Side Effects of the hCG Diet? My Story

As a result of the hCG diet, Kay experienced weight gain, cycle issues, and heart problems that required monitoring.

Dangers of the hCG Diet and Quick Weight Loss

You may have seen the photos posted relentlessly on Facebook by a friend of yours: "So and so lost 25 pounds in one month!" "I lost three pounds in one day!" "Join me and lose weight too!"

If you struggle with your weight, you'll soon find yourself tempted to try the hCG diet. After all, they make it look so easy, right? Your friend has shared that she was skeptical too, but... Well, against my better judgment, I finally succumbed to the pressure. I gave in.

For those who don't already know what hCG is, I'll explain. Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced by the placenta after implantation. The diet's claim is that when people take a low dose of hCG, they lose fat and not lean (muscle) tissue.

I decided to try Omnitrition's Omni Drops. You might as well know up front, I think this was one of the biggest mistakes of my life (and one of the most dangerous diets out there), especially as others share their stories and the many serious side effects of this diet with me as well.

Doing the hCG diet was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I think it is one of the most dangerous diets out there.

Side Effects of the hCG Diet

Effects the hCG Diet Had on My Body

During Phase One ("loading"), I gained about three pounds. Gaining is encouraged. Eat whatever you want. Go crazy. Hey, no problem there. I know from prior diets, that's just a lot of water weight and easily lost. Still, binging and dieting is not healthy cycle. I read post after post from women who made themselves ill during this time by eating so much junk. I'm not a big sugar eater and I keep a pretty low-sodium diet. While I didn't add in sugars, I did add in foods with salts which always cause a good weight gain from retained water.

How did I do? I lost about 15 pounds on my first day. That's not bad for a month, right? But remember, I had gained three pounds with loading so it really was only 12 pounds. Of those 12, I lost about 10 in the first two weeks. During the second two weeks, I only lost a couple. Ten pounds in two weeks is pretty awesome, no doubt, but I've done other diets in the past (usually to lose baby weight) and had better success. I lost 12 pounds in two weeks on the South Beach Diet (which I kept off for quite a while). After having my son, I lost about 20 lbs in a month and a half on Weight Watchers. So, can't say that this diet was any more miraculous. As with the other diets, I was motivated and I did lose weight.

But, I did have some side effects with this diet that I've not experienced before with any of those other diets.

Menstruation

My period started early, which was not a problem before once I began the drops. That was definitely unusual. My next period was only a few weeks after the first and it was one of the worst I've ever had. It was so heavy that I was filling a pad hourly. I felt like I would pass out and struggled with intense dizziness. I had severe cramping on one side. It was just awful.

Ferritin Levels

For me, all of this was very concerning as I have had to get iron infusions for anemia in the past. Thankfully I had just had infusions and had really good ferritin levels or I think this would have been far more serious. They tested my ferritin (that only one month before had been great) and it was all gone! That has never happened to me before and the doctor and nurse were also stunned by the drop in my levels. Of course, knowing I had to restart iron infusions at the cancer center after having such good levels only a month before left me overwhelmed and even depressed. I broke down. If you have or have had anemia, please think twice before doing this diet. I've seen multiple people online say that this diet is good for anemia, and I really believe they are putting lives at risk. I can't say this clearly enough, the hCG diet was so dangerous for me!

Hunger

I had other side effects as well. Hunger was typical. The first few days, as you can imagine on 500 calories, I was really, really hungry (and a mite grumpy). After that, there were days I didn't feel as hungry, but having done other diets, I know that can be typical once your body adjusts to whatever you are doing. That's typical with any diet.

Racing heart

I have had problems with my heart racing only when I am very anemic. I had just been tested and knew I was not anemic and yet I found the first weeks especially, my erratic heartbeat would wake me up each night. This was before my scary menstrual bleeding so it wasn't related to anemia. Every time I'd rest, it would really start pounding. Toward the end, my heart almost seemed to seize up and then would start pounding out of my chest. It was scary. It got to the point where I didn't want to lay down because I was getting worried I'd have a heart attack. That is when I knew I was done and had to see the doctor. I knew, after that incredibly heavy period and the erratic heartbeat that that was it for me. My anemia is nothing to play with. The advice I received from a distributor when I mentioned my side effects was not to talk to my doctor. I was doing this diet with a buddy and she kept suggesting that I contact my own distributor to see what products they recommended. No, I am not kidding. Rather than seek medical attention, people selling this diet just wanted to sell me more products. And, that was the typical response whenever anybody posted about a serious side effect of any sort. For me, that was a major red flag. I wasn't taking this to my distributor. I was going to see my doctor and that was what needed to be done. I lasted about a month on what I believe is a dangerous diet. Let me clarify, yes, I do believe the 500-calorie portion of the diet can be potentially dangerous, especially if you are not being monitored closely by your physician.

Is the hCG Diet Really Dangerous?

"HCG doesn’t work for weight loss. Period," says Dr. Charlie Seltzer, a physician in Philadelphia with a specialization in weight loss. "If it did, there would be no need to put a calorie-restriction on it. You could just eat what you want and watch the fat melt off. This is, obviously, not the case. So, they attach a 500 calorie per day diet to it so that the HCG 'works.' It is the severe calorie restriction that causes weight loss, which is also what sets you up for massive rebound weight gain. At best, during the calorie restriction, you will be miserable. At worst, you could end up with nutritional deficiencies, an absence of menstruation, and injury if you try to exercise on such low calories. HCG is a big fat no-go in my book."

What Is the hCG Menu?

Now, this is the version I did but they are all similar.

Here is a typical day:

• Breakfast: Water, herbal tea, or coffee. You may have your fruit serving at this time.
• Lunch and Dinner: At each meal, four ounces of one of the following: beef, veal, buffalo, chicken breast, sea bass, flounder, sole, halibut, lobster, or shrimp. Seasonings are fine. You also get four ounces of the following vegetables: spinach, chard, beet greens, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onion, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, or cabbage.
• You may have two servings daily of the following fruits: one medium apple, one medium orange, a grapefruit, or 1/2 cup strawberries.
• You may also have two pieces per day of either Melba toast, Grissini breadsticks, or Wasa crackers.

Keep in mind, if you are losing slowly, they'll tell you that oranges, tomatoes, or grains may be stalling you. Many women cut those out as well.

You are also told not to exercise. With so few calories, the exercise would not be safe. Keep in mind, 500 calories is roughly the equivalent of a six-inch Subway sandwich. You don't need to eat a dangerously low amount of calories to lose weight and, indeed, to keep off weight and not slow your metabolism way down you need a lot more calories.

What the FDA Says

The FDA advises consumers who have purchased homeopathic HCG for weight loss to stop using it, throw it out, and stop following the dieting instructions. Harmful effects should be reported online to FDA's MedWatch program or by phone at 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088) and to the consumer's health care professional.

What to Do if You Have Had Side Effects From the hCG Diet

If you have had side effects, please contact the FDA. Harmful effects should be reported online to FDA's MedWatch program or by phone at 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088) and to the consumer's health care professional.

To report your side effects, either call the number above or leave a report with the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting for dietary supplements.

With any product, if you believe that there have been false claims made in the advertising or sale of that product, it is recommended that you contact the FTC Complaint Assistant and file a report.

For more information, please visit the FDA's page: HCG Diet Products Are Illegal.

How I Was Seduced by a Quick Weight-Loss Diet

It seemed like every time I visited Facebook, there were new photos of people who had lost huge amounts of weight. The gal posting the pics was just somebody I know online. She seemed nice enough though.

A bit about me: I've gained weight and struggled to get it off. In fact, from my numerous treatments to fix my anemia, I've gained a very stubborn 10 to 15 pounds that I could not get off again. I tried and tried but nothing worked. Even before I gained that amount, I had another 20 to 25 pounds I could easily afford to lose. Seeing those weight-loss photos was like dangling a squeaky toy in front of our overgrown lab pup. Eventually, the temptation was too great. I wanted that!

Well, technically, I just wanted that extra weight off that I had gained from my treatments and maybe a few extra. Eating disorders run in my family so I've taken great care not to obsess about weight loss. Just being a size 10 would make me happy.

So, for a month, I watched post after post of people who had lost weight. Looking back now, I realize they were really only a handful of success stories but posted repeatedly, they seemed like far more. It didn't matter. I was hooked. I was willing to try it. I contacted my online friend who had recently become a distributor. I pestered her with many questions. Honestly, she couldn't answer a number of them but I didn't really mind. I was willing to try this out.

Visions of me in my old jeans were dancing through my head. Okay, I was in! I placed my order.

Finding specific information about the diet is difficult, at least until they have your money. If you do a search for the company name and keywords like "dangers," "scam," and "unsafe" will come up. You'll get page after page of results. Be warned, these companies are tricky. Nine times out of ten, these are actually distributors and sellers who have created pages with these titles. First, you see page after page of hCG diet dangers but when you click on the links, you see discussion about how "safe" the diet really is. It's easy to talk yourself into the safety of this diet.

Once I ordered my drops ($79.00 plus a hefty shipping charge), I received this email:

I am here to help you be successful with your products. Please call, text or message me on Facebook when you have questions.

I see you ordered Omni Drops. I want to go over a few things, The drops do not have to be refrigerated, but they need to be kept out of direct sunlight and heat. I just leave mine in the fridge and grab it when I'm on the go. I have attached phase2 recipes so you can take this time to look over what food you might like to eat. Being prepared is crucial to your success.

Omni DROPS: You will take the drops 3x a day 10 drops under your tongue. Hold it there for 30 seconds. No eating or drinking 15 minutes before and after. You can take up to 6 sets in a day, just add one if you are feeling overly hungry. The first 2 days you LOAD! You eat, eat, eat! This is VERY important. It gets your body ready to burn the stored body fat. You should eat fatty foods, pasta's, creamy sauces, pastries all the fatty foods you want and the goal is to remain full at all times. I try to get in every favorite bad food that I won't be having for awhile. On the 3rd day you continue the drops and eat CLEAN. Protein, Vegetables and fruit. The drops come with a folder with all the directions and food you can eat. You have to stay on the drops for a minimum of 21 days to up to 45 days. Then you follow a maintenance plan for 21 days. THIS is very important to lock in your new weight.

You will need a food scale.

Be sure to do your measurements and weigh daily.

You need to drink a gallon of water a day. IMPORTANT! (with lemon is acceptable)

Stevia sweetener is the only sweetener allowed. Powder or drops.

You can purchase flavored Stevia drops online. I use Amazon.

Mustard, Franks Original hot sauce and Braggs amino acids are allowed.

As the time approaches I'm sure you will have questions, don't hesitate to contact me, I'm here to help you be successful with Omnitrition.

The Dangers of a Very Low-Calorie Diet

I pestered my online acquaintance with question after question about safety. She couldn't answer many of my questions but she excitedly added me to their company's support page on Facebook where other members were more than happy to share their miracle stories. The page ended up being such a happy, fluffy place. The posters made this diet sound perfect . . . a little too perfect. Come to find out, many of them were selling the diet but I only found that out after I was already on it. Posts that shed a negative light on the diet were often deleted from the forum.

Also, I found out this is a 500-calorie a day diet.

That didn't sit well, what could it hurt to try, right? If it was too much, I could always just quit. I had just finished iron infusions and knew my ferritin levels were doing great and I was in no way anemic. Since anemia has been an issue in my life, I know I wouldn't have attempted this diet if my levels were too low, not with such low calories. Since I was healthy, woohoo! I was ready to order!

How Much hCG Is Really in Those Drops?

Would you be surprised to learn there is none?

This diet uses homeopathic dilutions of hCG to supposedly help you lose weight. One question I have been asked a number of times is how much hCG is really in those drops. Let's take a look.

If you have your bottle of drops, take a look under the ingredients. If you don't have a bottle, search online for your particular brand's ingredients or ask the person selling you this diet to send you the ingredient's list with amounts.

My brand says hCG 3x, 6x, 12x, 30x, 60x. So what does that mean?

Now, when I got talked into this diet, I had no clue what that meant either. I've been studying up a bit. Apparently, the 'x' following the number is the Roman numeral for 10. The first time it is diluted and shaken vigorously (to release its "energy"), you get 1/1,000 (3 zeros following = 3x). That dilution then gets diluted again to 1/1,000,000 (notice the 6x or six zeros = 6x).

By the time you get to the 60x, you have one drop of the "real" substance (in our case they say that one drop is hCG) for every 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules of water or it has been diluted that many times. According to an article on Wikipedia, "This would require giving two billion doses per second to six billion people for 4 billion years to deliver a single molecule of the original material to any patient."

Now, take your bottle and count how many drops are in it with the dropper. If your measurements are the measurements in my bottle, were you able to squeeze out 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 drops? If so, congratulations, you might have one molecule of hCG in your bottle.

To read more about homeopathic dilutions, take a look at Dr. Stephen Barret's page Homeopathy: The Ultimate Fake.

Doing the hCG Diet Without the hCG

After going off the diet, I just went back to eating normally. I was not overeating. No doubt whatsoever that my stomach shrunk and I'd get full quickly but the weight started going up a bit too quickly for comfort. My doctor figured out my basal metabolic rate and we both realized there were serious problems because I was eating below that amount and gaining!

I found that I was still eating a lot less than I did before this diet and I was gaining. That did not seem right at all.

So, in between doctor visits, after assuring my doctor I was not doing the 500-calorie thing anymore, I decided to try the hCG diet without the hCG. It's true. No, I'm wasn't doing the 500-calorie a day diet. That would be foolhardy. After I started experiencing side effects from the diet, I spent hours and hours reading everything I could online.

Did you know they found that people doing the hCG could double their calories and still lose the same amount? In fact, I found posts from people who were eating 1,200 to 1,300 calories with hCG and losing just as quickly. In fact, they didn't seem to have the weight gain problem after they went off the diet. Of course, that was because their bodies didn't have to go into starvation mode, which slows the metabolism greatly. They could also exercise without feeling like they'd black out.

I also found sites where people had added their "cheat" foods and had lost just as quickly. It was recommended that you not add a cheat food while plateauing, but if you were losing, it didn't seem to slow down the loss any. I realized you could eat more foods, have more calories, and still lose weight.

Did you know there are people sharing their "hCG Diet Without the hCG" diets and showing just as much success? Just seems as if hCG may not be as important to the diet as you might believe.

Honestly, though, I'll let you in on a little secret. My "Non-hCG hCG Diet" was really just more about eating healthy and taking in a bit less than I am expending. Perhaps the hCG diet was beneficial in that regard. It taught me to really watch portions, weigh food and be a little more careful with what I eat. I can do that without the placebo drops.

Anyhow, I lost almost the exact same amount of weight the first week with my non-hCG hCG diet. After a week, we realized some of my complications were more serious and my doctor asked me to toss the diet and just work on getting healthy. That's what I did. I was not overeating, but the weight, plus some extra for good measure, piled right back on. I ended up going through several months of appointments.

What's Happened Since the hCG Diet?

My goal with this page is just to present another story of somebody who had some serious concerns about the diet. Yes, the weight came off, but I pretty much stalled after two weeks and lost very little after that. I then started gaining once I was off even while being very careful about what I was eating.

Sadly, once I started having more serious side effects and went off the diet, I also lost the support that I had. No longer was I getting daily messages about how I was doing. In fact, one gal and I were messaging daily and she stopped initiating messages once I started having problems with this diet. Then again, she had just become a distributor and I suspect she didn't want to know what was happening. \

Update: Apparently she doesn't want to hear about my side effects, so even though we run into each other quite a bit in real life, she unfriended me on Facebook. She even insinuated that I had a "fake" brand, even though we both had the exact same drops. I have to admit, that makes me a little sad.

I have also been contacted by yet another person who suffered a heart attack as a result of this diet. Please, read comments here and just don't do this diet. It's illegal. It's dangerous. And, if that doesn't change your mind, this diet has left so many people fatter than when they started. Read the comments here, please!

Discovery Health Report

According to Discovery Health, some side effects of this diet are blood clots, headaches, leg cramps, restlessness, constipation, hair thinning, depression, breast growth in males, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which can be life-threatening.

On top of these side effects, I've commonly seen women post about major hair loss, gallstones, dizziness and heavy bleeding during periods. My doctor also mentioned that the kidneys and bladders have been affected in people they have seen there.

"In 1976, a study ... compared two groups of dieters. One group followed the HCG protocol. The other group ate the same 500 calorie diet without the HCG injections. And guess what? Both groups experience the same dramatic amount of weight loss, both groups experienced the same amount of hunger, and both groups experienced fat loss in the same areas of the body."

~ Dr. Steven Jepson M.D.

What I Learned From the hCG Diet

1. I gained weight on this diet. Not only did I get fatter, it redistributed my weight. When I got back to my original weight, those clothes were too tight! It was clear that I'd lost muscle and gained a lot of fat. I felt "lumpy" and I really did not like it. After the diet, weight was creeping up so started my own version of this diet (same foods, more calories, plus a bit of exercise) to stop from gaining it all back. When your body goes into starvation mode, your metabolism slows way down which accounts for the weight-gain when people finally stop this diet. My doctor eventually made me stop even that version, so even with watching what I ate and not overeating at all, I did get back to being heavier than when I began the diet. I am hearing from others that they gained back even more as well and I've had a number of women tell me this diet made them shifted their weight in all the wrong ways as well.
2. I had some rather serious side effects. My cycle was really messed up. My periods were coming more frequently and far heavier than they have ever been. The worst was the one right before I stopped the diet. I think increasing my calories again helped get me back on track. This diet did cause some heart problems for which I've been monitored by physicians. The change in my cycle caused a lump to form in my breast. It found while monitoring my heart and we know it wasn't there a couple months prior and, no, it wasn't more easily felt because I'd lost weight. By the time they found it, I had already gained back a bunch of weight. The heavy cycle banished all my ferritin and iron stores from my body. I had to go through a month and a half of iron infusions at the Cancer Center.
3. In the midst of this diet, I was so happy to be losing and the thought of making money was tempting. With the pressure to sell, I did look into being a distributor, but as I started experiencing more and more side effects, I knew I just couldn't do it and went off the drops entirely. You can make money selling these products but at what expense? When I spoke with the FDA, they let me know this is an illegal product. I've never had any serious side effects from a diet and could never recommend it. I've also never done a diet that changed my body shape (clearly lost muscle and gained fat). I know this was the unhealthiest diet I have ever done and it was not worth it! If I could go back in time and just say, "Not only no, but heck no," I would in a heartbeat.

hCG in the News

• HCG diet: Is it safe and effective? - Mayo Clinic
  With possible links to increased cancer risk, gallstone formation, and blood clots, the Mayo Clinic warns against these products.
• PATTISON v. OMNITRITION I | Case No. C17-1454JLR. | 20171213904 | Leagle.com
  "Ms. Pattison purchased Omni Drops and was allegedly "misled into purchasing and paying for a product that is not as represented."
• Diet Doc Dispels Myths about Homeopathic hCG Drops to Help Dieters Make Safe, Educated and Informed
  LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Losing weight is undoubtedly the number one New Year's resolution in America.
• FOX19 Investigates: HCG diet blamed for killing West Chester mom - Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV
  "I thought it was (the diet) right when I came home, just that from limiting herself to 500 calories that something was off in the diet," her husband tells FOX19.
• I Lost Thirty Pounds on the HCG Diet, But It Was Devastating, Physically and Emotionally
  Since hitting puberty like a brick wall at the age of thirteen, I have struggled with body image. I have never been terribly overweight; my insecurity came from developing so quickly. I went from an A-cup to D-cup in under a month, and the sudden flo
• Why Weight-Loss Supplements And Injections Are So Dangerous - SELF
  Singer JoJo recently came forward and said she was all but forced to resort to these measures to slim down fast. Experts explain why they’re a very bad idea.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Questions & Answers

Question: I have been trying the HCG drops for 5 days now, and not feeling well but also 69 years old. I am having asthma now. Is it best for me to stop the HCG drops?

Answer: Yes, please see your physician as well.

© 2013 Kay

*NEW* Have You Tried the hCG Diet and had Side Effects?

x x on March 04, 2019:

My doctor ordered tests for coming Wednesday. Also I've found a way to calm this down: 31 oz of following mix - 3/4 water, 1/4 pedialyte, 1 or 2 oz apple cider vinegar (organic). Drink slowly the whole day, Helps a lot.

And thank you so much for your response!!!!

Kay (author) on March 04, 2019:

I had a friend end up in the hospital due to kidney problems while on this diet. Please, see your physician.

x x on March 01, 2019:

I just got off of the HCG diet. lost 41.88 lb in 27 days. My area around kidneys hurt 4 days later , I have a back pain all the way to shoulders, otherwise it was great and easy, had zero issues. this came at the end.

What to do???

Kay (author) on September 14, 2018:

You are eating only about 500 calories. That is not enough. If you read comments here, there can be a lot of serious side effects as a result. I'd go find a real doctor (who isn't into this stuff) and talk about this.

JacquelineEve on September 13, 2018:

It has been 3 weeks since I started the hcg diet by taking the shots. I did it for the first week and lost 14 pounds in a week. Unfortunately, I noticed some difference in my health within the first week so I stopped. I stopped everything! I started to eat normally and drinking water in hopes of getting back to normal. I am not getting back to normal. I continue to feel tired all the time, with headaches and I am depressed and very low. I actually feel sick to my stomach. My eyes are burled and I am fighting myself to motivate myself to perform my duties at work. I have no energy at all. I feel like I'm in a trance, just trying to survive. Every time I sleep and open my eyes I give God thanks for another day as I am always surprised that I made it to see another day! I'm really not doing well physically or emotionally.

What can I do???

JacquelineEve on September 06, 2018:

So this is my second week on the HCG diet administered by an MD in Orlando Florida. I am already not well. Very depressed and tired all the time. My stomach feels as if its going to explode. Am I already at risk?

Jackie on September 06, 2018:

I just started the HCG diet with the shots. This is my second week. The first week I lost 14 pounds! This past Saturday while attending a funeral service I had a panic attack. I couldn't swallow or breath properly. I was sweating profusely and almost black out. I then drank some soda for energy and ate a small piece of cake because I could feel my sugar level was low. It took about 10 minutes or so for me to get back to normal. I was so afraid that I was going to die! Now am at work and feeling so tired and depressed. I actually think that this is doing it to me. This is the worst kind of depression that I am going through right now! I am at work and crying every time I think of where my life is. That's not to say that things are extremely rough right now, but because of this diet, I think that I am over-thinking things to the point where its making me crazy. I feel like a zombie!!!

Thanks to this article, I now have a few things to consider. This article may have saved my life!

Kay (author) on August 28, 2018:

How awful! I am so sorry to hear this :(

M on August 25, 2018:

I became completely disabled from this diet, list half my hair and 19 yrs later I’m too sick to work Do not to this diet !!!! And a dr recommended this!!!!!

Greg on April 15, 2018:

Thanks for writing this. Sorry for everyone who has learned of this the hard way. One of my clients was considering HCG before I got him on an intermittent fasting and ketogenic diet protocol. If any of you are still struggling, I suggest you look into that - it's the only way to heal your metabolism and sustain a lower level of body fat.

Kay (author) on March 29, 2018:

Oh my goodness Jesse! I am so sorry. If you read through the comments, other women have mentioned heart attacks and ailments. I am so sorry for your loss. I do hope you've been in contact with an attorney.

JesseB on March 27, 2018:

Unfortunately I lost my mother to this diet last week. She suffered a massive heart attack while shoveling snow, the lack of fat, energy, and strain this fucked up diet puts on the body WILL kill you.

If anyone who is reading this is a distributor and willingly knows the these risks I hope everything you love burns in hell.

If you are thinking of do I g this diet I urge you, please reconsider and talk to a doctor of modern medicine. Not holistic shit.

Kay (author) on December 18, 2017:

Alba, I am so sorry. I don't know what starvation diets do to the reproductive system and I don't know if there are hidden ingredients in the drops you took. I really hope and pray you are able to get healthy again. I am just so sorry about all of this.

Kay (author) on December 18, 2017:

I wish I knew. I'm a big believer that over time, hCG makes you fatter because it destroys your metabolism. You might consider seeing a nutritionist to see if they can help. I am so sorry you are going through this. I can say, that after talking to many people since I wrote this, it seems like the ones who were losing short-term weight (e.g. pregnancy and that sort of thing) had the best results. For people who have had the weight for longer, it seems to make they fatter in the long run. Even with pregnancy weight, there are much safer ways to lose weight. A starvation diet is never a good idea.

alba selene on December 16, 2017:

I had 3 miscarriages I totally relate to this diet, before the diet I had two very healthy pregnancies, I felt healthy. After the diet I started feeling dizzy, rapid hart beat, sweating and almost fainted at an airplane once, that was the first sign something was wrong, this had never happened to me before and I travel quite a lot on airplanes. After that episode, this continued to happen every time I fly. I was on the diet for only 10 days and lost 10 pounds, I went back to eating normal without any transition diet after I stopped using HCG. I stopped feeling healthy after this diet, I had never experienced dizziness, rapid heartbeat before and of course I never thought I could have three miscarriages in one year without any explanation, my doctors couldn't tell me why this was happening to me, I did not tell them I had been on this diet. After losing the 10 pounds, I gained them all back in two weeks plus another 10 extra the following month, and eating the same I was eating before the diet. I will never recommend this diet, my body went into starvation mode and slowed down my metabolism at the maximum. Now I even have fat in areas of my body I din't have as much fat before like my back and arms. I feel way worst than before and I feel this diet affected my overall health in a negative way. Hope my experience help someone.

heather on December 09, 2017:

any recommendations on how to get help after hcg? A specialist who can guide me to stabilize my weight? I had done 4 rounds, my last being over a year ago. I had excellent results and was able to maintain my weight by keeping to a paleo diet, and more or less keeping to the foods allowed in P3. I had always joked that HCG makes the scale lie, because even though I was maintaining my weight I could see fat accumulate on my belly. For whatever reason in the past two months I can't stop gaining weight, and I'm not doing anything different. I'm so tempted to go back and do another round, but if the HCG actually messes up your body long term, then I don't want to make whats going on worse! But I need help! How do I find someone who has expertise in recovering from the long term effects of HCG? There has to be some one out there!

Kay (author) on September 15, 2017:

Pretty sure there is either something hidden in the drops (because the measurements on the label are clear there is no hCG in the drops) or starving myself caused the issues. If you read comments here, there is talk about ingredients not being listed on the labels. I have no clue. I just avoid all their products...seems the safe thing to do.

Lori on September 06, 2017:

I've been looking into the hcg diet for a while now. If there is no hcg then what is the reason for side effects?! I'm confused I'm reading side effects in these comments from drops and injections.

simplicity123 on September 06, 2017:

HCG is a hormone. put a few drops on a damn pregnancy test and see if it comes up positive. that will tell ya if there is hcg in there or not. its not rocket science. and as far as omni goes they are a scam. I'd stop using their shit. If you actually read up on Dr. Simeons original protocol you'd know these things. I wish more people would actually look into things they are putting in their bodies before doing diets. As far as chest pain goes-- i don't see how a hormone itself that is already in your body can cause chest pain. it's gotta be something in those other pills you're taking. (p.s. i'm a nurse)

Kay (author) on August 07, 2017:

There is no hCG in the bottle according to the measurements but it does make you wonder what is in them. The FDA told me there is no regulation on these things.

Jill on July 29, 2017:

I was on day 2 Drops from HCGBottle and I went to sleep today.....woke up, stood up and fell...didn`t feel my legs at all. It was freaky. I am perfectly healthy 30yo working out addict 129lb. Dammit. After reading these reviews, I wont touch them again!!!! EVER!!!!

Kay (author) on June 29, 2017:

It is confusing. I had a former distributor contact me to say there are hidden ingredients. There is no hCG in the drops. You just have to take your bottle to a pharmacist and they'll look at the measurement and tell you. You can read above to find out about what those measurements really mean. I don't believe in water memory. If that worked, we could get drunk on water that had been in contact with a grape LOL. Anyhow, to speak about the actual hCG diet thing...nope, I've had so many people contact me since I shared my story and I don't for a minute believe the diet works. The low calorie diet thing works and that can be done without the placebo. Anyhow, in my case, this diet was dangerous and I've had too many people share with me their side effects for me to ever believe this is a safe diet. It's scary!

Kevin on May 02, 2017:

Yes I did it, yes I lost weight 45lbs, side effects I have: a bloody nose at least once a week at minimum, pecks are more breast than muscle and the constipation. I made it down to 170lbs, 38/40" chest and a 34" waist but try as I did I gained the weight back. I though my lack of energy was laziness which I've never had before, I annoyed my friends for years because I only relaxed in a movie theater or the back of a limo. I had the original mixture of the hCG drops, the nose bleeds happened first, with in a month or two.

Kay (author) on March 30, 2017:

Please go see your doctor. Remember these distributors are not medical professionals. Your symptoms are worrisome.

Martha De la Riva on March 29, 2017:

Hi Kay,

So i'm currently on the HCG/Omni diet. I do the drops, the Omni 4, Charge pills, Garcinia Cambogia, extra enhancers, and the Nite Lite. My distributor recommended all this. I am on day 4 of taking all of it. And today i woke up with pressure in my chest, dizziness, and i'm wondering if it's from taking all of this. Has anybody taken so many per day?Or just certain pills, liquids? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Martha on March 29, 2017:

Hello, i'm currently on the Omni Hcg diet and am experiencing chest pressure, dizziness and even my left arm feels weird. No pain just extremely dizzy. My distributor recommended the drops 3x a day (10 drops each time), the Omni 4, 2 CHARGE pills, then for lunch 2 garcinia, 2 extra enhancers then before dinner, 2 more garcinia and 2 extra enhancers, at night i take the nite lite. I'm wondering if i really need all this? I feel so dizzy and i have been on this for 3 days. Can somebody tell me if they have the same experience?

Kay (author) on March 15, 2017:

Hi Jen. I am so sorry you have been through so much. According to the label on the Omni Drops, there is no hCG. The measurement given means there is one molecule of hCG for every billion drops of water (the exact measurement is earlier in this article). They call it the memory of water but I'm not into that hocus pocus stuff. If water 'remembered' every molecule with which it had been in contact, it would no longer be h2o. That said, starving yourself (and, yes, that is what is happening here) takes such a drastic toll on your body. I hope you can work on getting healthy again and I really hope you are able to conceive again. Huge hug for you.

jenfoxmyers on March 13, 2017:

(the HCG diet can cause molar pregnancies in healthy women)

hello, IV read your article, and IV read many, but this one was dead on. My Physicians, and I, believe the HCG diet is the main cause of three molar pregnancies IV suffered since my discontinue of the diet nearly four years ago. I was in perfect health after I had my son in 2013, I was trying to lose some baby weight, and after using the HCG/omni diet drops for almost a year, I nearly achieved my goal, but the price I had to pay with the physical side effects haunts me now daily. Weeks after ending the diet, my menstrual cycle was more like a hemorrhage that lasted weeks sometimes. A month after discontinued, the migraines begin, and I mean, the worst migraines iv ever experienced in my adult life, sent me to the hospital twice. One year after discontinue, my once healthy childbearing body was nothing more then a wreck inside, 25 years old, my first pregnancy was the epitome of healthy, one year later before the diet, but now I'm looking at my first of many unexplained molar pregnancy, no explanation, until the second one. Spoke to my physician about the diet, he understand immediately, as I wasn't the first in his office. (2004 his first HCG patient arrived) but for me, its now three years later, the migraines continue to this day, two more molar pregnancies, over my head like dark clouds. My HCG levels go up and down like I'm stuck in a nightmare that takes 6 months to reach back to 0.5 normalcy again. If anyone else has gone through this, please message me, jenniemyers39@yahoo.Com

Thanks you.

Kay (author) on March 01, 2017:

Gil, I know this is a long article and you must have missed the section on why there is no real hCG in the drops. I invite you to go back in read it but, in a very quick nutshell, what is the amount of hCG in the ingredients on your bottle? Is there an X? Let's just say there is a 60x, shall we? That means that for every 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules of water in your bottle, there is one molecule of hCG. I don't know how big your bottle is but mine was not bathtub or pool size :) There is no real hCG in those bottles.

Gil on February 18, 2017:

You say there is no HCG in the bottle, but it is clearly labeled as containing HCG. So either you are unaware of the contents or are intentionally misleading readers. Of course there is a third course, less likely, that you are unable to verify because you cannot find the information on the label?

Kay (author) on February 18, 2017:

There is no hCG in the drops so this was likely from the hunger (which would make sense) or whatever hidden ingredients are in that bottle. I suspect the bottles just contain water though. The burning feeling sounds awful. Were you taking something with niacin? We get enough niacin in our diets and studies are showing how harmful supplementing with it can be.

Jesse on February 14, 2017:

My experience with HCG is a little different. It affected my emotions and made me depressed and at night I would wake up and my skin would be burning from the inside.

red on December 07, 2016:

I recently saw a liposuction doctor to get a consultation on my mid section. As I get older it holds more fat. He immediately launched into HGC diet and didn't even evaluate my body or areas of concern. Then his nurse came in room and basically rushed him to next patient. She then informed me that the diet injections cost 1800. and that they only take cash. How strange I thought. Didn't come here for a speed diet. I've tried those once and thought I was going to die of heart panic. So sceptic that I am I went researching this diet. Thank you for your frank sharing. I will steer clear. And shame on these "doctors" for leading people down this path.

Katia on November 27, 2016:

I did the hcg injections. Lost 18 lbs in 26 days.

Kept it off for 8 years. Once I introduced carbs back in my life, I gained. I was 144, went down to 120, then stabilized to 128.

My side effects after the diet were extreme stomach pains from time to time, which would last up to an hour, dropping me to my knees each time.

After years of pain, I went to my doctor who said I had created gall stones. They recommend removing my gall bladder. I also experienced palpitations and irregular heartbeats which have subsided.

I only did the diet once and wanted to try it again but after reading about the side effects way too late, I will continue eating healthy and exercising. I eat about 1200-1400 per day and drink a half to a gallon of water per day.

My fat also redistributed itself and now I have a little bit of back fat which I HATE.

I now fluctuate between 138-140.

The diet is a quick fix and it did stay off for a while but the side effects are definitely not worth it.

At age 45, my doctor also states that yo-yo dieting is bad for your skin, elasticity and collagen depletion.

You can take your chances but the consequences may hurt your health for the rest of your life.

Healthy eating and exercise is the way to go.

If you just cut out the complex carbs, you'll be good!

leon on September 16, 2016:

Hcg diet the worst diet I make I gain my weight back , bloated and muscle pain

Kay (author) on June 17, 2016:

I've had women mention getting them tested but not sure whether they've done it or not. I think one of the issues that has been raised is that in a lab, they need to know what they are testing to find. There is no hCG in the bottle based on the label measurements so they won't find hCG (and indeed a pregnancy test kit is enough to tell you that). You don't lose weight from these drops. It's the starvation diet that does it. If you do get them tested, please, keep us updated. I've heard from so many people that have been harmed by this diet.

Kay (author) on June 17, 2016:

Did a search for this diet and hives and you are not alone. I don't know if it has to do with starving your body or something hidden in the drops. Really, there is no hCG in these drops but that's not to say there isn't some chemical or drug or something that is not on the label.

Kay (author) on June 17, 2016:

I discovered and many women have said the same that when you have complications with this diet, the people selling the diet are very quick to blame you and accuse you of being dishonest somehow. It is awful and worse because you are already feeling so awful from this crazy diet. I can tell you that FINALLY, I feel like my metabolism is getting back to where it was but it took a few years :( That diet really did such a terrible number on my body. For me, I had to ditch trying to lose weight entirely. I

TnT on June 08, 2016:

Well, I wish I had seen some of these comments a long time ago!! Thank you for sharing your stories. I did hcg drops years ago to prepare for a hernia surgery. I was successful in loosing 30lbs and keeping it off for a few years. Once things started to creep back on, I went to a doctor which put me on the hcg injections. After 4 weeks I only lost 9 lbs. He was disappointed with my results and even accused me of consuming msg in Chinese food:( like I would eat msg during a 500calorie diet?? Then went on to tell me that I was hcg resistant and there was really nothing I could do about it. During both hcg experiences I developed low iron, hair loss, leg cramps, headaches, heart palpitations, and extreme irritability. Since this last bout of the shots over a year ago, I am up 30lbs. I have fought every single pound that has come on! I have been to medical doctors, natural path doctors, consulted nutritionist, started exercising, hired a personal trainer, gone to the gym and done hours and hours of research. Nobody can find any fault in my diet and I have completely baffled all in involved! It is so nice to hear these sad stories just because it makes me feel that I am not alone and not going completely crazy! I am wondering though..... Does anyone have any wisdom at all on how to heal a broken metabolism? Where do we all go from here? Are we all just destined to carry around the extra lbs? I am at a complete loss right now and am feeling pretty defeated.

Chelsea on May 19, 2016:

I did this diet and lost 54 lbs. and had a terrible itchy hive breakout all over my body. I went to several different Drs and they could not figure out the cause of my hives other than said it was an allergic reaction Tried all different types of creams, otc allergy medications dbl doses, oatmeal baths with no relief. I had black n blues all over from nonstop scratching. I stopped the diet altogether and after a few months the hives disappeared. I gained back about 30 lbs and decided to go back on this diet because of my past success. I was in p2d2 and my hives were back & I was scratching away. I have stopped the drops and on p2d3 my hives have subsided. Clearly something in the drops are causing the allergic reaction. Guess I'm just going to eat clean and hope to drop some weight.

Jane on May 08, 2016:

I ordered the Omni drops in January but when I got them they were not packaged well, the dropper was already in the bottle & popped out due to the drops being frozen & they were partially gone. I used the drops anyway & lost 9 pounds my 1st week & then no more after that. I did experience a pounding heart & chedt pains but i thought it was just my anxiety. I just ordered the drops again & they came packaged very differently than the 1st time. Everything was sealed & the dropper was separate. The problem I'm having now is they smell & taste like chemicals which they are supposed to be odorless & tasteless. I've only taken them twice but both times have caused stomach cramps. This is very alarming to me & I am not taking them again! I would like to take the drops to a lab & have them tested. Does anyone have a suggestion of where I could take them?

Kay (author) on March 02, 2016:

Felize, thank you for sharing your story. I too was so discouraged by posts being deleted that talked of any side effects. Had I seen the 'real' posts, I never would have done this. Tells you why they delete those posts though. They wouldn't get much business at all. Hang in there. You can share your stories with others but some just have to go through the terrible side effects themselves to get it. (((hugs)))

Kay (author) on January 30, 2016:

I am so sorry. Your story is a common one, sadly enough and, yet, women keep doing this to themselves.

Angel on January 29, 2016:

I ended up with severe reacting after loosing 80 lbs in 4 months. I ended up damaging my heart due to the hcg side affect which i didnt notice till later on. Weight coming back swollen ankles and face. Itndamagednmy kedneys and liver. I thought it made me lookngreat at 120 ln s crom 190. But now i wish i had never takn it. The clinic should be sued and theynstill aremselling hcg to people.

Kay (author) on January 03, 2016:

Molly, easy to become obsessive on this diet, isn't it? I hear that from so many who have contacted me and, sadly, has led to many women with serious eating disorders. Stop focusing on what the other women are doing. A lot of it is built on untruths. So many women end up fatter and in worse shape after this. Work on getting yourself healthy. Hopefully your story will help others from starting. Some of the saddest messages I get are from women who read all of this but started anyway. They later email me to share what an awful mistake it was. Please, keep us updated on your progress and healing. Stay away from fad diets. You've learned a valuable lesson here.

Molly on December 30, 2015:

(Warning: Very long post.) Wow. So glad to have found this. It's hard not to feel like a big fat(ter) loser when the downside of this diet is not publicized and all you see on fb are pictures of high school witches that are supposedly maintaining. Here's my deal.

Once upon a time (about 13 years ago) I weighed in at a boat sinking 299.5 lbs. I lost 100 on a treadmill over 8 months. (It wasn't pretty, people.) Some calorie restriction, some cravings but overall a tolerable time. I came to adore snackwells chocolate cookies and fought my children for them regularly. Eventually I fell off the exercise mostly but ate decent enough, slowly (over a few years, nothing alarming) 20 lbs crept back on. No big, I didn't panic, I still went from a size 26 to 18 and was cool to be there awhile. Fast forward from that amazing span of 7 or 8 years when I didn't deny, didn't obsess, ate out with my family and didn't stress over my butt. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 3 years ago. Weight began creeping even faster due how bad it hurt to move. I cut out carbs and found relief without medication and dropped 30lbs. Then I was cruising at about 200, feeling better and starting up at the gym again to finish what I started. THEN I came across hcg. I was focused on how LONG it took to lose 100 pounds, not the fat that I maintained it for a decade like a rockstar, through raising small kids, college, working and being diagnosed with Fibro. Nope. I wanted it now. Now now now. That (beeeeeeep) couldn't get here fast enough. Loading was AWESOME in a totally dysfunctional way. (well, the first half a day. You all know how that goes. You end up having to sleep sitting up it's so painful.) My first round rocked. I have to admit, I did feel good. Great, even. (but I do well without carbs for other reasons.) Went into p3. Sloooooowly, despite being perfect with eating, it started coming back. I got real frustrated. I mean, it had to be me, right? I shouldn't have had that second ounce of cheese. It was those (beeeeeep) unsalted mixed nuts with all those healthy heart oils that got me. (slaps head) by the time I started the second round, I'd gained back half of what I lost the first round. Saddle up cowgirl, we're gonna do this right this time. (huh?) Round two was harder. I began obsessing about food. I would smell everything and count the day til I could have it again. It was twisted. Even at 299 lbs I never "smelled" food. So again I go into p3. Again I'm "good." Again half of it comes back before I can start round 3. I started round three early because I couldn't keep the scale from going up. THIS time, I loaded for three days. You know, just in case. I had been depriving myself of 99% of the grocery store for nearly a year and basically I went nuts. That round failed miserably. I ended it after 9 days because I felt like crap this time and couldn't keep my head "in the game." The scale went up up up. I won't bore you with the details of the next FOUR ROUNDS, yes, like an idiot, I kept thinking it was me, I could do it better, it'll work this time. Very recently a light came on for me. Every time I have worked for my weight loss in a gym, I've kept 85ish % off with little to no effort. WITH CARBS! I have kept zero of hcg weight off after a year and a half of back and forth. I will confess, I just did a round early December. I was in 16's and was pushing the manufactures stitch limits. On December 1st, 2015 I had to decide go buy 18s or get back on the crack. I did a 3 week round because, you know, it was gonna work this time. I went on p3 for Christmas thinking I'd just sail back into the back half. Nope, epic bomb number I lost count. I have no idea what I've done to my body. I went on an eating tear like you have never seen. In a matter of four days, every pound from the three week round is back. I am sitting here (happily eating unsalted mixed nuts) and have accepted the fact that this just isn't going to work. (the definition of insanity, you know) I'm going to go buy those 18s today. (Lord, let it be 18s and not 20's) But even if it is, I have a bigger problem to deal with. This new crazy obsession with food and a carb addiction to beat the band. I have a gym membership (unused for a year and a half on hcg) and plan on using it now. Saddle up cowgirl, we're gonna do it the right way this time.) Sorry to ramble, this is just not an easy thing to come to accept. My metabolism has to get used to eating normal food again. That might mean more gains. I'm mentally preparing for it. I have worse pitting edema in my legs than I have ever had, (I've always leaned toward puffy with a grain or two of salt) But this is nuts. I have to try to avoid simple carbs for my fibromyalgia when I just came across this amazing recipe for homemade brownies. This is so crazy. Do I regret hcg? Yep. Before hcg I could eat one brownie. Now I'll throw down for the whole pan. I don't think (I hope and pray) I don't have any lasting damage besides a wrecked metabolism and some head games. I phoned my best friend (who has been right along side me for this maddness) and told her I'm done. I can't do this anymore. I'm going back to the gym and doing it the way we did before, real slow with lots of sweat.

She's jumping on one more round on new years. She's gained it all back too, but, you know, this time it'll work. I'll be here for her when she sees the light. Much love to anyone else out there who has been on this merry go round. (or should I say horror freak show roller coaster) I wish I had found you all sooner. But then again, I probably would have done it anyway. Thanks to everyone else for sharing their story. Now to see if I can reach my shoes to lace up for the gym. Sigh.

Kay (author) on October 19, 2015:

Your metabolism has likely slowed so much that your body is holding on to every calorie possible thinking that you are starving. That would account for the bloat. If you find that the weight starts returning quickly or discover other problems like with a rapid heartbeat or pain, see your doctor right away.

christinete on October 19, 2015:

The problems that I am having after my second cycle of the drops, is bloating and headaches. Plus, I noticed that I am waking up more throughout the nite so sleeplesness too. I have stopped useing this product altogether. I have lost thirty pounds but feeling terrible and bloated.

Kay (author) on August 26, 2015:

Jennifer, I am so sorry. You are not alone. I cannot even tell you how many women have messaged me to tell me this diet made them fatter and it really does a terrible thing to our metabolism. Other women tell me they developed eating disorders because the rebounding weight was too much for them. Don't do that either! Sounds like you are on the right track now. Just avoid these fad diets and seek the advice of a nutritionist. You might find a much safer way to shed those lbs.

Kay (author) on August 15, 2015:

Danielle, I am so sorry. It was so awful. I know. I hope you are feeling better soon. It's amazing how much harm can come to your body through this diet.

Danielle on August 14, 2015:

Feel for it and am day 3 and quitting I've never felt worse in my life. It's literally like death. Pounding daily migraines along with nasty stomach pains that make me want to puke all day. I can't function. In hot in cold I'm tired I'm misserable

Kay (author) on June 28, 2015:

If anything, I've heard from more people doing the drops than the shots and they seem to be even worse. With the shots, at least you are closely monitored (or should be) but, with the drops, you get a distributor who is making money off this diet and does not want to admit the problems. I hope you find something that works for you. I know, like you, my body lost muscle and gained more fat. Just an awful diet all around.

Jennifer on June 27, 2015:

I tried the HCG injections for 4 courses. Did well the first couple of times but as I added even healthy foods back I gained and gained. The most alarming thing is I gained I strange places like my arms and legs which were NEVER heavy. Was worst mistake of my life. My hair thinned and everyone told me while yes I was thinner I was looking old and frankly misshapen. That was 2 years ago and I've worked hard just eating clean to keep my weight down but the odd extra bulk on my arms and legs are here to stay. I actually fell for the FB ads for the Omnitrition diet until I was accepted into a private chat room with no answers to my questions and vague references to "drops". I did some further research and have come to conclusion it's the same old gimmick HCG with dangerous diet that left me deformed with really no explanation why!

Kay (author) on June 27, 2015:

I've had women email me to ask how to get all their weight off that they gained after the hCG diet. I've got nothing there. This diet slows the metabolism so much, I think the only solution is to work with a nutritionist. Doing more rounds only makes the problems worse and, I believe, causes a lot of future health problems.

JSchwerthofer on June 21, 2015:

Hi Cari! We chatted last year about someone who went on this crazy diet! I Have been following the woman who lost all the weight on the drops last year - well she gained a lot of it back! Surprise surprise! She was trying all kinds of things to get the weight back off but nothing is working - another surprise! So now she is starting the drops again tomorrow.

Kay (author) on June 09, 2015:

Sandy, I am so sorry. It does seem that unless you are committed to the unhealthy routine of dieting and starving yourself (apple days, steak days...really?) and constant cycles of doing this starvation diet, the weight is going to pile back on and it does for so many women. I have had so many women message or email me to tell me how depressed they became after the diet because even though they did everything the way they were supposed to, they didn't want to continue cycle after cycle after cycle and they got fatter. Some women have even admitted to developing eating disorders (bulemia, anorexia, etc..). It's so disheartening to see that weight jump up again. Please, keep us updated.

Sandy on June 08, 2015:

I was convinced into this diet after having an immensely difficult year professionally and personally during which I gained about 20 pounds which was a lot considering my petite frame (5'0 and went from 105-125 pounds). I was finally getting my life into order and going to the gym when a friend suggested the diet and I thought, this can't hurt and if it doesn't work, "oh well". It turned out I lost 17 pounds in a little over a month and although it was a difficult month, the idea behind losing all this weight was incredible and kept me going. I felt in that moment that I wanted to stop, since I was so close to my ideal weight and while I did read about all of the horrors of going back to a natural diet, I refused to continue the P3 stage because I was really done dieting and wanted to have normal healthy food. Within a week, I gained 10 pounds, and this is healthy eating with a sweet here and there, but 10 pounds in a week is terrible. Yes I gained 20, but that was during a hard year. I now find myself with terrible anxieties, difficulty sleeping and afraid of what my scale will look like the next day or until I remove from my system whatever terrible contents where in that bottle (easy HCG drops). I'm considering doing a cleanse, because I am really afraid of the contents that were in that bottle. I will share again my story in a week, in hopes that whoever is experiencing the same can get a follow-up.

Kay (author) on May 25, 2015:

These extreme fad diets can definitely affect your cycle. It really affected mine. In fact, it totally changed mine. I'm glad you got off that diet sooner rather than later. I don't think the drops affected your cycle but I could be wrong. They contain no real hCG but nobody seems to know what is really in them or if they are just water. The super low-calorie diet is what really causes problems. Talk to your doctor and see what they suggest. I'm so sorry :(

Anonymous 2022 on May 22, 2015:

I took the omni drops last month for only 5 days. I became extremely sick. Dizziness, migraines, nausea, vomiting.

I started this diet right after my period ended last month. I was due for my period for this month 11 days ago. So far I've gotten negative pregnancy tests. I normally have a regular cycle, so I'm wondering that if I'm not pregnancy than if these drops have something to do with it???

Kay (author) on April 17, 2015:

This diet does seem to do a number of the body. I know the people selling it are telling us how 'healthy' it is but, based on all the stories collecting here and the poll results, it is obvious this is anything but healthy and it does make so many people fatter in the long run. I wish I had a good solution on how to heal from this diet. Many people have asked me. If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, I think the first step would be a counselor of some sort. I have also talked to so many women who developed eating disorders or serious depression as a result of this diet and I think counseling would be a good step to take. I'm so sorry :(

Jj on April 17, 2015:

I did HCG diet Jan 2010. When searching for side effects I could not find any negative comments. So I started out with the drops and ended with injecting it. It was very hungry for the first two weeks and finished one round. I lost about 20 lbs. I quickly started gaining the weight back and have put on an additional 40 lbs. If I eat any starchy or carb contains foods I gain weight immediately. I still weigh every morning to try to keep a handle on the weight gain. HCG has ruined my life to the point I have felt suicidal at times which I would never act on. How could this diet affect someone five years after the fact. It is almost like the brain or body still thinks I am in the loading phase of the diet after five years. I would like to see this site focus on a solution at this point to help those of to get back to normal. Most of us are searching for a solution........Please Help!

Kay (author) on April 04, 2015:

Since doing this diet, I've struggled with bladder and kidney infections as well. It has been awful. I am so sorry.

Robin on April 03, 2015:

I did HCG twice by injections and once by drops from 2012-2013 and now have very serious renal problems. I followed the diet exactly and lost weight but soon developed joint stiffness following the last time, then bladder infections and then renal deterioration. I had no health problems before.

Kay (author) on February 26, 2015:

Well, it is hCG in name only since there is not real hCG in it...just the 'memory' of hCG. Confusing, eh? I'm so glad you have stopped. A gal I know had serious problems with her kidneys as a result of this diet and I've had kidney infections since my own time doing this diet. You should report your side effects to the FDA and what you were told. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

Julie on February 26, 2015:

I specifically asked the gal selling me the drops if it was like HCG (I had done that diet before and gained all plus some back) She said NO! I asked do you have to only eat 500 calories, She said NO! when I got home and read the info, it was HCG and low cal diet! No money back guarantee, but she had great success, so I started. Day 3 I had headaches, constipation and starving! sure, I lost a couple pounds. Now, my kidneys hurt! I have stopped taking Omni drops and am feeling SCAMMED out of $86 I worked hard to earn. Gotta be a better way.

Kay (author) on February 25, 2015:

I've had a few women message me who have had problems with the Nite Lite, some of them serious. New studies are out warning about taking niacin in increased doses. There can be some very serious complications. Interesting that you mention getting sick after starting this. I've had even more people telling me they got pretty ill after doing the hCG diet. I did too. Don't know if it is the diet lowering the immune system because you are starving yourself or what but I hope you feel better soon.

Kirsten on February 25, 2015:

I started taking Nite Lite to cure my insomnia. It worked great! It got me off of my prescription pills. Then I started getting chronic headaches. I didn't know if it was from the Nite Lite product or the horrible sinus infection I acquired shortly after I began this product. So, I got off of it and focussed on getting my sinuses better. Does anyone know if this product has any major symptoms ?

Kay (author) on January 05, 2015:

I am sorry and glad to hear you are quitting before this gets any worse. Fortunately, you should be able to get your money back. Side effects were so common when I was doing it. I felt like you but parked myself and watched their page on Facebook. They were quick to delete 'problem' posts. Sometimes I wonder if that is why they keep closing their Facebook page and starting a new one. Easier to get rid of all the people who haven't had a good experience with the products.

ltonthebeach on January 05, 2015:

My husband and I have been on this diet for 4 days. I immediately started with dizziness. Day 3 came the headache. Not your run-of-the-mill headache . A Horrible headache that i still have . Also i got diarrhea. This is when i started looking for side effects. I kept thinking all along that there has got to be posts, somewhere . Thankfully I found this . I had decided last night to stop taking the Omni products . I just convinced my husband to stop too! Thank you

Kay (author) on December 05, 2014:

Oh Mary, I am sorry. There are folks online who really believe their cancer was a result of the hCG diet. Praying for you.

Mary on December 05, 2014:

After 1 month on the HCG shots I had severe pains in my stomach so dr said stop taking shots as that is a side effect!

a year later I became VERY anemic so Drs. ran test to discover I had a tumor in my left kidney so they scheduled surgery to remove my kidney which was done 1 month later and the tumor in just a months time doubled in size and grew outside the kidney so I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and my other kidney is working at only 55%

Kay (author) on November 08, 2014:

One of the difficulties though is this will slow your metabolism so much that you'll gain much easier now and it really is harder to lose it again. I think you ought to complain to the BBB and get your money back.

Avate on November 04, 2014:

I am currently doing my first 40 day round of HCG injections. I'm on day 30. Some days I haven't felt that bad but lately I'm starving, grouchy, haven't slept well since I started. I heard about HCG years ago but never considered it. Then came menopause. I tried for 3 years and could not lose a pound. Things that worked in the past didn't work anymore. I did this as a last resort out of desperation. After 30 days at 500 calories I have only lost 13 lbs. Better than nothing but not great considering how extreme this diet is. I guess I'm wondering if only 1 round will still damage my metabolism further? I have about 10 days left & I'm ready to stop now. I paid my Dr. $800. Makes me sick.

Kay (author) on October 30, 2014:

That really was the goal when I created this page. I saw too many posts deleted on the Facebook page when people had side effects. I saw comments like this before the entire post was deleted: "Please do not post anything negative on here. Your comment could stop a person from using a product that could change their life!!" This diet changed my life. No doubt. I developed some pretty serious side effects. I also believe that some of the effects of this diet may not be seen right away. Since doing this diet, I have been having some pretty serious kidney infections. Had I not had those initial side effects, I might not have linked these infections to what that diet may have done to my kidneys. I'm so glad people can share their stories here to balance out what they 'share' and won't share on the Facebook page. A page like this would have kept me from doing this awful diet.

Carol on October 29, 2014:

I had thought about doing omni drops because a friend has lost 47 pounds, she doesn't have any side effects now, but my common sense tells me that I can't survive with 500 calories per day. It sounds too good to be true and too little food!! I have to admit I was tempted until I read this blog. What stopped me? I read the diet and it gave me a real headache just by reading what I was supposed to eat and finding it way too small portions and no carbs at all. Second, I found this page and it's the only page that I feel tells the truth from different people. Thank you!!!!

Kay (author) on October 08, 2014:

Talk to your doctor and let them know if you think it may be affecting you. Fortunately, unless there are hidden ingredients, there is no hCG in the drops so you won't have to deal with hCG side effects.

Tanya on October 07, 2014:

I just started 6 days ago this hcg diet and I am already disappointing. I did everything what it says on Dr.S. protocol, but I lost only 4 LBs and the last three days the weight was the same. This morning I was really upset and I wanted to do some research on this product and I'm so happy that I did. Thank you, Cari for your honest story and your site! Now I need to figure out how I can clean this garbage from my system. I hope it's not too late and I won't have big problems with my health.

Kay (author) on October 03, 2014:

I have never heard of the cream before. Sounds awful and since hCG can't be absorbed through the skin, who knows what is in there. You really ought to report that doctor to the FDA along with your side effects. The FTC might be interested as well. That is just awful.

jean ann on October 03, 2014:

My story is new and very short! I started hcg cream on sept 19th. had great results in 2 weeks. got a new prescription for the cream and it knocked me off my feet. chills, terrible stomach pain, nausea, hot flashes, night sweats, miserable! taking 3 days off to see if symptoms improve but not so sure im going to start it again. I went into the doctors office, and everyone in the office had used it and lost tonnage of weight. they were all bouncing like tigger. the doctor herself had used hcg, and was the size of a pencil, so I immediately figured she already looked like that before the diet. I was so pumped up and excited. Now Im tryin to figure out if its worth it! I do not like being sick, and certainly don't have time for that mess!

Kay (author) on September 26, 2014:

I'm so sorry. I think this diet is even worse for women whose metabolisms are already slowing down (35+). It really does slow down your metabolism, making it so much harder to lose weight in the future. I'm glad you didn't eat the 500 calorie diet though. There is no hCG in the drops so even if hCG did work, they are not even there to work and the starvation diet just does such a number on the body. That page was hard for me too. I was so bothered by all the posts they were deleting. If I had seen the real posts, I wouldn't have done the diet either.

Linda428 on September 26, 2014:

I started this diet right after Christmas 2013. I did NOT follow the 500 calorie diet, although I did eat very small portions of what the rest of my family was eating. My goal was to lose 15 pounds, and I did in very short time. However, I could not sleep at night, and I developed night sweats and hot flashes unlike anything I have ever experienced. I was 55 at the time, and I suppose you could blame it on menopause, but I think there was more to it than just that - never before had I been having 8 or 9 per hour. I had wonderful slimming results but stopped after 4 weeks due to all the crazy physical stuff. Eight months later, I have gained back the 15 pounds plus a few extra, and you're right in saying that nothing seems to get it off now. I was very bothered by the Omnitrition Facebook page, and should have gone with my instinct, but the results for a few of my FB friends were too tempting. I should have known better.

Kay (author) on September 18, 2014:

This diet really does a number on the body and I have no doubt long term for many. It definitely makes weight loss more difficult for the future. There is no doubt hCG is not the answer. I hope you are able to recover from the diet and find a plan that work for you. Thank you for the comment.

Cyndy Ann on September 18, 2014:

I did this diet religiously 2 years ago--I probably did 6 rounds; I went from size 16 to an 8. But in between every round, I would gain weight back. It was an endless cycle. I lost hair, couldn't sleep, had horrid stomach pains, etc. I finally decided it was a cycle that was destructive. Since then I have cut out all wheat, grains, sugar (except dark chocolate), dairy (except heavy cream), and try to eat high fat low carb. When I introduce any wheat back, I wanted to die. So I thought the paleo way was my answer. But I lived every other day doing steak days. That's not healthy. I've tried intermittent fasting. Nothing works. Thyroid checks OK. So now I live LCHF but am back up to size 14-16. I'm scared to mess with hormones, but frustrated nothing works.

Kay (author) on September 16, 2014:

I am so sorry. The heart problems are scary and too many women seem to develop heart trouble during this diet. I also have no doubt because of what I've been through and so many other stories shared that this does something internally. About half the people responding here that have done the diet, according to the poll, report serious side effects, This is not worth the risk. The fact that so many people follow it to the letter and get fatter alone should keep us away from this diet.

anonymous on September 15, 2014:

I just had a baby 4 months ago and I decided to try it I was doing well and then I started taking charge and had some heart issues because of it I have also been haVing alot of stomach problems because of it I recently got off it and still am having problems with my stomach AND I feel bigger then when I started I've struggled forever with weight and I hope people see this and decide against it!

Kay (author) on September 07, 2014:

"Y" asked me to share her story here: ""I have always had a weight problem. At my heaviest, I was tipping the scale at 288 pounds. I slowing lost weight and got to 230 pounds losing it the "right way". Some of my weight loss also contributed to Weight Watchers. Over the course of ten years, I gained back 20 pounds making me 250. At that point a friend convinced me to try HCG. I did online research for 2 months to be sure this was "safe". There seemed to be little to no side effects according to the countless articles. I decided to do the diet. I did it not once but three times. The second time I did it I convinced my friend to do it with me as well. Each time I lost 25 to 35 pounds. I did take the recommend break between the diet so it would work and be "safe". I got down to 192 pounds over the course of 3 rounds. I couldn't remember the last time I was under 200 pounds (maybe high school). Now its been a year since the last round of HCG. I few months after I did the maintenance phase, the weight started piling on. No matter how much I exercised or ate right, I kept gaining weight. Today I am at 255 pounds. I have been waking up at 5 am and working out at the gym...hard for the past 2 months. I have only gained weight. I measured myself to see if I was at least losing inches... Nope. I have gained inches. My weight continues to pile on and I am desperate to make my metabolism back to normal. Please keep in mind that I eat NO fast food, I drink NO soda or juice and I watch my calorie intake. I eat protein, vegetables, the "good" carbs and fruit. I only drink water, tea or almond milk. My next step is to see a dietician. Do yourself a favor...don't do HCG. IT'S PURE HELL."

Kay (author) on August 22, 2014:

@cs0904: First of all, huge (((hug))) for you. This diet just put you through so much. I'm so sorry. More and more people are contacting me talking about the depression this experience has left them in and talking about the personality changes. It's interesting, I had such awful side effects that I wonder what it really did to my body. After reading about some of the products and ingredients in them, it could start doing damage and you wouldn't know until years later and who would connect those dots then? For example, they were trying to push a product on me with super high levels of niacin and I found out that it can cause long-term liver damage and there was a study that showed that in people who took high levels of niacin, they were fatter after ten years. I just think all these products are unsafe now. Best wishes on getting your health back. Thank you for comment. Each and every comment helps so many people. I hear that a lot.

cs0904 on August 20, 2014:

I did HCG for 11 weeks back in 2011. I lost 70 pounds. I felt great! I had gained quite a bit of weight from having my two children, and this was the only diet that got me where I wanted to be. I was told that the brand of HCG that I was taking was top of the line, and that it was the only one out there that had the highest levels of HCG< that most of the other brands were mostly alcohol and other ingredients.I had a really difficult time doing the diet because I was always hungry. But I had experience with starving myself as I did quite a bit in my younger years always trying to lose weight. I believed everything that my mentor told me and knowing that I had to go back week after week and tell how much weight I had lost helped keep me accountable.I had HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE headaches. The kind that you get where you can't even move, where you actually want to slit your wrists and die because it hurts too much to keep your head level. I went through that for 11 weeks. There was no pain medication to relieve the pain. It felt different from migraines, which I have had in the past. I literally felt like my head was constantly being pressed in. I have a feeling, after doing some research, that the culprit may have been the Truvia that I started sweetening my coffee with. We were told that we could either us Truvia or Stevia and I opted for the cheaper. Truvia is not actually a pure extract of Stevia like I was led to believe.During this time I had lots of energy, there were times that I would feel fatigue, but for the most part I slept well and felt good. Other than the headaches, lol. Then I took a trip out of stat and during the course of going to several friends and faimlies' houses, got my first taste of "real" food. I couldn't stop.I got home and the first thing I shoved into my mouth was a freshly baked cookie. I started eating and couldn't stop - I was SO HUNGRY. I didn't see teh weight start coming back on for a few weeks. I noticed clothes were a little tighter so I started trying to take the drops again. By this time I had stopped going to my HCG meetings since I was ashamed that I had regained some weight.I couldn't do the diet without accountability. I tried for a full 2 years, on and off, to start the drops and the diet, unsuccessfully, and have gained more than I took off in the beginning. In fact, I am at my heaviest weight ever. I am heavier now than when I was pregnant.I would say about a year following when I stopped the drops, I was in a deep depression, and I"m thinking that it has to do with the fact that I was gaining weight back at a very fast pace and couldn't stop it - along with the crazy stuff that HCG did to my metabolism, hormones, balance, everything. I started feeling like I was going crazy!! I was still having horrible headaches, which affected my driving, my temper, my mood, my marriage, the way I spoke to and treated my children, my friendships - I lost many friendships. I must have been horrible to be around - I was in so much physical pain with the headaches, not sleeping well, and depressed about my overall appearance and health. I started going to therapy, which helped some but I still felt so depressed and eventually became suicidal.Therapy helped taper some of that behavior/thought process but to this day I feel like I'm still reeling from the effects of those drops. I am now struggling to lose the horrible amount of weight that I gained.I wish that I had not gone into that HCG office - I was actually on a good road at the time that I started the drops. I was on Weight Watchers and had already lost 20 pounds. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess.

Kay (author) on August 15, 2014:

@Cari Kay 11: I would like to add that I've talked with a number of people now who say this diet started them on the path to anorexia, bulimia and other disorders. The weight comes back. Unless you start training for half marathons (which is potentially very dangerous with the few calories you've been consuming), your metabolism is so slow that you are going to gain the weight back. This sets in a panic for so many who have lost weight and they'll do whatever it takes, no matter how dangerous or deadly it might be to keep the weight off. When you read this is one of the most dangerous diets out there, they are serious!

Kay (author) on August 15, 2014:

A mom contacted me today and wanted me to share her story here. She didn't mention sharing her name so I won't share it without permission but here is her story:-------------------------------------------------I did the hcg diet back in 2011. I did a 43 day round followed by only 2 weeks of maintenance, then another round of 23 days. I started out at 188lbs, and with both rounds lost 50 lbs. Losing the weight and inches was great, but now it was time to go back to normal, everyday living. And for me, that was impossible!! I struggled with stomach aches pretty much, as far back as i can remember. I'd eat, then end up feeling really awful. So, for me, doing this "diet" was going to help me lose weight and become healthy, so i thought!? I can say that i did lose the weight, but becoming healthy, didn't happen! While on this diet, i was always extremely fatigue, no energy whatsoever! The dizziness and lightheadedness was AWFUL! No matter what, every time i would get up from a seated position, i would nearly pass out every time!! The heart palpitations that would hit me out of the blue in a completely rested state! There were mood swings! ( i was not pleasant to be around) i would get horrible headaches. All these awful side effects, but i was so determined to lose the weight! Once i completed the "rounds" of "hcg", it was supposedly time for me to carry on a new lifestyle of healthy eating, slowly introducing, sugars and starches after a couple weeks. Well, let me just say, I WAS TERRIFIED! I wanted to eat but i couldn't. All i could think about was gaining the weight back or experiencing the stomach aches again, as i did before the diet. what did i do? Well, during the diet, i remember craving dark chocolate, so one of the first things i wanted to eat, was dark chocolate, like 70% cacao. Once i was able to have that without any side effects (no weight gain or stomach aches) 4 little cubes a day is all i ate! Pistachios were later added and i can remember this is all i ate, for weeks!!!! I would still wake up every morning, use the bathroom and weigh myself, just as you do on the diet. I continued to lose weight of course, for awhile, because i was starving! Patterns like this continue to this day!My point in sharing this is, it is now 3 1/2 years later, and i have been diagnosed "anorexia nervosa"! Never imagined i would ever hear those words, or that i desperately needed impatient treatment!I am a wife, mother of 2, 28 years old. I've had severe b12 anemia, iron anemia, folate deficiency, vitamin d deficient, low magnesium and potassium....the list goes on, all carrying it's own list of side effects. I never imagined this for my life, no one does. I strongly believe the hcg diet played a HUGE role in creating these eating disorder behaviors! I have never and will NEVER recommend this diet to anyone. Recommending this diet is basically saying, "starve yourself!" Please reconsider when thinking about the hcg diet, your health and your life are far too precious!

Kay (author) on July 17, 2014:

@clearbluerain: Pretty common. I've heard this from a number of people on the diet and I am definitely one of them. Our bodies were just not designed to function on 400-500 calories a day. That's an anorexic level of calories and our bodies let us know how unhealthy it is. Hope you are feeling better soon. Thank you for leaving a comment.

clearbluerain on July 15, 2014:

Irregular heartbeat and excessive weight gain even though I eat healthy meals and walk three miles every single day. I also developed a dizziness I have never gotten over. The doctor said he thought it was because of my age and that sometimes women in menopause develop dizziness and heart palpitations. Funny that I never had it before I was on the hCG diet.

Kay (author) on July 01, 2014:

In response to the comments I get that are pro-hCG, if you read the above, you'll see this diet is illegal and, for a number of people, has proven to be dangerous. That is why I do not allow pro-hCG comments. It seems as if more of you are admitting that this is a placebo but one that worked for you. If you are willing to risk the possiblity of serious side effects, my one request is that you stay closely monitored by a physician. If the company selling your drops does have actual hCG in the drops(I'm told there are companies overseas that sell it), ask what percentage of the bottle is hCG. As established above, if the measurements are something like 6x, 12x, etc.., that means no hCG. If it does contain actual hCG, I know I'd be curious to hear what percentage of the bottle is hCG and what percentage is just water.

Kay (author) on June 19, 2014:

@deedle: I was just reading about a study researchers are conducting and they are saying that these fad diets that slow metabolism way down DO make people gain weight after they are done. They just slow the metabolism way down. There are some online (mainly who sell the diet) that will say you must not have followed 'protocol' or gone back to unhealthy habits but I've just talked to too many people who say they followed the diet EXACTLY as detailed and got fatter. Sure you may lose weight quickly but people need to know that MANY people get fatter after going off the diet.

deedle on June 18, 2014:

I done presciption hcg drops after 18 days I started to get irregular heart beat and had to stop the diet at the time I had lost 7kg and was amazed at how quickly I had lost the weight as I had been trying to lose the weight for 2 years but nothing worked 1200 cal a day exercise 1 1/2 hours a day including weight training didnt work tried low carb then protein shakes nothing worked so for 3months I have been eating healthy exercising everyday and I have gained back 5 kg so far!

Kay (author) on June 09, 2014:

@2facesoftranquilminds: I'm so glad you were seen and I'm glad you won't be doing this diet. I've just heard from far too many people now with serious problems. It's not worth it. Try and get your money back. According to the company, they should give you a refund if you return it within the first month but, I have yet to have anybody tell me they were able to get it. If you do, please, let me know. Hope you are feeling better. I think I mentioned that one of my doctors said the same thing about this diet and the kidneys. Very thankful that on top of everything else this wasn't an issue for me.

2facesoftranquilminds on June 09, 2014:

I'm with my mom at her doctors (I need to schedule one) and the doctor said she can't tell us not to do omni, but she advises not to. I should have done more research befire plungin $79 into this. :/ especially since I already have a 1st degree heart blockage, and only 2 days into it having kidney pains. I'm done! My moms doctor said she has personally seen people have renal kidney failure from omni (hcg diet).

Kay (author) on June 09, 2014:

@2facesoftranquilminds: somehow missed the part about your pre-existing heart problems. Please, don't go any further with this diet. It was so scary when my heart started having problems and I've heard from too many people now who have had heart scares (including a 20-something year old gal whose heart stopped on this diet). Other than people selling this diet, most everybody else who knows anything about the diet will tell you this is potentially very dangerous.

Kay (author) on June 09, 2014:

@2facesoftranquilminds: Oh my goodness, please see the doctor. I had a doctor tell me that this can really adversely affect the kidneys and I was talking to a mom locally who ended up in emergency care because of what this did to her kidneys as well as her heart. Please, seriously, see your doctor. Take your drops in to them and explain what you've been doing. I've had women tell me they were too embarrassed to tell their physicians but, I guarantee, your doctor has seen the effects of other fad diets, if not this one, and can help!

2facesoftranquilminds on June 08, 2014:

I have been on the hcg diet for 2 days. Both days I have had kidney pains. Yesterday so bad I broke down crying and I even vomited. :/ since gaining 100+ pounds with my pregnancy I thought this would be great. Its not like I'm drinking to little water. I'm 16.9 ounces away from 1 gallon. I alsi have pre exciting heart problems. After ready this whole article I'm super mad I spent $79 on this. Is it normal for my kidnrys to hurt..after day 2..I haven't gotten to the strict proticol yet. I don't think I shoukd continue.