Pregnancy Forum - How to read HCG Levels during Pregnancy

Pregnancy Forum > Pregnancy Forum > How to read HCG Levels during Pregnancy

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Q: How to read HCG Levels during Pregnancy

asked by: DoctorQuestion on November 7th, 2006

This is pretty long and involved. I am a nurse, so I am familiar with the lab values that will follow. For hx, I have had fertility issues so with this cycle took Clomid. On Oct. 19th, an ovulation predictor kit detecting an LH surge. I first took an HPT on Oct. 30th with a possitive result, when urine preg taken at the doctors, it came out neg. I retested Fri. Nov 3rd, with another positive result. Lab work done on 11-4, HCG level=29 (low but confirmed pregnancy, Prog. level=43.5 (great, higher than expected.) My OB then wanted to do a repeat HCG on 11-6, HCG=34 (still low and not near doubled.) Because the Progesterone level is so good, I have a hard time believing I have an impending miscarriage. Could this be an ectopic pregnancy? Is there still a chance this pregnancy could be viable? And for the last question, would an HCG injection help or would it artificially and just temporarilly increase HCG? Thanks for the help. I went to Medical Records to get my results and haven't had a chance to talk to my OB. Thanks.

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on November 29th, 2006

Pregnancy Answer A1805

In the first weeks of a normal pregnancy, the level of HCG should rise very fast (levels double every 48 hours). In cases of ectopic pregnancy, the HCG level rises but not as fast. In cases of miscarriage, the HCG level rises and then decreases rapidly; and in time the pregnancy test will become negative after miscarriage. There is no logic to give HCG injections to save the embryo. Women with PCOS do have an increased risk for miscarriages. Everything will become clear in time.

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