(Thanks to Centeroiler for the following information!)
Everything you ever wanted to know about Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) but were afraid to ask (yeah, right). hCG has more questions than any other single topic, I swear. Mercifully, this should be the hCG thread to end all hCG threads!!! (I hope)
Q: What is hCG?
A: hCG is a form of peptide hormone known as a glycoprotien. It has similar properties to Leutinizing Hormone (and Follicle Stimulating Hormone). In particular, it mimics the actions of Leutinizing Hormone, which signals the testes to produce testosterone, but with a much longer active life.
Q: Why is it of interest to steroid users?
A: During a cycle of steroids, your own testosterone production is suppressed and you testes stop producing your own testosterone. Subsequently, your balls (testes) will shrink from non-use. If allowed to atrophy (shrink), your balls will not be ready to produce large quantites of endogenous testosterone again at the start of PCT. This delays your recovery when you end your cycle and can actually contribute to you losing your hard-earned gains.
Q: My hCG says "for intramuscular injection only". Can I inject subcutaneously?
A: There is no such thing as "intramuscular", or "sub-Q" hCG. It is all the same. hCG can be injected either IM or subcutaneously, but most guys opt for sub-Q because it is easier and less painful. Sub-Q injections are made in the stomach area with a slin pin (insulin syringe) just like one would inject insulin.
Q: I've read that most guys take hCG at 250iu's twice a week on cycle. Why is this?
A: Ideally hCG would be taken at about 100iu's a day because this most closely approximates the body's own production of LH. However, for convenience, it has been found that a dose of 250iu's twice weekly works just as well at keeping your testes functioning and up to size.
Q: I'm confused, how do I mix my 5000iu vial of hCG for low-dose use?
A: There are many ways to do this. However, I find it easiest to work in 10's. If you have a 5000iu vial diluting it (dividing it) with 10ml of bacteriostatic water will give you 500iu's per ml. Take a half-ml (250iu) twice a week. Simple.
Q: How long does hCG last after it is reconstituted?
A: If properly stored, it is generally considered that reconned hCG will last a maximum of about 60 days, at which point it's degradation will render it's potency unusable. If you're really worried about this, you can buy smaller vials and make it up as you go.
Q: Do I have to store my hCG in the refrigerator?
A: Yes, it is best to store your reconned hCG in a refrigerator. However, if making smaller batches, you can store it in a cool, dark place like your basement. It's all about potency. The cooler and darker, like a fridge, the longer it will last, but it is not absolutely necessary.
Q: I am about to finish a long 12-16 week cycle and I didn't use low-dose hCG through out and my balls have shrunk. What is the best way to dose my hCG before I start PCT?
A: If you've allowed your balls to atrophy during a long steroid cycle, you have to use more hCG than if you had used it thoughout at 500 iu's a week. There are many ways to do this and it largely depends on the individual and how suppressive their cycle was. If you were using 19-nor's like Deca or Tren, you are most likely shut down very hard. Whereas, for a mild testosterone-only cycle, or a shorter oral cycle, you are most likely just mildly suppressed. For mild cycles, I would dose it at 500iu's a day for 10 days, before you start PCT. In severe cases, as-in for a hardcore Tren cycle, I would be more aggressive and shoot up to 1,000-2500iu's ED or EOD for 5-7 days, then a lighter dose of 500-1,000iu's ED or EOD depending on results (are your balls growing?) for another 5 days. Remember, these are just rough guidelines and no one can tell you exactly what is best for you. Listen to your body.
Q: I've heard using too much hCG, and/or using it for too long can desensatize my testes to Leutinizing Hormone. Is this true?
A: Yes, it is true. But, using low-dose hCG therapy at about 500iu's should avoid these problems because you are basically mimicking your body's own gonadotropin production. This is not an excessive amount and should not lead to desensitization.
Q: I've heard that hMG (Human Menopausal Hormone) is better than hCG. Should I use hMG instead of hCG?
A: hMG is a standardized, equally dosed, 75/75iu or 150/150iu mixture of natural Leutinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). hMG should be used ALONG WITH hCG, NOT INSTEAD OF it. Because of it's expense, hMG is usually used at the end of a cycle, concurrently with hCG, in the 10 days to two weeks leading up to PCT. Doses are 37.5-75ius ED.
Some guys recommend hMG to be used while on-cycle at 37.5iu's twice weekly. But, because of the extreme short active life of these gonadotropins, especially LH, I have not seen any real benefit to doing this. It's up to you, but be aware that FSH makes your leydig cell's more sensative to LH and hCG, so dose accordingly.
Q: Are there any adverse effects from hCG?
A: Not many, however hCG readily aromatizes in the testes and converts to estrogen. At larger doses, this has actually caused gyno in some users. Use an AI while on hCG, especially at higher doses! Be aware that FSH may increase this effect. It does with me anyway. You may want to have a fast-acting SERM such as Nolvadex, Clomid or Toremifene on-hand in case you run into trouble.
I'll add to this as I see more questions not already covered here.
Bon appetit!
----------------------MORE INFO------------------------
Everything Im writing here is based on my personal opinion from info Ive read and from personal trial and error.
Ive done many cycles that did not include HCG in my early days, hell I didn't even know what PCT was. This was WAY before the internet so all my info was from freinds and the few books that were around.
I've done cycles that ended with just using HCG the 2wks after my last testE shot and saw results from that(1,000ius 2xwk/ 2wks). IMO never go over 2,000ius per week.
But about 3yrs ago I started using small amounts of HCG throughout the cycle with much better results. The theory behind this is to give constant stimulation throughout the cycle and not let your own test production stop, or at least minimize it. Ive also noticed my sex drive stayed constant while on HCG even when using Tren or Npp/Deca and doing very long cycles. This is without a doubt the best way to run it and IMO leads to better overall gains, reason is not only are you using artificial Test/AAS but you are still producing your own, to me this makes since.
There are 3 ways to use this method. note: always use the LEAST amount that you can get results from.
1) 100ius ED starting after wk1 and continued through cycle and for 4-18days after last AAS shot depending on the ester length (prop 4.5days - testE 14days - test Cyp 18days). Always make the last HCG shot on day ester clears.
2) 250-300ius EOD and (same as above)
3) 500ius E5D starting after wk1 and (same as above)
Ive done all and really can't say one is better, with #2-3 you won't go through as many needles but all have worked well for me.
PCT ( post cycle therapy )
Key word here is POST, meaning after the cycle is over and that means after all AAS esters have cleared your system not after your final shot.
HCG IS NOT FOR PCT IT IS FOR PRE-PCT, the time during your cycle and after last shot of AAS while esters are clearing. PCT starts on DAY4 after your last HCG shot. The reason for this is when you inject HCG you will get a spike several hours after shot and then again 72 hours later, after this final spike is when you want to start your PCT. Again HCG is not used for PCT.
Other info you will need.
Always use Bac water to mix your HCG, it will last up to 60 days in the fridge when BW is used.
Always use an insulin needle for injecting, size of slinpin does not matter but I use 29g 1cc.
MIXING
Use the bacwater, draw out 1cc BW(use a 1cc slinpin #10-100) and slowly add to p0wder and gently swirl till mixed. Then draw out mixture with 1.5" needle and inject into vial or leave in syringe and refridgerate. If you add 1cc to 5000ius then every 10mark on your 1ccslinpin will be 500ius of HCG (use E5D) if you want to use 250ius EOD then mix 2cc
s BW into p0wder and then every 10mark will have 250ius..........11
Source:
Thanks to Eleven11 from OLM
