hCG

(Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

In the world of hormones confusion often abounds; look at therapeutic Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or performance enhancement and you’ll find hundreds of varying answers to the same question(s) and it often becomes difficult to really discover the truth. For reasons that are more confusing than the confusion that exists within hormones themselves for reasons that make very little sense, often hormones are discussed on the basis of emotion while rational and logical thinking give way to intrinsic hysteria. In the world of anabolic androgenic steroids this phenomena is easy to see but it stretches far beyond steroids into most every hormone that can be used in any sense of performance enhancement. Human Growth Hormone is a prime example of this confusion and while it may take first prize, without question Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is in the running neck and neck.

There are truly many uses for the hCG hormone and we will hopefully here alleviate some of your confusion. hCG can be a very useful tool in both HRT and performance enhancement but as is with all things in life there is a right way and a wrong way to use it. In many ways to understand the benefits we only need to look at the hormone itself, what it is and from there we can easily explain the benefits within as well as guide you through proper use.

hCG 101:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a glycoprotein hormone produced in the embryo of pregnant women. No, hCG is not an anabolic steroid as it is often labeled, it is a glycoprotein belonging to the class of hormones known as peptides, the same class of hormones from which IGF-1 and HGH belong to. Comprised of 237 amino acids this naturally occurring peptide exhibits the action of the pituitary released Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and essential gonadotropin itself; as you may be able to see, to understand hCG fully we must understand gonadotropins.

A gonadotropin is a hormone that stimulates just that, the gonads and in regards to LH this is a gonadotropin that stimulates hormonal production, notably testosterone, for without no testosterone is produced. In men this stimulation causes the testicles to function and in women it does the same for the ovaries and it is for this reason hCG is often given to women who suffer from disorders in order to stimulate ovarian action.
One might ask how this pertains to anabolic steroids for it is fairly easy to see how a suffering woman might benefit due to ovarian disorder. When we supplement with anabolic steroids our natural testosterone production is suppressed, often greatly with the particular steroid(s) and dosing playing a vital role. Through hCG use we have a provided means of replicating pituitary stimulation thereby causing LH release, in-turn leading to once again natural testosterone production. This is not only beneficial to the anabolic steroid user, particularly those of a performance enhancing nature but it can be highly beneficial to the low testosterone patient as well.

The Benefits of hCG:

For the anabolic steroid user there is really only one major benefit to hCG use and that is stimulating natural testosterone production. When we supplement with anabolic steroids our natural testosterone levels are suppressed; it is for this very reason most performance enhancers will supplement with the testosterone hormone with most any stack, as testosterone is a vital hormone to proper bodily function and not to mention a hormone that packs a powerful anabolic punch.

When the anabolic steroid user supplements with hCG he has two options, supplementation while on cycle and supplementation after cycle as part of a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) plan. Both have their benefits but the mode of action in-which hCG performs is the same in either case. While both instances of use can be beneficial and hCG performs by the same way of action one method of use is far more beneficial than the other and it is undoubtedly post cycle use. How it works is very simple; the injected hCG will send a signal to the testicles mimicking LH and as LH stimulates natural testosterone production the production will begin once again. Understand, while this production can be beneficial it will not be to the fullest extent possible while on cycle but many athletes swear by its use on cycle. The claim is simple; by maintaining some natural testosterone production while on cycle it makes the transition to off-cycle all the more efficient and this is important for a host of reasons but they all revolve around testosterone.

When we come off cycle our natural testosterone levels are understandably suppressed and often dramatically. As there are no longer any exogenous hormones being introduced into our body at the cycles end something must be done to restart natural production. Yes, it will begin again on its own but this can take a very long time and if one has cycled for an extended period of time there is a strong risk of production never reaching its full potential if no action is taken. If we come off cycle and our testosterone levels remain low a host of problematic occurrences can rear their nasty heads; you can wave goodbye to your hard earned muscle tissue and say hello to body fat gain. You will further more than likely suffer from libido loss and even erectile dysfunction and a host of other low testosterone related issues ranging from lethargy and depression to a weakened immune system and simply physically and mentally feeling like a pile of garbage. This is where post cycle hCG can really shine, as it will stimulate testosterone production greatly and get you well on your way to a full and efficient recovery.

The Side-Effects of hCG:

As is the case with all hormones there is a potential for negative side-effects with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin use but fortunately such side-effects are not as large of a concern as you might think for this is a very well-tolerated hormonal treatment in most healthy adult men. Nevertheless side-effects do have some probability and will be very similar to many of the aromatizing anabolic steroids you may already be accustomed to using. Adverse side-effects such as Gynecomastia and water retention are the most common of the possible effects but they are also in most cases largely dose dependent, meaning, high-end doses carry with them a much greater probability.

Another side-effect worthy of mentioning may sound like a bit of a paradox; hCG can greatly suppress natural testosterone production, the very production you are trying to stimulate. The hypothalamus carries with it the responsibility of releasing LH and with hCG use we are entering in an exogenous form, thereby signaling to the hypothalamus no LH release is needed. For this reason it is imperative dosing and duration of the hormone be kept in a responsible range and if used post cycle it is further imperative SERM’s such as Nolvadex and Clomid be part of the equation, ending with one or the other once hCG use is complete. Failure to abide by these rules could lead to permanent low testosterone.

Truly the Best form of Use:

We have already stated, PCT use of hCG is by far the most beneficial but until the end of time there will be those who strongly disagree. Let’s look at the facts; when on cycle your natural testosterone is suppressed but suppression in-terms of maintaining testosterone in your system should be no concern if you are supplementing with exogenous testosterone. Further, while hCG use will stimulate some natural production while on cycle it will not do so to the fullest extent and nowhere nearly as great as commonly believed; however, your body will become accustomed to a mimicked LH and as we discussed above this can be a damaging occurrence if hCG is used for too long. Many men supplement with hCG their entire cycle and many times it’s out of ego for hCG can keep your testicles from shrinking to a degree but in the long run they’re only hurting themselves when they follow such protocol. Make no mistake, use of this peptide should never extend past 4 weeks and there should be at least 4-5 weeks of discontinued use before any use is considered again.

hCG Cycles & Doses:

For Human Chorionic Gonadotropin use while on a cycle of anabolic steroids there is no reason to begin use until at least 4 weeks have passed into the cycle. Once this point is reached 300iu-500iu can be applied every 5th day for approximately 4 weeks of use. Once the 4th week is completed a 4 week off period will need to take place and then you can repeat if desired and so on and so on. However, from what we’ve discussed above you may have already gathered we do not recommend this method. If hCG is to be used during cycle, while many will do so as we just described we find that using the same dosing protocol the final weeks of the cycle and those weeks only to be the most efficient while further continuing use into ones PCT plan.

For post cycle hCG use, while the final above on cycle method would also partially encompass PCT the following is generally our favorite. Once the cycle ends you will start hCG but the time frame will depend on the anabolic steroids that the cycle ended with. For example, if the cycle ended with any long ester gear we will wait approximately 10-14 days before hCG therapy begins; if it ends will all short ester based steroids your hCG therapy will begin approximately 3-4 days after your final anabolic steroid administration. In either case 1,000iu will be administered every day for 10 straight days followed by a good 3-4 week run of Nolvadex or Clomid therapy; in many cases it may be a good idea to use a little Nolvadex while using hCG for this purpose at a low 10mg-20mg dose, then upping the dose to a full 40mg per day when the hCG is discontinued.
It is important to note, mild cycles and cycles of short duration will not require hCG use; for example, an 8-12 week cycle of 500mg of testosterone per week will probably not require such therapy but when we reach the 12 week mark and beyond or when doses reach high performance levels post cycle hCG is strongly recommended. By performing such therapy we will greatly enhance our recovery, lead ourselves to a faster recovery, hold onto more of our gains and most importantly of all maintain a better state of overall health.