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HGH vs hCG: What the Research Shows

HGH and hCG side by side: what they are, how they are regulated and what is still unknown.

Medically reviewed by Juan Pablo Frías, MD · · DisclosureUpdated
Recombinant growth hormoneFDA approved (prescription only)HGHRecombinant human growth hormone, FDA-approved by prescription; in a randomized trial, 4 weeks of supraphysiological dosing did not improve power output or oxygen uptake.[10]Growth hormone+39% searchesGonadotropinFDA approved (prescription only)hCGGonadotropin FDA-approved for specific uses; the Novarel label states hCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity.[11]OtherFlat YoY
Quick verdict

Where the research points

Summary of studies, not a recommendation

Consider HGH if…

  • you want products with an FDA label: Genotropin (somatropin) is indicated for children with growth failure from inadequate growth hormone secretion[2]
  • you want randomized data on lean mass in older men: Lean body mass increased with GH alone and with GH plus testosterone versus placebo; total body fat decreased only with the combination.[12]

Consider hCG if…

  • you want a product with an FDA label: Novarel (chorionic gonadotropin) lists hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males among its indications[11]
  • you want data in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (gonadotropin therapy meta-analysis): Gonadotropin therapy achieved spermatogenesis in 75% (69-81) of men with HH.[13]

What they have in common

  • Growth hormone is prohibited by WADA at all times, in and out of competition[1]
  • Chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is prohibited by WADA at all times, in and out of competition[1]
Both are prohibited in tested sport (WADA). Status labels come from public FDA and WADA records; see the sources below.
Side by side

Spec comparison

Showing 7 of 11 fields where the two differ. FDA status, PCAC vote, Jul 2026, Evidence strength, US searches per month are the same or both unknown.

FieldHGHhCG
ClassRecombinant growth hormoneGonadotropin
Also calledGH, growth hormone, generic HGH, IUhuman chorionic gonadotropin
CategoryGrowth hormoneOther
WADAProhibited by WADA (S2.2.3)Growth hormone and its analogues and fragments are prohibited at all times (S2.2.3).Prohibited by WADA (S2.2.1)Chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is prohibited for male athletes (S2.2.1, testosterone-stimulating peptides). The list limits this class to males.
Half-life0.4 hours IV; 3.0 hours subcutaneousintravenous (normal adults); subcutaneous (GHD adults), Genotropin · FDA label (Genotropin)pooled half-life 5.8 daysinjection (urinary and recombinant hCG) · Clinical endocrinology 2024, PMID 38446525
Human studies we summarised13 human (13 randomized or controlled) of 20 summarised10 human (9 randomized or controlled) of 15 summarised
Typical study doses

Bracketed values are pending a sourced figure. Legal data reflects the regulatory events in our tracker.

Taken together?

HGH and hCG together

People also search for this pair as a stack. The stack page covers timing and interaction questions as they are sourced. Evidence for the combination: No studies tested these together (PubMed search: 39 results, 2 Oct 2026).

Open the stack page
StackHGH + hCG, taken as separate injectionsStack page

Sources

  1. 1World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026wada-ama.orgAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2GENOTROPIN (SOMATROPIN) KIT [PFIZER LABORATORIES DIV PFIZER INC]FDA label (Genotropin), DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3Effect of growth hormone on aging connective tissue in muscle and tendon: gene expression, morphology, and function following immobilization and rehabilitation.Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · 2014PMID 24235105Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  4. 4Impact of GH replacement therapy on sleep in adult patients with GH deficiency of pituitary origin.European journal of endocrinology · 2013PMID 23447518Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5Local administration of growth hormone stimulates tendon collagen synthesis in elderly men.Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · 2012PMID 22961272Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  6. 6Single and multi-dose pharmacology of recombinant and urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin in men.Clinical endocrinology · 2024PMID 38446525Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  7. 7Effect of Combined Low Dose Human Gonadotropic Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and Testosterone Therapy (LFT Regimen) Versus Conventional High Dose Human Gonadotropic Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone on Spermatogenesis and Biomarkers in Men With Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists · 2024PMID 39025301Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  8. 8Clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin are both effective in restoring testosterone in hypogonadism: a short-course randomized study.BJU international · 2018PMID 29772111Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  9. 9PubMed search: (("human chorionic gonadotropin"[tiab] OR "chorionic gonadotropin"[tiab] OR "chorionic gonadotrophin"[tiab] OR hCG[tiab] OR choriogonadotropin[tiab]) NOT (pregnan*[tiab] OR trophoblast*[tiab] OR choriocarcinoma[tiab] OR "germ cell"[tiab] OR hydatidiform[tiab] OR "embryo transfer"[tiab] OR oocyte*[tiab] OR "in vitro fertilization"[tiab] OR IVF[tiab] OR "ovarian stimulation"[tiab] OR "ovulation induction"[tiab] OR "ovarian hyperstimulation"[tiab] OR equine[tiab] OR eCG[tiab] OR "pregnant mare"[tiab])) AND (somatropin[tiab] OR "recombinant human growth hormone"[tiab] OR "recombinant growth hormone"[tiab] OR rhGH[tiab] OR "growth hormone therapy"[tiab] OR "growth hormone treatment"[tiab] OR "growth hormone replacement"[tiab] OR "growth hormone administration"[tiab] OR "GH therapy"[tiab] OR "GH treatment"[tiab] OR "GH replacement"[tiab] OR "GH administration"[tiab] OR "growth hormone injection"[tiab] OR "growth hormone injections"[tiab] OR "growth hormone supplementation"[tiab])PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  10. 10Short-term administration of supraphysiological recombinant human growth hormone (GH) does not increase maximum endurance exercise capacity in healthy, active young men and women with normal GH-insulin-like growth factor I axes.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2005PMID 15784718Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  11. 11NOVAREL ® (chorionic gonadotropin) for injection, for intramuscular use Initial U.S. Approval: 1974FDA label, DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  12. 12The effects of growth hormone and/or testosterone in healthy elderly men: a randomized controlled trial.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2006PMID 16332938Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  13. 13Factors affecting spermatogenesis upon gonadotropin-replacement therapy: a meta-analytic study.Andrology · 2014PMID 25271205Accessed 2 Oct 2026

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