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An unfortunate resurgence of human chorionic gonadotropin use for weight loss

International Journal of Obesity volume 36, pages 385–386 (2012)Cite this article

Some 55 years ago, English physician ATW Simeons1 proposed to treat obesity by administering human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Simeons’ protocol involves a combination of up to 6 weeks of a daily low-dose hCG injection and a very-low-calorie-diet (500 kcal per day). Early hCG clinical trials showed mixed results for weight loss; however, in recent decades several randomized controlled trials demonstrated that hCG was no better than placebo, and experts concluded that hCG has no merit for weight loss.2 Thus, the use of hCG for weight loss is discouraged by legitimate clinicians who treat obese patients.3

However, since the publication of a 2007 popular book,4 and most recently the promotion of hCG for weight loss on the Dr Oz television show, some conventional and many alternative medicine clinics have been offering hCG weight loss programs because it is a lucrative business for a prevalent health issue, obesity. Anecdotal stories indicate that many patients are satisfied with these programs because of the success of weight loss, although any weight loss that occurs is very likely due to the hypocaloric diet rather than any effect of hCG per se and as there is usually no weight loss maintenance program provided, weight is quickly regained after the end of the program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alere Wellbeing, Inc. and University of Washington, School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA

    J C Lovejoy

  2. Department of Psychosocial & Community Health, University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle, WA, USA

    M Sasagawa

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  1. J C Lovejoy
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  2. M Sasagawa
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Correspondence to J C Lovejoy.

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Lovejoy, J., Sasagawa, M. An unfortunate resurgence of human chorionic gonadotropin use for weight loss. Int J Obes 36, 385–386 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2011.188

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