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4 Warning Signs of Bad HCG Providers

This report has been written for the former, current and future HCG dieter.  The HCG diet has gained a lot of attention over the years and most people know someone who has tried the diet. As with many diets, some people are successful and others aren’t. What makes the HCG diet different is that if you follow it properly it DOES work and it works WELL! I’ve offered this diet at my clinic for a few years now and have seen thousands of patients. Some of my patients have lost the last 10lbs or have lost over 100lbs. It’s safe and I know the HCG diet works because I see its results everyday.

My concern is the recent attempts by the weight loss industry to fool many HCG dieters into buying fake or diluted products that don’t contain the HCG hormone. The weight loss industry has seen this diet work and has tried to reproduce the HCG product idea and sell it for profit.  Those who don’t research the diet and pay close attention can fall prey to these gimmicks.

Watch Out for These Red Flags

Here are my 4 concerns with what is out there and what you should be receiving if you decide to try the HCG diet.

1. Fake HCG

Real hormones (HCG, Estrogen, Testosterone, etc) can’t be purchased from an online store, your local health food store, a tanning salon, eBay, your friend or your neighbor. Hormones are medications and you can only get them from a doctor or a pharmacy with a prescription. To me this is common sense! There is absolutely no other possible way to get real pharmaceutical HCG……PERIOD!

Don’t waste your money and don’t risk your health or success on a cheap fake imitation. Patients sit in my office with me everyday and share stories about how they were scammed and lied to about these so-called HCG products. It doesn’t matter what the label says, if it didn’t come from your MD, DO, NMD, ND or NP don’t trust it.

Chiropractors can’t write prescriptions and if your Chiropractor is selling it, it’s not real. Most of the fake stuff is homeopathic. HCG comes in glass vials as a powder; it is mixed with sterile water for injection. In my office I also mix the HCG powder with a sublingual form of vitamin B12 for those patients who can’t give themselves a shot.

If your doctor or your med spa given you a mixed vial of sublingual HCG, make sure it was mixed with the powdered HCG and that you actually saw it mixed.  If they hand you a vial and say it’s the same thing, don’t trust it. Always read the bottle: if you see HCG on the label with a 1x, 10C, 20X or something like that then it’s fake. It’s the homeopathic form. The FDA and our own Dr. Oz have also given warning to stay away from these products. Sometimes I see med spas selling both the real and fake HCG. Obviously the doctor in charge there does not understand that there is a difference, they are just trying to provide a product that can fit into anyone’s budget without considering the consequences.

2. Wrong Instructions

Dr. Simeons came up with the HCG diet -- he did the research and he formulated the diet and all the rules. We don’t have a lot of information about some of his studies, but we do know one thing: his plan works if you follow it.

Since this diet has become popular again, you see new clinics offering the diet all the time. Most of them change or modify Dr. Simeons’ protocol so that it isn’t the same as he designed it. Some people will still do well and lose the weight and that’s ok. BUT, over time, the number of people that are successful on these alternate plans decreases because the plan becomes so distorted.

I’ve seen clinics offer the HCG diet and it isn’t even close to what Dr. Simeons designed. They should call the diet by another name. They only use the word HCG to attract potential clients. So now the potential HCG dieter has to sift through all these different clinics and find one that hasn’t completely changed everything. 

To be safe, find a clinic that follows ONLY the Dr. Simeons protocol, it’s been implemented for over 50+ years because it works.  If you hear about people who have had poor results on the HCG diet be cautious! They may have had the wrong information or the wrong product, don’t take their word for it. Talk to someone who did it right and was successful, then find out what clinic they went to.

3. Wrong Dosage

HCG has a specific dosage range that makes it work for weight loss. Make sure you know what this dose is. Ask your doctor! Dr. Simeons said in his book “Pounds and Inches” that it needed to be at least 125iu of HCG per injection.  If your doctor is trying to make it this exact dose, be careful -- human error can cause this dose to drop below this level. Give yourself some extra so that you don’t jeopardize getting less that what you need. 

Beginning at least 150iu per dose is a good starting point. HCG can be dosed higher depending on the person and how many times they have done the diet. There is also a proper way to mix the HCG because of the nature of the hormone. After it’s mixed it is only really active for a few weeks. It loses it’s stability and activity and your weight loss results could suffer. Having a 40 day supply of HCG in one vial is not the correct way to mix the HCG. A 40 day supply should be divided into 2 or 3 smaller vials all mixed when needed. The fake HCG drops do not apply here because they don’t contain any real HCG. Check them yourself on a pregnancy test, it will show negative.

4. No Dietary Guidelines or Support

The doctor/clinic you visit for the HCG diet should provide you with a detailed instruction guide about how the diet works and what you should expect. This is very very important. Don’t trust the online blogs or internet sites for your instructions; you need to rely on your doctor to teach you how it works and what to expect.

Your instruction book should also contain information about what to do after the diet. I refer to it as a maintenance diet, and it should be a 3-6 week plan. If it isn’t included in your information guide/packet, then the clinic doesn’t really have your best interest in mind. The maintenance portion of the diet is just as important as the diet itself.

If you leave the clinic with 1 or 2 pieces of paper about how to follow the HCG diet then again, they don’t have your best interest in mind. This is a 500-calorie diet, there are rules and guidelines, and you need to know them. You also need to know what to do if you have problems and or questions. If you are to rely on some sales rep at a med spa to answer your questions then you will be frustrated. Medical advice can only come from a doctor, if someone else other that a doctor is giving you medical advice you should be suspicious. If you don’t get your questions answered in a timely manner then they don’t have your best interest in mind.

Extra HCG Safety tips

Now that you know the four main warning signs, here are some additional tips to help you ensure you're getting real HCG safely. 

• Don’t buy HCG from tanning salons, from phone numbers you see on someone’s car or on the side of the road. Be safe and remember, it’s fake!
• Make sure the clinic follows the Simeons HCG protocol.
• If buying sublingual drops from the doctor, make sure he/she mixes them in front of you or shows you how it’s done.
• REAL pharmaceutical HCG shouldn’t come premixed, you never know how long it’s been on the shelf, it does lose potency, stability and activity after 3-4 weeks.
• Get a recipe book to help put the foods together, it saves time and is less boring.
• Ask your doctor about vitamins, they are very helpful and you probably need them. You do need to avoid certain ones, make sure you know what they are.
• Don’t rearrange your entire life to do this diet -- incorporate it into your life now. It will help you in the long run with your new healthy lifestyle.
• Once on the diet, don’t search for answers to your HCG diet questions online, you will find 100 answers to the same questions. Everyone has an opinion, ask your doctor, he or she has probably heard the question before and can answer it quickly.
• Look up the clinic or med spa on the Better Business Bureau website and verify their reputation.
• If you think you are paying too much you probably are. Any clinic can charge what they want. If it costs more it doesn’t mean it’s better.

With all of this said I hope the importance of finding a reputable clinic that offers the HCG diet is obvious. All of my information comes from my own research, collaboration from other doctors, researchers and from patient feedback after they had tried the diet incorrectly the first time.

HCG: telemedicine Appointments Available

Our HCG is made in the U. S. and comes from a certified compounding pharmacy. Our clinic helps every patient get the best possible experience and results with the HCG diet—this is our commitment and responsibility for each patient. You are given more information about this diet than you know what to do with, and you are supported by our clinic every step of the way. Your questions and concerns are addressed immediately or next day if after hours. 

And most importantly, we follow Dr. Simeons’ HCG diet protocol. If it works and has worked for all these years, why try and change it? We know we offer the most comprehensive service and support in the state, come see for yourself!

There are many reputable HCG clinics out there, just do your research and find one that you know has your best interest and safety at heart.

What is an hCG injection and what is its purpose?

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  An hCG injection is given to a patient in cases where the test shows an insufficient amount of the hormone present in the body. If the independent synthesis of the substance is insufficient, an injection of hCG is useful.

  Injection means the intramuscular administration of preparations containing human chorionic gonadotropin. Among the means used: Pregnil, Profazi, Horagon and others. The main goal of the remedy is to restore hormonal balance and the correct functioning of the reproductive system. Doctors recommend an hCG injection in cases where a woman is planning a pregnancy and wants to normalize ovulation and be sure of the normal activity of the corpus luteum. nine0003
  

  What is chorionic gonadotropin?

  The abbreviation hCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Its structure is a combination of alpha and beta units. Alpha is similar in structure to TSH and FSH, and beta is unique and it is she who affects the pregnancy rate during the test.

  Beta units are produced in the early stages of pregnancy, up to 10 weeks. At week 11, their number increases dramatically, and this growth indicates the active development of the embryo and the normal course of pregnancy. Then the indicators stop increasing and remain stable until the baby is born. Focusing on the level of the hormone, the increase and decrease in its volume, doctors make assumptions and conclusions about the health and activity of the fetus, the presence or absence of pathologies and anomalies, as well as the general course of pregnancy. nine0003

  A pregnant woman should undergo examinations that show not only the level of hCG, but also the synthesis of antibodies in the body that oppose the hormone. They interfere with the normal functioning of the protein, and lower the level of placental hormones. A normal level of hCG is conducive to the preservation of the fetus and blunts the immune functions of the body, excluding rejection. An analysis for the beta component can be prescribed to a non-pregnant woman and even a man for a preliminary assessment of the presence of hormone-dependent tumors. nine0003

  HCG indicators are monitored through regular examinations with comments by the leading doctor, as well as by self-comparison of the results with the hCG table.

  
  

  When is an hCG injection recommended?

  Doctors advise to have a hormone injection after receiving the results of the test for its level. In general, the administration of effective drugs is recommended in the following cases:

  • Dysmenorrhea,
  • Ovarian problems,
  • Disadvantages of the ovulation process,
  • Corpus luteum problems,
  • The prospect of a miscarriage,
  • Unsuitability of the body to bear a child,
  • Pre-in vitro fertilization therapy,
  • Formation of placental tissue.

  Medications, which include hCG, are used in reproductive procedures of various specifics, since the hormone has a positive effect on the functioning of the ovaries. nine0003
  

  HCG injection

  Intramuscular administration of the drug implies the possibility of self-injection, if the woman has the necessary experience and knowledge, but can also be carried out in a medical institution. You can also call a nurse at home. It should be taken into account that hCG injections are carried out in a course, so it is worth preparing for therapy in advance.

  An injection of hCG is given in the abdomen. For many women, this is a frightening fact, since many are used to injections in the buttocks and do not really understand the meaning of such prescriptions. An injection in the stomach is more effective. To carry it out, measure the distance of two fingers from the navel to the left or right side. Then, with the fingers, the skin of the abdomen is collected in a small fold and a needle is inserted into it. It does not enter the skin completely. The most relevant tool will be an insulin needle, which is used for injections in diabetes mellitus. The needle must first be sterilized in an alcohol solution. nine0003

  Recommended injection doses may vary depending on medical prescription and individual situation. The most popular dosages of the substance that can be purchased at the pharmacy are the standards of 500.1000, 1500, 5000 and 10000 units.

  Depending on the indications, a different number of hCG injections may be recommended, aimed at creating the necessary conditions for pregnancy. The standard norm of the drug for each application is 5-10 thousand units. Assessing the change in the situation, the doctor may prescribe a lower dose after a few injections. When conducting hormone therapy, the size of the follicles is taken into account so as not to motivate excessive stimulation of the ovaries. nine0003

  The main indication for HCG injection is diagnosed infertility. Some time after hormone therapy, an ultrasound scan is performed, which makes it possible to clarify the presence of positive changes. If expectations are justified, an hCG injection is given to stimulate ovulation. The positive effect of the hormone also lies in the fact that it does not give the follicles the opportunity to regress.

  When stimulating superovulation as part of the reproductive program, the patient is given a single injection of about 10 thousand units of human chorionic gonadotropin, which ensures the growth of several follicles at once, which will later become eggs. 36 hours after the injection, you can choose the egg that best meets the requirements for artificial conception. nine0003

  If doctors diagnose a threatened miscarriage, the maximum dose is administered by injection of hCG, and then 5 thousand units of the hormone are administered twice a week. In order for hormone therapy to retain its relevance and effectiveness, it is necessary to start it before the eighth week of pregnancy, and its completion should be scheduled closer to the 14th week of the term.

  
  

  Recommendations for pregnant women

  An injection of hCG is recommended for a pregnant woman when there is not enough human chorionic gonadotropin in her body for a comfortable pregnancy and the development of a healthy fetus. Before giving instructions on the need for hormone therapy, the doctor asks to retake the analysis for the hormone level and draws conclusions based on several studies. nine0003

  The hCG norm is a vague concept, so you should not be afraid of minor deviations up or down. But, when the results of your test differ from the standards indicated in the hCG table, you need to conduct hormonal therapy and identify the reasons for the deviation from the norm.

  Non-compliance with standards can be caused by various pathologies and anomalies, including:

  • Ectopic pregnancy,
  • Illegal pregnancy,
  • Problems in the formation of the placenta,
  • Risk of miscarriage.

  When resorting to hormonal therapy, one should not forget about the possible side effects that the use of drugs can lead to. The use of chorionic gonadotropin can be fraught with the formation of a follicular cyst and other pathologies. Products containing hCG are not recommended for the following reasons:

  • When lactating,
  nine0011 Early menopause,
  • In case of tumors in the ovaries and pituitary gland,
  • For thrombophlebitis,
  • In case of obstruction of the fallopian tubes,
  • If allergic.

  If a married couple is faced with the impossibility of spontaneous conception, reproductive specialists find out what is the cause of the problem by analyzing the results of tests and examinations that both partners undergo. If a lack of chorionic gonadotropin is confirmed, an hCG injection is indicated. Correctly calculated effect of hormonal therapy helps to successfully carry out artificial insemination, comfortably endure and give birth to a healthy baby. nine0003
  

  What low hCG indicates

  During pregnancy, significant changes occur in the female body that are necessary for the normal development of the unborn child. One of the most global changes is a change in the hormonal background, which affects not only the physical, but also the emotional state of a woman. Important for the development of the fetus is a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. It supports the functioning of the corpus luteum and provides many other functions. nine0003

  What is hCG

  HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin - is produced in large quantities in the female body during pregnancy. It is also synthesized in non-pregnant women and men, but in very small amounts. In this case, its increase requires an urgent consultation of a specialist, since an increase in this hormone without pregnancy indicates the development of an oncological disease. If you find an increased level of the hormone (in the absence of pregnancy or in men), you should contact your general practitioner, family doctor or oncologist to clarify the state of health. nine0003

  HCG is produced by the chorion (upper germinal membrane) of the fetus almost immediately after it is implanted in the uterus. The presence of hCG and its rapid increase indicates the normal development of pregnancy.

  HCG is a gonadotropic hormone, similar to follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, which are synthesized by the pituitary gland, but differ from them in amino acid sequence. It consists of two subunits - α and β. The α-subunit is identical to the α-subunits of follicle-stimulating, luteinizing and thyroid-stimulating hormones, and the β-subunit has a biological and immunoreactive uniqueness specifically for human chorionic gonadotropin. Therefore, the β-subunit is used as a biochemical marker in prenatal screenings. In addition, the "home" test for pregnancy in the form of a strip is based on determining the presence of the β-subunit. nine0003

  Functions of hCG

  The main task of human chorionic gonadotropin is to prolong the existence of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone (a hormone necessary for the development of the fetus). At the same time, under the influence of hCG, the corpus luteum produces a very large amount of progesterone, which is impossible during the normal functioning of the body of a non-pregnant woman.

  The corpus luteum forms at the site of a ruptured follicle after the release of an egg from it (ovulation). In a normal menstrual cycle, the corpus luteum exists for about 10-12 days, after which it dissolves. When pregnancy occurs, hCG does not allow it to disappear so that the production of progesterone does not stop. HCG will maintain the existence of the corpus luteum until the placenta of the fetus fully matures and begins to produce the required amount of progesterone on its own, i. e. by the end of the first trimester. nine0003

  Thus, the level of the hormone begins to increase rapidly from the first days of pregnancy: starting from 0-25 mIU / ml and reaching approximately 200,000 mIU / ml by the twelfth week of pregnancy. Further, the level of hCG will gradually decrease, while still continuing to remain quite high.

  In addition, human chorionic gonadotropin has an effect on the secretion of hormones in the adrenal cortex. An increase in the synthesis of glucocorticoids in pregnant women plays an important role in the mechanisms of adaptation of the female body to a stressful state, which, in essence, is pregnancy. Also, glucocorticoids provide physiological immunosuppression, which is necessary to support the development of a semi-foreign organism, i.e. fetus. nine0003

  Chorionic gonadotropin has a beneficial effect on the development of the placenta, improving its trophism, and helps to increase the number of chorionic villi. HCG is also used to stimulate ovulation during assisted reproductive technologies. An hCG injection is a mandatory component during IVF. HCG contributes to the normal completion of the maturation of the follicles and provokes the release of eggs to the outside.

  IVF procedure in Kaliningrad is possible in the IVF Center clinic. The clinic's specialists have extensive experience in various ART methods, including IVF. nine0003

  When to check the level of hCG

  In order to check the presence of pregnancy, women, in most cases, firstly carry out a pregnancy test using a special strip. Such a test strip can be bought at any pharmacy or supermarket. A blood test for hCG levels is one of the first tests that a woman will take after IVF to confirm pregnancy. Usually the test is carried out after a few days of delay in menstruation. With a planned pregnancy or after IVF, it is not rational to conduct a test earlier than 2 weeks after ovulation or embryo transfer: you can get a false result. nine0003

  Despite the fact that hCG begins to be synthesized in the body immediately after the implantation of the embryo in the uterus, its level in the urine will always be several times lower than in the blood. Therefore, the most informative is a blood test for the content of hCG in it. For examination, venous blood is used, which is taken on an empty stomach.

  According to the level of chorionic hormone in the blood, you can determine the course of pregnancy if you monitor its performance in dynamics. The level should increase tens of thousands of times a week. With multiple pregnancies, the level will be even higher: hCG increases in proportion to the number of fetuses. nine0003

  It should be noted that the same laboratory should be used to track the growth of hCG. This is due to the fact that laboratories may use different research methods: equipment and reagents may differ. The units of measurement may also differ.

  The study of hCG in dynamics also allows you to notice a decrease in its level in time, which may indicate the appearance of pregnancy developmental disorders.

  In addition to the course of pregnancy, hCG analysis is part of prenatal screenings, which are carried out in the first and second trimester, to identify the risk of genetic abnormalities (Down syndrome, Edwards, etc. ). During screenings, the hCG β-subunit is examined, as well as indicators of other hormones, the results of preliminary ultrasound and the incoming questionnaire data, which indicate the history of the pregnant woman. If the screening results show a high risk of pathologies, the woman is referred for invasive examinations, which will more accurately show the condition of the fetus. nine0003

  Low hCG in ectopic pregnancy

  An ectopic pregnancy is a condition in which a fertilized egg is implanted elsewhere in the female reproductive system than in the uterine wall. In most cases, this site is the fallopian tubes. This condition is very dangerous for a woman's health: it can cause deformation of the reproductive organs, severe bleeding, and even death. An ectopic pregnancy is difficult to diagnose right away because its onset is very similar to a normal pregnancy. During an ectopic pregnancy, menstruation is delayed, the level of the hormone in the blood begins to rise, respectively, and the test strip will give a positive result. nine0003

  In the early stages, an ectopic pregnancy can only be detected by ultrasound. A signal to check the localization of implantation will be low hCG. With an ectopic pregnancy, the hCG level will first rise as usual, and then it will begin to drop sharply. That is why it is useful to conduct a study of hCG in dynamics.

  An ectopic pregnancy can only be treated with surgery. If an ectopic pregnancy is localized in the fallopian tube, then it must be removed to preserve the rest of the reproductive system and the health of the woman. nine0003

  Low hCG with a threatened miscarriage

  In addition to an ectopic pregnancy, low hCG can signal pregnancy problems: the appearance of a threatened miscarriage, placental insufficiency, miscarriage. In these situations, a decrease in the level of the hormone may be accompanied by the appearance of bleeding from the uterus: abundant or slight.

  Bloody discharge in combination with low hCG is the basis for a serious examination of a woman and often hospitalization.

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