Horribly confused about HCG levels...high & low....

I am a 28 year old mother of two. I was recently married and my husband and I aren't currently trying to get pregnant, but whatever happens, happens. I have been to the clinic about 20 times in the last three weeks almost wanting to jump out of my skin every time. (I have been there with early pregnancy symptoms, tender breasts, nausea, headaches, etc.)  I went Monday, October 11th, and was told I have an HCG level of 22. The nurse told me I may be pregnant, but she can't give me a defenate answer unless it was 25. She told me to come back in 2 days and redo the blood test. I did that. It was 19. She told me she isin't sure what happened but a possible miscarriage, aka chemical pregnancy. I was told to come back in a week and retest to see what the final result is. I came back on Wednesday, the 20th of October and the result was 46. She seemed all casual and told me I may be pregnant again and we needed to retest a couple days later. (During the week of waiting, I did have bleeding and passed many large clots.) So, I went in 2 days later and the level was now 78. She still did not give me a real answer what is going on, but told me again that it may be another chemical pregnancy cause the numbers are "way too low". On Friday, the 22nd, I did have an internal ultrasound in which the woman saw something but would not disclose any info as to what is was. I have been trying my very best to be patient, but with such a lack of response, it is getting more and more difficult. (I have been having real light bleeding over the last 2 days, but have no idea what is happening.) The reason I am writing this, is because I really feel I should share this with someone else other than family and get other opinions besides, "Just wait". This is all very strange to me because when I was pregnant 2x before, they never mentioned numbers and stuff...Please any comment is better than the none I'm getting from my clinic...

[happymamma]

wow. Im sorry about the run around hun. I wish i knew what to tell you. You could be pregnant but the sounds of it to me (which doesn't mean much) is that with the bleeding you are or did have a possible miscarriage ... Im so sorry i hope everything works out for you and they give you an answer soon . Sorry i was not much help. keep your head up.

[crackerjack4u2]

Hello I know the waiting has to be horrible for you, and I'm sorry you're having to go through all this.   I can not say whether you were, were not, are or are not pregnant because of the numbers.  I will try explain those to you and then maybe you will see why they are being so vague at the office.  

The HCG levels will increase and slightly decrease at first but after the first couple of days every 30 hours or so the number doubles, then that number doubles and so on.  This is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.

With your other pregnancies they didn't mention the numbers because they were a lot higher, doing what they were suppose to be doing,  and it was easy to say that you were definitely still pregnant with a viable pregnancy.  This time with the lower levels they can't be 100 percent sure yet because your numbers aren't doing exactly what they should be doing if the pregnancy is viable, but they are increasing slowly.  This could be showing you may be pregnant but it may not be where it's suppose to be or that you were pregnant recently.  

A low level can indicate a miscarriage-which might be possible with the bleeding you're having, an ectopic pregnancy-(a pregnancy in the fallopian tube)-had they seen that on the ultrasound the doctor would have most likely had you in surgery before the weekend to prevent the tube from rupturing, the embryo is somewhere outside the uterus other than the tube,  or it is possible for you to have a normal viable- (perfectly healthy) pregnancy with a low level HCG.

That's why they are being so vague because without the ultrasound showing them if there is an embryo present or not and where it is located-is it in the uterus where it's suppose to be or somewhere else where it shouldn't be then they really can't say. But the numbers are slowly increasing and I hope that means good news.  

I know I wasn't much help in relieving your anxiety and I am sorry, but hope I did clarify what the numbers mean. I hope they call you first thing this morning and say congratulations the ultrasound shows you ARE pregnant and all looks well.

KEEP US POSTED ON WHAT YOU FIND OUT PLEASE.  GOOD LUCK HUN.

  

[isis006]

i would have to agree, it sounds like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. it also sounds like whoever youve been seeing isnt very concerned about your personal health. you have a right to know what is in your medical files, you can request this information at any time from your provider, and they have to provide it. they are legally required to disclose any and all information you ask for. while the person doing the ultrasound isnt usually a dr and therefore wont give you a diagnosis, if you ask that a dr come in and explain, they have to. you said clinic, so im assuming you have to go to community type programs, there are multiple programs in every area, i would recommend going to another one, there is also clinics just for pregnancy, you can call them and ask if they can see you even though a pregnancy has not been confirmed.

[lulu0382]

I went back...  :( they said the HCG level went down again to 48.6. Oh well what can I do. They also said the ultrasound didnt show any issues or pregnancies so they really have no idea. I havent had any bleeding or cramoing, but the doctor said it's most likely another miscarriage. I am relieved a bit, but confused about how after two kids, how can I have 2 miscarriages in 3 weeks? Oh well thanks for all the much appreciated comments!!

[crackerjack4u2]

Hello I'm sorry to hear that the levels again went down.  I wonder if you had 2 miscarriages in 3 weeks or you were still expelling from the first one or if your levels were still reflecting the hormones and increasing and decreasing.  The only other thing I could think of was if it was actually 2 miscarriages in 3 weeks maybe it was possibly twins and you lost one the first time and then the other the 2nd time? Again I am really sorry and hope you do well soon.    Thanks For Keeping Us Posted.        God Bless.    

[lulu0382]

Well I went to the doctor this past monday cause of early symptoms, and they called me back in the afternoon and told me this time I had an HCG level of 11,300! My husband and I are so excited!