026 GLP-1 Showdown
- The Clinical Guide to Peptide Math — reconstitution math + dosing calculations
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