Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is a hormone produced during pregnancy. Once fertilization of the egg takes place, HCG is released by the developing placenta into the blood. HCG helps maintain the pregnancy, and the development of the fetus. Usually, HCG levels peak during the first 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy, and then slowly subsides to stabilize till the delivery.

After delivery, HCG will be no longer be present in the blood. In the case of a multiple pregnancy, where there are chances of twins or triplets being born, HCG levels are found to be higher. However, higher HCG levels could also mean a molar pregnancy, or Down syndrome. Lower HCG levels could denote an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or even death of the fetus.

There are claims that HCG taken for weight loss purposes along with a very low calorie diet of less than 800 calories per day has proved to be effective in reducing weight. Propagators of HCG weight loss technique claim that HCG could help hold back the increasing appetite of obese people, and help burn the unwanted fat around the hips and waist areas and take it to those areas of the body where it is required. However, there is no clear scientific evidence yet to substantiate these claims. In fact, the US FDA has disapproved HCG as a possible remedy for weight loss.

HCG is also used as a fertility medication in both men and women, and in some cases to reinstate testosterone production in men.

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