Frequently Asked Questions

HCG is FDA approved to treat infertility via an intramuscular injection. When used for infertility treatment the dosage is generally 5,000 – 10,000 IU’s daily. The dosage for HCG weight loss is 125 – 180 IU’s (12.5mg – 18mg) daily via a nasal spray.

Despite years of successful use for the purpose of weight loss HCG is not approved by the FDA for weight loss. The FDA acknowledges HCG is used for weight loss by requiring the following statement; “HCG HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY OR WEIGHT CONTROL. THERE IS NO SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT HCG INCREASES WEIGHT LOSS BEYOND THAT RESULTING FROM CALORIC RESTRICTION, THAT IT CAUSES A MORE ATTRACTIVE OR “NORMAL” DISTRIBUTION OF FAT OR THAT IT DECREASES THE HUNGER AND DISCOMFORT ASSOCIATED WITH CALORIE-RESTRICTIVE DIETS.”

The Riordan Clinic honors the intent of the FDA’s statement, which is protective in nature. The FDA statement does not address the more substantive issue, which is the significant risk of not taking action to reduce your weight and risking future illness. The Riordan Clinic HCG Rx+ weight loss intervention cannot make any guarantees, it nevertheless provides a time-tested approach to weight loss that is physician supervised and individually monitored for safety and effectiveness.

From the 1950s -1970s, Dr. Albert T. Simeons, a British-born physician, developed a weight loss program that used HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), a natural hormone that is produced when a woman becomes pregnant. Dr. Simeons reasoned that because HCG utilized the pregnant woman’s own fat reserves to sustain fetal nutrition during periods of maternal food deprivation, it would be possible for a small amount of HCG to be administered daily to non-pregnant women (and also men) to assist in better utilizing unnecessary visceral fat reserves, thereby facilitating rapid weight loss while on a very low calorie diet (VLCD.)

Under Dr. Simeons’ medical supervision, his patients received a subcutaneous injection (into the belly fat area) of HCG daily for a period of 30-40 days. Women on average lost 25-40 pounds and men lost 35-47 lbs, though results varied with each individual. (NOTE: The Riordan Clinic HCG program will use nasal spray, which has been shown to produce identical results without the pain of injection. Sublingual drops or subcutaneous injections are available if medically necessary.)

Dr. Simeons created a research manual, “Pounds and Inches” that focused on the use of HCG as a weight loss solution. He found that HCG alone did not cause weight loss. However, if used in combination with a specific low calorie diet, combined with mild exercise, significant weight loss could occur.

During his research, Dr. Simeons found a relative lack of “starvation symptoms” that would otherwise be expected for a patient on such a low calorie diet (approximately 750-800 calories.) For example, his patients had minimal or no headaches, hunger pains, generalized weakness, or irritability as long as the low calorie diet was combined with HCG.

(NOTE: In the 60 years since Dr. Simeons’ initial research, many more environmental chemicals have been introduced to widespread use. These chemicals tend to be stored in the body’s fat reserves and are released when fat is rapidly utilized. This can give rise to unpleasant detoxification symptoms, for which the Riordan Clinic has developed various treatment strategies.)

Despite thousands of weight loss success stories resulting from the combination of HCG and caloric restriction the FDA has never approved HCG as weight-loss medication, although it does not prohibit its use.

First identified as a hormone released by the body of pregnant women, HCG metabolizes fat for energy for both the mother and the maturing fetus. Dr. Simeon discovered that in prescribed doses HCG offers the same rapid fat-burning benefits to both men and women trying to lose weight.

The presence of HCG does NOT “trick” your body into thinking it is pregnant. Dr. Simeons believed that HCG acted in a manner that reset the brain’s “set point” (located in the hypothalamus.) Each day, while using HCG with a 750-800 calorie diet, this “reset-action” mobilizes several thousand calories of fat from the body’s visceral fat reserves, which are normally resistant to calorie burning.

This program does not produce metabolic slowing, because the daily quota of calories needed are being met from visceral fat reserves. Protein, healthy carbs, and vitamins are provided by the 750-800 calorie diet plus a specially designed vitamin program used in conjunction with the HCG nasal spray. There is no malnutrition. Program participants look and feel healthy while on the program.

Prescription HCG has been used successfully by physicians for years and has proven to be safe and effective when used properly and under a licensed doctor’s care. Although there are homeopathic versions of HCG available on the internet, which do not require physician supervision, the Riordan Clinic believes a doctor supervised program is the best course of action.

Known clinical side effects to prescription HCG are minimal, however it is still recommended that all HCG users consult at licensed physician prior to use and remain under the physicians care while using HCG. Additionally, a medical professional should be contacted immediately if any of the following occur; dizziness, difficulty breathing, swelling or redness.

1. Normal fat: This type of fat easily accessed by the body to draw energy or be stored. Normal fat doesn’t take a lot of effort to lose; on a VLCD without HCG this is the type of fat you lose first.
2. Structural fat: You don’t ever want to lose this fat as it pads various organs and cushions bony areas. It is vital to your health and well being. On a VLCD without HCG this is the fat you lose when the normal fat is depleted.
3. Abnormal fat (VISCERAL FAT): This type of fat is the unhealthiest and the hardest to lose. With the help of a VLCD and HCG the body accesses this stored fat first to create weight loss. Visceral fat gives rise to unhealthy inflammation and insulin resistance – the precursors to diabetes and heart disease. By losing your visceral fat you can improve your overall health and prevent many serious degenerative diseases.

A VLCD diet without HCG uses normal fat and then starts to use the structural fat and muscle. Although you can lose fat, it is not the type of fat you want to lose. The loss of structural fat and muscle tissue can adversely affect your health and well-being. In addition VLCD diets without HCG can cause you to be excessively hungry. When using HCG combined with a VLCD the body uses abnormal/visceral fat and helps prevent hunger. This is the most positive fat loss outcome to achieve overall health improvement.

There is the potential during the first few days of the HCG diet to experience these issues. To combat possible symptoms the Riordan Clinic HCG Rx+ Weight Loss Intervention recommends receiving IV Essentials intravenous nutrition during the first week of the program. This is a unique and exclusive benefit offered only with the Riordan Clinic HCG program and is based on our 35 years of experience administrating intravenous nutrition for a wide variety of conditions.

The IV Essentials will help to lessen the symptoms, however generally these symptoms should pass on their own by the second week. As HCG mobilizes the stored fat as an energy source for the body it naturally reduces the appetite.

The amount of prescription HCG prescribed for weight loss should not impact your menstrual cycle. Sometimes dieting alone can effect a woman’s cycle, but the change is not impacted by HCG.

You should not use the HCG nasal spray during your first two full-flow days of your period; you can begin to use the HCG spray again after abstaining for the two full-flow days. If you take HCG during the first two full-flow days of your menstrual cycle you may experience cramps and increased flow. The body is naturally producing HCG during menstruation, thus introducing additional HCG spray while on the diet can have uncomfortable side effects.

It is recommended that you should delay the diet if you are within 5-6 days of your menstrual period. After you have completed your menstrual period you can then begin the diet.

You can NOT take oil-based supplements such as fish oil and vitamin E. The HCG diet is very sensitive to fats and oils, thus taking oil-based supplements could negatively impact your results. All other supplements that are not oil-based are okay to take.

To make sure you receive the optimum amount of vitamins and nutrients during the program nutritional supplements are supplied to you as part of the Riordan Clinic HCG Rx+ Weight Loss Intervention program.

1. Green/White Capsule- 250mg Tyrosine, 2mg Beta-Glucan, 200mcg Selenium, 1mg Folic Acid, 5mg Iodine, 7.5mg Potassium Iodide
2. *Yellow Capsule: 600mg Magnesium, 5000mg D3
3. *Red/Orange Capsule: 60mg Coenzyme Q10, 150mg Lipoic Acid, 340mg Acetyl-L-Carnitine
4. Yellow Tablet – 100 mg B-Complex including: B1 Thiamine, B2 Riboflavin, B3 Niacin, B6 Pyridoxine, B9 Folic Acid, B12 Methylcobalamin, B7 Biotin, B5 Pantothenic Acid, PABA, Choline, Bh Inositol
5. White Capsule- Dairy-Free Probiotic including: 2 billion CFU Acidophilus, 2 billion CFU Bifidus, 109mg FOS

*The mark on the end of these two vitamins is made with vegetable-based ink. It’s an internal “tracking” mark used by the pharmacy that compounds the vitamins.

We recommend that the sublingual B12 (under the tongue) be taken in the morning at the same time as the HCG; do not eat or drink 15 minutes before/after taking the HCG/B12. Ideally the vitamin packet is best taken with the lunch meal. The supplement regimen is designed to maximize benefits and minimize side effects of the program. NOTE: The sublingual B12 must be refrigerated.

The HCG diet is very sensitive to fats, oils and creams. Body/skincare products that contain fats and oils should not be used as they could potentially slow the weight loss process. Each participant must make the personal decision what products to use while on the program keeping in mind the sensitivity to fats and oils.

The “blue book” included with the program HCG Weight Loss Cure Guide addresses this issue more specifically on pages 25 – 27, including a list of acceptable products.

1. Doctor Call Times: You can participate in a free group conference call with a Riordan Clinic doctor every Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:00. During the conference call you can ask questions directly to a Riordan Clinic doctor and the answer will be provided to the group. (Instructions: Tuesdays 5:30 – 6:00 CST. Call 800-615-2900, enter code 2571701, and you will be connected to the call.)
2. You can participate in the weekly hCG Rx+ Weight Loss Intervention support-group via conference call held every Wednesday from 5:15-5:45. Please contact an hCG Program Advisor at 316-682-3100 to get the phone-in information.
3. You can schedule a 30-minute consultation with the doctor to discuss HGC for $150. This cost is not included in the HCG program cost. Call 316-682-3100 to schedule an appointment.