QuestionHello! I have a question about my HCG levels, as I am very concerned right now. A little history on myself: I'm 26 years old, have a two and half year old son (had absolutely no complications with his pregnancy, other than ending up with a c-section for stalled labor). I had a miscarriage two months ago in August at 9 weeks.... the heart stopped beating and I ended up having a D&C. I had a normal period and ended up getting a positive pregnancy test on October 13th.
My doctor has been monitoring my HCG and Progesterone levels since 12dpo. Everything was looking really great until today's results:
12dpo: 52 HCG, 25.5 Progesterone
17dpo: 437 HCG, 18 Progesterone (39 hour doubling time, put on 200mg Prometrium to increase progesterone)
20dpo: 812 HCG, 18.7 Progesterone (80 hour doubling time!)
Needless to say, I'm completely freaked out that my HCG didn't even fully double within 48-72 hours. It came really close (874 would have been doubling), but not quite there. After entering in some numbers, it looks like a 51% doubling in 48 hours. Everything I've read on the internet looks really grim.
I'm so scared and I would love your opinion on my levels. I've talked to quite a few other women on my message boards, and they all see to think I don't have much to worry about since I came so close. But I'd love a professional's opinion.
Thanks in advance!
Jessica
AnswerA single HCG value doesn't give enough information about the health or viability of the pregnancy. Within the first 2-4 weeks after fertilization, HCG usually doubles every 48-72 hours. That usually corresponds to HCG levels below 1200 IU. From 1200-6000, the HCG usually takes 72-96 hours to double. Above 6000 IU, the hCG often takes over four days to double. So, the rate of increase in HCG levels normally varies as a pregnancy progresses. Normal HCG values vary up to 20 times between different pregnancies, however, and an HCG that does not double every two to three days does not necessarily indicate a problem with the pregnancy. Some normal pregnancies will have quite low levels of HCG, and result in perfect babies.
Pregnancies that will miscarry and ectopic (tubal) pregnancies are likely to show lower levels and slower rises, but often have normal levels initially. Sometimes it takes three or more HCG levels at least 48 hours apart to get an idea how a pregnancy is progressing.
Once the HCG levels are above 1000-1500 IU, vaginal sonography usually identifies the presence of an intrauterine pregnancy. At that point an ectopic pregnancy is effectively ruled out. Once the pregnancy is visible on ultrasound, further HCG testing is less reliable than ultrasound for monitoring a pregnancy, as the variations in HCG levels are frequently misleading and cause unnecessary worry. Since normal levels of HCG can vary tremendously, after 5-6 weeks of pregnancy, sonogram findings are much more predictive of pregnancy outcome than are HCG levels. Once the gestational sac is seen, most doctors will monitor with ultrasounds rather than drawing HCG. Subsequent monitoring with ultrasound should reveal normal growth of the gestational sac, and the development of a fetal heartbeat by 6 to 7 weeks' gestation (6-7 weeks after LMP). Once fetal activity has been detected by ultrasound, the chance of miscarriage is usually less than 10%.
I hope this helps!! Good luck to you!
