dropped HCG / Beta level

Hi All:
My period was due on Aug. 25.  It hasnt come so I decided to do a pregnancy test using the home kit at home on Sat. Aug. 29.  I was so excited and happy to see two lines came out (although, one line is faint).  I went to my fertility clinic and had a bloodwork done and result came back positive with 28.4 level (not exactly sure what's normal) and advised to come back after two days to see if the level is elevating.  So, I came back Mon. Aug. 31st.  the nurse called me back and said that the level dropped to 11.44.  I was devastated and sad.  Now, I'm so confused!!! I still don't have my period and no spotting either.  Could I be miscarrying or this was just a false positive?  What do I do now?  Does anyone experience levels going down and end up with a healthy pregnancy?   please help!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I;m sorry to say that you have what is known as a chemical pregnancy.  This is a pregnancy that would have been chalked up to a late period in the years before super sensitive pregnancy tests.  As soon as your level drops to zero you will get your period, and it may be heavier or "different" than usual.
What happens is the embryo implants and begins to produce beta HCG and then stops developing for some reason.  The HCG level falls and the uterine lining sloughs off as a "period" or miscarriage.  
I have never personally seen this scenario turn into a normal pregnancy, but  I also never say NEVER. One small bright spot is that you have now proven that you CAN get pregnant.  If it can happen once it can happen again!  I always tend to look at a miscarriage as a positive sign. Even though it is devastating at the time.
I hope this is helpful!  Good luck!
Dr B