HCG Side Effects, HCG injections side effects, side effects of HCG

HCG Injections Side Effects

People on HCG Weight Loss Program may worry about HCG side effects. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what HCG is; HCG is actually an acronym which means Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The hormone is naturally produced within the body of a woman when she becomes pregnant, and this particular hormone becomes present in urine. In fact, over-the-counter pregnancy tests test for this hormone to indicate if a woman is with child or not. HCG is also used as a diet aid and this has drawn considerable attention to the possible HCG injection side effects (side effects of HCG shot) that may exist.

HCG is presently relied upon as a medication for fertility and it is also used to safely promote the production of testosterone in males. This hormone is further used for weight loss endeavors with considerable success. In the early 1950s, Dr. A.T.W. Simeon from the United Kingdom revealed that injections and oral supplements of the HCG hormone assisted dieters in managing a super low calorie diet and that HCG injections prove to work excellent as an appetite suppressant. Experts assert that an individual can easily maintain a diet consisting of as little as 500 calories daily without experiencing tremendous hunger.

When HCG shots are used for fertility reasons, the larger amount is known to cause occasional headaches, and pregnancy symptoms. However, the amount differences between HCG used for Weight Loss (125 IU to 200IU) and HCG for fertility purpose (10,000 IU) is significantly different. So there are rarely side effects reported while using HCG diet injections, or oral hCG for weight loss.

The HCG side effects, or HCG injection side effects (side effects of HCG shot) one will have to keep an eye out for include the onset of headaches, irritability, restlessness, slight water retention, tenderness of breast tissue, swelling of the injection sight, and depression. If a user of HCG products notes any side effects, it is recommended that he or she cease using the products immediately and that he or she seek out the assistance of a physician.

175 Comments so far »

by Ebony, on May 10 2009 @ 5:29 am

Side effects are relatively minimal. There are more positive effects than negative effects. Look over this benefits I found out there:

Benefits of the hCG Weight Loss Diets:

1. Oral hCG combined with a very low calorie diet tricks and reset your hypothalamus to liberates from 2000 to 4000 calories per day from the abnormal fat stores of your body.

2. The oral hCG diet targets the abnormal fat – the fat you cannot lose with diet and exercise – and your skin retracts as you lose the fat improving skin tenderness leaving zero hanging rolls.

3. The oral hCG diet will make your body undergo some amazing transformations by losing fat and weight. Your body contour will actually change decreasing its circumference and will reprogram itself making adjustments to its metabolic weight.

4. After you stop receiving oral hCG treatment you will likely find that your appetite has changed. After oral hCG diet your stomach become used to eating smaller quantities of food and you will have made drastic changes to your eating behavior that will stay with you for life.

5. To maintain the hCG diet results you gained from your hCG oral treatment, it is also beneficial to implement a regular exercise routine to keep those pounds off.

6. With the help of oral hCG diet your body will adjust to a lower calories diet – while other weight loss programs this few calories can results in a loss of muscle mass – those on oral hCG diet, however, do not experience this side effect.

7. While shedding extra pounds helps to improve the overall health of a person on the hCG diet, researchers also believe hCG helps to normalize the cholesterol levels, to normalize the thyroid gland and to balance the hormones while rebuilding the adrenaline glands.

8. People on the oral hCG diet routinely report experiencing less irritability and generally feeling in a better mood, having more restful sleep and feeling more energized while undergoing the therapy.

9. Most customers find oral hCG to be inexpensive, convenient and highly effective.
by Kim, on May 12 2009 @ 10:10 am

Can you share any stories about your personal experience, recipes, any cheating…
by Val, on August 1 2009 @ 6:22 am

I am on my third weekly injection..I started noticing a lighter mood, less stress, heavier sleep and yes my appetite has indeed diminished. My problem area has been my mid-section (pear shaped) and is a huge bone of contention when wearing clothes. Today I noticed my stomach was not as bloated or round. I use the B-12 shots in conjunction with this (slim-shot) and so far the worse aspect is the stinging of the slim-shot. This has to be injected very slowly by someone who knows what they are doing if you dont want to dread this shot..
by jessica, on November 6 2009 @ 5:52 am

there is no empirical evidence of this drug actually working and affecting weight loss..it is the low caloric intake that causes such drastic weight loss…not the administration of some pregnancy hormone.It is an unsafe diet scam operated best through the placebo effect.
by Nic, on January 9 2010 @ 2:56 am

I have seen the results of persons who have been on this product.WOW. I am so impressed that I am now on day 3 and I feel great even though it is so early in the program. I am looking forward to not seeing sagging skin and fitting into all my pre preg clothes from 7 years ago!!!
by Kelly Leal, on January 9 2010 @ 2:57 pm

becarfull, i being witout air , i really though i was having a heart attack, after months on the treatment, it just got to me, i have being in the emr 3 times, please becarfull , if you fill different than normal, stpo the treatment… it's a life treatning…
by Jan, on April 14 2010 @ 7:28 am

I am a 38 year old female and have been on the shots for 15 days so far and have lost 10 pounds. The weight loss is great but I have noticed I get "winded" easily when going up a flight of stairs or carrying my youngest child around. My blood pressure is also up a little bit higher than normal (still in the safe zone though). I am glad I don't have headaches like other diets but I do get hungry even with the shots.
by lisa, on April 14 2010 @ 1:59 pm

I think this is a dream come true for those who now what i mean im very happy this pasted my way im very happy now i can walk with a smile on my face and my kids think im the prettiest mom .thanks to HCG.
by Amanda, on April 17 2010 @ 6:26 am

I just finished my first week of phase 2. I've lost weight which is great. However, I'm not finding it to be very easy. I'm starving constantly (my stomach actually wakes me up at night growling), my mood is worse, and the weight has come off, but I don't notice it physically. I thought I'd notice 8 pounds gone, but my clothes still fit the same. They had to pull me off of the shots because of the skin reactions I was getting and have to be tested to make sure I can tolerate the oral, but don't know that I want to because I'm aboslutely miserable.
by SJ, on April 28 2010 @ 7:18 pm

I notice that many that have responded with negative side effects did not explain the reason why this happened. We must pay attention that with this diet there is a protocol to follow, and this should still remain even after the hCG treatment has stopped. If you know that you did not completely follow the protocol or you had an allergic reaction which caused the negative effect,this should be announced. You may not have to eat a 500 cal meal per day, but you still need to watch what you eat and do so in moderation. Lastly, I am wondering if those who have had these horrible side effects were having the hCG administered by injection or orally? It makes a difference…most of the negative connotation surroung the treatment, were from those who received the injections. As stated above in the blog, the amount of IU’s used makes a huge difference in how the body will be effected. Specify: Injection or Oral. I beleive this would help many other’s looking for answers.
by Bonnie, on May 3 2010 @ 2:25 pm

I did the injection diet for four weeks. Although I lost 20 pounds, my clothing still seems to fit me. Also, I had a quad bypass a year ago, and now I'm finding that I'm spending a lot of time in the hospital due to chest pain. ALSO, my hair is falling out in gobs every time I wash my hair. I've always had healthy hair, but it's disappearing FAST. Anyone else experiencing hair loss?
by Judy Call, on May 4 2010 @ 7:44 am

Ever since I have started the diet, I am doing the shots. I have experienced alot of light headedness. I not dizzy, just very light headed, kinda spacey!! My doctor and I felt it was related to my B/P. Which I disconntinued taking the medication. And the B/P has stablilized to 120/80. It had fallen to 97/70.

Even after that, I am experiencing extreme to mild light headedness every day. I am loosing weight, that I am happy about. I don't like this light headed feeling. Help!!
by jess, on May 13 2010 @ 11:11 pm

somebody wrote how they were taken off shots due to skin reactions? What kind? Ive lost 10 pounds my first week i feel great but I have broken out terribly on my face..could this be a reaction?
by Samantha, on May 17 2010 @ 6:06 pm

I am interested in HCG injections I have a doctors appointment this thursday…I have noticed through everything I have read that there are a lot of mixed feelings on how well HCG works.Any suggestions? At this point I am willing to try anything!
by Anonymous, on May 25 2010 @ 12:48 am

I’ve been on HCG for four weeks, I’m having increased uric acids which give me painfl episodes of Gout. This is very painful, my urine is very strong and burns badly. I have increased my water intake. This is some relief but not enough. My weight loss is good but I wonder if it’s worth the pain I deal with from Gout.
by Sylinlv, on June 10 2010 @ 6:34 pm

Has anyone had a metallic taste in their mouth or gums? Kinda sweet and metal at the same time.
by Amy, on June 19 2010 @ 7:30 am

I took the injections for 6 weeks last Oct/Nov. In Jan I started suddenly losing hair. Months later it isn't as bad, but it is thin all over and my hair doesn't grow and even with all the hair loss products I've been using for 4 months now it is still thin. Has anyone else noticed this? does the hair eventually start growing and thickening or is this permanent? Also noticed shortness of breath when exercising now and trouble urinating.
by Another anonymous, on June 19 2010 @ 3:52 pm

I GAINED 10 lbs. on the first phase – 3 day load. In phase two I lost NOTHING! My hair is falling out, too, and I am bloated, moody and depressed. My clothes are tight, and I am pissed. DON'T DO THIS TO YOURSELF!!!!!
by Bruce, on June 20 2010 @ 8:36 am

I have been on the injections for 3 weeks now and have lost 23 lbs. I have stayed with the protocol very closely which is critical to weight loss. I go to my market and have them portion out the meat/poultry/fish to 4oz portions and I stay with the recommended vegetables. In addition, my doctor provided water loss pills if needed and a hunger suppresant in case I go out with my wife or friends and feel that I want to have more than my alloted calories for that meal. The side effects I have experienced are light headedness and constipation but that is easily addressed. My body has begun to shrink and I feel confidant I will lose an additional 25 lbs within the next three weeks for a total weight loss of 45-50lbs. The end result is well worth some of the discomfort during the six week period. I had to lose weight and this is the only program I have found that works. I will likely use this protocol one more time to get to my desired weight of 220lbs which is the weight I graduated from college 39 years ago.
by L, on June 26 2010 @ 12:25 pm

There seem to be a lot of people out there willing to make money off of those who are hopeful. In a long discussion with my doctor this week he said he did a lot of researching before starting HCG for a patient who requested it. He said he saw no complications or negative side-effects due to HCG injections. He doesn't feel homeopathic or similar ones really work right. His conclusion is that only the injections work, and the subcuteaneous work the best. You must follow the protocol exactly. First you must load the first two days so you will not run out of energy later. You must drink an exceptional amount of water to help your body eliminate what it is processing. The protocol DOES reset your metabololism. The diet is not a starvation diet as you only do it while injecting the HCG which pulls fat and therefore many,many more useable calories out for fuel. That particular fat (read up about the types) is used and not muscle. I suspect those who are having problems are #1 not under a doctor's care while doing injections or are not following the protocol exactly. If you've got other weird symptoms then you need to be seen by a qualified physician!
by Judy, on June 30 2010 @ 11:07 am

Do NOT risk your life to lose weight! Those of you who said the benefits far out way the risks are going to be crying after a few months when you are short of breath, tired all the time and find out you have breast cancer.

What is the function of hCG normally in the body? It is secreted by the placenta to make blood clots to support the placenta helping it be secure to the uterus. So, you can be expecting to see lots of large blood clots during your monthly cycle. It will cause clots, so if you don't have a uterus don't think you are safe….your clots can be ANYWHERE in your body and be extremely fatal.

If you have already been getting these injections please have your doctor order a "BT" blood test for early detection of breast cancer. It is fully covered by insurance and is much more accurate than other cancer markers and mammograms.
by BETH, on July 3 2010 @ 12:27 pm

I have been on HCG on and off for 1 month with the experience of severe hungar still and I purchased the appeptite suppressant as well, I have seen fabulous results in this product with the people I work with at the hospital. I have to admit there are bout's of depression. And this is one thing I do not suffer from, I have been on it strict now for 5 days with weight loss of 1 lb only, and still craving sweets and carbs. Any suggestions ????
by MM, on July 6 2010 @ 1:58 pm

I have been on HCg for 2wks now and have lost 15lbs. The first day I got a headache but after that I have not had any negative side effects. My skin is firm and glowing and I don't feel hungry nor weak. Apart from the weight loss, my body is shrinking. My bust size has reduced from ridiculous to normal and my waistline is shaping up nicely. Having spent more than 20 years of my life on the diet roller coaster, I believe this diet is godsend. There are several people in my office who have tried it and are only experiencing the joys of weightloss after many years of trying EVERYTHING. My advice to those who are indecisive is to research HCG thoroughly until you are comfortable that you have enough information and most importantly, follow the diet protocol CAREFULLY. This is the only way it works. Bear in mind it's only a few weeks of sacrifice for years to make up for years of poor eating habits, low self-esteem and a poor body image. So, while I do not want to convince anybody to do anything that they are reluctant to do, I can safely say that HCG is working wonders for me. GOOD LUCK TO ALL.
by Gregg, on July 6 2010 @ 8:25 pm

I think it is a big joke and a waist of moneyI used it for a week and i cheated on it I lost 12 pounds in 5 days but when I cheated it came backthe very next day so wtf people its not the hcg it is the 500 cal diet dont be scamed.
by Kelly, on July 8 2010 @ 9:19 am

I have been on the drops for a week and lost 5lbs but just recently ended up in the urgent care for sudden elbow joint swelling with heat and redness, face flushing and arm rash bilaterally. Took benadryl and got a steroid shot. Think it might be fe the niacin in the vitamin drops? Anyone else have this problem????
by John, on July 8 2010 @ 8:15 pm

Weight loss from HCG in conjunction w/the diet protocol is NOT a scam.Sure you can lose a lot of weight on a starvation diet of only 500 cal. a day,without the HCG.However,that weight loss will be loss of muscle before fat loss.(muscle is high in protein)Protein burns easier as an energy source in the body.This is what causes the withering away in starvation diets.You lose muscle first.Fat is much harder to burn.HCG liberates fat stores in the body.Here's an analogy:You have an apple,takes a little work to chew it & consume it.You take that same apple,throw it in the blender,you got apple sauce,now you can practically drink it.HCG's "the BLENDER",the APPLESAUCE is the liberated FAT,your body can now burn easier.The restricted 500 cal. diet is so that your body is forced to burn the fat off.If a persons daily caloric need averages 2,000 cal a day,then in this example your body is burning up the other 1,500 cal from fat stores.You are NOT starving your body here.There is a metabolic change here as well.Other extreme diets where a person loses weight too quickly leaves gross skin folds.This is the exception w/HCG.Your skin actually shrinks along w/the fat,so NO gross skin folds that need to be surgically removed.
by Amanda, on August 22 2010 @ 1:48 pm

I am now on day 28 of the shots…and I have lost a total of 31 lbs!!! I have followed everything to a science. I'm not hungry, I havn't had headaches, and I feel great. The only thing negative has been that I've had some bleeding between periods, which I'm gonna chalk up to overstimulation of the ovaries. That is apparently a side effect of hCGl. However, overall I believe this diet, when followed correctly, is a life saver. My mom lost 35 lbs and my dad lost 45 in their first round!!! I'm hoping to get to 40 before I'm done. The key to not putting the weight back on is NO CHEATING! The way the hCG works it targets abnormal fat stores, so when you put regular food in it stops working and retains as much fat as possible. Good luck to anyone who tries this! It worked for me.
by Ira, on August 27 2010 @ 2:00 pm

Can you take Hcg with high blood pressure medicine? If you can where can I find a doctor in my area that adminstrators this diet shot.
by J, on August 29 2010 @ 3:09 pm

Yes I have lost 50 pounds on it and have another 30 pounds to lose. I was taking two blood pressure pills a day for total of 100 mg. I am down mto 25mg a day.
by E, on September 1 2010 @ 6:15 pm

I have been on it for 5 days! It is amazing. I have not been a bit hungry. I have been eating 2 oranges a day, vegetables and 1 piece of fish and one piece of beef or 2 pieces of fish. I started at 162 and I am down to 154 today. I have been drinking 100+ oz of water a day. The fist 2 days I got some red bumps on my face but they went away after the 3rd day. I just made sure not to put any lotion or anything on it. I just needed to let it dry out and breathe. I have been to the gym every day for 1 hr. No cardio just weight lifting (low/med weight 3 sets of 15 on all areas of my body). I love the way my body is looking!!!! Nothing Negative here. I am also type 1 diabetic and I have gone from 30-40 units of Humalog a day to 5-9 units total all day! On my lantis I have gone from 35 units to 30.
by E, on September 1 2010 @ 6:22 pm

I forgot to say. I am doing the HCG shots and taking a Diethylproprion 25 MG in the morning.
by jojo, on September 9 2010 @ 6:53 am

Ive been on the hcg injections for 10 days. I had my follow up visit yesterday, gained 2 lbs and am now 3 days late with my period! Im wondering if this is "normal", if anyone has ever experienced this. Also, the 2 lbs gained, Im sure is water retention/and also lack of diet restrictions!
by Andrew K, on September 24 2010 @ 9:20 am

How safe is this for Men? I noticed more women have side effects than men do.. Is this because it does not effect men in the same way or we do not have the receptors for the HCG to produce the same side effects?

This won't cause me to start lactating will it? as much as that would be funny as hell if it happened to someone else if it happened to me i'd freak out.

Please honest opinions only, no trolls, no jackass responses. Hard facts with research preferred.
by Kacie, on September 29 2010 @ 4:11 am

Little personal here BUT! I have been taking the HGC shots for about 2 weeks now. And here it is, time for my period and what to do you know…no period thus far. I am 99.9% positive that I am not pregnant, so I am curious as to whether my body having the HGC hormone is getting mixed signals and thinking that I am? And a lot of you are right, the MAIN reason for the weight loss IS THE 500 CALORIE diet. I have found myself starving more than anything and honestly, not losing what I expected AT ALL. I actually stopped taking the injection as of this morning, waste of money I know…but I am more concerned about having my period that losing weight with something I am not even sure is the reason I could be losing. Has anyone else has problems with their periods while on HCG?
by Megan, on October 6 2010 @ 12:08 pm

I have been on the injected HCG (second time) for about 6 days and have been walking 25 miles a week for 4 weeks. I have lost 10 lbs. I am also late on my period. This did not happen last time. I think it is because of the restricted diet and increased exercise. I have my tubes tied, so I don't think I am pregnant.

By the way, I had tried everything, and nothing worked. Then I went to my doctor and was medically supervised and lost 20 lbs in 4 weeks. I did not put it back on, but was not losing again until I started the program last Friday. But the main benefit was that I went from having up to 10 hospital visits for asthma, to having 2 in the last year. This has tremendous health benefits if it is medically supervised. My allergies are better, I breathe better, my ENT says that my throat irritation is less. However, I am also taking bio-identical hormones- Thyroid and Progesterone, and am focusing on health benefits also.
by debib, on October 27 2010 @ 7:19 pm

beware! the weight loss program utilizng hcg hormones along with a very low calorie restricted made its way through in the mid 1970's. it was very expensive, even more than it cost now. there's probably been some 'improvements' made to the program. i tried the program and followed it faithfully. i was was miserable. i'm sure everyone around me was miserable,too! my weightloss was pretty good at first. although it wasn't as much as i was lead to expect. most of the other people i talked to were having similar results. then it slowed and i started having water retention. i hung in there diligently. after 2 1/2 months i had to give up. the less than satisfactory results were just not worth the money and the misery! i still tried eating better and less. i started regaining the weight, plus more, at a very fast pace…especially around the middle! many of the people that i ran into for the next few years had had the same results. now it has returned. i'd like to hear from former patients and present patients(after they've been off the program 6-12 mos). if it's to good to be true, it probably is.
by Gloria, on October 29 2010 @ 4:23 am

Hi debib, you can do the 23 day or 43 day HCG protocol and then you have to take a break for at least 6 weeks before engaging another round. You mentioned you gave up after 2 1/2 months – that's way too long and you probably became immune to HCG because of that. Read the Pounds and Inches by Dr S before starting the HCG diet. Good luck!
by Karen, on November 11 2010 @ 7:38 pm

I have been maintaining

the shot protocal and

Steadily getting my body use

To eating a variety of foods

Again. I followed the semion

Protocal as an exact science.

Hair loss is usually do to thyroid

Take your temperature 3x

Daily for one month. If you

Have a temperature under 98.6

(use oral old fashioned thermometer

During this time. Go to http://www.wilsonsthyroidsyndrome.com
I lost 78 lbs total and three times

Gained weight back. I never once

Caught it quick. I was too slow and gained

25 lbs back each time. If I didn't

Drink enough water I would

Get headaches. If I ate out

And they added sugar or

Starch to my food I knew right

Away. It Is best to only drink water

And black tea's while doing the

Protocal. I drink lots of hot

Water periodically adding

Lemon wedges for flavor.

I only use stevia on the pritocal

and in maintaining after the 3-6 week

Transition only stevia and or

raw sugar even in baking.

I no longer eat white flour or

Products processed flour is in.

It had to become a change

Of eating habits for me in order

To maintain this beautiful size

4 body frame. If I gain 2 pounds

I do one if the three fixers explained:

6 apple day 12:00-12:00 noon

No drinking of anything or

One large steak before 4:00

P m and one apple for the day.

I weigh myself daily as

Told by the original protocal.

It's an awesome feeling

Being in charge of my weight

Or lack there of . If i gain

Weight I work diligently to

Get back to the weight I

Ended my last shot at. If I

Go 2 days eating freely. I know

On the third day it needs to

Be either steak. Day. Or. Apple

Day. The third is 2 eggs for

Breakfast ground buffalo

Patty 12 oz. At lunch and

A small lean filet for dinner

Don't forget lots of ph balanced

Water. I wish you all the great

Success that I have reached.

I'm 45 years old 5'5" & 134

Pounds. This is where I like

My weight. I had to really

Be careful because it could

Have become obsessive

For me to keep loosing

Weight. WTS for thyroid

Is what I took on my final

Protocal last September with

NO side effects.
by Karen, on November 11 2010 @ 7:45 pm

This statement is true and factual.

After 2 1/2 years on the injections

And being right where

I am is simply put; doing it.
by Lee Coe, on January 6 2011 @ 9:36 am

I am just beginning my second round of HCG injections. I lost a total of 50#s in my first round, did the 3 weeks of constantly checking my weight that it didn't go above 2#s above the lowest weight I had attained, for 3 weeks, had only 1 apple, water and steak day which dropped 4#s the following day. At this point, I have gained none of the weight back and decided to continue to lose the "belly" weight and this will do it for me. I can't say enough about this wonderful system. It works as no other does. I had "metabolic syndrome" or insulin resistance – names which meant I shouldn't try to lose weight because it wasn't happening with running 5 miles each day, restricting carbs, restricting food of any kind for 2 meals per day. Nothing worked. This did and does!! My daughter and son-in-law were my models – their losses showed and caused me to believe I could too.You will not regret this action and it will make the rest of your life!!!

I can't say enough good about this protocol. Thank you for encouraging us to get on this one. It's the last one you will ever need!!!
by joannenicole, on January 7 2011 @ 4:29 am

I'm amazed by how many message boards are full of people asking questions about how to do this diet, or stating outright that they're doing it incorrectly – and they can't understand why it's not working for them. This diet works, but ONLY if you follow it exactly as written. Don't rely on message boards for your information – read the original manuscript by Dr. Simeon. Yes, it's a little lengthy, but it will answer every question you have and give you a greater understanding of how and why this diet works. It's worth it to read for an hour, in order to do this diet correctly and reap the rewards. If you don't do this diet right, you will be hungry and miserable. Here's the link: http://www.hcgweightloss.com/category/pounds-inch... I've done this diet, with great success – I've lost 45 lbs, and I'm going back for another round. But I attribute my success to fully researching this diet before beginning, and following it exactly, without fail.
by Lauren, on January 21 2011 @ 10:05 am

Has anyone ever missed a period from it? I'm 18 and I haven't had a period but I have pregnancy symptoms but I've taken three tests and they have all been negative. I'm really worried any suggestions?
by Linda, on January 22 2011 @ 5:16 am

Lauren,

I went 79 days without a period but had the symptoms of getting ready to start about once a week. Changes are normal during this protocol.
by Jamye, on February 1 2011 @ 6:48 am

I've done this diet twice and referred over 8 people who have also done it. I did the diet because two of my friends did it and lost between 40-60lbs. I had no side effects, lost 30 lbs the first time. I regained 6lbs. I did the diet again in about 6 months (yes, you need to be mentally ready to do this diet) and lost another 17lbs.

I have NOTHING negative to say about the diet. All but one of my friends have also had success on the diet. The one who did not have good results was not following the protocol EXACTLY! This is not a diet you can cheat on. I am 2 sizes smaller and RECOMMEND this diet to anyone who hasn't found other diets to work or exercise. I work out 5-6 days a week and do not lose weight. HCG works. I don't recommend you do the diet without an appetite suppressant or if you plan to just return to your normal bad eating habits after the diet is over. All you will do is regain the weight.

To address some of the concerns people have mentioned in thses posting…I did not have headaches, I did feel light headed at times, but nothing too bad. You aren't eating a lot so you have to be careful not to over do it on exercise or daily activities. This goes away after the diet is over. I was so scared of needles, but was able to do the injections easily since they are small. As I lost more and more weight, I did start to feel a pinch in the last few weeks. I started at 196lbs in Oct 2009. Today I am still at 160lbs. If you are interested in this diet, I suggest a clinic. There were days I needed their guidance on what to do next or needed to talk to them about what I was experiencing to see if I should change something. This diet is expensive, but I couldn't be happier. Your health is worth it.
by Chasity, on February 6 2011 @ 4:49 am

I read the Pounds and Inches but couldn't figure out this one thing. How much of the vegetables are you allowed to eat? I see the quantity for the meat but not the veggies.
by Tracy, on February 8 2011 @ 3:41 pm

I have taken the drops for 6 weeks now. Other than being really hungry the first week, I haven't had any side effects except losing 23lbs. of ugly fat!!! I am so happy and have 27 more pounds to lose and this is the only program that has given me results and helped me with overeating. I know 5 other people on this program and they have all had wonderful success. You do need to have willpower, but when you see weightloss every day…that is a powerful motivator!
by betsy, on February 13 2011 @ 8:35 pm

I did the HCG diet last year. It worked great. Then I got sick. The protocol is to not take vitamins. My vitamin A and Vitamin D were dangerously low after the diet. Then I got shingles. Doctors say it was because my immune system was taxed. (Could it be the 500 calorie a day diet?) Then I put on weight. Went to an endocronologist. Routine exam found a small lump. CANCER- Thyroid Cancer. No history at all in the family. I can't blame HCG entirely but it is certainly a large consideration. If I could do it again I would not.
by angie, on February 16 2011 @ 4:19 pm

Can you please tell me if hair loss is related to

hcg shots?
by angie, on February 17 2011 @ 6:14 pm

I used hcg shots for the 41 days and about 4 weeks after the last shot I started to loose hands full of hair. Has anyone experienced this or do you think it is a vitamin deficiency

as the diet is very restricted calorie intake and the types of food
by Viviana, on February 19 2011 @ 10:43 am

Please tell me what size needles you guys use. I've been using the 28G x 1/2 " in the stomach by pinching the fat and injecting. I'm I doing it right?
by Jenn, on February 25 2011 @ 8:06 am

Just wondering, for the people who are having these negative symptoms, ie hair loss, dizziness, lightheadness, etc…are you under a doctors care while doing this or did you just buy this stuff online and doing it on your own? The doctor that Im going too did a complete workup on me, urine test, ekg, extensive blood work and all that. Did you all do that as well? Maybe u had an underlining prob and didn't know about and now u think your probs are the result of the hcg…just a thought tho…..
by Derya Cetinler, on February 26 2011 @ 7:06 pm

I am on high blood pressure med. and hypotyroid.

Is HCG drops safe for me to use?
by Jessica, on February 28 2011 @ 10:56 am

I have started the HCG diet and followed the strict diet guidelines and low calorie diet. I felt great for about ten days, very steady energy, not getting tired so fast, I have noticed that my abdomen got flatter and smaller in circumfrence. After ten days I started getting a horrible hunger that I couldnt control with anything, so I started cheating badly. Now 2.5 weeks later I feel Lightheaded, weak in the knees, having heart palpitations, always tired and watever I eat my stomach hurts and burns. I am afraid the hcg diet might have something to do with the way I feel now because I did not feel this bad prior to starting the diet.
by Mrs. Jones, on March 12 2011 @ 8:48 am

I have taken the hcg shot for 4 weeks I went from 160 to 130 pounds I have experience headaches. I had sexual intercourse with my husband and I started bleeding as if my monthy period was on I had just finish my cycle 3 day,s before that sexual encounter have any one experience this reaction when having sex. This is the first time I experience this but after intercourse I didn't bleed any more. I feel that the hcg is very very good if you want to lose weight,but if this is my side effects I will stop the injection.
by trini2dbone, on March 12 2011 @ 12:55 pm

I have been injected with the HCG for the past 2 wks, unfortunately, I have cheated a few times, but I was wondering if this will have a damaging effect on my weight loss progress? I have decided to get into the groove and be stronger in the remaining weeks I have with the program. I just wanted to know if anyone may have experience the same thing but yet still able to get some results nonetheless.
by jean Marsing, on March 14 2011 @ 6:46 am

can I take these injektions when I daily take a Trisequens (also a hormone used for memopause) ?
by lacey, on April 1 2011 @ 4:56 pm

im back on hcg for my second time!! I love this diet and a little hunger and belly growling aint gonna kill ya. u were an over eater to begin with or chances are you wouldnt be on the diet to begin with, it isnt a side affect thats your body getting used to not having thousands of calories it didnt need in the first place. you arent starving and if you cheat then of coarse ur progress is going to be interupted u cant keep tricking ur body and brain with food then it will get fed up and quit helping u if u dont help yourself.
by Jerri, on April 3 2011 @ 1:15 pm

I have been on the HCG shots for almost three weeks. Lost almost 12lbs the first week and only about 2lbs the next two weeks. I've been staying true to the diet only I've been eating broccoli. I know that isn't listed as one f the vegs you can have. Is that a problem? I've also been hungry too…
by nina, on April 14 2011 @ 12:43 pm

very true.it works because it's an appetiete suppresant, no one argues that its the minimal calories causing the weight loss….
by RACHEAL SMITH, on April 19 2011 @ 10:03 am

I WAS ON THE HCG SHOTS FOR 4 MONTHS AND IT WAS WONDERFUL I LOST 40LBS. I GOT TO THE SIZE I THOUGHT WAS RIGHT FOR ME SO I STOPPED TAKING THEM. I JUST RECENTLY STARTED GAINING WEIGHT BACK SO I STARTED THEM BACK UP. I HAVE NOW BEEN ON THEM FOR 3 WEEKS. MY TUBES ARE TIED AND NOW I AM 8 DAYS LATE ON MY PERIOD AND SCARED TO DEATH I AM NEVER LATE AND WHEN I WAS ON THE SHOT BEFORE MY PERIODS DID NOT STOP I NEED SOME THOUGHTS PLEASE
by Natalie, on April 19 2011 @ 8:18 pm

It is pretty normal HCG can affect the timing, length and "heaviness" of your period. Your period will back to normal schedule once you are off the injection for several months.
by jo, on April 27 2011 @ 1:39 pm

Been on HCG drops for about a month. I have increased hair growth on my face, arms and hands (Female). Has this happened to anyone else
by SHELLY, on May 2 2011 @ 12:52 am

ANYONE KNOW DR. & CLINIC/HOSP IN NEAR NORTH/DOWNTOWN CHICAGO TO GO FOR 'HCG SHOTS' ONLY SOLID REPUTABLE FACILITIES PLEASE. I WAS ON THESE SHOTS APX 20 YEARS AGO & HAD GREAT SUCCESS. I ADMINISTERED SHOTS MYSELF IN THE THIGH @ HOME.
ALSO WHAT'S BEST TO USE &/OR ORDER ,125 IU OR 200 IU???
by Carolyn, on May 3 2011 @ 9:55 am

I survived three weeks of the HCG injections and 500 calories per day. The first week, I lost 4 pounds. The second week I lost 1 pound. The third week, I only maintained. From the very first day I had intense headaches. Most of the time I was weak and dizzy or hungry. I was already eating a healthy diet before beginning the VLCD (very low calorie diet). I am also hypothyroid (thyroidectomy) and on thyroid medication. I believe this limited my weight loss. I did lose a lot of inches and people make positive comments. I look like I lost more than 5 pounds. The headaches and constant hunger got the best of me. This is just not for everyone.
by ceecee, on May 10 2011 @ 5:10 pm

I got a horrible side effect from the hcg shots and had to have surgery!!!!! At the end of the second forty days (forty days off inbetween), I began to have stomach problems. At first I, and my internist, thought it was a colon blockage. The insurance company would not ok a blue dye scan and my internist was no help in getting it diagnosed! It was getting bigger, from the size of a fire place brick to much larger. It was an ovarian cyst the size of a small watermelon…google "ovarian hyperstimulation, ovarian cysts and hcg". It twisted and broke open the day before the surgery. Even morphine did not completely ease the pain. Now I have an incision from my navel all the way down. I had not ever had an ovarian cyst before. It's too coincidental. My doctor said emphatically when I ask him about hcg…there are no side effect. He is an MD and he lies about hcg…
by Ashley, on May 12 2011 @ 8:59 am

Hey Samantha I just finished my first phase 2. Right now I am starting phase 3. I love this diet. I lost almost 30 lbs in phase two. Drink a lot of water!!! I noticed if I don't drink enough water I won't lose as much. Just be prepared to cook your own food. If you go out to dinner check the calorie count. It is a lot better to cook yourself. I love cooking my own food and I am rarely hungry which is great!! Good luck!!
by alice, on May 26 2011 @ 7:40 pm

I just started using the drop 24 hours ago.. I am swelling as if I had injected a pound of salt.Has any one had this problem.??
by Jamie, on June 3 2011 @ 4:18 pm

Alice, it seems your body is retaining water. Retaining fluids can be from a myriad of things. Check your blood pressure. Also have you increased your fluid intake? Extra fluids in can cause swelling until your body adjust to the change. Sometimes it's more then you can adjust to if you are forcing liquids and you'll need to cut down some.
by Amy Ann, on June 9 2011 @ 9:28 am

You will regain the weight back if you start eating the way you did before the hcg diet. That is what caused you to be fat in the first place. Like any weight loss program, you have to make a lifestyle change. I did Weight Watchers for 2.5 years. After the first 7 months, I lost 47 pounds. Kept it off of 2.5 years. Then I started eat like I used too and gain 20 pounds back. Commen sense would tell you to eat a healthy lifestyle. Of course you gained the weight back, put don't blame the hCG diet and I could not blame WWer's for my 20 pound weight back.
by Amy Ann, on June 9 2011 @ 9:35 am

You can have as many of the vegetables as you want as long and you only consumme the 500 calories per day.
by karen, on June 13 2011 @ 1:31 pm

Eat cherries for your gout everyday and you can slice thin layers of potato's and lay them on the effected areas, it might help draw out some of the gout from your joints.
by Yolie, on June 16 2011 @ 12:11 pm

Diddo. I am in my 2nd week and the low cal diet has my blood sugar really low. My patience, mood and these headaches are really starting take a toll on me. I am trying to not deal with anybody not unless I have to. 0600 I will inject myself and by 0800 I still have to take adipex to suppress my appetite, my sleep pattern is worst off now than is ever been. But OMG the headaches are a killer!
by Michelle, on June 22 2011 @ 8:35 am

I just completed the first week of HCG injections and am following the plan closely. I only had 30 lbs to lose and lost 8.2 in the first week. I am experiencing some of the side effects mentioned here – headache every other day (excedrin has been working fine to treat this) and some light headedness when I stand up. I did also have the severe hunger pains but they are starting to subside now.
I have not seen that I am sleeping better yet but in all fairness my infant is to blame for that.
I did get the first compliment today and someone said that I just looked 'refreshed' and then asked if I got new makeup. I believe this does have an affect on the skin.
Good luck to all doing this.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:01 pm

No, I have had NO hair loss, and have lost 32 pounds in 16 weeks and no cardiac issues from taking the hcg.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:05 pm

Thursday is my last injection, and I have NOT had any of this happen to me. I have lost the weight and feel great!! People react differently to things. What happens to you doesn't mean it happens to everybody. I'm very happy with this and will do this protocol in another 6 weeks to lose the remaining weight.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:11 pm

You did not follow the protocol. Cheating is not in the protocol, is it?
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:12 pm

None. Did you detox before starting this protocol?
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:15 pm

My doctor is a homeopathic doctor, and he gave me the supplies and I give myself a shot every morning in the stomach. He was a little outrageous on the price (800.00) but I felt it was worth it.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:22 pm

I have been having 1 cup of veggies. I measure it out before cooking.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:28 pm

Exactly right Jenn!
My doctor also did blood tests and an exam before administering the hcg to me. I also went in to see him every week for weights and measures. I know the hcg is safe as I got it from my doctor and not from some web site claiming it to be what they say it is.
I have followed the protocol to a T and have not experienced extreme hunger. sometimes when i think I am hungry, I am not. I was thirsty. Water stopped the "hunger pains'
Hot green tea has also been good for me. I would drink at least 6 – 8 cups a day.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:30 pm

Did you have dr. supervision with this? The extreme hunger would have been a sign to call him for advice.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:35 pm

I have not cheated on this diet. I have had some cruel people try to coax me into joining in with their cookies, cakes and ice cream. Yes, it's rough watching people eating all that stuff, and that is why I was so over weight! I stayed strong and refused any food other than what was on the hcg diet. This protocol has hopefully taught me how to eat more healthy and I know that feeling hungry is not a bad side effect. Water or hot green tea sweetened with a little Stevia works like a charm.
I highly recommend doing this under a doctors care!
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:38 pm

Jerri…broccoli is not on the list, so it could very well stop you from losing all the weight you wish to lose. It's really not bad eating what is on the list as I know it's not going to last forever. Everything has been tested by the people who promoted this and they know what works and what doesn't.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:40 pm

Did you go the 3 weeks on a 1500 calorie diet without any sweets or carbs? Or did you go back to eating how you always ate?
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:40 pm

No, not in the least
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:44 pm

Carolyn…I take thyroid medication every day. I take 3 grains of Armour Thyroid. It has not stopped me from losing weight. I've lost about 5 pounds a week with a total of 32 pounds in 6 weeks. As I was told at my doctors office. It's called pounds and inches. Even if you are not losing the weight, you are still losing inches.
by Penny, on June 22 2011 @ 2:46 pm

I had ovarian cysts back in the 90's and you can have them for years and not know it. Mine disintegrated the ovaries and they had to do a total hysterectomy. I agree with the doctor that it wasn't the hcg…just saying
by Annie, on June 26 2011 @ 1:36 pm

I'm not trying to be rude, but it's a 2day load, and it's impossible not to lose weight if you follow the protocol.
by KIA, on July 2 2011 @ 1:58 am

WHEN I USED THE HCG DROPS FROM GNC I HAD BAD HEADACHE I MEAN TERRIBLE, SO I STOPPED AND START TAKING THE INJECTIONS AND NOT ONE SINGLE HEADACHE. THIS IS THE BESTTHING EVER. MAKE SUR YOUR DRINKING ENOUGH WATER THAT HELPS WITH THE HUNGER ALSO GOOD LUCK!!
by Tina, on July 3 2011 @ 10:53 am

It only works if you don't cheat…on and off wont get you the results you want. Its hard to do, Im finishing my 1st week of my second round. I just tell myself (when I want to cheat) that Ive had a whole lifetime of eating everything and although this may be slightly uncomfortable it's only 30 days.
by Robert, on July 6 2011 @ 10:22 am

Is this diet safe if u ate taking wellabutrin
by ugogirl, on July 7 2011 @ 8:17 am

I have done 2 rounds of hcg, lost 40 pounds. All was well until the middle of round 2 when I started losing my hair! Big hair loss, very evident on bed, clothes and have big patches of scalp! I got online and it seems this IS a side effect that many experience, but you don't see it listed on any of the hcg sites as a possible side effect. Too bad, I have one more round to do, but unless I stop shedding and start to regrow hair, no way!
by BAC, on July 12 2011 @ 7:09 am

It is not proven unsafe, and in fact, a strict low-calorie diet has been proven to help people live longer. No one is 100% on exactly what the hcg does or does not cause the body to do, but if it works for people, let them be.
by Kogila, on July 21 2011 @ 12:15 pm

Being on the HCG injections does it cause hair loss. Please help
by Jo Pollard, on July 31 2011 @ 9:29 pm

I am suffering the hair loss. I'm up to 70 lbs lost, but I am shedding everywhere and it has me scared. I don't want to sacrifice what seems to be working so well, but I can't handle much more loss…
by Dr JT, on August 5 2011 @ 3:14 pm

I am very sorry that you went through such an awful experience. HOWEVER, your MD is NOT lying. An ovarian cyst is NOT the same as OHSS. In terms of ovarian hyperstimulation or OHSS, it can occur when hCG is used for infertility. Women who are treated for infertility take hCG as PART of a entire regimen of drugs, precisely timed with the goal of producing pregnancy. In these women, OHSS can develop after they take a "trigger" dose of hCG that is given at a VERY specific time during the regimen with the goal of stimulating ovulation. The trigger dose is a significantly large 5000 – 10,000 i.u. of hCG given into a muscle as one large dose. As part of a weight loss plan, hCG is administered in VERY SMALL doses of 125-200 i.u. per day. It was not the cause of your ovarian cyst.
by Mary, on August 7 2011 @ 11:04 am

me too Judy – i took it for a month and lost about 15lbs – seemed to feel good for awhile – now i am getting headaches and lightheadedness i am concerned – which is why i am looking for a blog to see if others are having similar experiences and if they are finding anything wrong.
by yougotitjj, on August 14 2011 @ 8:42 pm

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who took time to share!! I am about to start the HCG diet friday. I am very excited but it took me a while to really find a page filled with useful insight from people who have ACTUAL experience with it. Both good and bad it was all very insightful and the time you took to post your experiences means more than you know! Best wishes to all!!
by Dee, on August 16 2011 @ 8:26 am

That is an importnt question for me before I start the injections.. I was told that what ever illness you maybe having going on in your body that the hcg will increase that effect.. has anyone else heard or has any illness etc.. cancer?
by Dee, on August 17 2011 @ 9:21 am

Hello, I'm starting my HCG & B12 shots on FRIDAY too!! I'm excited yet scared,I'm scared to fail and not loose the weight. GOod Luck to YOu & good Luck to ME! Yay!
by MArtha Rose, on August 25 2011 @ 3:44 pm

my practicioner has me on a nasal spray instead of injections or pills. is anyone else doing this?
by fernanda, on September 6 2011 @ 10:03 am

I loss 26 pounds but my hair is falling out… ;(
by fernanda, on September 6 2011 @ 10:06 am

Thats nothing wait when your hair start to falling out…
by Fernanda, on September 6 2011 @ 10:10 am

Question for you did you get anyside effects. cause i did my hair is falling out its scary… any suggest for me or when it will stop
by kyky, on September 12 2011 @ 12:20 am

I also notice my hair was falling out; and my hair dresser gave me "CAT Protein by redkin" and "anti snap also by redkin" have noticed significant improvement. Hope this helps
by barb, on September 19 2011 @ 11:18 am

I have light headedness too…………..they said to stop for a while. I have stopped for 4 weeks now and it has finally gone away…………..I want to start again to loose some weight. I am depressed that I weigh so much and can't control my craving for sweets………..But I don't like the3 light headness. They didn't give any reason. so does this sound right…??
Barb
by rens, on September 26 2011 @ 2:00 am

I did the diet for the minimum of 23 days on the drops and lost 10 kgs then another 5 kgs in the 3 week maintenance phase i feel great and people comment on how fantastic i look! i am eating healthy and do have bad food days but still am not gaining any weight…….then 2 weeks ago about 1 1/2-2 months after finishing the diet completely my hair started falling out, its awful when i have to wash it as it just comes out in clumps and my brush fills with hair every time i brush it, i have no bald patches but my hair is getting extremely thin allover, i have been to my doctor and she has done blood tests havnt got the results yet but she said the hair loss is a delayed reaction to such a quick weight drop…..i have gone from feeling and looking fantastic to constant paranoia about my thinning hair and dont know when or if its going to stop falling out! please reply if anyone has had the same experience!
by Denise, on September 27 2011 @ 11:23 am

Are you doing it on your own or you are under a doctor's supervision? One things I noticed is that he diet has to be follow to exactly as directed. Anything that we do not follow exactly the way we need to, will affect the weight lost. It happened to me. Now I stick to the diet EXACTLY AS IT IS STATED IN HIS JOURNAL. I do not try to reinvent the wheel. I take calcium and vitamin D, and Vitamin C. My energy level is great and I lost 10 pounds in one week. The second week, I ruined it in the weekend and gained 5 back, now I lost it again in two days and this time I am following it exactly the way we need to to work. Read his manuscript and follow it carefully and do not allow anything to get in the middle of your strict diet. I buy every two days my vegetables and proteings at a the Fair Way Supermarket.s. This health concious supermarket has everything we need and lots of organic products and vegetables. I am on the way to my goal of 30 less by end of my 40 days. Good luck!
by stephanie, on September 30 2011 @ 6:30 am

I'm also losing hair, but only did one round of the drops three months ago! Has anyone been to a doctor about this? I am really scared the excess shedding won't stop. I have an appointment with my doctor in a couple of weeks. This really has me stressed considering I'm not taking the drops anymore!
by Brigitte, on October 5 2011 @ 5:29 pm

you should not have been on it for months, the max is 40 days. So 1 month and 10 days.
by helen, on October 11 2011 @ 3:51 pm

Same thing happening here. Its been well over 2 months since I did the hcg and still no period.
by jan, on October 11 2011 @ 6:50 pm

ty guys for posting your comments and thoughts. i was thinking about doing this to lose weight . after having and still born. and now i know this would not be a good thing for me.

again thank you
by Miss Kelli Taylor, on October 13 2011 @ 6:23 pm

They said the neeles mst e ( 2) inches long and injected deep in the outer upper
quadrant of the buttocks and has to reach the muscle. The daily HCG Injections should
be given at intervals as close to 24 hours as possible.
by Miss Kelli Taylor, on October 13 2011 @ 6:26 pm

They said the needles should be ( 2) inches long and injected deep in the outer upper
quadrant of the buttocks and has to reach the muscle. They also said the daily HCG
Injections should be given at intervals as close to 24 hours as possible.
by Christy, on October 18 2011 @ 9:55 am

I only had one injection, 35 units of hcg. At the time, my period was already late. I had a blood test done yesterday and my hcg level was 973. I go back tomorrow for a repeat to see if the levels have increased, indicating a positive pregnancy. Anyone else experienced this? Also, wonder if this is fluke due to hcg injection, which was small, or what?? Everyone hates to wait!!
by liz, on October 24 2011 @ 8:44 pm

Funny you mention that.. because I too get winded easily. I was thinking it was in my head but I don't think so. I have actually been in a great mood and a little frisky w/ the hubby until today… R1 P2 Day 8… I skipped yesterday's injection (175 iu) and was very tired today & cranky. Weird for me… of coarse I'm usually not ever in the frisky mood so that too is weird for me. I think I get hungry when I get bored and have finished everything for the day… and late at night. (Like I'd love a snickers bar right now)…….. but I'm dedicated to following the diet. Started at 167 now 150… (150 for 3 days now)… I'm wondering now if it just may be the onset of TOM. I had my last cycle 10/1 but the hormonese may be doing something different plus… I felt a little bloated today.
by svel, on October 24 2011 @ 9:32 pm

I am losing hair by the handfuls.Seriously, my hair is shedding everywhere. I did one round of the drops 2 months ago. Had my thyroid checked and it was perfect…I felt really good on the diet. Now i am freaking out a little.
by San, on November 4 2011 @ 1:24 am

Is 15 units a normal dose?
by Slimm, on November 5 2011 @ 11:37 am

i cam off of the product in June because of financial restraints, and recently i noticed two bumps on my stomach. one was really noticeable an the other stayed under my skin, this morning i got up passed my hand on my stomach where the noticeable one was and it felt different when i looked at it i saw a hole, and right now i'm freaking out because i don't know what to do at all, i mean i'm scared, i'm going to the hospital then i'm going to sue. Because no one told me this would be a side effect
by steph, on November 8 2011 @ 12:17 pm

i was supposed to gorge for 3 days, i'm on day 2 of gorge. I didn't take shot on first day, but can get it in on this 2nd day. i am freaking out because i ate everything. i was misinformed and thought i didnt take shot until 3 rd day. what should i do? please help
by Sonia, on November 8 2011 @ 2:49 pm

Has anyone off the diet and 6 – 10 months after their diet? I would like to know long term effects please. Its very important to look in the future as well after a year or so. please do write if you have tried and are 6 mnths to a year after this diet. thanks you!
by Tim, on November 9 2011 @ 6:05 pm

PLEASE PLEASE do not take HCG injections if you know you have mental health issues. People with Bipolar Disorder can go off the chart MANIC on HCG hormones. It simulates pregnancy and that is the worst time for instability for a woman with BP disorder. I know. My wife had her first affair when pregnant.
Had 3 more when taking these HCG injections and it ended up ending our marriage.
If you start acting out of the norm, raging anger, not sleeping, changing your behavior, becoming violent, hypersexual, talking non-stop in person, on phone or facebooking 24/7, desiring to seek out old friends from high school, etc. then there may be a mental health issue and you need to seek medical attention. We didn't know she had bp disorder until it was too late.
by Jennifer, on November 13 2011 @ 4:14 pm

I started Hcg injections and followed the diet to the letter. I felt great and was losing. Then about 10 days into the protocal I cheated and ate a few pieces of halloween candy and decided toto an "apple day" the next day.

I felt dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous and very peculiar. I ate some carbs and sugar and felt immediately better. I figured it was low bood sugar or something.

I have continued to take the injections but I am not following the diet portion. Today I had the lighthead, dizzy feeling again and eating didn't help it.

I should probably stop taking them, but I have heard such good things about hcg injections for overall health and anti agining, but I am really not sure what this feeling is being caused by.

Any comments on this?
by Vigi, on November 13 2011 @ 5:54 pm

I did the HCG protocol phase 2 for 25 days and lost 23 pounds!!! ))
Now I need to start the HCG phase 3, but i was wondering if I eat some things with processed sugar and starches in the phase 3 protocol will I gain all the weight back? Do I have to do the phase 3 ????
by allie, on November 14 2011 @ 5:12 pm

Megan,
I did 2 rounds 2 years ago and did great. The weight came back but I have just been put on thyroid meds and I am starting bioidentical progestrone. My doctor justed increased my dosage. Will the diet work while using thse meds? I really think my other issues caused the gain. One of my doctors says it will not work, one says it will. Please give me your input. I really want to do it again because it works if you do it right.
Thanks
allie
by Emily, on November 15 2011 @ 12:02 am

I have been on hcg for 2 weeks.. The injections.. I've had weight loss and no other side effects that are negative… Except I haven't had a period for about a year from my depo provera birth control and just always had irregular periods or none at all. Then on hcg I get a period!! Not only that I got terrible cramps and huge blood clots! Haven't had any of that for a few years! I thought hcg was supposed to tell your body you're pregnant and most miss periods. Has anyone had this problem. It's so weird to have a heavy painful period after years of not and hcg causing this.
by Tina, on November 16 2011 @ 11:08 pm

This is sure helpful. I too am late with TOM and know that I am not pregant but still concerned if this is normal.
by Ang, on November 20 2011 @ 1:09 am

wow, I just amazed. What happen to working out? How many of you have gotten the approval from your primary doctor. The weight lost clinic are in it for the money. I would like to know why your doctor could give you the same thing if it was healthy.
by Cat, on November 24 2011 @ 2:10 pm

Has anyone had panic attacks about one week after starting? I have and I had to stop until I see my doctor again. Terrifying and they started happening in the early evenings.
by Miss Kelli Taylor, on November 29 2011 @ 9:57 pm

I just now did searches on HCG Injections and I read the side effects and Warnings:I do

not like the sounds of the side effects and Warnings. It sounds VERY DANGEROUS TO

ME. I DON'T PLAN ON DOING THIS AFTER ALL.
by Miss Kelli Taylor, on November 29 2011 @ 10:07 pm

They said HGC Injections can cause thyroid disorder, ovarian cyst, cancer, heart disease,

kidney disease, seizures, epilepsy, migraine, asthma, irritation at the injection site, hives,

swollen itchy rash, breathing difficulties, swelling in the face, lips, tonuge, throat, blood

clots includes tinglings, numbness, redness, warmth, headeaches, restlessness,

irritability, edema( swelling) depression, breast tenderness, inflammations. WARNINGS:

HCG Injections has been reported to cause a life threatening condition called ovarian

hyperstimulation syndrome include severe pelvic pains, swelling of the extermities,

abdominal pains, shortness of breaths, dirrhea, nausea and vomiting.
by Smarter than most, on December 6 2011 @ 1:24 am

Sounds like a recipe for disaster. I have lost several sizes on Weight Watchers and NO injections. I still have all my hair, and look 20 years younger. It will be interesting to see how healthy you all are in 10 years.
by Angel, on December 9 2011 @ 10:59 am

Please someone help me I took my first shot and my heart was beating crazy and I felt like I was going to pass out
by Lola, on December 9 2011 @ 10:13 pm

Did you find out more about this side effect? I experienced same thing
by Ashley, on December 15 2011 @ 5:34 pm

You are right, an ovarian cyst is NOT the same as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, HOWEVER, when you add an extra amount of a hormone at ANY dosage you are affecting the body. If you were Not affecting the functions of the body in some way, 1000s of people wouldn't be poking themselves with this stuff. I don't necessarily think that the Dr purposely lied, but there IS a possibility that these extra hormones could have effected a cyst on her ovaries. To say that it is NOT possible for a substance to affect something in the body is an inaccurate statement. We are all different and have different reactions and different sensitivity levels.
by Robin, on December 24 2011 @ 2:40 pm

Feeling any better? Any new news? I was going for blood work yesterday due to severe stomach pain (been on HCG diet 8 days) and passed out and still feeling strange (never got the blood work) and have matalic taste in mouth.
by Devon, on December 29 2011 @ 8:39 am

Many female bipolars are actually more stable when pregnant, and I am a bipolar, stable on medication, who had no issues with mood while on hcg.
by Loretta, on December 30 2011 @ 10:31 am

Me too! Especially when I wash it. Does it ever stop I have been loading on omegan3 and biotin.
Any idea to when this stops ? Not bald by any means but it's thinning. HELP,
by Kellie, on December 30 2011 @ 3:58 pm

Absolutely!!! Was very successful in losing over 17lbs but after I completed the 40 days, I started losing my hair by the handful. I lost a least 50% of my hair but it grew back with AG Pro and Harfinity.
by Kellie, on December 30 2011 @ 4:02 pm

Yes. I was on this diet about 18 months ago. Incredible results but lost over 50% of my hair!!! Hair Grew back with AG Pro by Miller and Hairfinity vitamins but you must take them daily and you'll see new hair growth within 60 days. I'm still taking the hair vitamins. It took almost 1 year to get my hair back to normal.
by theo, on December 31 2011 @ 8:11 pm

The thinning does stop. It freaked me out as well, then all of a sudden, about 2 months later, it stopped and I haven't noticed any lasting thinning.
by Susie, on December 31 2011 @ 8:18 pm

I did the shots and lost 25 pounds in 5 weeks. My hair thinned and I got a kidney stone AND the weight all came roaring back on within 6 months. I felt absolutely AMAZING after the 25 pound loss then along with the hair loss, kidney stone and regain I got really depressed (not normal for me). I am now with a Dietician and a Therapist to figure out the underlying causes as to why I am overeating. Doing HCG is addictive…I lost 4 inches on my hips in 2 weeks and the compliments were fast and furious. You can almost SEE the puddles of fat dripping off. Now I feel as like the Goldie Hawn/Merly Streep movie where the ladies take the elixir to remain youthful, then it stops working and they age quickly. I have to remind myself every day not to try it again because the speed of the weight loss is indeed heady!
by Laura, on January 1 2012 @ 12:07 pm

I"ve been taking the injections for 3 days now and i'm EXHAUSTED!! Has anyone else experienced this???? I can barely keep my eyes open!
by Bren, on January 2 2012 @ 10:28 pm

I started the hcg diet yesterday using the drops and thought I was doing OK. . I started the drops yesterday and thought I was doing OK. However last night my blood pressure rose to levels I had never seen. Had a really bad night so decided not to take the drops today. My pressure usually runs normal (with medication) but I haven't been able to get it down to normal level today. I have been quite anxious today which doesn't help the blood pressure. Since I only used the drops for one day will it still be 3 days before the hcg gets out of my system and I can return to normal?
by Shante, on January 4 2012 @ 10:55 am

Ive done this diet a combination of 4 times now and have never experienced any hair loss or negative side effects.
by Shante, on January 4 2012 @ 10:56 am

HCG does not cause hair loss. I have done this diet 4 times and have never experienced a hair loss issue. There's something else going on. Probably a deficiency of some sort.
by guest, on January 4 2012 @ 2:03 pm

Same thing is happening to me. I'm on round two of the HCG. I stopped in the middle of round one because of my hair falling out but had great results. Now I'm just gong to do round two and see how it goes. But my hair is falling out when I brush it in the shower and when I comb it out in the morning. It's just terrible.
by Dee, on January 7 2012 @ 4:18 pm

I agree with you. I spok e to my primary physician yesterday about the hcg diet and as soon as my sinus infection is over, we are going to start on the injection. It has been approved. There may be some physicians that are not doing it because they do not want to keep up with diets, weighing patients, etc. There are some doctors that are willing to spend time doing such things.(very few) I am glad that my doctor has agreed to do it because as you stated it would be good to use your primary physician, someone who knows about your health and if you are able to handle this type of injection, checking more than just your weight loss every 7 days
by Dee, on January 7 2012 @ 4:22 pm

I never had that problem and I am currently not on HCG. However, I am on taking birth control non stop so that I will not have a period. Depending on my hormones, I will have a break through sometimes and it will be heavy bleeding and very painful because that is tissue sluffing off from months and months which causes the pain. Regardless if we stop our period or not, we need to have a period at least 2 a year. I am not a doctor but I dont think it is your HCG shots. I believe it is your hormones and by you injecting this in your system it is a combination of causing your hormones to change.
by Dee, on January 7 2012 @ 4:26 pm

I bet it is just like any other diet. If you go back to your old ways then of course the weight will come back. We tend to double our old ways once we are off diets and that is why the weight doubles unfortunately. If anybody plan to go back to eating the same things they use to eat and have the same habits (not excercising) they use to have then no eating change, diet, eating less is going to work.
by crissy, on January 8 2012 @ 5:25 pm

I am starting the diet next week under doctor supervision. Some of the post above alarmed me but I think that most probably aren't under doctor supervision. Also, my doctor is not putting me on a 500 cal diet. The calorie intake will be based off of all the blood work and various test I have to do before starting up. Along with seeing a doctor I will see a nutritionist and trainer every week to come up with menus and work out plans. Along with the HCG injections my doctor does lipotropic injections with B12 complex in it.
I'm going into this with the mind set that this is the start of a life style change. The cost is expensive but I figure I've spent thousands upon thousands getting unhealthy I can spend a few hundred to regain my health!
by Patricia, on January 12 2012 @ 1:39 am

I did all the research on the diet and have been happy with the results. I did this diet about 8 years ago and dropped 40 pounds in one month. It took that long for me to gain it back because I was baking cakes and cookies for bakesales for the school and eating the junk I was baking. I have experienced some hairloss, but I supplement my vitamins to stop that since the 500 calorie is so low. I think it goes towards your body; but that's just my assumption. Hairloss is actually because of the rapid weight loss. My husband and I are going on our third round of HcG. No side effects that we noted. Must say we didn't follow the 500 protocol to the letter and still lost weight. His type 2 diabetes was under control without medication during this time. We were bad during the Holidays so we need to get back on the ball. We didn't use a doctor and did our measurements at home and on our own scale. Recorded daily. Used the SBD plan for the most part.
by Patricia, on January 12 2012 @ 1:42 am

Oh, by the way, drink tea, lots of it!!! Water too. You can't get enough. Bad taste in the mouth for fasting I think. Brushed my teeth all the time. Too bad you can't chew gum. Helps creat saliva, but stunts the weight loss.
by Patricia, on January 12 2012 @ 1:52 am

No long term effects. Started the diet last January, My loss wasn't as I expected but I was hungry all the time. I figured out that I didn't start the protocol with the three day load and as a result, hunger. The second round, I did load the 3 days and had no problem with excessive hunger like the first time. I stayed busy and away from people who would offer food. I carried my food where I went and made sure in my car I had avail a little bag with nuts to calm the beast. Lost 30 pounds and happy as a meado lark.:) Alas, the holidays come round and you get all the invites to celebrate and it's hard to say no to the host and hostes' so I gained back 20 pounds. Not as bad as I expected because we did Over indulge. The killer is alcoholic beverages. Big NO NO! We had the champaign of course, and 1 tequila on the rocks. I felt the change. Live and learn. I hope all this helps. I only spent about 125.00 in all for my husband and I to do 43 days of the diet. We start our injections tomorrow. Wish us luck.;) good luck to you.
by Sapowers, on January 12 2012 @ 9:14 am

Help, i started the HCG injections this past Saturday. I have not done well with the food part. What happens now? Do I have to start over or just keep going?
by Michele Guess, on January 13 2012 @ 6:53 pm

I also have noticed my hair falling out. I wondered if it was from the hcg diet. I lost 28 pounds and feel great. I have been off the diet for about 3 months and still am doing well with the eating right but the hair thing is freaking me out!! Please let me know what you find out.. Maybe a vitamin def problem??
by Shirley, on January 13 2012 @ 8:46 pm

I used HCG injections last year and lost 48 lbs, gained all but 10lbs back. Had no problems last year, decided to go back on the injections before I gained all the weight back and every time I do an injection it seems to be o.k. but by the end of the day it is a big red spot and inflamed. kind of like you can see a white circle around the red. I have lost 10 lbs. but I'm stopping the injections. (scared)
by Concerned Lady, on January 17 2012 @ 8:00 am

I've been ramifications the HCG drops now for over the 45 days. I stopped for about a week after the recommended timeframe but went back on it after creaking out from gaining a few of the 15lbs I lost. My co-workers began warning me that there was a recall aired on national television, saying that the HCG causes many of the side effects mentioned on this board, including Cancer, but I refused to believe it…going by what all the different distributors & Dr. simeon's manuscript says. I've recently been so busy with my mom's wedding plannjng that I didn't even realize my period has not come. I recently did the calculation and realized I'm prob about 2wks late. I'm really freaking out now thinking about the talk of ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, etc. I'm def not pregnant so It can only account my extremely late menstrual cycle to the HCG drops. I stopped takibg them about 2 days ago and plan to call my Dr. Im just not sure if I should call my GYN or my PCP…or what exactly to ask them to check. I'm really scared since Im in my early 30s and don't have any children yet but want to one day. I pray to God that I didn't cause any damage to my body by not listening to all the warning signs. Has anyone else gone through missed periods or an irregular cycle that later returned to normal after stopping HCG?
by Virginia, on January 17 2012 @ 8:12 am

this diet is not for sissies.that is for dang sure. You have to get mentally psyched up to do it and expect some discomfort. There is no painless diet out there! I have lost 70 pounds on 3 rounds of hcg. The second time I did lose hair. It came out in clumps. The reason being I was not taking a multivitamin while doing the shots, but now I do. No more hair loss the next time. I gained back 10 pounds from thanksgiving to new years, but that still wasn't bad with all the food I had. Now I am doing another round and have lost 10 pounds in 11 days.I am doing this under a dr.s supervision. Don't just buy some hcg over the internet, it may NOT be real hcg but just junk.
by Virginia, on January 17 2012 @ 8:15 am

Yes, if you didn't take a mulitvitamin while doing a round. I lost hair, then the next time I did a round I took a multivitamin and didn't lose any.
by Virginia, on January 17 2012 @ 8:20 am

You can't cheat on this and get results. Period. Its not like other diets, its a system. Of course if you cheat the weight comes back! I've lost 70the pounds, but I didn't cheat.
by Mary, on January 17 2012 @ 9:56 am

I like your post Lacey. You are right. We as Americans eat way too much and too much sugar and flour.
by Debbie, on January 22 2012 @ 10:08 am

I included B-12 this round and I didn't lose hair like I did on round 1.
by Mary, on January 24 2012 @ 8:25 pm

If I could commit to 500 calories a day then I can lose weight. So, I agree with Gregg, sounds like it's a big joke.
by karin, on January 25 2012 @ 3:52 pm

I am suffering the hair loss to,is really bad and scary..I loss e
30 pounds in 21 days like 6month ago and i prefer my .30 pounds back and my hair to;*((
by steph, on January 26 2012 @ 3:38 pm

Have been off injections for 6 weeks, and did a 41 day round? NOw I am experienceing huge breasts . Is this a long term side effect, will it ever go away? TOTALLY FEEL LIKE PREGNANCY BOOBS:(
by George Ii, on January 30 2012 @ 6:36 am

If you are not on it ang, then go away. This is not a forum for you to judge anyone. It's to help people who are scared because things that they were not told about are happening.
by TommyC, on January 31 2012 @ 1:07 pm

I have a history of Panic Attacks starting about 30 yrs ago. I controll them with xanax or klonopin. While on klonopin 2mg/day and after 5 shots I felt the triggers trying to fire. It lasted only a few days and I was fine.
by Nicole, on January 31 2012 @ 2:56 pm

It sounds like you had a problem beforehand, and the hormones that mimicked pregnancy made your cyst grow faster. I did HcG and had a round of tests beforehand and after, and an abdominal ultrasound afterwards because I was scared when I did this diet 5 years ago. But everything was fine. My mother in law had estrogen issues (too high) and when she was pregnant with my husband 44 years ago, after her pregnancy the doctor discovered a huge ovarian cyst. She has had them off and on ever since. There a lot of mechanisms going on in the body and they aren't as simple as taking Hcg and then having a cyst grow overnight. Your body had hormonal issues to begin with.
by Nicole, on January 31 2012 @ 3:01 pm

Yes you do have to follow it to the letter!!!! Follow phase 3 EXACTLY; Dr. Simeons was a medical doctor, and an HcG expert (he discovered this use for it), and he saw THOUSANDS of people follow this plan over many years at his clinic. He developed all the phases for a reason. If you do all this work and then mess up phase 3, you are undoing everything and it is just another crash diet. I did this diet plan 5 years ago before I had two pregnancies back-to-back and it worked and stayed off! Do it properly! Phase 3 trains your hypothalamus to see your new weight as its new setpoint. Don't mess with it! Good luck! It's worth it.
by Nicole, on January 31 2012 @ 3:07 pm

Who is "they"? If you were a multi-billionaire, as the people who own the diet companies and fast food joints are (think someone like Donald Trump who owns many, many companies), would you want someone to take your money away by finding something safe that will keep people thin and away from your companies, therefore causing you to lose money? These people are very powerful and whomever says that HcG is not safe is trying to scare you.

If someone is allergic to a substance, those symptoms can certainly occur. But they are also pregnancy symptoms, many of them! HcG is a pregnancy hormone and used in clinics all over the world for diet purposes by medical doctors at this very moment. And in fertility clinics in MUCH higher concentrations. If you are not healthy, pregnancy can cause problems. Same with HcG injections. Get checked by a doctor first.

It is natural to be worried the first time. I was, too, when I did this program 5 years ago. But it was fine; I got checked afterwards because I was so scared and had a full abdominal ultrasound and bloodwork, and everything was totally fine. I even had two babies after that. Now it's 5 years later and after my 2 pregnancies I am doing it again to get rid of the extra weight.

Don't be fooled by everything you read, and do some research first. Ask your MD! Mine said it is perfectly safe.
by Nicole, on January 31 2012 @ 3:19 pm

You are very smart to be looking ahead and worrying about the long term effects. Too many people want the weight off, no matter what, and do stupid things to get skinny that are only harmful.

I did this diet 5 years ago with amazing success. The weight stayed off plus/minus 5 lbs (I lost a total of 30 lbs) until I had two pregnancies back to back. Prior to doing the diet for the first time/the HcG protocol, I could not even lose 5 lbs. And with very difficult measures: working out to the extreme, followiing strict low calorie diets, etc. After HcG I could keep my weight in check no problem and lose 5 lbs very easily if I overdid it. That was an amazing thing when I struggled with that for over 10 years. I was sort of experimenting to see how much I could eat and not gain back and found a good balance. If I overdid the carbs and raised my insulin too much, I saw weight gain so I stuck to meals with protein and veggies and some low-sugar fruit and got back in balance, and the weight came off back down to my set point that I had after I did the HcG diet. STAY AWAY FROM PROCESSED FOODS: THEY HAVE CHEMICALS AND ARE POISON! Eat clean and healthy, organic food if possible, and watch your sugar intake, and you should have no problem maintaining. It's the people that eat total garbage and chemicals that have issues maintaining their weight.

I had an abdominal ultrasound to check all my organs after I did the diet because I was so freaked out, but it all came back fine. I also had a massive round of bloodwork done and all was great, before and after. My doctor said it is very safe and it has beneficial effects: balancing insulin, which is an important hormone that controls your pancreas, liver, etc. and causes diabetes when too high for prolonged periods. That is the simplest explanation, but everything, including cholesterol, will improve. I had two babies after that and am doing this protocol again to take off the extra weight and reset my hypothalamus, which was damaged after being anorexic at 13 and years of binging/crash dieting after that. The HcG diet saved me from the merry-go-round of diets, obesity, thyroid issues, burned out adrenals that got worse when overexercising and crash dieting, etc. I SWEAR by it. My doctor says it is the only way to lose weight properly when hormonal problems are the issue, not just simply overeating. The hypothalamus is the most important gland in our bodies, we just don't know much about it. It regulates hormones, fertility, etc. Dr. Simeon talks about it in his book, Pounds and Inches, available for free online.

I know there is A LOT of controversy about it, but it is a medically developed plan. Definitely have your health checked out by your doctor, for sure, before you do it, and be followed by an MD. But if all checks out fine, you should be safe doing the plan. Good luck!
by Jessicalee, on January 31 2012 @ 7:36 pm

I had panic attacks too, I'm on HGC for the third time. You need to drink plenty of water, not a couple cups more like a couple bottles and the B-12 helps alot with the attacks too. Just remember your putting a hormone in your body, everyone has a different reaction.
by Kim, on February 1 2012 @ 1:47 pm

if you are having trouble with the food part this diet is NOT for you! You need to follow excactly what this protocal says to do!
by Ellen, on February 1 2012 @ 2:37 pm

I agree. Unless you have a legitamite thyroid deficiency, you are clearly not following the directions for the use of this hormone. Those of us that follow this process responsibly ALL have success, albeit with some side effects. If you are not losing weight (aside from a medical problem) you are not doing it correctly.