HCG

What exactly is the pregnancy hormone and how is it checked?

hCG: human chorionic gonadotropin
HCG is human chorionic gonadotropin. It is also called the 'pregnancy hormone'.

It is secreted by the placenta and is measured by pregnancy tests. hCG promotes the maintenance of the corpus luteum and causes it to secrete the hormone progesterone. Progesterone enriches the uterus with a thick lining of blood vessels and capillaries so that it can sustain the growing fetus. Due to its highly negative charge hCG may also repel the immune cells of the mother, protecting the fetus during the first trimester.

What are normal hCG levels in pregnancy ?
There is a large variation in a 'normal' HCG level for any given time in pregnancy. Once the fetal heart rate is seen, most doctors will monitor the fetal heart rate rather than drawing hCG Some normal pregnancies will have quite low levels of HCG - and deliver perfect babies. There is a wide variation of normal hCG levels. An hCG that does not double every two to three days does not necessarily indicate a problem. However, if the level doesn't increase enough, the pregnancy will fail. This happens for example with a tubal pregnancy. (ectopic pregnancy)

After impantation:
If your ßhCG (a subunit of hCG) is under 5 mIU/ml (milli International Units per milli-liter), you are not pregnant.
If your ßhCG is between 5 an 25 mIU/ml you are probably pregnant.
If your ßhCG is over 25 mIU/ml you most likely pregnant.

After implantation of the embryo the level of hCG increases daily. Within the first 2-4 weeks after fertilization, hCG usually doubles every 48-72 hours. HCG levels peak at about 8-10 weeks of pregnancy and then decline, remaining at lower levels for the rest of the pregnancy.

For actual numbers please see advancedfertility.com. For a nice hCG calculator see babymed.com/pregnancy-tools/hcg/

hCG in pregnany tests
Pregnancy tests measure the levels of ßhCG (a subunit of hCG) in the blood or urine to indicate the presence or absence of an implanted embryo. The urine test can detect levels of βhCG as low as 25-100 mIU/ml. The urine should be the first urine of the morning when hCG levels are highest.

The serum test, using 2-4 mL of venous bloodvcan detect βhCG levels as low as 5 mIU/ml and allows quantitation of the βhCG concentration. The ability to quantitate the βhCG level is useful in the evaluation of ectopic pregnancy (= tubal pregnancy). If you are injected with hCG (Profasi, Pregnyl) in order to increase fertilty, the tests may not be accurate in the first 2 weeks.
Read also Pregnancy tests

hCG in fertility therapy
Because of its similarity to Luteinizing hormone (LH), hCG can also be used clinically to induce ovulation in the ovaries as well as testosterone production in the testes. As the most abundant biological source is women who are presently pregnant, some organizations collect urine from gravidae to extract hCG for use in fertility treatment

HCG level question
My HCG level is not rising as quickly as it is supposed to? What is the normal range, and how worried should I be?

Answer: HCG titers double in 3 to 4 days in a normal pregnancy. If HCG titers drop, the ball game is over and the pregnancy is non-viable. HCG titers that plateau or do not double suggest either a pregnancy that is destined to abort or an ectopic. If there is any question, I like to get a serum progesterone. Progesterone of 15 ng/ml or more is compatible with a normal intrauterine pregnancy. Under 10 suggests an abnormal pregnancy.

Once the hCG titer is 1000ng/ml or more, an intrauterine gestational sac should be seen on endovaginal sonogram. If a gestational sac is seen, this rules out ectopic. By 6 weeks from the last menstrual period, a yolk sac should be seen on vaginal sonogram and by 6-7 weeks a fetal heart beat should be seen. All these parameters can be used to assess the viability of an intrauterine pregnancy. However, one must not delay too long if an ectopic cannot be completely ruled out.

Sample hCG
is a sample listing of expected hCG levels based on time after conception:

0-1 week: 0-50 mIU/ml
1-2 weeks: 40-300 mIU/ml
3-4 weeks: 500-6,000 mIU/ml
1-2 months: 5,000-200,000 mIU/ml
2-3 months: 10,000-100,000 mIU/ml
2nd trimester: 3,000-50,000 mIU/ml
3rd trimester: 1,000-50,000 mIU/ml
Non-pregnant females: <5.0 mIU/ml
Postmenopausal females: <9.5 mIU/ml

Comments: HCG

Comments 1 to 24 of about 75.
1 2 3 Next

morethenanything3 - 8 days ago.
I have been trying to concieve for the last 5 years. I have to kids age 9&7. In the last 5 years I have miscarried 3 babies and last year I am almost died do to an ectopic pregnancy that went undetected. I just found out saturday that I am pregnant, do to my history I go in to the doctor every other day. Monday my titer level was at 54 and weds at 47! I go in tuesday for my next test but my doctor says I am losing this baby too. I am so worried I am having a hard time working and concentrating. I am not in any pain and have no bleeding, occasional dizzy and sweats. Is there in any hope??? I dont think my husband can do this any more he is so worried about me. I just want this more then anything. Since my husband has no biological kids of his own, and I know how badly he wants one. I hope I can carry one for him!

Manda22 - 9 days ago.
ALHOGNER- What a stressful time for you! Im so sorry! BUT great that your baby still has a strong heartbeat! Keep us posted! ~HUGS~

Alhogner777 - 10 days ago.
It's me again. I went to my Dr. apt. today and my HCG levels had dropped more. Now they are down to 6,300. I am still having low back pain but no cramping. The Dr. told me this then told me,'by the look on your face I think you know what that could mean'. He went through the grievance process, options such as D& C, waiting, etc. for what we could do if it is a MC. He told me if we see the baby is developing normally then we would have plently of reason for hope but still would like to know why my HCG levels are continuing to drop so rapidly. Then he set me up for a same day ultrasound & I saw the baby moving. After talking to the Dr. again. He informed me the baby had a good strong heartbeat and that we needed to stop looking at HCG levels at this point. He told me that the HCG levels do drop off (normally) at around 20 weeks. He said but maybe your not 'normal'. I have also read on the web that this starts to drop at about 12 weeks. I also learned that I had a large cyst from ovulating on one of my ovaries that did not disappear when I became pregnant. The Dr. said this could also be affecting my HCG levels. But like he said we are not going to worry about HCG anymore and rely on ultrasounds and heartrate monitoring to check on the health of the baby.

Shellie77 - 11 days ago.
Alhogner77 - I hope not. The levels do tend to lower some after a certain timeframe, and the risk of miscarriage drops considerably after a heartbeat is detected, but there is still that chance, your numbers dropping that much is definitely worrying. Are you having any cramping? I had a lot of bleeding off and on in my first trimester, and Im almost 26weeks now. I wish your Dr had done another ultrasound to make sure, but hopefully things work out! Hang in there.

Alhogner777 - 12 days ago.
I was 12 wks. on Fri, Sat. bleeding started Hcg levels were 9,900. Monday levels were 9,100. Ultrasound turned out good. Baby was kicking and moving about. We heard the heartbeat. It was an assuring relief. Mon. I stopped Bleeding Mon. Tues. heartbeat was found again - still good. One week later (today) I started bleeding again. Hormone levels are now down to 7,500. The ER Dr. would not do another ultrasound or even check the heartbeat. He set up an apt. for Wed. to check levels again. Does this idicate a miscarriage?

dsquared83 - 12 days ago.
That was my result from a blood test, but thanks for ur help

Manda22 - 12 days ago.
I guess it depends what chart you look at the one i found shows 5-426 for 4 weeks but the one on this page shows weeks would be 500-6000...if you are worried I would clal your doctor and see if he would do a blood test for you. Dont worry about it too much just yet everyone is different! Good luck and Sticky Baby Dust!!!

Manda22 - 12 days ago.
hCG levels during pregnancy (in weeks sincelast menstrual period) 3 weeks LMP 5 - 50 mIU/ml 4 weeks LMP 5 - 426 mIU/ml 5 weeks LMP 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml 6 weeks LMP 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml 7 - 8 weeks LMP 7, 650 - 229,000 mIU/ml 9 - 12 weeks LMP 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml 13 - 16 weeks LMP 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml 17 - 24 weeks LMP 4,060 - 165,400 mIU/ml 25 - 40 weeks LMP 3,640 - 117,000 mIU/ml non pregnant 55-200 ng/ml http://www.justmommies.com/articles/hcg-levels.shtml#ixzz0JDNWIfDL&D

dsquared83 - 12 days ago.
Hello Ladies I'm new here....I found out I'm pregant a couple days ago and I had a question. I took a blood test to check my HCG and I got a 237 and from my counting I'm 4 weeks pregnant 2day. Is a 237 normal or do I have something to worry about. Thanks for those who can help

redheadmama - 26 days ago.
hurray, got my 2nd set of levels - at 5w6d, I went up above 2400 which is good for me. I only double every three days. so we're excited and thankful. :)

HelluvaAngel - 29 days ago.
So I'm still freaking out because of the phone call from my Dr's nurse. It took them almost 2 weeks to get my HCG results in. The day I had the blood taken my Dr. thought I was 6 1/2 weeks along, but my levels for that day were only 996. I have no idea if that is good or not and my Dr. can't see me now until June 29th. When her nurse told me the results on the phone she just hesitated for a sec and said that maybe I wasn't as far along as they had thought. What are good numbers ladies? I was either 5 - 6 weeks at the time and no earlier or later.

redheadmama - 30 days ago.
I've just gotten my levels done for the 1st time, & it's 965 at 5w1d (yesterday). This is low but considered normal. Siiiigh. Trying not to stress but wait on the Lord for it's all I can do.

em2 stewarts wife - 31 days ago.
Mandam, I am so sorry for your loss. I have lost 3 babies in the last year and I know how difficult it is. I hope that you expel everything and dont need a D&C but I have had two D&C's and have had no problems. I know how painful the medicated miscarriage can be also as I had that before a D&C once. I know it is not fun. You will get thorugh this. Good Luck and let me know if you need anyhting!

Manda22 - 31 days ago.
UPDATE: Thank-you to everyone who gave me words of advise over the weekend. I went back to the doctor on Monday and my hcg had dropped again to 32 thousdand. the babies heart had probabyl stopped beating about 8 days ago. So they gave me medication to enduce the miscarrage and I go back on Thursday to make sure all the tissue has passed. If not they will do the D&C. Hopefully I have passed all the tissue with the medication!!! This is such a painful and sad emotional experience. The only good thing is we know we can have children, our beautiful 5 year old is proof of that and we will try again soon!

GatorNay - 34 days ago.
mandam- I had a similar experience and sadly it ended in m/c. I was supposed to be 11 wks and went to hear the heatbeat...the Dr could not find the heartbeat on the doppler so they did an u/s...still no heartbeat....the baby was only measuring at 8 wks which was totally wrong- the dr said the baby stopped developing...I was so confused because I too had no symptoms and the baby had been gone for 3 wks already....so it does take your body awhile to figure out something is wrong and break everything down...Dont worry- things will happen the way they are supposed to! Ill pray for you!

Manda22 - 35 days ago.
I went in to the Emerg. room friday because I was feeling very constipated... My OBGYN came to see me and did an ultrasound with a portable machine...he couldnt find a heartbeat so he did a vaginal ultrasound...still no heartbeat. He did blood work and my HcG levels had dropped since they were taken 10 days before this. I was 9 weeks 6 days on Friday and the baby was measuring 9 weeks 1 day.... My OBGYN said you can usually see the heartbeat by 8 weeks and hear it by 10 weeks. I have NO signs of cramping, bleeding or pain at all. He says there is a good chance that I am having a miscarriage and it just hasn't started with physical symptoms yet. OR I am off with my dates and just unable to see the heartbeat yet. The dip in HcG could be somewhat normal at this stage of pregnancy. I am going back to repeat the HcG test and another ultrasound on Monday. Does anyone think there is any hope....Im a mess...I feel awful!! Has anyone ever had an expierence like this??? Thanks....

GatorNay - 36 days ago.
HELP! my HCG levels were above 50,000 how many weeks am I???????

sheework - 38 days ago.
I had a miscarriage April 14th. I have been going in every two weeks to get my levels checked to be sure they were dropping. On the 15th they were at 95 and today the 27th they were at 219. I am trying to not get excited but do you think this means I am pregnant again. I have a feeling it does.

kristy2 - 39 days ago.
its a bit strange that thay are that high high even if u are prego with twins that shoudlnt be that high

cheyne - 44 days ago.
Just to update you all - sadly my little one didn't make it. I went for scan yesterday and today and both gave the same results: the baby's heart beat has now stopped. It put up a good fight and its heart kept beating for three weeks after it stopped growing, but it is now at peace. Thank you so much for all your kind comments, support and advice. It has meant so much to me and really helped me through this difficult pregnancy. All my love and very best wishes to you and yours xxx

Expectantmommie - 45 days ago.
Hello ladies!!! I have recieved a call from my ob/gyn today and im only sapposed to be 3 or 4 weeks preggo and my levels are at 10,000 is this twins??? Anyone have the same and already know they have twins???

cuddleybear - 45 days ago.
hi lady's. I have a quastion about de hcg. i live in the netherlands and i see that in de states the gyn works and interpretated things not the same as here in europe I dont know exactly how far my pregnancy is but my hcg levels are very low 1may was 51 7may 143 13may 253 today a have a bloodtest friday i will hear how much it is every week i had an utrasound but we haven't see a sign of life or a sac i still have hope al is okey any ladys with good stories? bye cuddleybear (europe)

gagirl80 - 46 days ago.
kimk2u2 how many days past ovluation are you? My first HCG level 14dpo was only 45 and I am 20 weeks. As long as it goes up that is a good sign. Hope it works out.

kimk2u2 - 46 days ago.
I went to have hgc test done cause I got a faint like and I called day and they said that my level is 65 and i know that is not good i'm going back in the morn. to see if they went up the dr said that its fine to be that low it might cause I'm only 2-3 weeks what di you guys think

cheyne - 50 days ago.
Hi Owensbaby2, I should be 8 weeks according to my own dates. I went for a scan two weeks ago and only the yolk sac was visible. The sonographer said the sac was measuring 5.5 weeks, I went back a week ago and she saw a flickering fetal pole of 3.5mm with heart pulsations. She measured me as 5.5 weeks again, but said all was fine. I went back yesterday and she said the fetal pole had not grown at all in a whole week. It was still measuring 3.5mm. However the gestational sac had increased by 11mm to a mean sac diameter of 27mm. Yet she dated me as 5.5 weeks again (I guess from the size of the fetal pole). She told me the heartbeat was very slow, but did not tell me how many beats per minute it is. She said that as the embryo had not grown it was no longer a viable pregnancy despite having a heartbeat. Yet she did not show me the screen! She turned the machine off before telling me all this! She booked me for a scan next week - but says she expects the heart to have stopped by then. Please tell me what you think - I too find this all very strange. Is there any hope my baby might start growing and catch up with the size of his gestational sac? xx