HCG injections for weight loss, around since the 1950s, see periodic resurgences in popularity despite required disclaimers from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and discouragement from the mainstream medical community. Diet proponents claim HCG will help you lose weight, redistribute fat from problem areas and control your appetite. However, no reliable scientific evidence backs these claims, according to Jennifer K. Nelson of MayoClinic.com. Consult your doctor before trying HCG injections for weight loss, even if they are offered at a clinic that claims to include medical supervision.
Identification
HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin, which is a hormone that your body produces during pregnancy. It is approved by the FDA for treating fertility problems, but not for aiding in weight loss. It is used to cause ovulation and treat female infertility. Injections are given under your skin or into a muscle. In the off-label use for weight loss, HCG injections are coupled with a very low-calorie diet of 500 to 800 daily calories. This diet is the true cause of any weight loss you may experience, notes Nelson.
Required Disclaimer
The FDA requires that HCG injections carry a disclaimer that states HCG therapy hasn't been proven effective for treating obesity. The disclaimer also must say that there's not good evidence HCG increases weight loss beyond loss caused by calorie restriction, leads to a better distribution of body fat, or helps decrease hunger on a calorie-restricted diet.
Very Low Calorie Diet
Very low-calorie diets should be medically supervised by a qualified health care professional, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The HCG diet typically is offered by weight-loss clinics claiming they provide such supervision, notes Nelson. To avoid nutritional deficiencies, you need diet foods that have enough vitamins, protein and other nutrients to meet nutritional requirements. Minor side effects from such a diet include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea or constipation. Gallstone formation is the most common serious side effect. Also, while effective for weight loss in the short term, weight regain is common once such diets are stopped, according to the institute.
Side Effects
Some women who have HCG injections develop a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms include severe pelvic pain, swollen hands or legs, stomach swelling and pain, weight gain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea and decreased urination. This drug also is in pregnancy category X, which means it can cause birth defects in your baby if you use it during pregnancy. Less serious side effects include depression, breast tenderness, headaches, irritability, water weight gain or mild swelling, and pain or irritation at the injection site.
Warnings
Don't use HCG if you had early puberty or a hormone-related cancer like breast cancer. Be especially cautious about using it and gain qualified medical supervision if you have heart or kidney disease, a thyroid or adrenal disorder, an ovarian cyst, uterine bleeding, migraines, asthma or epilepsy.
Member Comments