HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) — Dosing, Cycles, Half-Life & Side Effects

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a natural testosterone-support supplement with a half-life of 24-36 hours. Hormone for testicular stimulation and fertility. This page is educational harm-reduction reference compiled from peer-reviewed literature — not medical advice, not an endorsement, not a recommendation to use. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision.

Quick Facts

ClassNatural/Test Support
Half-life24-36 hours
Detection window14 days
HepatotoxicityLow
Suppression0/10
Administrationsubcutaneous

Typical Dosing Ranges

Common dose range: 250-1000iu/week

Cycle length: 4-6 weeks

Time to steady state: ~7 days

Dose ranges are compiled from published pharmacokinetic studies and community-reported usage. Where a value is community-reported rather than clinically studied, this page and its structured data flag it. Lower end of any range is always the safer starting point.

Stacking Considerations

  • No structural stacking blockers. Standard harm-reduction rules apply: minimize total androgen load, minimize oral exposure, and monitor bloodwork.

PCT Requirements

  • Depot clearance estimate: ~8 days post-last-dose before SERM start (5 × apparent depot half-life of 36h).
  • Never stack two SERMs. Extend a single SERM (tamoxifen OR enclomiphene/clomiphene) rather than combining.
  • Use the cycle planner to generate a full protocol based on your complete stack, not this compound alone.

Side Effect Profile

  • Requires injections
  • Estrogen increase possible
  • Water retention
  • Expensive

Known Interactions

  • HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) + Clomiphene (Clomid)

    minor — hormonal

    HCG during PCT may interfere with SERM effectiveness by providing external LH signal.

    Recommendation: Use HCG on-cycle or bridge, not during active PCT with SERMs.

    Monitor: LH, FSH, Total testosterone

Related compounds

Monitoring (Bloodwork & Vitals)

  • Comprehensive metabolic panel (baseline, mid-cycle, post-cycle)
  • Lipid panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
  • CBC (hemoglobin, hematocrit — watch for erythrocytosis)
  • Sex-hormone panel (Total T, Free T, Estradiol sensitive, SHBG, LH, FSH)
  • Blood pressure (weekly self-check; flag systolic >140 or diastolic >90)

Baseline bloodwork is recommended before any cycle. Discontinue if liver enzymes exceed 3× upper limit of normal or if hematocrit exceeds 54%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the half-life of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) has a half-life of approximately 24-36 hours. Clearance estimate: 36h × 5 = 180h = 7.5 days. This figure is used to determine injection frequency (for esters) and post-cycle clearance timing.

What is the typical dose range for HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)?

Commonly reported ranges for HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): 250-1000iu/week. Cycle length: 4-6 weeks. These are compiled from published studies and community-reported usage — individual response varies and lower end is always preferred.

Does HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) suppress natural testosterone?

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) causes minimal suppression of the HPTA axis (score 0/10). PCT may still be advisable depending on stack and duration.

Is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) liver toxic?

Hepatotoxicity rating: Low. Non-17αα compound — liver stress is lower but still warrants periodic monitoring during a cycle.

What is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) typically used for?

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is commonly used for: PCT, Fertility, TRT adjunct. Intended-use context does not imply safety — every use case carries the same underlying pharmacological risks.

Citations

  1. McBride JA, Coward RM. 2016. Asian J Androl — Preservation of spermatogenesis possible with hCG alone 500-2500 IU twice weekly
  2. Coviello AD et al.. 2005. J Clin Endocrinol Metab — Low-dose HCG maintains intratesticular testosterone in normal men with testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression
  3. İbis MA et al.. 2026. BJU International — HCG 1500 IU SC 3× weekly combined with clomiphene 25mg/day (CC + hCG combined therapy, NOT dual-SERM) superior to CC monotherapy in post-AAS bodybuilders: normozoospermia at 12 months 87.5% (CC + hCG) vs 69.2% (CC alone) vs 58.6% (spontaneous recovery). Retrospective N=79
  4. Handelsman DJ / Shankara-Narayana N et al.. 2022. Eur J Endocrinol — HPTA recovery median 52 weeks post-AAS; informs HCG PCT duration rationale — HCG maintains intratesticular testosterone during SERM PCT in combined CC + hCG regimens (per Ibis 2026)
  5. FDA HCG label + Endocrine Society. 2018. J Clin Endocrinol Metab — HCG glycoprotein — no hepatic metabolism; minimal-to-zero hepatotoxicity. hepatotoxicity 0/10
  6. de Oliveira Vilar Neto JF et al.. 2021. Andrologia — Systematic review: only 4/38 known-outcome AAS-induced hypogonadism cases fully recovered; HCG monotherapy or CC + hCG combined are the documented recovery-supporting interventions — observational data informs PCT selection, NOT a dual-SERM recommendation (PROJECT.md constraint)

Disclaimer

StackItSmart is an independent harm-reduction reference. The content above is compiled from peer-reviewed literature and is not medical advice, not an endorsement, and not a recommendation to use HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). Performance-enhancing compounds carry legal, endocrine, cardiovascular, and hepatic risks. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision. StackItSmart does not provide sourcing, procurement, or dosing prescriptions.

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