Hormone HCG

Chorionic Gonadotrophic Hormone or HGC is a natural protein hormone that is secreted in the placenta of women during pregnancy (initially by the embryo and later by the placenta), although it is also produced by the pituitary gland, both in men and women of any age.

Chorionic gonadotropin hormone is a glycoprotein that is composed of 244 amino acids, with a molecular mass of 26.7 kDa as atomic mass units.

HCG is made up of 2 different chains, one alpha α and one beta ß. The beta chain is unique to the HCG hormone; while the alpha subunit is identical to the alpha subunit of luteinizing hormone or LH, follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH, and thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH.

As a medication, HCG is often prescribed to stimulate fertility in women and testosterone production in men, and is also useful for boys with delayed puberty. HCG is also used to treat women with specific ovarian disorders, but also to stimulate the functionality of men with hypogonadism. From an athletic performance-enhancing drug perspective, HCG is increasingly being used in conjunction with steroid cycles, as a result of which HCG has been placed on illegal drug lists for many sports.

Outside the field of sports, the level of HCG not only rises in women during pregnancy, but also in some types of cancer, such as testicular cancer in men.

The use of HCG in the gym.

The high levels of steroids used by many gym enthusiasts, which claim to mimic organic testosterone, often cause the hypothalamus to tend to inhibit its production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, or GnRH.

Without GnRH, the pituitary gland in turn stops releasing luteinizing hormone, or LH, which usually travels from the pituitary through the bloodstream to the testicles, where it triggers the production and release of testosterone. The lack of LH causes the testicles to severely inhibit their production of testosterone, tending to atrophy.

HCG helps recover and maintain the production of testosterone from the testicles, since it tends to mimic LH, again seeking a normalized production and release of testicular testosterone, and helping to recover its size in case of atrophy.

This is the main reason why bodybuilders use HCG at the end of a steroid cycle, with the aim of restoring the normal capacity of the testicles, which is usually accompanied by a cutting diet to burn the extra layer of fat that is found. on your muscles.

However, if HCG is used for too long, or at too high a dose, it would have the undesired effect of an excessive increase in organic testosterone which would again inhibit its own production, through negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. .

It has also been speculated that prolonged use of HCG could severely inhibit organic gonadotropin production, even chronically. This happens because when HCG is administered it rapidly increases plasma testosterone. This increase appears suddenly after about 2 hours after injection, having a half-life of 8 to 12 hours in the first phase, and a second slower increase after 24 or 36 hours.

This post-cycle therapy with HCG is very efficient for the prevention of testicular atrophy, as well as for exciting the endogenous biomechanical mechanisms that respond in a stimulating way, raising the plasma testosterone level during training. Most bodybuilders are convinced that they achieve better results in strength and muscle hypertrophy when they use HCG in combination with steroids, which is consistent with the fact that the body would present a high level of natural androgens simultaneously with the hormones exogenous steroids.

The doses of HCG used in post-cycle therapies.

The usual dose used by bodybuilders is between 7,500 IU and 5,000 IU per week, divided into 2 or 3 weekly injections. Some bodybuilders take the 5,000 IU in one go during the week when short cycling, although this is not the ideal strategy.

HCG therapy should be limited to 3 weeks maximum. In this sense, 2 techniques are used in bodybuilding: the first one would be to perform these 3 weeks in the middle of the cycle, and the second to perform them at the end of the cycle. There is no evidence on which of the 2 techniques described is more efficient, although most bodybuilders prefer to perform them at the end of the steroid cycle.

Although HCG increases androgen levels in men by up to 400%, it should be noted that it also significantly increases estrogen levels, which can cause gynecomastia if the dose is very high, or the person is prone to it.

HCG is administered intramuscularly. The solution must be refrigerated after mixing with the solution for injection, and has a shelf life of 10 weeks in the refrigerator.

Side effects of HCG.

• Gynecomastia.
• Fluid retention.
• Increased sexual desire.
• Acne
• Mood changes.
• Headaches.
• Hypertension.
• Nausea and vomiting.

According to a study published in 2004 by the International Journal of Sports Medicine, the abuse of steroids and HCG can lead to abnormal sperm production. The FDA does not approve HCG for use as a dietary supplement for weight loss.

Frequently asked questions about HCG.

How does HGH work in men?

HCG injections in men are used to stimulate the leydig cells to make testosterone. Intratesticular testosterone is necessary for germ cell spermatogenesis or spermatogonia.

When is HCG used in bodybuilding?

HCG is used during or after steroid cycles, with 2 or 3 weekly injections and a dose of 5,000 IU to 7,500 IU.