HCG, formally known as human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone that's present in the urine of pregnant women. It supposedly has a multitude of uses, which include weight loss, hormone replacement therapy and infertility. Most people are familiar with HCG because of the national exposure it has received for being an effective weight-loss treatment, according to the "Arizona Republic." Consult your doctor before using or attempting to self-medicate with HCG for any condition.
Weight Loss
After effective marketing campaigns that have capitalized on the national hype surrounding HCG, many people are convinced that they need HCG to lose weight. According to the University of Idaho, HCG diet marketing claims that you can achieve weight loss of up to 3 lbs. every day. The program consists of daily shots of HCG and eating just 500 calories per day. But according to MayoClinic.com and the University of Idaho, HCG has been proven to be ineffective for weight loss. Any weight loss that comes from following the HCG diet is a result of the diet, not the HCG. Eating 500 calories a day is dangerous and results in severe malnutrition and a reduction of thyroid function, which produces a slower metabolism.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
According to the University of Washington Libraries and the 2005 "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism," HCG may be useful for general testosterone replacement therapy and hypogonadism. Though results vary from person to person, a relatively low dose of HCG, between 125IU to 500IU is needed to raise testosterone to its normal or baseline level. San Diego State confirms this and says HCG is "considered to be equivalent to the exogenous administration of testosterone."
Panhypopituitafism and Klinefelter's Syndrome
Stanford University says that HCG is a viable treatment for hormonal and physical problems that can cause male infertility, such as panhypopituitafism and Klinefelter's syndrome. Panhypopituitafism occurs when your pituitary gland fails to produce adequate amounts of human growth hormone or HGH, thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH, luteinizing hormone or LH, and follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH. LH and FSH are associated with testosterone production in males. HCG can help at least partially treat this condition by increasing a male testosterone production and sperm production. Stanford University explains that Kleinfelter's syndrome occurs when a male has additional X chromosome, resulting in peanut-sized testicles and enlarged breasts. HCG may be useful in treating the early stages of Klinefelter's syndrome by improving testicular size, hormonal production and sperm production.
Warning
Only a qualified medical professional, particularly an endocrinologist, is capable of assessing whether you need HCG. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or self-medicate with HCG. Simple blood tests can reveal whether you have hormonal deficiency and whether HCG can be an effective solution. HCG, however, is not recommended for weight loss and is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of obesity.
References
- "Arizona Republic": HCG diet popular in Valley, but could be risky; Ken Alltucker - Oct. 24, 2010
- University of Idaho: Thinking About Slimming Down for the Holiday Season on HCG - Think Again
- "Los Angeles TImes": HCG Diet Was Largely Discredited Long Ago; Elena Conis - Nov. 2, 2009
- Mayo Clinic: Does the HCG diet work --- and is it safe?
- Stanford University: What Causes Male Infertility?
- University of Washington: Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin maintains intratesticular testosterone in normal men with testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression
