# HCG

*Also known as: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Choragon*

Human chorionic gonadotropin; mimics LH, used on-cycle and in PCT to preserve testicular function.

## Overview

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein hormone that mimics luteinizing hormone and is used on-cycle and in post-cycle therapy to preserve or restore testicular function. It binds the LH receptor on Leydig cells, stimulating endogenous testosterone production, and is used to maintain intratesticular testosterone that exogenous androgens suppress. The compound has a roughly 47-hour half-life, reaches peak serum levels around a day after subcutaneous injection, and shows roughly 45% bioavailability, so dosing two to three times per week sustains the LH-mimetic signal. Effects include maintained testicular size and preserved capacity for recovery, while excessive dosing raises estradiol through aromatization and can desensitize the LH receptor. Harm reduction centers on proper reconstitution and refrigerated storage since HCG degrades at room temperature, on using it to preserve rather than push beyond physiological LH signaling, and on monitoring estradiol alongside testosterone.

## Pharmacokinetics

- **Model tier:** advanced
- **Half-life:** 2.0 days (47.099999999999994 hours)
- **Cmax:** 2072 mIU/mL
- **Tmax:** 1.0 days
- **Bioavailability:** 45%

## Dosing

- **Default dose:** 0.5 mg
- **Typical range:** 0.25–1 mg
- **Units:** mIU/mL

## Source

- **Label:** PMC HCG PK
- **URL:** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8301557/
- **Notes:** 100 IU ≈ 0.01 mg / 10 μg.

**Tags:** hormone-support, pct

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**Canonical URL:** https://anabolicdex.com/compounds/hcg
**Plot:** https://anabolicdex.com/plot?compound=hcg