Dangers of HCG Injections for Weight Loss

Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a hormone produced during pregnancy, found in the blood and excreted through urine. HCG injections are prescribed to treat infertility by causing ovulation in women and increasing sperm count in men. Some people also use it to help with weight loss, although no research supports the theory that HCG injections are useful for this purpose.

Misconceptions

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved HCG injections for weight loss. Although doctors can prescribe medications for unapproved, or off-label, use, the FDA requires advertising materials and product labeling for HCG to state that no substantial evidence shows any effectiveness of HCG for weight loss. There also is no substantial evidence that HCG injections can redistribute fat or that it decreases hunger.

Pregnancy Considerations

Women who may become pregnant must be very cautious about using HCG injections for weight loss. The hormone can greatly increase the chances of a multiple pregnancy, resulting in twins, triplets or even more. Multiple pregnancies, particularly those with more than two babies, can be high-risk for both the mother and the babies, and often lead to premature delivery and low birth weight. Additionally, HCG can cause severe birth defects. Women who use HCG injections to treat infertility must stop using the hormone as soon as they become pregnant, and women who use HCG for weight loss must also do so.

Life-Threatening Complication

HCG injections are associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a disorder that can be life-threatening. Symptoms include severe pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the hands or legs, weight gain, difficulty breathing and urinating less than normal. These symptoms occurring while taking HCG injections should be considered a medical emergency.

Rare Serious Effects

Rarely, HCG injections can cause a blood clot. Symptoms include pain, swelling, warmth, redness, and numb or tingling sensations in an arm or leg. A person with a blood clot also might experience dizziness and confusion and develop a severe headache. An additional rare but possible side effect is an allergic reaction to HCG. Signs are a rash or hives, difficulty breathing, throat closing, and facial or mouth swelling.

Contraindications

HCG injections can be dangerous if the patient has a hormone-related cancer or another condition that can be worsened by additional hormones. These types of cancers include prostate, breast, ovary, uterine, hypothalamus and pituitary. Women with an ovarian cyst and anyone with a thyroid or adrenal gland disorder should not use HCG injections.