HCG slowly increasing; Progesterone decreasing

[Lori1028]

I am pregnant and at 7 weeks and 1 day. Yesterday, 3/31, I took HCG and Progesterone test. The numbers were 40,600 and 18.3 I am nervous because my HCG level is not increasing as much as I thought it would, and my progesterone level is decreasing.

My previous numbers were as follows:

3/18: 1024 and 26.6
3/21: 6360 and 20.3

I had an ultrasound last week and we could see the heartbeat. I'm also having another ultrasound Wednesday. I'm wondering if I should be nervous.

[Forum-M.D.-DT]

Thank you for visiting the family practice forum.
Progesterone appears to play an important role in the maintenance of the uterine myometrium (muscle)in a quiescent state during pregnancy. I honestly have not checked this level frequently during pregnancy as it seems to cause more "worry" than anything else.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HcG) levels are very useful. HcG can detect pregnancy on day 11 after fertilization and these levels rise exponentially until 9-10 weeks gestation. The level usually "doubles" every 1.5-2.0 days.
Based on this, I would agree that your HcG may not be as high as one would expect given the earlier values of 1024 and 6360. A rapidly rising HcG with a faster "doubling time", does indeed correlate well with "successful" pregnancy.
The fact of the matter here is that you have had an ultrasound which shows the heartbeat, this is a VERY GOOD SIGN. When it comes to the first trimester, your best bet is to keep all of your doctors appointments, take your prenatal vitamins and just hope for the best. If there is a pending miscarriage, there is really very little you or your doctor can do at this stage to prevent it. Worrying will not help you.
To answer your question, Yes, it would appear as though your HcG is a bit lower than expected. It is normal to worry some but, like I said, right now all I can really tell you is that taking care of yourself, following up with your doctor as scheduled and taking your prenatal vitamins is the best plan to follow.

I wish you well!
Dean M. Tomasello, M.D.

[mama2boysjj]

Lori,
Congratulations your numbers look great!!! I am not a doctor but I am a nurse and a mom who suffered several years of infertility so I am pretty knowledgable in this area.  Your hcg level is great. Hcg normally double every 48-72 hours only until it reaches a level of around 10,000 and then tapers off.  Your progesterone level is also good.  Most doctors like to see it around fifteen so yours is good.  Progesterone levels will fluctulate during the day so a bit higher or lower does not mean anything.  The fact that you were able to see a heartbeat is a great sign that things are progressing well.  Check out this website for some support and the women will be able to help you with your pregnancy concerns.  Most of the women here have suffered some sort of infertility but not all and they are very supportive and informative: Fertilethoughts.com   Congratulations again and best of luck!!

[Lori1028]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. My husband and I are thrilled to be pregnant. I have endometriosis, PCOS, and hypothyroidism, so we had our doubts as to whether we could have kids.

I realize how nervous I must have been when I first typed my question. I typed in the wrong number for my HCG level on 3/18. It wasn't 12, it was 2420. Oh well.

Thanks also for the link. I will definitely check it out.

[mama2boysjj]

Lori, Your welcome.  Also check out this site it is a medical board for OBGYN that is answered by several doctors.  Your can check the archives for previously asked questions or ask one of your own.  Best of luck in your pregnancy!!!

http://forums.obgyn.net/pregnancy-birth/index.html#archives