HCG

Have you struggled to lose weight despite many attempts and many diet programs? Many patients at Learn2Lose reveal that our program is the first to help them succeed despite numerous previous attempts. Our program utilizes a comprehensive strategy to help you gain control of your weight. Along with dietary and exercise recommendations, nutritional counseling, correction of underlying problems such as metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism, we offer our patients HCG injections.

What is HCG?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, commonly known as hCG, is a naturally occurring glycoprotein hormone produced in large amounts during pregnancy. It is also produced by the pituitary gland in males and females of all ages. HCG supports the immunologic and metabolic function of both mom and baby during pregnancy. The use of hCG as a tool to help combat obesity dates back to the 1950’s when British endocrinologist Albert T.W. Simeon discovered hCG’s effect on fat mobilization. His research was published in the medical periodical The Lancet.

Is HCG Safe?

HCG is very safe when taken under the supervision of a licensed professional authorized to administer and prescribe pharmaceutical HCG. Please don’t ever gamble with your health by obtaining any medications online or from anyone other than a licensed physician or medical practitioner.

Can anyone take HCG?

Although HCG is extremely safe (pregnant women have been exposed to very high levels of HCG since the beginning of time), there are a few medical conditions that may preclude us from prescribing this natural substance to you. Because HCG can stimulate your natural hormones, people with a personal history of hormone dependent cancer or life threatening blood clots should not use this substance.

Is HCG Approved by the FDA?

HCG is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several medical conditions, but it is not approved by the FDA for obesity or weight loss. In fact, the FDA requires pharmaceutical hCG makers to include the following disclaimer on the package insert; “hCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or normal distribution of fat or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets”. Therefore, the use of HCG in the treatment of obesity is considered “Off-Label” by the FDA. The term “Off-Label” is defined as the prescribing of a medication either at a different dosage, for a longer duration, or for a different medical indication than was originally approved by the FDA. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug to be marketed for specific indications, physicians have discretion to treat patients with FDA approved drugs for indications other than FDA approved indications. While the use of HCG for weight management remains controversial, our experience shows that when prescribed under the supervision of an experienced physician like Dr. Croland, HCG can be a safe component of a comprehensive medical weight loss program for both women and men. Of course, there is never a requirement for a patient to utilize any specific treatment to participate in our weight loss program.

If you are interested in learning more about hCG injections as part of a comprehensive weight loss program, please contact the staff at Learn2Lose Center for Weight Management today.

*These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This literature is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease. This information is for educational purposes only.