QuestionI am 28 years old, have PCOS, and recently became pregnant after an IUI cycle on follistim injectables. My cycle began on 10/11. I triggered (ovidrel) on 10/23. The IUI was done on 10/25. I started prometrium the next day and have continued to take it. I had a pregnancy test on 11/9 and my hcg level was 52.2. I had another test on 11/12 and it went to 187. I had a third test 11/14 and it was 463. My doctor and nurse say everything is doubling as it should so they are happy. However they say my levels are low. Should I be worried about my levels? Are they extremely low or at least close to average? I have another test scheduled for 11/15, what should the levels be? Will I "catch-up" eventually?
AnswerDear Kim,
The fact that your hCG levels are doubling appropriately is the most important thing. The range of normal for hCG levels is very wide. If your LMP was 10/11, you would have been 4 weeks, 6 days on 11/14. The normal hCG level range for 4 weeks is 5 - 426 mIU/ml. For 5 weeks it is 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml. (See what I mean about a broad range?)
At this point, because your levels are doubling every 48-72 hours, I would not be concerned. If you continue along this course, your levels should be at least 7400 by the 22nd. It is when the levels do not double or begin to drop that we become alarmed about the well-being of a pregnancy.
I hope that this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
