HCG — Literature-Reported Ranges & Study Protocols

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Every figure on this page is a range reported in published literature or in a publicly documented study protocol. It is a record of what researchers used, not a recommendation, a therapeutic protocol, or advice. Peptide Intel Hub is an independent publication, sells nothing, and describes these compounds as in-vitro research reagents only.

Compound at a glance

Class: Glycoprotein hormone, LH-receptor agonist
Reported half-life: Approximately 24–36 hours
Routes used in the literature: Intramuscular and subcutaneous
Also written as: Human chorionic gonadotropin

What the published studies reported

Each row below describes one body of work. The model and population are part of the figure — a rodent per-kilogram quantity and a human trial quantity are not comparable.

Ovulation trigger in fertility protocols

Reported quantity: 5,000–10,000 IU
Frequency: Single administration
Study duration: Single timepoint in the cycle

This is the most standardised figure in the whole HCG literature.

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism studies

Reported quantity: 1,000–2,500 IU
Frequency: Two to three times weekly
Study duration: 3–24 months

Testicular volume and semen parameters are the reported endpoints.

Testicular-function preservation research

Reported quantity: 250–500 IU
Frequency: Every other day
Study duration: Weeks to months

Lower-frequency figures come from the andrology rather than the fertility literature.

Dosage chart

These figures match the published chart for this compound on peptidedosages.com, including the reconstitution volume, resulting concentration, insulin-syringe units and the staged schedule. Educational reference only — not instructions, and not medical advice.

HCG · 5000 IU Vial

HCG is dosed at 500 IU weekly via subcutaneous injection in educational protocols. Reconstitute the 5000 IU vial with bacteriostatic water before use. This information is for research and educational use only.

Reconstitute: Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 2,500 IU/mL concentration.
Typical dosing: 500 IU subcutaneous, 3× weekly (Mon/Wed/Fri) for testicular maintenance during TRT.
Easy measuring: At 2,500 IU/mL, 1 unit = 25 IU on a U‑100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized: refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) for up to 60 days.

Standard Protocol (2 mL = 2,500 IU/mL)

Week/Phase	Dose per Injection (IU)	Units (per injection) (mL)
Weeks 1–12	500 IU	20 units (0.20 mL)

Source chart on peptidedosages.com

Reconstitution maths

Supplied as IU-labelled lyophilised vials. A 5,000 IU vial in 5 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 1,000 IU/mL, so 0.25 mL draws 250 IU.

Open the reconstitution calculator

How to read these figures

IU, not milligrams, is the unit throughout this literature.
It is a prescription medicine in most jurisdictions and a banned substance in sport.
The 'HCG diet' literature is a separate and comprehensively discredited body of work.

Sources and citations

These are the published records the figures on this page are drawn from. Each one describes what researchers administered, in which model or population, and over what period. Quantities reported in a study are specific to that study's design and are not transferable guidance.

[1]
Low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin maintains intratesticular testosterone in normal men with testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression
Coviello AD, Matsumoto AM, Bremner WJ, et al. · Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2005 · PubMed search: Coviello hCG intratesticular testosterone 2005
Healthy men on testosterone-induced gonadotropin suppression received graded low-dose hCG (125-500 IU every other day) to determine doses that maintain intratesticular testosterone.
View the record
[2]
Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy
Hsieh TC, Pastuszak AW, Hwang K, Lipshultz LI. · Journal of Urology · 2013 · PMID 23260550
Men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy received concomitant intramuscular hCG (500 IU every other day) to preserve spermatogenesis and intratesticular testosterone.
View the record
[3]
Effect of Combined Low Dose Human Gonadotropic Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and Testosterone Therapy (LFT Regimen) Versus Conventional High Dose hCG and FSH on Spermatogenesis
Singhania N, Devi KB, et al. · Endocrine Practice · 2024 · PMID 39025301
Men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were randomized to low-dose versus conventional high-dose hCG/FSH regimens combined with testosterone to compare effects on spermatogenesis.
View the record

Search the databases yourself

Read the HCG research brief

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All research protocols

Peptide Intel Hub is an independent publication and has no affiliation, ownership or commercial relationship with the suppliers listed. We sell nothing and take no payments — links are editorial references only.