HCG Diet Information – Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few informational videos that will tell you more about the HCG Diet. Scroll down to read HCG questions and answers.

The HCG Diet Protocol Introduction and History

The HCG Diet Protocol HCG Diet Summary

The HCG Diet Protocol How HCG Works for Weight Loss

1. How long will it take for my HCG diet drops to arrive once I have placed my order?

   We always have HCG in stock. The typical time from when an order is placed until the HCG arrives on your door step is 3-5 business days (if you choose ground shipping). You can expedite that if you would like to do so. Please know that if your order is placed before 2 pm CST, it goes out that same day, Monday through Friday (UPS does not usually ship Saturday or Sunday).

2. Where do I get HCG for the HCG diet?

   You can quickly and easily order HCG under the “Buy HCG Products” tab on DIYHCG.com today!

3. Can I start the DIY HCG Diet Program at Phase 2 and skip Phase 1 of the HCG diet?

   Yes. Through years of experience, we have found that Phase 2 provides enough cleansing that colonics is not necessary before beginning Phase 2. Phase 1 is not a part of Dr. Simeons’ manuscript and is optional.

4. What is a summary of a typical round of the HCG Diet?

   Day 1: Take HCG Diet Drops and gorge (eat as much fatty food as you can get down)

   Day 2: Take HCG Diet Drops and gorge

   Day 3 - Day 23 or up to Day 40: Take HCG Diet Drops and follow the 500 calorie diet as outlined in Dr. Simeons’ manuscript and under ‘HCG Phase 2 Summary’ in the “HCG Diet Phases” tab.

   After the last day of taking the HCG Diet Drops, you must keep following the 500 calorie diet for three days after stopping the HCG drops. Otherwise, YOU MAY GAIN.

   1st 3 weeks off HCG diet drops: No Sugars and No starches

   2nd 3 weeks off HCG diet drops: Slowly add in sugars and starches.

   For life, control weight with morning weighing and “Steak Days” (see Dr. Simeons’ manuscript or under ‘HCG Phase 3 Summary’ of the “HCG Diet Phases” tab) when needed.

   Because it is so important, we have Dr. Simeons’ manuscript available as a free download. The link is located under the "Does HCG Work" tab and at other various places on the site. Even if you don’t read the HCG manuscript , PLEASE do yourself a favor and read (and preferably print off) these sections, which are the pages of the PDF file (not the manuscript itself):

   • “The Diet” p. 25 and 26 of the PDF
   • “Cosmetics” p. 30
   • “Concluding a Course” p. 36

   If you order from DIY HCG you will also receive the DIY HCG Loser’s Manual to ensure that you have the quickest and most successful weight loss of your life. This info goes out with all HCG Diet Drops orders!

   Note: Many times homeopathic formulas are made by individuals literally in their back room, garage, or basement without a controlled process and with no regard for the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. Obviously, the quality and consistency of these individual operations could vary significantly. Therefore, order from a trusted source. (See ‘Where to Buy HCG’ under the “Does HCG Work?” tab for more information on this.)

5. Are these DIY HCG Diet Drops ‘real’ HCG?

   Yes, our DIY HCG Diet Drops are started with real, human form prescription, HCG that has been formulated according to homeopathic standard processes. Homeopathy is based on both physical ingredients that you can see and resonance/frequencies that you cannot see. Ingredients are put into a liquid, alcohol medium for preservation. While some homeopathic remedies do not start with the physical proponents and only include the frequencies of the proponents in a formula, the HCG formula we handle does start with the prescription HCG used for HCG injections.

6. Is the DIY HCG Diet Plan safe for men and women?

   According to Dr. Simeons and our experience with thousands of participants, the HCG diet plan is safe and effective for both men and women. Men typically report losing .75-1.5 lbs per day and women typically report losing .5 -1 lb per day when the diet is followed properly.

   HCG is the hormone that a woman produces during pregnancy. However, it is quite commonly used in both men and women in fertility treatments. So, guys, don’t worry. You’ll be fine AND you’ll be dropping pounds like crazy.

   HCG presents a few negative HCG side effects, such as a headache during the first few days of the low calorie diet and muscle cramps. See “What are the side effects of HCG?” (#32 below) for more information.

7. Should I go to my doctor before starting the DIY HCG Diet Plan?

   You should ALWAYS consult with your physician before starting any weight loss program, or life-style change. While we have had many, many participants do the HCG diet plan on their own with success, you are advised to consult with your doctor as we cannot give medical advice or guidance.

8. My doctor says that this is a scam, won't work, is not safe, etc. and tells me that I just need to exercise more. Ugh. What do you say to that?

   We know that many doctors scoff at the HCG diet when they first hear about it. This is mostly because 500 calories per day is generally considered unhealthy, which we agree -- generally. If HCG is not in play, we consider 500 calories per day unhealthy. However, HCG changes everything by releasing fat (i.e. additional calories) into the blood stream for proper usage.

   For the record, we have not come across any doctors who have actually seen the HCG diet work that did not approve. Again, it is more the philosophy of the diet that they have an issue.

   Just keep in mind that a medical doctor, Dr. ATW Simeons, created and studied the HCG diet for over 20 years. Between his experience and our experience, we have no doubts whatsoever that this is the real deal. Furthermore, we have worked with thousands of cases that certainly dispel the “won’t work”, “is a scam”, “isn’t safe”, etc. conclusions. Just take a look at our 'HCG Success Stories' page to see for yourself!

9. Can vegetarians use the HCG diet for weight loss?

   Yes! Dr. Simeons addressed vegetarians on HCG diet in his manuscript. There are some slight modifications you can use to do the HCG diet from the section ‘vegetarians’ in Dr. Simeons’ manuscript (free download). Through working with quite a few vegetarians ourselves, we have some additional tips and options. Once you place your order with DIYHCG.com, feel free to e-mail us with questions (just make sure to include your order number).

10. Can I still use the DIY HCG diet drops if I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes?

    Since we are neither doctors nor physicians, we can’t give you any medical advice; however, we can tell you that we have had MANY clients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes that reported FANTASTIC results on the HCG diet. You should work with your physician to monitor your progress during the protocol because some medications such as blood pressure and diabetes, in particular, may need to be adjusted quite quickly during participation in the HCG protocol

    We have had many participants report that while they started the HCG Diet with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes and usually on medications for those conditions, many were able to decrease their medication dosage or even discontinue taking their medications with the blessing of their physicians because of their success on the HCG Diet. We never advise anyone to start, change, or stop taking medications. That is your physician’s job and they do it best.

    Furthermore, we have received RAVE reviews from more than one physician when participants receive their post-HCG diet blood work. One man’s doctor even made him a certificate for making such a positive advancement in his health.

11. Don’t the HCG injections work better than homeopathic HCG? Why do you prefer the homeopathic HCG diet drops more?

    First, and most importantly, we have seen the same (if not better) great weight loss results (20-30 lbs in about a month when the protocol is followed properly) with the homeopathic HCG drops as with the HCG injections or other methods. Many people who have done both forms have reported less hunger and more energy on the HCG diet drops than while on the HCG injections. Some other reasons that we prefer and, therefore, switched almost exclusively from HCG injections to the homeopathic HCG diet drops are:

    • Travels anywhere
    • No mixing
    • Long shelf life
    • Substantial savings
    • No injections or additional supplies required

12. Why would I buy from DIYHCG instead of someone else?

    Our DIY HCG diet drops are legally ordered from a U.S. company where the “laboratory is a federally registered pharmaceutical laboratory in full compliance with FDA regulations governing pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities… All procedures follow strictly the guidelines set forth in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, which is the official document governing homeopathic manufacturing in this country.”

    Note: Many times homeopathic formulas are made by individuals literally in their back room, garage, or basement without a controlled process and with no regard for the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. Obviously, the quality and consistency of these individual operations could vary significantly. So, you want to order from a trusted source. (See ‘Where to Buy HCG’ under the “Does HCG Work?” tab for more information on this.)

    We ship our DIY HCG diet drops via UPS (for all domestic orders) or USPS Priority Mail (for all international orders) from Missouri, USA. No longer will you have to wait 3-6 weeks for some HCG to come in from a foreign country! The typical time from placing an order to having the HCG on your door step for domestic deliveries averages 3-5 business days with UPS ground shipping.

    The DIY HCG diet drops are easy to travel with as they require no refrigeration, no need to carry around needles, no alcohol pads, etc.

    Our DIY HCG diet drops do not require you to do any mixing. Let’s face it, how many participants are qualified to mix prescription HCG. Of course, you can do it, but please double check all your calculations and use utmost care in preparation, especially if you will be injecting.

    DIY HCG drops formula includes alcohol which acts as a preservative keeping the HCG active and effective for much longer than HCG mixed for injections.

13. What is the difference between the DIY HCG Diet Drops, Mediral’s HCG Detox, and Mediral’s HCG Weight Loss Formula?

    We have had experience and found similar weight loss results with all of these different types of HCG. However, there remain a few differences between them.

    DIY HCG Diet Drops:

    Fantastic weight loss results of 20-30 lbs in 30-40 days reported by customers who take this HCG along with following the restricted calorie diet

    Contains DIY HCG, Inc.’s proprietary blend of cell salts to help with small HCG diet side effects sometimes reported like muscle cramping.

    Mediral HCG Detox:

    Fantastic weight loss results of 20-30 lbs in 30-40 days reported by customers who take this HCG along with following the restricted calorie diet

    NO Cell Salt Mixture

    Mediral HCG Weight Loss Formula:

    Fantastic weight loss results of 20-30 lbs in 30-40 days reported by customers who take this HCG along with following the restricted calorie diet

    NO Cell Salt Mixture, added amino acids

    Note: While working with and personally observing hundreds of clients on the HCG diet plan, we had a noticeable occurrence of extreme moodiness and agitation, especially with women, on the Weight Loss Formula. The occurrence was significant enough that we actually discontinued using this formula about 1 ½ years ago.

14. Won’t I still lose the same amount of weight just easting a very low calorie diet without spending the money on HCG?

    Most people will lose weight by simply decreasing their caloric intake and increasing their amount of activity. However, that simply does not work for some people. AND, for the people for which it does work, the weight lost is not usually the fat that they really want gone: belly, upper arms, butt, neck fat, etc.

    If you try to just eat the 500 calories, good luck. Let me know in about…um…a day or two how you are doing on the diet. Actually, just tell me how many hours you were on it before you gave up due to extreme fatigue, hunger, and general “horrible” feeling. If you are a trooper and do stay on it for about a week, you will most probably lose weight. The weight will be in your face, your chest (ladies), the cute part of your butt (ladies), and in muscle (guys and ladies). You will also be exhausted and weak and FEEL like you are on a 500 calorie diet. Then, after you have lost a few pounds, your body will most likely go into ‘starvation mode’ and start holding on to everything that you put into your mouth until you give up. But watch out because you will start to gain weight quickly while your body ‘recovers’ what it lost plus a little more for safekeeping. Sound familiar? So, that is a not-so-fun weight loss technique. But hey, if you want to save the $80 measly dollars (about $2 per day), then have at it!

    On the other hand, with the HCG in your system, you will have the HCG pumping through you and releasing fat, calories, protein from your usually inaccessible fat reserves making you feel full already while you are eating your 500 calories allowed per day. You will find that you are feeling great, having energy, losing from where you want to lose, and totally reshaping your body. Then, when you come off the HCG and 500 calorie diet, do the maintenance phase for 6 weeks (see ‘HCG Phase 3 Summary’ under “HCG Diet Phases”). And, guess what? Most people have a much better chance of maintaining their weight loss. It’s amazing. We know.

15. Is it true that people lose more weight when using HCG injections than when they use the HCG drops?

    We, the owners of DIY HCG, have been working with the HCG diet since 2007. At the beginning we supported the HCG injections and had customers who experienced great results of 20-30 lbs lost in about a month. In 2008, we heard about homeopathic HCG. We hesitantly tried it out on ourselves, then some family members, and finally some customer volunteers. And lo and behold, everyone reported the same weight loss results, and many participants reported feeling less hungry and having more energy. We kept working with both types (prescription HCG injections and homeopathic HCG drops) for a while, but then completely switched over to the HCG diet drops when we were confident the results were great AND we saw significantly fewer reports of hair loss. (See “Homeopathic HCG Diet Drops vs Prescription HCG Injections” under “Does HCG Work?” for more information).

    Bottom line: NO we have not found it to be true (based on feedback from our customers) that those on HCG injections lose more weight than those using the HCG diet drops. It just so happens that the HCG drops are much cheaper. Go figure.

16. How do you take the DIY HCG diet drops?

    When you order from DIY HCG, you are sent your bottle of DIY HCG diet drops with a calibrated dropper inside. You are also sent an oral syringe if you choose not to measure with the calibrated dropper inside the bottle. You have those two options for measuring the drops.

    To take the DIY HCG diet drops, measure out .5 cc or .5 ml on either your dropper or the syringe. Then, simply squirt them under your tongue. Let them sit there (as best you can) for about 2 minutes. Then, swallow whatever remains. Do not eat or drink anything besides water for 15 minutes before or after taking the drops.

    You will receive further instructions in the “Loser’s Manual” you will receive with your order from DIYHCG.com.

17. Do I have to mix the DIY HCG drops when they get here?

    No. When the DIY HCG diet drops arrive on your doorstep, they are premixed and ready to use! Hooray!

18. Where are the DIY HCG diet drops manufactured?

    Our HCG is made in a United States lab. The lab is a federally registered pharmaceutical laboratory in full compliance with FDA regulations governing pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

19. Why does this not have to be refrigerated?

    This HCG does not have to be refrigerated because it is made in the homeopathic method and mixed with alcohol as part of its liquid medium. The alcohol acts as a preservative and keeps the HCG active and effective. If you are not going to use an open bottle of HCG for a few days or several weeks, you should place the bottle in the refrigerator to hold potency over longer periods.

20. How can I possibly survive on a 500 calorie per day HCG diet? I’ll STARVE!

    You WON’T STARVE. Again and again we will tell you. Most participants are NOT hungry. Why is that again? Remember, the HCG allows you to tap into your abnormal fat resources and RELEASE all of your stored fats, calories, proteins, etc into your bloodstream. Therefore, your body is not getting the 500 calories eaten alone. Your body is getting the 500 calories you eat PLUS 1500-4000 calories (per Dr. Simeons) that the HCG releases from your abnormal fat stores. This is why you are generally not hungry, why your metabolism does NOT slow down, and why you are not ripping someone’s head off because you just gotta EAT.

    It is normal to feel a slight hunger for the first few days of the diet as the HCG is getting established in your system. However, at about day 4 or 5, you should be feeling quite well and generally satisfied. You will be in a routine and only eating because it is time to eat; not because you are starving.

21. Do I have to gorge (eat as much fatty food as I can get down) for the first 2 days on HCG for the HCG diet?

    Yes! You must gorge. (See sample HCG gorge menus here) This gets your body’s normal fat reserves stocked up to keep you feeling okay until the HCG has fully opened up your abnormal fat reserves to start releasing fat from there according to Dr. Simeons.

    If you do not gorge, you may be miserable for the first 4-7 days of the HCG diet.

22. What foods are allowed on the HCG Diet?

    For the list of food allowed on the HCG diet (commonly mistaken as the HGC diet), go to ‘HCG Phase 2 Summary’ under “HCG Diet Phases." Basically there is a very specific list of allowed proteins, vegetables, fruits, and “carbs” that you are allowed in VERY limited quantities throughout the day. There is, however, NO pre-packaged food that you must buy, no expensive diet snacks, and no meal membership programs. In fact, most people save a significant amount of money when they do the HCG diet because of the small amount of natural foods they are eating. It’s great. Lose weight AND become more wealthy! Who could ask for anything more?

23. Do we need to be using any special make-ups, lotions, soaps, shampoo, or hair gel?

    Yes! And lucky for you DIYHCG.com now offers a full line of HCG Diet Personal Care products including the new Tiffalina's HCG Diet Safe Lotion. You can find pretty much any hygiene item you can think of that you may need to switch out for the 500 calorie phase of the HCG diet. Now, you can buy everything you need in one place! To prepare, you need to take out all your cosmetics, lotions, soaps, etc. and make sure that none of them list oil, or any type of fat in their ingredients. If they do, you should NOT use them during the 500 calorie phase of the diet.

    Ladies, I strongly suggest that you do not use a liquid foundation. Try something like Bare Essentials or other more natural make-up lines. Just remember, it's only about month. Also, consider getting the HCG Weight Loss Cure Guide that reviews this in detail.

24. Does the rapid weight loss decrease a bit after the first two weeks?

    It is typical for people to lose about 7- 12lbs the first week and about 1 lb per day through the next week. For weeks three and on, .5 – 1 lb per day is okay and normal for women. Men, should continue to lose at least .75 – 1.5 lb per day until the end of the round of the HCG diet.

25. Can I exercise on the HCG diet?

    1. If you already exercise and have been doing so regularly for at least 2 months prior to starting the HCG diet, you can usually continue your exercise routine as long as it doesn’t include heavy weight lifting or extreme exhaustion. Just listen to how your body reacts AND watch the scale. If your weight loss is slowing or stopping all together, we suggest stopping all exercise except walking.
    2. If you want to start something new, you can start walking. A brisk walk each day is great for anyone. Don’t start walking 10 miles on the first day though, silly.

26. Do I really have to eliminate cosmetics, moisturizers, lotions, and creams for the VLCD phase of the HCG diet?

    Yes! Yes! Yes! If you don’t, you may hardly lose any weight. Let me rephrase that. You will probably lose weight, but you won’t lose NEARLY as much as you could if you would have just dropped those things for 1 month. ONE MONTH. You can do it. Just make sure to check our site for HCG Diet-approved personal care items like Tiffalina's HCG Diet Safe Lotion. (See also "Lotions and Buttery Soaps and Creams, Oh My!” for WHY fat and oil laden products affect you on the VLCD phase of the diet.)

27. Can I drink alcohol on the HCG Diet?

    No. The only liquids allowed on the HCG diet are coffee, tea, and water.

28. Do I need to take supplements while on the protocol?

    We do not recommend taking any extra vitamins while on the DIY HCG diet plan. Dr. Simeons allowed vitamin C, D, and calcium ONLY when needed. These must be taken in non-oily, non-capsule, pill forms with no other ingredients listed and no nutrition facts.

    Recently there has been discussion about vitamin B-12 with regard to boosting energy. After much hesitation, we did test it out on ourselves and with some willing clients. Our conclusion: vitamin B-12 in homeopathic form, therefore no sugars, oils, etc., seemed to allow steady weight loss in customers who used it. Some said they had more energy and some did not. As always, it can be different for everyone. Based on the huge demand, we do now offer homeopathic vitamin B-12. Check it out if you want to give it a try. We recommend homeopathic form ONLY! Otherwise, it may have extra nutritional value (carbs, sugars, chemicals, etc.)

29. What sweeteners are allowed on the very low calorie phase of the HCG diet?

    There are two types of sweeteners allowed on the HCG diet: stevia and saccharin. Saccharin has been getting a bad rep for years as an artificial product that potentially causes different health problems and other issues. Saccharin is allowed, but not necessarily recommended. On the other hand, stevia is an all-natural sweetener from South America. It’s toxin free! Yay! We all like that. We chose to sell stevia, not saccharin, to our valued customers. After all, we care about your overall health, and you must too; otherwise, you wouldn’t be on this site today. Visit the HCG Stevia section of “Buy HCG Products” to stock up today!

    Note: There are many stevia products coming to market – most have added invalid ingredients, so you must be very careful when selecting a stevia product. The product should not have ANY form of sugar added such as maltodextrin. Purchase from DIY HCG to rest assured that you are getting an acceptable brand.

30. Can I use frozen fruits and vegetables instead of getting them fresh from the store?

    Fresh vegetables and flash-frozen fruits and vegetables are highly preferable over canned.

31. Can I use lotion while on the HCG diet?

    Thanks to Tiffalina's HCG Diet Safe Lotion, we can now answer "YES!" to this question. With only HCG diet-approved ingredients, this product is a great solution to dry skin while on VLCD/Phase 2 of the diet.

    Basically, the HCG allows your body to be so open that while on it, whenever you put anything with oils or fats, etc. on your skin, it gets soaked up into your skin and your body processes it as though you have eaten it.

    Anything with fats, oils, etc. in it like lotions, creams, soaps, deodorants, hand soap, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc. can stall or slow your weight loss. In some cases, you may actually GAIN weight while you are taking the HCG and using these types of products! Check back on our site for HCG-safe personal care products. We're adding more all the time.

32. What are the typical HCG diet side effects?

    Most people on the HCG diet experience only positive HCG side effects:

    • Quick weight loss from abnormal fat stores
    • Huge loss of inches and reshaping of the body
    • More energy
    • Better, more deep and relaxing sleep
    • Less aches and pains
    • A general feeling of well-being
    • A healthier appetite during and after the low calorie portion of the HCG diet

    Very few people on the HCG diet experience some less positive, minor HCG side effects such as:

    • Leg cramping (can be alleviated by using the DIY HCG brand of HCG drops, which contains our special blend of cell salts, or by taking homeopathic cell salts purchased separately on DIYHCG.com)
    • A slight headache during the first week as your body is detoxing from all the sugar and chemicals you used to eat and drink.
    • You can take aspirin in a pill (non gel-cap) form to help with this.
    • **VERY RARE with HCG Drops / Homeopathic HCG** Slight hair thinning that lasts for about 2 weeks and then fills back in.
    • Again, this is quite rare with our HCG drops, but quite common among participants using HCG injections. The Loser Manual covers these in more detail.

33. Will I experience any changes in my menstrual cycle /menstruation / period while taking HCG?

    Every woman’s body is different. However, most women do find experience some changes on their menstrual cycle while on the HCG Diet Drops. It is concerning to see so many other HCG sites out there that say that the HCG diet will not affect your HCG cycle at all. That must simply be lack of experience with the HCG Diet. We see changes of all types: starting earlier, starting later, having a cycle for the first time in a few years, having break through bleeding even when FAR into menopause. Be aware that HCG does commonly cause some kind of change to your menstrual cycle.

    Regarding whether or not to take the drops during your cycle, it is up to you. We have had customers report that some do and some don't and have not found any issue either way. What we recommend is that you not take the drops on your 'heavy days' as they tend to make those days "heavier".

34. What about the HCG diet during pregnancy?

    If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not start taking HCG for weight loss. You should wait until you are finished nursing to begin the DIY HCG diet program.

    However, you may find the section entitled “Pregnancy and Obesity” in Dr. Simeons’ manuscript (free download on the homepage of DIYHCG.com) to be an interesting read regarding terms of weight loss during your pregnancy.

35. Can I do the DIY HCG diet while I am nursing?

    We highly recommend that you wait until you are done nursing to start the DIY HCG diet. You should consult with your doctor if you feel otherwise.

36. Can I use birth control while following the protocol?

    Dr. Simeons says in the manuscript that the HCG diet should not affect your birth control pills and your birth control pills do not affect your weight loss while on the HCG diet.

37. What is the hypothalamus gland?

    The hypothalamus is a very important structure in your brain that controls a wide variety of processes throughout your body. Your hypothalamus controls things like temperature control, telling your body when to burn or store fat, telling your body when to make you feel hungry, and much more. This is a really bad thing to have out of whack.

38. What if I am on hormone replacement therapy of HRT? 

If you are on hormone replacement therapy or HRT, please call our HCG customer service team for information on how this may affect your HCG weight loss on the HCG diet. You can reach our HCG customer service team at 888-389-0626 (9-5 CST M-F).