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HCG - Human chorionic gonadotropin
HCG - Human chorionic gonadotropin HCG, is not an
anabolic/androgenic steroid but a natural protein hormone which
develops in the placenta of a pregnant woman. HCG is formed in
the placenta immediately after nidation. It has luteinizing
characteristics since it is quite similar to the luteinizing
hormone LH in the anterior pituitary gland. During the first 6-8
weeks of a pregnancy the formed HCG allows for continued
production of estrogens and gestagens in the yellow bodies
(corpi luteum).Later on, the placenta itself produces these two
hormones. HCG is manufactured from the urine of pregnant women
since it is exereted in unchanged form from the blood via the
woman's urine, passing through the kidneys. The commercially
available HCG is sold as a dry substance and can be used both in
men and women. In women injectable HCG allows for owlation since
it influences the last stages of the development of the ovum,
thus stimulating ovulation. It also helps produce estrogens and
yellow bodies.
The fact that exogenous HCG has characteristics almost identical
to those of the luteinizing hormone (LH) which, as mentioned, is
produced in the hypophysis, makes HCG so very interesting for
athletes. In a man the luteinizing hormone stimulates the
Leydig's cells in the testes; this in turn stimulates production
of androgenic hormones (testosterone). For this reason athletes
use injectable HCG to increase the testosterone production. HCG
is often used in combination with anabolic/androgenic steroids
during or after treatment. As mentioned, oral and injectable
steroids cause a negative feedback after a certain level and
duration of usage. A signal is sent to the
hypothalamohypophysial testicular axis since the steroids give
the hypothalamus an incorrect signal. The hypothalamus, in turn,
signals the hypophysis to reduce or stop the production of FSH
(follicle stimulating hormone) and of LH. Thus, the testosterone
production decreases since the testosterone-producing Leydig's
cells in the testes, due to decreased LH, are no longer
sufficiently stimulated. Since the body usually needs a certain
amount of time to get its testosterone production going again,
the athlete, after discontinuing steroid compounds, experiences
a difficult transition phase which often goes hand in hand with
a considerable loss in both strength and muscle mass.
Administering HCG directly after steroid treatment helps to
reduce this condition because HCG increases the testosterone
production in the testes very quickly and reliably. In the event
of testicular atrophy caused by megadoses and very long periods
of usage, HCG also helps to quickly bring the testes back to
their original condition (size). Since occasional injections of
HCG during steroid intake can avoid a testicular atrophy,many
athletes use HCG for two to three weeks in the middle of their
steroid treatment. It is often observed that during this time
the athlete makes his best progress with respect to gains in
both strength and muscle mass. The reasons for this is clear. On
the one hand, by taking HCG the athlete's own testosterone level
immediately jumps up and, on the other hand, a large
concentration of anabolic substances in the blood is induced by
the steroids. Many bodybuilders, powerlifters, and weightlifters
report a lower sex drive at the end of a difficult workout
cycle, immediately before or after a competition, and especially
toward the end of a steroid treatment. Athletes who have often
taken steroids in the past usually accept this fact since they
know that it is a temporary condition. Those, however who are on
the juice all year round, who might suffer psychological
consequences or who would perhaps risk the breakup of a
relationship because of this should consider this drawback when
taking HCG in regular intervals. A reduced libido and
spermatogenesis due to steroids in most cases, can be
successfully cured by treatment with HCG.
Most athletes, however, use HCG at the end of a treatment in
order to avoid a "crash," that is, to achieve the best possible
transition into "natural training." A precondition, however, is
that the steroid intake or dosage be reduced slowly and evenly
before taking HCG. Although HCG causes a quick and significant
increase of the endogenic plasmatestosterone level,
unfortunately it is not a perfect remedy to prevent the loss of
strength and mass at the end of a steroid treatment. The athlete
will only experience a delayed re-adjustment, as has often been
observed. Although HCG does stimulate endogenous testosterone
production, it does not help in reestablishing the normal
hypothalamic/pituitary testicular axis. The hypothalamus and
pituitary are still in a refractory state after prolonged
steroid usage, and remain this way while HCG is being used,
because the endogenous testosterone produced as a result of the
exogenous HCG represses the endogenous LH production. Once the
HCG is discontinued, the athlete must still go through a
re-adjustment period. This is merely delayed by the HCG use. For
this reason experienced athletes often take Clomid and
Clenbuterol following HCG intake or they immediately begin
another steroid treatment. Some take HCG merely to get off the
"steroids" for at least two to three weeks.
Many bodybuilders, unfortunately, are still of the opinion that
HCG helps them become harder while preparing for a competion by
breaking down subcutaneous fat so that indentations and
vascularity are better exposed. The HCG package insert states
clearly that HCG has no known effect of fat mobilization,
appetite or sense of hunger, or body fat distribution. HCG has
not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the
treatment of obesity, it does not increase fat losses beyond
that resulting from caloric restriction.
Athlete should iniect one HCG ampule (5000 I.U.) every 5
days.Since the testosterone level, as explained, remains
considerably elevated for several days, it is unnecessary to
inject HCG more than once every 5 days. The relative dose is at
the discretion of the athlete and should be determined based on
the duration of his previous steroid intake and on the strength
of the various steroid compounds. Athletes who take steroids for
more than three months and athletes who use primarily the highly
androgenic steroids such as Anadrol,Sustanon Cypionate ,
Dianabol (D-bol), etc. should take a relatively high dosage. The
effective dosage for athletes is usually 2000-5000 I.U. per
injection and should-as already mentioned-be injected every 5
days. HCG should only be taken for a 4 weeks maximum.
If HCG is taken by male athletes over many weeks and in high
dosages, it is possible that the testes will respond poorly to a
later HCG intake and a release of the body's own LH. This could
result in a permanent inadequate gonadal function. Cycles on the
HCG should be kept down to around 3 weeks at a time with an off
cycle of at least a month in between. For example, one might use
the HCG for 2 or 3 weeks in the middle of a cycle, and for 2 or
3 weeks at the end of a cycle. It has been speculated that the
prolonged use of HCG could permanently, repress the body's own
production of gonadotropins. This is why short cycles are the
best way to go.
HCG can in part cause side effects similar to those of
injectable testosterone. A higher testosterone production also
goes hand in hand with an elevated estrogen level which could
result in gynecomastia. This could manifest itself in a
temporary growth of breasts or reinforce already existing breast
growth in men. Farsighted athletes thus combine HCG with an
antiestrogen. Male athletes also report more frequent erections
and an inereased sexual desire. In high doses it can cause acne
vulgaris and the storing of minerals and water. The last point
must especially be observed since the water retention which is
possible through the use of HCG could give the muscle system a
puffy and watery appearance. Athletes who have already increased
their endogenous testosterone level by taking Clomid and intend
subsequently to take HCG could experience considerable water
retention and distinct feminization symptoms (gynecomastia,
tendency toward fat deposits on the hips). This is due to the
fact that high testosterone leads to a high conversion rate to
estrogens. In very young athletes HCG, like anabolic steroids,
can cause an early stunting of growth since it prematurely
closes the epiphysial growth plates.Mood swings and high blood
pressure can also be attributed to the intake of HCG. HCG is
also suitable as "over bridge" doping before a competition with
doping controls.
HCG's form of administration is also unusual. The substance
choriongonadotropin is a white powdery freeze-dried substance
which is usually used as a compress. Based on the low structural
stability of this compress it can easily fall apart, thus giving
the impression of a reduced volume. This is, however,
insignificant since there is neither a loss in effect nor a loss
of substance. Each package, for each HCG ampule, includes
another ampule with an injection solution containing isotonic
sodium chloride. This liquid, after both ampules have been
opened in a sterile manner, is injected into the HCG ampule and
mixed with the dried substance. The solution is then ready for
use and should be injected intramuscularly. If only part of the
substance is injected the residual solution should be stored in
the refrigerator. It is not necessary to store the unmixed HCG
in the refrigerator; however, it should be kept out of light and
below a temperature of 25° C.
HCG is a relatively expensive compound. Pregnyl costs approx.$36
-45 for 3 ampules of 5000 I.U. each and the relative solution
ampules. The other compounds have a similar price and are $12
-15 for 5000 I.U. The 5000 I.U. ampules are the most economic
and, in our opinion, also the most sensible for bodybuilders,
powerlifters and weightlifters. There are currently only a few
fakes of HCG. Since the dry substance of HCG is somewhat similar
to the dry substance of Somatropin often "cheap" HCG is sold as
"expensive" HGH on the black market. This circumstance was
probably Ben Johnson's downfall during his second positive
doping test with his increased testosterone/epitestosterone
value in early 1993 (see also growth hormones HGH).
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