HCG Dosage

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) essentially holds only one valid major use within the anabolic steroid using community, and that is for the purpose of maintaining, increasing, or restoring proper endogenous Testosterone production. HCG doses are best utilized in conjunction with other Testosterone production stimulating compounds during PCT (Post Cycle Therapy), and the use of HCG alone for the purpose of hormonal recovery after an anabolic steroid cycle is highly advised against. The practice of using HCG solitarily as the only hormonal recovery agent following the end of a cycle is a bygone practice of the pre-1990 era that is obsolete.

The understanding of HCG and all other drugs has improved vastly ever since bodybuilders in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s have utilized anabolic steroids. In fact, the majority of anabolic steroid users from the 1960s – mid 1980s did not even utilize any compounds for the purpose of hormonal recovery, and the term PCT did not even exist at that time. When the use of HCG became increasingly popular (circa 1980), it was the only compound utilized. Since then, the medical and scientific understanding of such things has increased exponentially and there should be no reason for any informed and properly educated individual to utilize HCG on its own for PCT.

HCG is one compound among the anabolic steroid using community (as well as the general public) that is highly misunderstood and misused. The misuse of HCG among the general public as a fat loss agent has already been covered in detail, but it is the misuse among the anabolic steroid using community that is of primary concern here. The misuse of HCG can actually become dangerous and serve to work against the recovery of the HPTA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis), and possibly cause permanent damage to the Leydig cells of the testes if utilized too frequently, too long, or if HCG doses are too high (desensitization of the Leydig cells to LH and FSH)[1]. At the same time, if improperly used, HCG can simply end up putting the user back to ‘square one’ and leave nothing accomplished.

It is very important to understand some preliminary details and considerations where HCG use is concerned. First of all, HCG use has demonstrated to increase aromatase activity in the body via increased testicular aromatase expression[2]. Aromatase is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens into Estrogen, and so the result with HCG use is that of an increased level of Estrogen in the body in addition to the Testosterone production stimulation. Many users have reported developing gynecomastia as a result. The rising Estrogen levels that can result from HCG are also bound to cause suppression of the HPTA and endogenous Testosterone production, hence the previous statement about the user bringing them back to ‘square one’ if HCG doses are misused. Therefore, the use of an aromatase inhibitor is essential during HCG use.

The use of HCG, although central to a single purpose, is actually very diverse in the manner by which it can be used, and the protocol of HCG doses, as there are a myriad of different protocols and uses that have been developed over the years. Only the most effective and prominent protocols will be covered here.

Within the medical establishment, HCG is approved for the treatment and recovery of hypogonadism, where prescription protocols refer to several different methods of treatment:

– A short-term 6 week long period of HCG therapy
– Long-term therapy of a one year period maximum
– A patient customized program dependent on the individual as discussed between the patient and doctor