HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is often called the pregnancy hormone because it is made by cells formed in the placenta, which nourish the egg after it is fertilized and attach themselves to the uterine wall. Levels can first be detected with a blood test around 11 days after conception and around 12 to 14 days after conception with a urine test.
Typically, hCG levels will double every 72 hours. The level will peak during the first 8 to 11 weeks of pregnancy, then decrease and stabilize for the rest of the pregnancy.
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What you Need to know About your HCG Levels:
As your pregnancy progresses and your level rises, the time it takes for it to double may increase approximately every 96 hours.
Care should taken when doing too many hCG numbers. A normal pregnancy can have low levels of hCG and result in a perfectly healthy baby. The results of an ultrasound after 5 to 6 weeks of gestation are much more accurate than using its numbers.
An it level below 5 mIU/mL is consider negative for pregnancy, and any level above 25 mIU/mL is considered positive for pregnancy.
An it level between 6 and 24 mIU/mL is consider a gray area, and you may need to retest to see if your levels rise to confirm pregnancy.
The its hormone is measure in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL).
A transvaginal ultrasound should be able to show at least one gestational sac once hCG levels have reached 1000 to 2000 mIU/mL. Since the levels can very different and the date of conception can incorrect, a diagnosis should not complete using ultrasound results until the hCG level has reached at least 2000 mIU/mL.
A single reading is not enough for most diagnostics. When there are concerns about the health of the pregnancy, multiple hCG tests taken a few days apart allow for a more accurate assessment of the situation.
Also its levels should not used to date a pregnancy as these numbers can vary widely.
There are two common types of hCG tests. A qualitative test detects whether hCG is present in the blood. A quantitative (or beta) test measures the amount of hCG actually present in the blood.
What does low HCG Mean?
A low its level can mean a number of things and should recheck within 48-72 hours to see how the level is changing. A low level can indicate:
pregnancy dating miscalculation
Possible miscarriage or altered ovum
Ectopic pregnancy
Is a hHgh Level of HCG Bad?
An elevated it level can also mean a number of things and should monitored again within 48 to 72 hours to assess for level changes. A high level may indicate:
Firstly, pregnancy dating miscalculation
Secondly, molar pregnancy
Lastly, multiple pregnancies
Should I Check My HCG Level Regularly?
It’s not common for doctors to regularly check your levels unless you’re showing signs of a potential problem.
A health care provider can recheck your levels if you are bleeding, experiencing severe cramping, or have a history of miscarriage.
