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 162.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Next

TIsabella - 362 days ago.
Question, after 2 years of trying, I am finally pregnant, but I am 8 weeks, but on my first ultrasound, the doctors couldnt see anything, and they said it was measuring at 5 1/2 weeks, so I they took my blood levels. First they were 29,000, then, they went down to 28,000, Is there any chance there will be hope? Could they potentially rise?

ScaredMom - 415 days ago.
My levels are 250 at 4 weeks 3 days and I am worried they are to low.

RDM81 - 527 days ago.
I had my second blood test for HCG a few days ago and at 4 weeks and 3 days my HCG was 2175. Is this number high or right where it should be for 1 baby? My Husband and I have been trying to conceive for 5 years and after several failed treatments finally had success with our first IUI treatment. We had 4 follicles and I was just wondering if my HCG number would indicate more than one at this time.

jjrhodes - 533 days ago.
SCHUY_ if your last period was Oct 25 then techinally you should be 7 weeks pregnant now. As far as level wise, see the link I posted below it tells you where your levels should be. Good luck

schuy burgess - 534 days ago.
Hi, Ive been reading the info on this site and I'd like some input or just some reassurance.... today, Dec. 7th is my 24 birthday and I recently found out I was pregnant. My 1st day of my last period was Oct. 25, but I know I cant technically be much more than 4 weeks pregnant... I went to the hospital today because I started bleeding, but they said they couldn't tell me anything (they couldnt read the ultrasound) and that my hcG is low, its 2440. Is it? What are others experiences? I just moved across the country and until my boyfriend comes in a month I am alone and very worried...

jjrhodes - 535 days ago.
babeita, your HCG levels should be rising every 48-72 hours if I am correct. Here is a site that will help ya out: http://www.babymed.com/normal-hcg-levels-pregnancy

Babeita23 - 538 days ago.
Hi! I am new to this site and need help... I recently found out I was pregnant, I'm not sure how far along I am nor do I have an exact due date but I do know my hcg level..it was 412. I plan on going back next week to test again to see how much my hcg levels are rising because I am one nervous, worried and happy mommy to be! My last menstrual period was on Oct. 24, 2011. Is there anyway to determine how far along I am with the given hcg level? Thanks! Babydust to all!!!

cari226 - 540 days ago.
Babylove- Sounds good!! You would not be able to see anything at 4 weeks through an ultrasound. I went through this when I was pregnant.. My level was only a 26 and now I have a happy, healthy little girl sleeping in my lap! I also went in due to cramping.. The hospital should know better to not give you an US - Now your insurance will be charged an arm and a leg!! I am hoping for the best outcome! Call your DR and get levels checked tomorrow. As long as they are increasing, your pregnancy is fine!

Babybaby29 - 540 days ago.
Hello I'm New to this site..stumbled across this page searching for comfort fromy crazy day....I woke up from abdomen pain this morning not sure Wat to expect when I went to rest room I saw blood..I'm a week late on cycle n 3 positive home pregnancy test pregnant...I was soooooo scared..thinking the worst I went to ER for help....after waiting 5hrs, blood test showed hcg levels of 72 ( er Dr. Said 4 wks preg) vaginal ultrasound shows no sign of pregnancy..I'm left with no true answers....the Dr said to get hcg tested again n two days to see if it rises or decline..cramping is just as bad as my normal cycle with lots of tenderness n lower abd...I'm so scared..I really want this baby but the impression I got was I'm going to m/c..well c just wanted to share this with someone

jjrhodes - 540 days ago.
After my first pregnancy being a miscarriage, having a beautiful girl (4 1/2 years now) and another miscarriage and 2 ectopic pregnancies (last one resulting in my left tube being removed) I have just found out I am pregnant again. At 4 weeks and 3 days HCG level was 40 (Tues). Went back 2 days later and it was 113(Thur). Went in the next Mon. and it was 1212 but the following Wed I spotted which scared me so we went in and had our first ultrasound (6 weeks and 3 days - saw no heartbeat yet due to the ultrasound only saying I was measuring around 5 weeks and 6 days) but had another HCG level done and it was 18,000. Tomorrow we will be having another ultrasounf hoping to see baby bean's heartbeat :) Hoping and praying for the best

amanda4964 - 588 days ago.
Just wanted to share a positive experience because when I was worried about my hcg levels I came to this page and didn't find a lot of stories where hcg started low and ended up fine. At 4 wks 4 days, my hcg was only 68. Doctor asked if I 'had any bleeding yet'. I was devastated thinking that meant I was doomed to m/c. I went to a different doc because I didn't like the first one and she did a repeat blood test 6 days later and my levels were up to 1445. So, it doesn't always matter if your levels start low as long as they increase at a good rate. My 2nd doc said not to worry too much about the average ranges because everyone is different. Even though my levels aren't in the standard ranges, she said I have no reason to worry because they are increasing just fine.

joy4us - 605 days ago.
Found out I was pregnant Sepember 21 through a blood test my hcg was 49 two days later my hcg only went to 67 two days after that 102 and then today it was 127 dr. says prepare myself for a miscarriage not sure what to think .. Anyone have a similar experience?

bodhiandblue - 644 days ago.
I had my hCG tested on 5 weeks 6 days and again two days later (6 weeks 1 day) my results were 42,000 and 52,000. This seems high. Is it too high? It definitely didn't double but doesn't it slow down after 6,000? Could it be twins? I have an u/s scheduled in 2 weeks. I'll be 8 weeks then. What should I think about these high non-doubling numbers?

msims - 665 days ago.
My doctor called and informed me that my hcg was 3000 but my progesterone is only 4.2on Monday and I started taking 200 mg pills once a day to help it. When I had my numbers redrawn on Thursday they came back 4500 and progesterone at 5. I am 5 weeks and 4 days today. Has anyone else had a sucessful pregnancy with numbers this low?

Ainoah - 668 days ago.
Thank you Babydusted. My LMP was June 8, got the BFP one month after on July 7, then on July 18 after bleeding for two days HCG was 65. Yesterday was 225. My Ob said its not a normal pregnancy and wants to give me pills to help me end the pregancy but Im not sure if I want to take that. My bleeding stopped after I passed some tissue, but why my HCG levels are still rising?

Ainoah - 669 days ago.
Hello ladies. I am in desperate need of some advice. Is it possible for HCG to rise after M/C? I got a BFP on July 7, then 10 days after I started bleeding and cramping was checked, scan showed an empty uterus and HCG level was 65 on July 18 . I continued spotting for couple of days and passed some tissue and I thought I M/C. Another blood test on July 22 showed 96, and today July 25 shows 225. I am extremely worried, thinking it might be an ectopic. I have no pain except for some gas bloating feeling. What do you think? Any advice is really appreciated. Thank you.

MTORRALBA - 676 days ago.
Im new to this site. but I 've been reading it everyday, I'm 23 years old and 4-5 weeks pregnant. I have pcos and recently had a miscarriage in feb. My hcg levels have been increasing but only double in 3-4 days time. I want to know if anyone else has had this and everything be okay. Most things that i read say that they need to be doubling in 48 hours or the pregnancy isnt going to last. any opionions or advice??

jo-katie@hotmail.com - 677 days ago.
everything seems to b goin well wiv pregnancy now im 13 weeks an had first scan last week baby was wrigglin an heartbeat fine so all gd :) gd luck ladies x

beetle - 730 days ago.
luckylady, thanks for the reassurance, as you know , it has been a painful wait, I think I am going nuts. Scan on monday, so praying till then!

luckylady69 - 730 days ago.
Hi Beetle, I think that once HCG is over 1000, it takes longer for it to double (3-4 days), so I think everything is okay.

beetle - 733 days ago.
back again - my hcg levels have slowed up 865 -7 days later - 2946 - doubling time of 4 days.....anyone got any success stories with 4 day doubling time??? xxhopeful

jo-katie - 735 days ago.
hi got my results back wednesday apparently i mis-heard the doctor and the hcg level was just under 600 not 6000 lol results on wednesday were 1370 an had more bloods done today an my results have come back and theyve gone to 3551 so all lookin good i now ave a scan booked for next wednesday cos will b 5weeks 6 days so shud beable to pick the embryo up on ultrasound lets hope all goes well x

katiejl - 737 days ago.
My levels 2 days ago were 25 and today they've gone to 62. I am almost 5 weeks. Does anyone have any experience with such low HcG levels? did you end up miscarrying?

jo-katie - 738 days ago.
hi, on third pregnancy, previous pregnancy ended in miscarriage in march. having problems with this pregnancy only 4 weeks pregnant and sufferin wiv permant abdominal pain went a&e monday an sed mayb ectopic gave me scan an probe but were both inconclusive as still to small, hcg levels on monday were 5700 bin to ave bloods today an just waiting for results, really worried thatll ill m/c again as any1 else suffered with similar pains?

beetle - 740 days ago.
hi there - I have been stalking this page, but terrified to enter. I had a non doubling hcg ( 4 day doubling) and had to wait till today to hear my fate.....but today they suddenly doubled in 2.2 days - people have posted that a lot of hcg have slow starts, then get going....I am by no means out of the woods yet ( 5 weeks gone) but i just thought I would add what has happened to help anyone in the same predicament. ( the last 4 days were agony) Good luck everyone....wishing you all the very best!