Is it ok to give HCG shots after confirmation of pregnancy to boost Beta levels

After trying for our first baby for almost 5 years now I  took a HPT test day on 12 dpo and was shocked to see a BFP after my first ever IUI on March 13 with 2 ruptured follicles (23 and 24) and husband's 55 million spermies.

My HCG Beta levels on dpo 12 were a little low at 64. Wen I asked my doctor about the same he said "Yes they are a bit low" and then went ahead to give me an HCG injection on dpo 13. He even asked me to repeat one injection on Monday (today) dpo 16 and another on Friday (dpo 20).

Before getting d shot today (dpo 16) I got a Beta HCG test done and my levels had jumped to 723 on dpo 16 in sharp contrast with 64 on dpo 12. I understand that is bec of d shots but now I am really worried about this line of treatment. Has anyone ever experienced such a thing? Do u think this will mess up my system and cause danger to the pregnancy. I am really very very anxious.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I also have never heard of this being done.  If you were my patient, I would not give you injections of HCG. I might supplement progesterone, and test progesterone levels though.  I don't think that the injections will do any harm, but they probably also will not do any good.  They WILL make your hcg levels uninterpretable.  In other words, you won't be able to tell if the pregnancy is developing normally or not.
I personally would be very reluctant to take any more injections.
Good luck!
Dr B

[Sammy_J]

Hello! Not sure if this will help your situation but just wanted to share mine.

I am a case of hypo-hypo, which means my pituitary gland does not make any of the hormones that are needed for the reproductive process. After being stimmed with FSH+LH, triggered with high dose of hcg (10,000IU) and the treatment (IUI or IVF) I am given hcg shots as well as progesterone on a regular basis to sustain a potential pregnancy as my body does not make LH on its own which a person would make in a normal pregnancy.

I keep getting hcg shots which as Dr Elaine says, make it difficult to interpret the beta results but if the beta doesnt double after 24 hours then it is taken as a negative and treatment stopped.

But that is me and I'm a rare case but I wanted to mention it as Dr Elaine says she has never heard of this being done. I have been treated at 2 different clinics and both gave me hcg shots till the BFN was confirmed.

Currently undergoing an IVF cycle and am 6dp3dt getting hcg 5000 shots every other day. Praying it works out this time!

Sam.

[Sammy_J]

Oops I meant "double after 48 hours" not 24 hours.

[Sammy_J]

Just one more thing for info:
The day before my trigger shot my E2 was 3800 and LH was 0.5 showing how I don't produce LH at all hence the need for hcg to support the luteal phase of the possible pregnancy.