Add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 5000 mg vial, injecting slowly down the inside wall. Swirl gently; never shake. This yields a concentration of 2500 IU/mL.
What is the recommended dose of HCG?
A typical research dose is 250 IU. Consult the ASCEND calculator for your specific vial concentration and draw volume.
How many doses are in a HCG vial?
A 5000 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL BAC water yields approximately 20 doses at 250 IU each.
Peptide Intelligence
What is the half-life of HCG?
HCG has a half-life of approximately 24–36 hours after subcutaneous injection. Its two-phase elimination allows dosing every 2–3 days for gonadotropin protocols. This long half-life relative to LH (~20 minutes) makes it more practical for sustained testicular stimulation.
Why is HCG used in testosterone protocols?
HCG mimics LH at the Leydig cells, maintaining intratesticular testosterone production and testicular volume during exogenous testosterone use. Without HCG, exogenous testosterone suppresses LH causing testicular atrophy. Doses of 250–500 IU 2–3x/week are standard in fertility-preserving TRT protocols.
What are the storage requirements for HCG?
Lyophilized HCG powder is stable at room temperature for weeks but should be refrigerated for longer storage. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, store at 2–8°C and use within 30 days. Never freeze the reconstituted solution; HCG degrades faster than many other peptides.