HCG calculator
A hormone used medically for fertility and, in men, to stimulate testosterone production. A prescription drug; also misused in sport.
Also known as: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, hCG
FDA status — not an approved drug HCG is FDA-approved as a prescription drug for specific indications including certain fertility treatments and hypogonadism-related uses. It is not approved for weight loss, and its sale for that purpose is illegal.
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What HCG is
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone produced in pregnancy, used medically as a prescription drug for specific fertility indications in women and to stimulate testosterone and sperm production in men. It is also widely misused — it is not approved for weight loss and is prohibited in sport.
Research depth: 5/5 Decades of clinical use and approval for specific indications; not approved for weight loss. Human trials: Approved for specific indications. This measures how much has been studied — counting animal and laboratory work — not whether it works for you.
How HCG works
HCG is structurally similar to luteinizing hormone (LH) and binds the same receptor. In men this stimulates the testes to produce testosterone and sperm; in women, a related action triggers ovulation. Its use for weight loss, popularized by discredited diet protocols, is not supported by evidence and is illegal to market.
HCG side effects
Commonly reported
- Injection-site reactions
- Headache and fatigue
- Water retention and breast tenderness
- Mood changes
Serious — seek medical care
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women — a medical emergency
- Gynecomastia and hormonal effects in men
- Not approved for weight loss; prohibited in sport by WADA
This list is not exhaustive. Report anything unexpected to the clinician who prescribed it. If you have severe abdominal pain, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction, seek care the same day. See also our guide to peptide side effects by class.
A worked example
A 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 2.5 mg/mL. A 1500 mcg dose is then 0.6 mL — about 60 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe, giving roughly 3 doses per vial before accounting for residual volume left in the vial and syringe.
Prefer paper? Download the printable HCG dosing chart (PDF) — every vial size and water volume in syringe units, with the same review byline as this page. All charts →
Commonly cited dose range
Figures circulating for HCG run from 500 mcg to 5000 mcg. Prescription dosing is individualized and usually expressed in international units (IU), not micrograms. Figures shown are reference points. Follow the prescribing clinician's labeling.
Read this as reference information, not instruction. These numbers describe what is commonly discussed, not what is right for any individual. Dose, frequency, and whether to use HCG at all are decisions for a licensed clinician who knows your history.
Common questions
Is HCG approved for weight loss?
No. The FDA has stated that HCG is not effective for weight loss and has taken action against over-the-counter HCG weight-loss products. Its approved uses are specific medical indications requiring a prescription.
Why is HCG used in men's health?
HCG mimics luteinizing hormone (LH), stimulating the testes to produce testosterone and maintain testicular function. It is used medically for certain hypogonadal and fertility indications under clinician supervision.