Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

Common Name(s): HCG, Simeons diet, Simeons therapy

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 13, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Existing evidence does not support the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in weight reduction, and the use of hCG for this purpose is not supported by the American Medical Association (AMA) or the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. Homeopathic preparations of hCG do not contain significant amount of the active ingredient, and clinical trials have not been conducted to provide evidence for effect. hCG is a one of the most common ancillary substances used by anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users to not only enhance muscle/strength during stacking but to also reduce depressive symptoms upon AAS withdrawal.

Dosing

Recommendations for dosing for indications other than those approved for hCG cannot be made because evidence to support efficacy is lacking.

Contraindications

Precocious puberty, prostatic carcinoma or other androgen-dependent neoplasia, prior allergic reaction to chorionic gonadotropin, and pregnancy.

Pregnancy/Lactation

hCG is contraindicated in pregnant women. Avoid use in lactation.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Arterial thromboembolism, headache, irritability and other CNS symptoms, genitourinary effects, and hypersensitivity have been reported.

Toxicology

Defects of forelimbs and the CNS, as well as alterations in sex ratio, have been reported in mice on combined gonadotropin and hCG regimens. No mutagenic effect has been clearly established in humans.

Source

hCG is prepared from the urine of pregnant women. It can also be produced via recombinant DNA/genetic modification techniques.hCG 2005

History

In the 1950s, the endocrinologist Dr. Albert Simeons promoted the use of hCG together with an ultra-low calorie diet (500 calories per day) as a weight loss strategy in which the body would preferentially burn stored fat from the stomach, hips, and thighs without causing undesirable loss of muscle tissue, hunger, or irritability.

Following the publication of trials refuting its efficacy and including adverse events, the use of hCG fell out of favor. In 1995 the US Food and Drug Administration required labeling and advertising of hCG to state that there was no evidence of efficacy in weight reduction. Homeopathic drops and lozenges containing the "energetic imprint" of hCG have been promoted via the Internet.Robb-Nicholson 2010, Hamilton 2004

Chemistry

hCG is a water soluble glycoprotein hormone derived from the urine of pregnant women. It is produced by the developing embryo after conception and later by the placenta.hCG 2005

Uses and Pharmacology

The action of hCG is virtually identical to that of pituitary luteinizing hormone, although hCG appears to have a small degree of follicle-stimulating hormone activity as well. It stimulates production of gonadal steroid hormones by stimulating the testis to produce androgens and the corpus luteum of the ovary to produce progesterone.hCG 2005 Approved indications for the use of hCG are prepubertal cryptorchidism, hypogonadism, and ovulation induction. However, hCG is commonly used as an ancillary substance by AAS users for its anabolic effects and for managing AAS withdrawal symptoms.Sagoe 2015

Anabolic steroid use

hCG has been identified in a systematic review as one of the 10 most common ancillary substances used by AAS users. Across a total of 17 studies (ie, interviews,...