QuestionHello Dr. Johnson,
By my LMP I was 5 weeks 2 days on 9/10. I had an ultrasound that showed only a thickening of my lining. No, sac. My hCG level was 1029. On 9/12, my hCG numbers had risen to 2009. Is it still possible that my dates are accurate? Is it possible to be 5 weeks 2 days and have only 1029 and see nothing on the ultrasound?
In a related but separate question, I've read that they expect to see "something" on the ultrasound once your levels reach 2000. Could you define "something"? And are there levels corresponding to when they expect to see a yoke sac, another for when they expect to see a fetal pole and most important to me, at what level hCG can I expect to see a heartbeat?
I'm asking because I have another ultrasound scheduled for 9/15 and want to know what I should expect to see by then and what I should not. My first pregnancy was a blighted ovum so I really trying to understand what is a good sign, a neutral sign, and a bad sign.
Thanks for your help!
--Sarah
AnswerHi Sarah,
Your dates do not sound accurate to me, a HCG level of 1029 is usually around 4 weeks 4 days, so there is a chance that you ovulated late. At 5 weeks it is hard to see anything so this is normal. The something you should see is a small ball with no baby present.
Yolk sac = 5,700 - 13,700 HCG
Fetal pole & heartbeat = 11,200 - 25,600 HCG
At your next ultrasound you can expect to see just a small ball, most likely without a baby.
