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HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
(HCG) Levels
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or HCG, production begins approximately 8-10 days after conception when the embryo starts to burrow itself into the lining of the uterus. It is this hormone that is measured by early pregnancy tests and if present, will return a positive result. An HCG beta blood test is much more sensitive than an HPT, and can detect pregnancy as early as 10 days after fertilization.
As the embryo grows, the level of HCG rises and, as a general rule, HCG beta numbers should double every 36 to 48 hours. A dramatic decrease in the levels may indicate a miscarriage has occurred or is possible, whereas a level that lingers or falls well below the normal range may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. HCG beta levels can also be used to identify a multiple pregnancy. HCG levels will top out by the end of the first trimester.
The numbers in this beta HCG chart are to be used only as a guideline and should be interpreted by your physician.
| Weeks from the Last Menstrual Period (LMP) |
Amount of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) in mIU/ml |
| 3 | 5 - 50 |
| 4 | 3 - 426 |
| 5 | 19 - 7,340 |
| 6 | 1,080 - 56,500 |
| 7-8 | 7,650 - 229,000 |
| 9-12 | 25,700 - 288,000 |
| 13-16 | 13,300 - 254,000 |
| 17-24 | 4,060 - 165,400 |
| 25 - 40 | 3,640 - 117,000 |
HCG (Human-Chorionic-Gonadotropin)
is an injectable drug available commercially in the United States as well as many other countries. Pregnyl, made by Organon, and Profasi, made by Serono. Among athletes, HCG is used to stimulate natural
testosterone production during or after a steroid cycle which has caused natural
levels to be reduced, often stacked with clomid for even better results.
Stopping a steroid cycle abruptly, especially when endogenous androgens are absent, can cause a rapid loss in the athlete's newly acquired muscle. When HCG is used to stimulate natural production, a notably pronounced crash may be avoided. This product is also not picked up on steroid tests, so some athletes use it to keep androgen levels high before a contest that has drug testing. HCG must be refergerated after it is mixed together, and it then has a life of about 10 weeks. It is taken intramuscularly only; this drug is often available by order of a physician if you show symptoms of hypogonadism.
Effective Dose:
1000 - 5000 iu/week
Human Chorionic Gonadrotropin
Description:
by Bill Roberts - HCG is provided as a glycoprotein powder to be diluted with water, and acts in the body like luteinizing hormone (LH), stimulating the testes to produce testosterone even when natural LH is not present or is deficient. It therefore is useful for maintaining testosterone production and/or testicle size during a steroid cycle. Use of this drug in the taper is rather counterproductive, since the resulting increased testosterone production is itself inhibitory to the hypothalamus and pituitary, delaying recovery. Thus, if this drug is used, it is preferably used during the cycle itself. A daily amount of 500 IU is generally sufficient, and in my opinion usage should not exceed 1000 IU per day.
Daily administration is superior to less frequent administration.
Doses over 1000 IU are noted for their tendency to cause or aggravate gynecomastia, and also act to desensitize the testicles to LH.
HCG may be injected intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or in a shallow injection about 1/4" deep with the needle going straight in. A 29 gauge insulin needle is recommended. Injection speed should be slow.
Some HCG products are diluted 5000 or even 10,000 IU per mL, while others are diluted 1000 IU per mL. So far as I know there is no need to make the preparation so dilute. Once mixed, the preparation should be refrigerated and used within a few weeks. The substance is also somewhat temperature sensitive before mixing and should not be exposed to excessive heat.
HCG does not correct the problem of progressively-decreasing ejaculatory volume that is typical during a steroid cycle. So far as I know the only cure is to go off-cycle and use Clomid, but it is possible that human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG), a related drug which works analogously to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) might be useful during a cycle to treat this problem. HMG supports spermatogenesis and is commonly used in conjunction with HCG to treat male fertility problems. (Consider use of HMG to maintain ejaculatory volume to be a strictly past-the-cutting-edge hypothesis: I have not yet had the opportunity to test the matter.)
The athlete who would otherwise fail a urinary ratio test because of low epitestosterone may find HCG useful in increasing epitestosterone and therefore improving this ratio. A 500 IU dose is sufficient, but on the other hand, HCG itself is also banned by the IOC and is readily detected in urine.
HCG can also useful for returning testosterone to normal levels should levels be low post-cycle, or, with care, to increase levels from normal to high normal. Titration of the dose, by measuring T levels and then adjusting the HCG dose accordingly, is recommended for long term use.
HCG / Pregnyl / Gonadotropin
Pregnyl, gonadotropin, vials. Each Pregnyl vial contains 2500 IU gonadotropin. Together with each vial comes also one vial of solvent. Pregnyl comes in packs of three vials (+ three vials of solvent) and is manufactured by Farma Lepori.
Common uses and directions for Pregnyl, gonadotropin
Pregnyl is an injectable, highly purified preparation of human chorionic gonadotropin obtained from the urine of pregnant women.
Pregnyl is used in the treatment of prepubertal cryptorchidism not due to anatomical obstruction. Pregnyl is also used in selected cases of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males as well as for induction of ovulation and pregnancy in infertile women.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, HCG, is also widely used in athletics today. HCG is not a natural male hormone but mimics the natural hormone LH (Luetinising Hormone) almost identically. LH stimulates the production of testosterone by the testis in males. Thus HCG sends the same message which results in increased testosterone production by the testis due to the effect of HCG on the leydig cells of the testis. Athletes use HCG to increase the body's own natural production of testosterone which is often depressed by long term steroid use.
Pregnyl, Gonadotropin additional information:
Common uses
Human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG, is a polypeptide hormone produced by the human placenta. Pregnyl is a highly purified pyrogen-free preparation obtained from the urine of pregnant females.
Pregnyl, gonadotropin, mimics the action of the pituitary hormone luteinising hormone (LH) which controls the release of eggs from the ovary in women, and controls production of testosterone in men. Pregnyl is used to stimulate egg release in some infertile women after follicle development has been stimulated with follicle stimulating hormone. In men it is used in the management of delayed puberty, undescended testes and oligospermia (low sperm count).
Athletes use HCG to increase the body's own natural production of testosterone which is often depressed by long term steroid use.
Directions
Pregnyl comes in vials containing 2500 IU (+ vials with solvent) of gonadotropin, HCG, to be taken by intramuscular injection.
When administered intramuscularly, gonadotropin causes ovulation to occur. Pregnyl is administered when your physician feels appropriate stimulation criteria have been reached. In certain cases of over-response, the injection may be withheld.
If you do not conceive, Pregnyl may be given again in the next menstrual cycle. However, treatment cycles are not always consecutive, as therapy is individualized for each patient.
Therapy may continue for as long as six cycles, after which time other options may be discussed with you.
For male athletes it is of interest that, when administered, HGC raises serum testosterone very quickly. Gonadotropin therapy is very effective in the prevention of testicular atrophy and to use the body?s own biochemical stimulating mechanisms to increase plasma testosterone level during training.
The optimal dosage for an athlete using HCG has never been established, but it is thought that a single shot of 1000 to 2000 IU per week will get the desired results.
Cycles on HCG should be kept down to three weeks at a time with an off cycle of at least a month in between. For example, one may use gonadotropin for two to three weeks in the middle of a cycle, and for two or three weeks at the end of a cycle.
Precautions
Pregnyl should not be used by individuals with asthma, by boys who have not yet reached puberty or by individuals with decreased kidney function, epilepsy, heart failure or by individuals who are in the treatment of migraine.
There is no information available regarding the safety of Pregnyl during breastfeeding.
Possible side effects
Pregnyl may be associated with both minor as well as serious, life-threatening side effects and other potential risks. The following are some, but not all, of the potential side effects/concerns that you should discuss with your doctor before beginning treatment.
An injection of Pregnyl can cause pain at the injection site, as well as headache, irritability, restlessness, depression, fatigue, and swelling due to retention of fluid.
A concern with fertility drugs is the risk of multiple pregnancies. About 80% of pregnancies, following fertility drug treatments with products like Pregnyl result in single births. In instances of multiple pregnancies, the majority are twins. However, three or more babies may be conceived. Your physician should discuss the risk of multiple births with you before you begin your treatments.
Be sure to discuss with your doctor side effects and any other concerns associated with your treatment prior to beginning therapy.
For athletes it may be of interest that the prolonged use of HCG could repress the body's own production of gonadotropins permanently, why short cycles are recommended.
Side effects from HCG use include gynecomastia, water retention, increased sex drive, mood alterations, headaches and high blood pressure.
HCG raises androgen levels in males by up to 400% but it also raises estrogen levels dramatically which can cause a real case of gynecomastia if dosages get too elevated.
Another side effect seen from HCG use is morning sickness (nausea and vomiting).
Overdose
There have been no cases of overdose complications with the use of HCG nor have there been any associated carcinomas, liver or renal impairment.
Additional information:
Keep Pregnyl in a tightly closed container and out of reach of children. Pregnyl must be refrigerated after it is mixed together whereafter Pregnyl has a life of about 10 weeks.
Note
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of Pregnyl is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using Pregnyl.
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