hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) for Weight Loss: Injections and Drops

Written by Amanda Gardner

In this Article

• The Promise
• What You Can Eat and What You Can’t
• Level of Effort: High
• Does It Allow for Dietary Restrictions or Preferences?

Take a “natural” hormone the body makes during pregnancy — and lose a lot of weight? That’s the promise that’s turned the hCG Diet — named after that hormone — into a craze that just won’t quit. If you also go on an ultra-low-calorie diet, backers claim, hCG can “reset your metabolism” so you lose as much as a pound a day without feeling hungry or weak.

Here’s what the science says: Any super-low-cal diet will result in weight loss. Most studies have found that hCG (stands for human chorionic gonadotropin) has nothing to do with it.

The hCG diet limits you to 500 calories a day for 8 weeks while taking hCG, either by getting a shot or by taking a “homeopathic” product, such as oral drops, pellets, or sprays, which you can buy at the store.

None of this is approved by the FDA for weight loss. The shots themselves are legal, as long as a health care provider gives them to you. (They’re approved to treat fertility issues.) But over-the-counter hCG products are not. The FDA has sent warning letters to several companies that market homeopathic hCG products.

You won’t be eating much. The diet lets you have two meals a day, lunch and dinner. Each meal has to include one protein, one vegetable, one bread, and one fruit.

You can broil or grill veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp as long you don’t eat any visible fat. No salmon, eel, tuna, herring, or dried or pickled fish are allowed.

Vegetable choices include spinach, chard, chicory, beet greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, and cabbage.

Bread can be one breadstick or one piece of melba toast.

For fruit, you can choose an orange, an apple, a handful of strawberries, or half a grapefruit. The diet allows as much water, coffee, and tea as you want. You can also have up to 1 tablespoon of milk per day.

You can use sugar substitutes but not sugar to sweeten drinks. Butter and oils aren’t allowed.

It’s very hard to stick with the strict calorie limit. Not only is it uncomfortable to live on just 500 calories a day, it can be dangerous. It’s impossible to meet all your nutritional needs on so few calories. You may not get enough protein, either. If you’re getting less than 1,200 calories a day, it’s going to be challenging to get enough vitamins and minerals without supplements.

Doctors sometimes recommend a very-low-calorie diet (under 1,000 calories per day) if someone is obese and has a medical condition such as high blood pressure, but these diets must be carefully supervised by a doctor.

Vegetarians and vegans: Its fans say anyone can follow the hCG diet. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe, especially for vegetarians. The diet’s creators say that vegetarians would have to drink extra skim milk to make up for not getting protein from meat and other sources. Because it includes dairy, it’s not a vegan diet.

Gluten-free: This isn’t a gluten-free diet.

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Avoid Dangerous HCG Diet Products

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Anyone who has ever been on a diet knows there are sensible ways to lose weight, including eating a balanced diet and exercising.

There are also reckless ways to shed pounds, such as fads and diet aids that promise rapid weight loss but often recommend potentially dangerous practices. Those include HCG weight-loss products that are marketed along with advice for users to follow a severely restrictive diet.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to avoid human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) weight-loss products. These products are typically sold in the form of oral drops, pellets and sprays, and can be found online, at weight loss clinics and in some retail stores.

HCG Is Not Approved Without a Prescription and Is Not Approved for Weight Loss

HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy.

Products marketed for weight loss that claim to contain HCG are typically marketed in connection with a very low-calorie diet, usually one that limits calories to 500 per day. Many of these popular HCG products claim to “reset your metabolism,” change “abnormal eating patterns,” and shave 20 to 30 pounds in 30 to 40 days.

“These products are marketed with incredible claims, and people think that if they’re losing weight, HCG must be working,” said Carolyn Becker, director of the Office of Unapproved Drugs and Labeling Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “But the data simply do not support this; any loss is from severe calorie restriction. Not from the HCG.”

The FDA has approved HCG as a prescription drug for the treatment of female infertility and for other medical conditions. HCG is not approved for use without a prescription for any purpose. It is not approved for weight loss.

In fact, the prescription drug label notes there “is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”

Very Low-Calorie Diets Are Unhealthy

Living on 500 calories a day is not only unhealthy but also dangerous. People on such restrictive diets are at increased risk for side effects, including  gallstone formation, an imbalance of the electrolytes that keep the body’s muscles and nerves functioning properly, and an irregular heartbeat. Such restrictive diets can be dangerous, even potentially fatal.

Very low-calorie diets are sometimes prescribed by health care professionals for people who are moderately to extremely obese as part of medical treatment to lessen health conditions caused by obesity, such as high blood pressure. But even then, strict and constant medical supervision is needed to ensure that side effects are not life-threatening.
Without medical oversight, people on very low-calorie diets may not be getting enough vitamins, minerals and — most important — protein. If you want to lose weight, do it gradually and reduce the calories you eat every day.

If you have HCG products for weight loss, quit using it, throw it out, and stop following the dieting instructions. Talk to your health care professional about a safe and healthy weight loss plan for you.

Health care professionals and patients should report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report online.
• Download the form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
   

hCG, Human chorionic gonadotropin – what is it, norm

What is human chorionic gonadotropin

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that is normally found in women in the blood and urine during pregnancy.
HCG is produced by the chorion, the outer membrane that surrounds the fertilized egg. Hence the name of the hormone – chorionic.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the level of hCG in the blood and urine constantly increases: from the 2nd to the 5th week, its amount doubles every 1.5-2 days. At the 11-12th week, the concentration of hCG reaches a maximum, and then very slowly decreases – this is due to the natural processes that occur in the body of a woman during pregnancy.

HCG types

The hCG hormone is produced in two forms: alpha and beta. The alpha-hCG molecule contains particles characteristic of other hormones. In the beta-hCG molecule, all particles are unique, and similar particles are not produced in the body. For this reason, all pharmacy express tests and laboratory tests are carried out only with the release of the beta part of the hCG hormone.

Role of human chorionic gonadotropin in pregnancy

To understand why chorionic gonadotropin is needed, it is necessary to understand what processes occur in the female body during pregnancy.

At the beginning of each menstrual cycle, follicles begin to appear in the ovaries – something like vesicles, in each of which an egg matures. As a rule, by the middle of the menstrual cycle, one (rarely – several) largest follicle appears – dominant.

When the dominant follicle ruptures, the egg leaves the ovary (ovulation occurs) and begins to move along the fallopian tube towards the uterus. A temporary gland is formed from the remains of the follicle in the ovary – yellow body . It produces the hormone progesterone , which prepares the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for a possible pregnancy.

If pregnancy does not occur during the second half of the menstrual cycle, the corpus luteum resolves, progesterone levels decrease and menstruation begins.

If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum continues to function for some time. And it is hCG that helps him in this.
HCG serves as a signal to the corpus luteum that conception has occurred. Under the influence of hCG, the temporary gland does not dissolve and continues to produce progesterone, which is necessary for the normal development of the embryo.

The fact is that after the onset of pregnancy, the functions of progesterone expand significantly. First of all, the hormone is involved in stopping the menstrual cycles: while the level of progesterone is high, they do not resume. Since the fertilized egg is implanted in the lining of the uterus, its rejection – menstruation – can terminate the pregnancy.

Protecting against an immune response is another important function of progesterone. The embryo contains not only maternal, but also alien paternal cells – their immune system perceives them as an enemy. To prevent a woman’s body from destroying the fetal egg, progesterone suppresses the immune system.

In addition, progesterone relaxes smooth muscles. This is necessary to prevent spontaneous uterine contractions and preterm labor.

With the successful development of pregnancy on the 11-12th obstetric week, placenta is formed from chorion cells – a new endocrine organ with a large number of blood vessels. The placenta is attached to the wall of the uterus and begins to independently produce progesterone, taking this function from the corpus luteum.

From the moment the placenta is “launched”, the corpus luteum resolves, chorionic gonadotropin becomes no longer needed in large quantities, and its concentration begins to gradually decrease.

The main function of hCG is to ensure the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum before the formation of the placenta.

The role of hCG outside of pregnancy

Outside of pregnancy, hCG can be found in the blood of women and even men. Usually, the cause of the hormone production is a tumor in the uterus or testicles.

Types of tests for hCG

There are two options for testing the level of hCG in the blood. The first is the determination of hCG in urine using a pharmacy pregnancy test. The second is with the help of a laboratory study of venous blood.

Urinalysis for hCG

Urine tests for hCG in the laboratory are usually not carried out. For self-diagnosis of pregnancy, there are various pharmacy tests. If the amount of the hormone in the urine exceeds the threshold value of the test, a positive result appears on it.

Pharmacy tests come in different forms: in the form of disposable strips with control lines or electronic devices with interchangeable tips.

They have only one minus – they are not always reliable. This is due to the fact that the concentration of hCG in the urine rises much more slowly than the concentration in the blood. In other words, a pharmacy test may not show pregnancy until a missed period.

Pregnancy test may not show results until missed period

Preparation for urinalysis for hCG

Features of preparation for the detection of hCG in urine depend on the type of pharmacy test. Some tests require the collection of the first morning portion of urine in a clean container for subsequent immersion of the test strip to the control line.

Others may be placed directly under the urine stream.
To conduct the test correctly, you should read the instructions for it and do everything in accordance with the described recommendations.

HCG blood test

Laboratories do two types of tests for hCG: beta-hCG and free beta-hCG.

Regular beta-hCG is produced both in the case of normal pregnancy and in the development of pathologies. Free beta-hCG is a narrowly targeted marker that indicates solely a violation of the development of the embryo or the appearance of a tumor.

beta-hCG

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free beta-hCG

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The main advantage of a laboratory blood test is accuracy and sensitivity. The study allows you to detect pregnancy already on the 6-8th day from the moment of conception, as well as determine the exact amount of the hormone and monitor changes in its level.

Preparing for a blood test for hCG

• Blood should be taken on an empty stomach, from 8 am to 11 am. During the day, blood counts can change significantly, the result of the morning analysis is the most reliable.
• 24 hours before the test, alcohol should be excluded and intense physical activity should be avoided.
• Do not eat or drink juices, milk or other beverages 8 hours before blood sampling. You can drink non-carbonated water. On the eve of the study, it is better to have a light, low-fat meal for dinner.
• 1-2 hours before the analysis, it is advisable not to smoke, avoid stress and physical exertion (running, fast climbing stairs).
• 15 minutes before taking blood, it is advisable to have a little rest: sit in the laboratory department, catch your breath, calm down.

To control indicators in dynamics, you should take an analysis under the same conditions: in the same laboratory, at the same time of day.

Medications and medical procedures may interfere with the test result.

Do not donate blood immediately after physiotherapy, instrumental examination, X-ray or ultrasound examination, massage.

It is best to perform a blood test before starting medications or 10-14 days after they are discontinued. The nurse should be warned about the medications taken, as well as the doctor who performs the diagnosis or prescribes the treatment.

Beta hCG blood test reference values ​​

0-2.6 mIU/mL adult male.

0-5.3 mIU/ml – non-pregnant women.

Free beta hCG blood test reference values ​​

< 2. 0 ng/ml adult men and non-pregnant women.

Pregnant women, 1st trimester

Pregnant women, 2nd trimester

High hCG

Chorionic gonadotropin is one of the first markers of pregnancy. However, it can also increase with various diseases in both women and men.

An increase in hCG should be divided into pathological and normal. However, it is important to remember that only a doctor after an examination can find out the cause and make a final diagnosis.

Pathological increase in hCG

Pathological causes include various pregnancy disorders. For example, pre-eclampsia is a condition when a woman’s blood pressure rises, the functioning of the central nervous system is disrupted, too much protein is excreted in the urine, which ultimately leads to dysfunction of all organs.

Also, a high level of hCG can be a sign of abnormal development of the embryo. For example, Down syndrome or the transformation of a fetal egg into a tumor.

Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality in the development of the embryo. Normally, a person has 46 chromosomes. A fetus with the syndrome has 47, and this may be the reason for the excess of the normal level of hCG.

Children with Down’s syndrome are born with a disturbed structure of the bones of the face and skull. Mental retardation, significant problems with learning and speech are also observed. With the syndrome, anatomical anomalies and pathologies of other organs are not excluded – for example, heart defects.

Trophoblastic disease – egg fertilization failure, which leads to improper development of the fetal egg. When implanted in the uterine mucosa, it can transform into a tumor.

Complete hydatidiform mole is a benign tumor. It develops due to the fertilization of a non-viable egg, in which there is no genetic material – chromosomes. The embryo does not develop, and parts of the fetal membrane grow in its place – villi, with the help of which a healthy embryo is attached to the walls of the uterus. They form blisters filled with liquid and look like spots on ultrasound – hence
the name of the pathology.

Partial hydatidiform mole – develops if two sperm enter the egg at once. Due to an excess of genetic material (chromosomes), the development of the embryo fails and stops.
If a mole is not diagnosed in time, it can grow into the muscular layer of the uterus and turn into choriocarcinoma.

Choriocarcinoma is a malignant cancer that metastasizes very quickly MetastasesSecondary foci of malignant neoplasm. to the lungs, brain and other organs. Most often it is formed in the uterus as a result of the germination of a hydatidiform mole.

In addition, this cancer is extremely rare in men in the testicles. The cause of the pathology is not well understood.

Other pathological causes of elevated hCG:

• diabetes mellitus in a pregnant woman;
• taking hormonal preparations containing human chorionic gonadotropin;
• other hormone-producing tumors.

Normal increase in hCG

In women, an increase in the level of hCG may indicate the development of pregnancy.

If hCG exceeds the reference values ​​for the obstetric period, a multiple pregnancy is possible, it should be diagnosed by an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Also, the reason for exceeding the reference values ​​\u200b\u200bmay be an incorrectly determined gestational age.

Low hCG

Non-pregnant women and men are not diagnosed with low hCG levels.

HCG reference values:

• 0-2. 6 mIU/mL adult male;
• 0-5.3 mIU/ml – non-pregnant women.

Reference free hCG:

• men – less than 2.0 ng/ml;
• non-pregnant women (including after menopause) – less than 2.0 ng / ml.

However, a decrease in hCG in pregnant women may be a sign of pregnancy pathology.

Possible reasons for the decrease in hCG in pregnant women:

• incorrect determination of the term – perhaps the pregnancy came later;
• ectopic pregnancy – the fetal egg is attached not in the uterine cavity, but in another part of the reproductive system or, less often, in the abdominal cavity;
• missed pregnancy – the embryo has stopped growing and developing;
• chronic placental insufficiency – the placenta cannot provide the fetus with the necessary nutrients and oxygen;
• pathology of the fetus or fetal membrane – the chorion does not produce enough hormone, which can cause a miscarriage;
• intrauterine fetal death.

Sources

1. Clinical guidelines “Ectopic (ectopic) pregnancy”. Developed by: Russian Society of Obstetricians-Gynecologists, Association of Obstetric Anesthesiologists-Resuscitators. — 2021.
2. Gronowski A. M. Handbook of Clinical Laboratory Testing During Pregnancy. NY, 2004.
3. Whittle M. J. J. Prenatal Diagnosis in Obstetric Practice. Blackwell Publishers, 1995.
4. Kee J. Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. Pearson, 2010.

HCG injection – when is it prescribed? HCG and Pregnancy

HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is a hormone produced during pregnancy to support pregnancy. Chorionic gonadotropin is very important during pregnancy. Without it, the embryo does not survive and a miscarriage can occur. An injection of hCG can be prescribed both to a woman with natural fertilization, and after in vitro fertilization to support pregnancy. Also, the hCG injection is the final stage of provoking superovulation during IVF. The level of hCG determines the course of pregnancy, as well as the number of fetuses.

What is HCG

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced during pregnancy (specific pregnancy hormone). The hormone is produced by the chorion, the outer shell of the embryo, immediately after it is implanted in the uterine wall. HCG is necessary for the normal development of pregnancy. It provokes the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum until the placenta can produce this hormone on its own.

HCG detects pregnancy as early as 6-7 days after conception, although home research methods (test strips) at such a short time may give a false positive result.

The normal content of hCG in a non-pregnant woman and in a man is 0-5 mU/ml. Its increase can also be associated with the appearance of tumor diseases in a man or a non-pregnant woman.

During pregnancy, the level of hCG increases significantly and increases every day. In the first weeks of pregnancy, it can be about 200 mIU / ml, and by the 7th week it can increase to 200 thousand mIU / ml. The number of fruits also affects the level of hCG: it will grow in proportion to their number. That is, if two fetuses develop, then by the 7th week the hCG level will not be 200 thousand, but 400 thousand mU / ml.

This intensive growth of the hormone continues until the 12th week of pregnancy. Further, the level gradually begins to subside. However, if the decline occurs early, it may be a wake-up call. A decrease in hCG may be associated with a threatened miscarriage, pregnancy fading, or an ectopic pregnancy. In this regard, it is necessary to regularly visit a doctor to monitor the status of pregnancy.

Superovulation after hCG injection

Superovulation is one of the necessary stages of IVF. Normally, a woman produces one egg per menstrual cycle. Sometimes, very rarely, there may be more of them, due to which twins or triplets are born. The maturation of more than one egg in a natural cycle is an uncontrolled process and cannot be used in in vitro fertilization.

For IVF, several eggs are used: among them, the highest quality ones are selected, which, after fertilization, will be transplanted into the woman’s body. For transplantation, 2 cultured embryos are usually used to increase the success of the IVF procedure. The effectiveness of one IVF procedure is 30-40%. Therefore, the transfer of more than one embryo increases the chances of implantation. For example, the efficiency of natural fertilization is about 20% in each menstrual cycle. However, IVF is often not recommended. Firstly, during IVF, a woman undergoes hormone therapy, which should be carried out no more than once every 3-4 months. Secondly, IVF is an expensive procedure, the repetition of which for many couples takes time. In any case, the repetition of IVF is an individual matter and will depend on the condition of the woman.

Stimulation of superovulation begins with the introduction of gonadotropic drugs for the growth and development of follicles with eggs. The duration of the use of drugs is approximately 10 days from the 2nd day of the menstrual cycle. The dose and timing of drug administration are determined strictly individually by the attending physician.

Observation of the growth and development of follicles is carried out using ultrasound. When the follicles become the size necessary for ovulation (about 20-25 mm), an hCG injection is prescribed. An injection of hCG serves as a kind of “trigger” for ovulation, while preventing the regression of follicles and the formation of follicular cysts.

After an injection of hCG, ovulation occurs approximately 24-36 hours later, monitored by ultrasound. Next, the woman undergoes an ovarian puncture to collect germ cells. On the same day, the man donates sperm.

Among the male and female germ cells, the highest quality and viable are selected. The cells are placed on a special nutrient medium that is as adapted as possible to the natural environment of the fallopian tubes where they will connect. The resulting zygotes continue to be cultured in the incubator until the blastocyst phase. Further, the highest quality embryos are transplanted into the uterine cavity, where they are implanted in its walls and continue to develop.

IVF procedure is performed at the IVF Center clinic in Smolensk. The specialists of the clinic have extensive experience in the field of eliminating infertility of various etiologies.

HCG injection after IVF pregnancy

After the embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus, she is given an HCG injection. This is necessary to support the intrauterine development of the child. When the level of this hormone rises in a woman’s body after an hCG injection, the body “thinks” that pregnancy has occurred and begins to produce progesterone, which is very important for pregnancy. Since the female body does not produce the necessary amount of pregnancy hormones during in vitro fertilization, it must be “helped” with hormones from the outside. This happens until the female body itself begins to produce the required amount of hormones.

In addition to the hCG shot, the woman may be given progesterone (also to support pregnancy). The hCG injection is usually given intramuscularly, and progesterone is taken orally in the form of tablets or suppositories vaginally.

The first check of IVF results takes place 14 days after embryo transfer. By this time, the hCG level should increase significantly. The value of hCG can also indicate the fertility of pregnancy: the level of hCG increases in proportion to the number of fetuses.

The final confirmation of pregnancy, its location and number of fetuses is carried out using ultrasound. HCG and progesterone support can last up to 12 weeks or more as directed by your doctor.

Natural Pregnancy HCG Injection

Natural Pregnancy HCG may be given in case of ovulation problems and to support an already existing pregnancy. With violations of ovulation or in its absence (anovulation), pregnancy, respectively, cannot occur. In the absence of maturation of full-fledged eggs in the ovaries, women stimulate ovulation with hormonal drugs. The goal of hormone therapy is the formation in the female body of such eggs that are capable of fertilization.

There are many hormonal ovarian stimulation medications, but they should not be prescribed on their own or on the advice of friends or relatives. The name, dosage of drugs and the duration of the course are prescribed strictly by the attending physician. Otherwise, you can get absolutely not the result that you expected. Especially in cases where the cause of ovulation disorders has not been established.

Before starting hormone therapy, a woman undergoes a hormone test. Based on the blood results for thyroid hormones, male hormones (testosterone, dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione), prolactin, the issue of starting hormone therapy is being decided. If the level of these hormones is not normal, then the stimulation of ovulation is postponed until they normalize. Perhaps, this will restore natural ovulation.

Also, to determine the causes of ovulation disorders, a woman is prescribed an ultrasound examination. The first ultrasound is done on the 8th-10th day of the cycle with a duration of 28 days. Further, ultrasound is done every 2-3 days. As a result of such a study, deviations in the process of egg maturation are revealed. And based on the results, treatment is prescribed, if necessary.

If the cause of anovulation is the non-opening of the follicle, then the woman is given an injection of hCG, which stimulates the ovulation process. After an injection of hCG, ovulation occurs after 24-36 hours. Ovulation is confirmed by ultrasound. Further, the couple can conduct sexual intercourse to conceive a child. The frequency of sexual intercourse will depend on the man’s spermogram. If the indicators are normal, then it is enough to have sexual intercourse every other day. It can also be done every day, starting from the date of the hCG injection and until the onset of pregnancy in this menstrual cycle.