The hCG diet protocol uses human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, to induce weight loss. Human chorionic gonadotropin is the pregnancy hormone produced by the placenta that pregnancy tests measure to ascertain whether a woman is pregnant. The hCG diet supposedly increases fat breakdown. The diet also relies on an extremely restrictive 500-calorie diet for weight loss, which naturally causes weight loss. The drug must be injected because stomach acids break it down and make it ineffective. The hCG diet can cause serious side effects; take hCG injections for weight loss only under your doctor's supervision.
Fluid Retention
The use of hCG in this diet protocol can cause fluid retention, which results in a number of different symptoms. Side effects of fluid retention include headache, swelling on the extremities and face and bloating. Women may experience breast tenderness. Fluid retention can also cause temporary weight gain.
Increased Hormone Levels in Men
Men taking hCG may experience increased testosterone levels, as the drugs stimulates the testes to produce more testosterone. This can cause symptoms such as more frequent erections and greater sex drive. Higher testosterone levels also increase the estrogen levels, "Anabolic Steroids Guide" says. The increase in estrogen results in growth of the breasts, called gynecomastia. Breasts may become tender or painful. High estrogen levels can also change fat deposits to a feminine pattern, with more fat deposited on the hips.
Mood Swings
Using hCG can cause mood swings, including irritability, restlessness and depression. You may have trouble sleeping or trouble concentrating.
Blood Clots
Blood clot development, called thromboembolitis, is a potentially life-threatening side effect of hCG injection. Symptoms of thromboembolitis include pain in an extremity, particularly in the calf of the leg, redness, swelling, warmth, confusion, chest pain, dizziness, severe headache or numbness and tingling in your extremities, according to Drugs.com. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of a blood clot.
Weakness
A 500 calorie diet is a near-starvation level diet, providing between 25 percent and 50 percent of the calories your body needs to perform daily functions, registered dietitian Jennifer Nelson reports of MayoClinci.com. You may experience weakness and fatigue while eating a very-low calorie diet.
