Understanding HCG Levels and Post-D&C Hormonal Recovery

Question
I had a D&C on 4/18/08 (10 wks preg, but the baby stopped at 6 weeks), and at its highest my hcg level was 141,000.  I bled 3 weeks after the D&C and went for a checkup 4 weeks after the d&c.  At that time, I still had pregnancy hormones (hcg 141) and the doctor told me that it would just take me longer for them to go down because the levels were so high.  About 8 weeks after the d&c I got a period that lasted about 4 days.  Anyway, I went to the doctor yesterday and she said that my pregnancy test is still positive and that I should go and take a blood test in a week to see where the level is exactly.  My question is how can I still have pregnancy hormones after 9 weeks and after having a period?  I thought I couldn't get a period until the hormones were gone.  Thanks!

Answer
Dear Erika

Usually pregnancy hormones disappear on the maximum 4 weeks after a D & C. Persistent high level highly suggests that your pregnancy was a molar pregnancy and was not a normal one. I would go back to check your ultrasound report before you had the D & C. Was this ultrasound done by an experienced sonographer ..what was the finding?? was it a normal pregnancy??

Molar pregnancy needs serial monitoring for hCG together while you are under medical therapy.

I am sorry i cannot give any more help. Your caring obstetrician is the 1 who have all the investigations and he/she should me more capable to answer questions about your problem.

Good Luck