Declining HCG and progesterone levels

Hi all.  This is my second pregnancy (my first ended in miscarriage at 11 weeks but the embryo actually stopped growing at 6-7 weeks). I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant.  Talked to DR yesterday and was told that my HCG and progesterone levels were declining.  

Results from 3 tests:
Sept 8/05 results were HCG 37,327,
Sept 20/05 results were HCG 73,328 and progesterone 70.5
Sept 26/05 results were HCG 46,000 and progesterone 55.  

My DR said she's concerned that I may be miscarrying.  I still have pregnancy symptoms (sore breasts, nausea) and no bleeding or cramping, so I'm not so sure.  Has anyone had the same experience and carried to term?  

Anxious in Canada

[mslkpage]

Has your dr. done an u/s? I think progesterone levels can fluctuate- 55 is not low. And I think hcg peaks after 8 wks, and then plateaus, but I don't think there should be a drop. I would definitely ask your dr. to schedule an u/s.

[poetgirl1979]

I posted something about HCG levels yesterday, under HCG info. Check it out, yes after a certain time in pregnancy, they don't go up. The whole thing is in that post. All info is from where I work. I work at a medical lab. God bless! Hope everything is fine!

[poetgirl1979]

o.k. here I posted the main thing below, I put stars around the important part. If you are 8 weeks along, then they CAN decrease. Get an ultrasound to be sure. God bless!!!!:
Test Usage Notes
A quantitative HCG measures the total HCG present in mIU/ml. In pregnancy, the levels of *****HCG increase exponentially for about 8-10 weeks after the last menstrual cycle. Later, the concentration begins to fall as the placenta begins to produce steroid hormones.***** Due to variations among individuals, there is not an effective normal range for early pregnancies. The rate of change over a given interval is essentially constant for normal pregnancies. For initial measurement of 100-1,000 mIU/ml, the HCG values should double every 2-3 days.

[Julie30]

Thank you so very much for your comments.  I feel a little better now.  I requested an u/s from my DR yesterday.  She said rather then rushing me off to the hospital, she wanted to wait until I could get an appointment with my OB.  Hopefully that will be next week. If not, I have an IPS test scheduled for Oct 12.  I am really hoping to get any news before Thanksgiving (Oct 10 here in Canada) as I will be seeing family, who have no idea that I'm pregnant.  I'm afraid because all that I've read throughout my research indicates an eptopic pregnancy.  I have no pain though.  Would I be in pain if that was the case?

Again, thank you for the information.

Trying to relax

[Julie30]

Yippy!  My DR gave in after a bit of persistance.  I have an appointment for an u/s tomorrow morning.  I will post an update then.

[IWantToBeAMom]

Good luck!  We are waiting to hear from you!

[poetgirl1979]

Here are normal ranges for Progesterone:

Females, Follicular:  0.31 - 1.52 ng/ml
         Mid-luteal:  5.16 - 18.56 ng/ml
         Post-menopausal:  <0.78 ng/ml
         Pregnancy, First Trimester:  4.73 - 50.74 ng/ml
                    Second Trimester:  19.41 - 45.30 ng/ml

With Progesterone level of 55 in your first trimester, you are actually higher than normal, which isn't bad.

Here's general info. regarding test, just in case anyone wants to know:

Progesterone is one of the female sex hormones. It is primarily produced by the corpus luteum in non-pregnant females and in the placenta during pregnancy. Levels of Progesterone are utilized to determine the occurrence of ovulation. Levels are increased in choriocarcinomas, ovarian cysts, hydatidiform mole and pregnancy.

God bless!!!

[mslkpage]

I wasn't sure if decreasing levels were common or not, so thanks for the info. I just knew that they did not keep doubling after a certain point.

[poetgirl1979]

And here are expected values corresponding with weeks of gestation:

Expected Values During Pregnancy:
0.2-1 Week: 5-50 mIU/ml

1-2 Weeks: 50-500 mIU/ml

2-3 Weeks: 100-5,000 mIU/ml

3-4 Weeks: 500-10,000 mIU/ml

4-5 Weeks: 1,000-50,000 mIU/ml

5-6 Weeks: 10,000-100,000 mIU/ml

6-8 Weeks: 15,000-200,000 mIU/ml

2-3 Months: 10,000-100,000 mIU/ml


I thought I'd repost this also. You're between these levels for 2-3 months, you should be fine. God bless!

[poetgirl1979]

Yeah!!! Can't wait to hear. If you are not having any pain, I think you will be o.k. Especially as you can see HCG, CAN start decreasing at 8-10 weeks, which is where you are. God bless!

[shell***]

Fingers crossed for today - we are all thinking of you x

[Julie30]

Just got back from u/s and everything is good.  Yep, still pregnant!  160bmp and 9 weeks.

Thank you all for your support and information.  It really kept me sane, 'cause my GP had me convinced that I was miscarrying again.  I'm so happy I found this forum.  

I'll try to sign on often, in hopes that I can help another as you have helped me.

Thanks again.

Relieved in Canada :)

[mslkpage]

Yea! We love it when the results turn out good. Congratulations, and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

[poetgirl1979]

I knew it!!! Yipee!!! I knew it sounded odd that your doc was telling you that and the info I had here where I work said the oppisite. So happy for you! Keep us updated, God bless you AND your little one!!!

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;"
Jeremiah 1:4

[afraid of 2nd miscarriage]

this is my second pregnancy in 4 months.  I miscarried early last time at about 6 weeks from a blighted ovum.  I knew very early something was wrong because I never felt very pregnant and never had symptons. I started spotting and shortly thereafter, I miscarried. 3 Months later, we tried again and I got pregnant rather quickly.  It has been 10 weeks today and i have had no symptons of miscarriage.  In fact, I have had morning sickness, breast soreness, and other symptons of pregancy.  The Dr. did an ultra sound a week and a half ago and found some gray matter that might have been a fetal pole, but she wasn't sure.. no heartbeat. Yesterday, she found a figure that looked like a fetus (you could actually make out on ultrasound) but still no heart beat.  She said that the measurement from yesterday was smaller than the previous one, but she told us when she measured the previous one that she couldn't tell what she was measuring. My HCG went from 40,000 to 30,000 in the 9th week.  My progesterone was 11.5 in the 8th week and I have been taking progesterone.  Now they want to do a D&C but i still feel pregnant.  I have arranged for a 2nd opinion with another Dr. on Monday but I am really scared.  Any suggestions on what I should do?

[Dani05]

I am so happy I found your story, I have been a wreck all day, but your story has given me hope. It is almost scary how identical our stories are. I had a miscarriage this last Feb when I was 11 weeks pregnant. Now it is Oct and I am 10 weeks pregnant. I got a call from my doctor saying they are concerned because my blood tests last week showed that my HCG level dropped from 100,000 to 80,000 in 2 days, so they had me go in yesterday for another blood test. This morning they called and said it decreased again so they scheduled an u/s for tomorrow morning. Since I spoke with the nurse I have been on the internet and everything points to an ectopic pregnancy, but like you I have no pain, no spotting, and my breasts are still very sore. I am hoping everything will be ok. How is everything going since your last u/s?

[afraid of 2nd miscarriage]

We found a different doctor who was a fertility specialist.  he did my ultrasound and was not encouraged, but given his fertility background, he wanted to wait another week to be sure.  He said he was only 99% sure that it was non viable and that wasn't enough for him to conduct a D&C... especially since I had no symptons.  I am going back again in a few days and he is going to check me one more time.  I have to say the situation doesn't look promising, but I now have hope for the future that I didn't have before.  He is concerned that my progesterone is low and that may be what is causing my problems and he is going to check that once we deal with my current situation.  I am beginning to have some vague symptons of miscarriage... but nothing like I had before.  I still have strong pregnancy symptons also so it is a confusing time. The Lord has given me strength and faith to know that we will one day have a child and the new doctor was an answer to our prayers.  I will keep you and your situation in my thoughts and prayers.  Let me know how it goes.

[afraid of 2nd miscarriage]

My 8 weeks ultra sound indicated a 6 week fetus and no heart beat.  I have continued having pregnancy symptons until recently.  I am cramping and beginning to spot now and I know that a miscarriage is inevitable.  I am at 11 weeks and have an appointment to confirm miscarriage later this week unless something happens first. However, I would still wait until I had symptons if I were you.  Our new doctor, switched at 10 weeks because we weren't getting many answers.... is a fertility specialist and he says that with his fertility background, he has learned not to take anything for granted.  This will be my 2nd miscarriage in 4 months and it is very hard but I am praying for you.  I hope things work out okay for you this time.  Don't give up hope.

[Still Trying]

Just wondering if anyone has had the same situation - went for an u/s on Tuesday.  I was 8 weeks.  U/S shows 6 weeks 4 days, no heartbeat.  My Hcg on Tuesday was 66,400 (progesterone 20.5) and on Friday the Hcg was 70,000 (progesterone 15.5).  They put me on Progesterone cream and I have another u/s on this coming Tuesday.  My morning sickness has gone away.  I've also had 2 prior miscarriages.  I'm not too optimistic...

[Dani05]

My u/s on firday showed a 7 wk fetus and no heartbeat, the doctor wanted to do a DNC today but I requested one more u/s to make sure because I am showing no signs of miscarriage. The doctor was actually very rude when I requested that and said he will get back to me. I haven't heard back yet but I am hoping to get another u/s today or tomorrow and then a DNC later this week. Is it bad for the uterus and body to prolong the DNC if the fetus is not living?

[london girl]

Hello all im not sure if any body can help me i found out i was pregnant on 8th october 05 after which i went to see my doctor who told me i was 7 weeks pregnant at the time due to dates of my last period although i know i did not concive untill at least around the 10 sep or even up to the 13th, on the 16th october i had a stomach ach which lasted for about 2hours but thought it to be wind so left it as ive never been pregnant befor im 35, on the 17th oct i had  slight spotting and on the 18th went to the hospital as adviced by my doctor, i had a vaginal scan the doctors face did not seem to pleased so i asked him whats wrong he said that im 5weeks gone and that the baby is 2mm in size and that i have possibly had a miscarriage they took a blood test, hgc was 34000-468 progesterone was47 he stated that he could not see a heart beat,i was frantic as i want this baby so much i was told to go back in a week which i did do and he said that i have had a miscarriage as the baby still has no heart beat and that my baby has shrunk from from 2.2mm b to 2.00mm but me and my brother are sure he said 2.00mm at the first scan which confused me, i had a further blood test and was told about my options on having the baby removed from me sorry i dont know what the medical term for this is. they also gave me another blood test whiched showed my hgc level at a drop to 24000 and something and the progesterone to 63 so now i have to go back, im sorry that this is such a long message as im not sure how to cut in down in to smalled sentences, hope someone can help me befor i loose my mind, i found this site exciting and has some usefull information ,thank you so much to those who take time to reply to my message and good luch to all whos going threw the same situation god bless you all thanks Donna from london

[afraid of 2nd miscarriage]

To Dani, do not let them do a D& C until you are sure.  Don't let a doctor pressure you into making a decision that you don't feel ready for. Get another opinon.  I had a similar situation and went and got a second opinion.  The specialist wanted to wait to be sure and just warned me that if I started bleeding badly to come into the hospital. I never did start bleeding.  My pregnancy is not viable and I am getting a D&C tomorrow, but I had time to come to terms with my situation and loss on my own terms and talk to someone about future options which are promising.  My first miscarriage was sudden and I had no time to cope or prepare. It was devestating shock.  I needed to be sure before I let go of this one and I can accept it easier knowing that I did everything I could.

To London Girl, Don't lose hope yet. The fertility doctor gave me time to deal with my situation as well as himself time to be sure because he said that he never takes anything for granted.  My situation didn't turn out okay, but that doesn't mean yours won't. I will be praying for you both!!

[london girl]

Thank you for your kind thoughts i hope this goes well but to be honest i think ive lost my baby, all thoe there is a glimps of hope, ill have to wait and see. im sorry to hear your sad news, ive delt with hard things in life but looseing a child is far great than i could have ever imagened i wish all those the best of luck and pray that things in life for us all will get better and that oneday soon our dreams of loving something so dear will come true, xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Dani05]

Thank you for responding. After being persistent, I got the second u/s and the results were the same: 7wk fetus and no heartbeat. Getting that second u/s put me at peace about going through with the DNC, I am having the DNC on tuesday. I am glad I got the 2nd u/s though b/c if I didn't I would have always second guessed the situation. I cannot believe how rude my doctor and his staff treated me after requesting it though. I will not be returning to that doctor ever again. After this surgery I am going to a fertility specialist to hopefully get some answers. I am keeping faith that God will give me many children someday.

[afraid of 2nd miscarriage]

I am sorry to hear about your lost, but being able to accept it is the first step to dealing with this most tragic loss.  Even though I did lose my baby, having a doctor allow me the time to accept it and knowing that I nad a doctor with a high success rate who truly wanted to help us gave me great comfort.  I will keep you in my prayers and hope that we all fulfil our dreams of having a baby to love.  Keep me posted.

[afraid of 2nd miscarriage]

Dani,
I know what you mean about having peace.  I felt the same way, but having time to cope with matters in my own way and time gave me comfort that I didn't have in my first miscarraige (miscarriage) which was so quick and sudden.  The doctor did some type of exploritory surgery and a very mild D&C. I didn't get to talk to him because he was on his lunch break and I was still sedated, but he told my husband and mother that everything looked good for another try.  Waiting to let my fertility doctor conduct my D&C so he had more info was a good thing.  I hope you have this option.  If you don't,I am sure it will be fine, but ask whoever doesn't about examining the tissue from your fetus to try to determine a cause.  If your other doctor is not being cooperative, I would try to find another one to conduct my surgery.  Good luck and remember that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[DWGRAY]

Hello,
Im here for support and I guess to hear similar stories, hopefully successful ones. I had my 1st miscarriage at 61/2wks. After which I had a d&c because, the fetal matter was taking too long to pass. I ended up with scarring inside the uterus preventing a period/conception and didnt know what the problem was for 2yrs. I went through horrible pain and a series of related medical events trying to find the answer. Well after I finally had surgery for the scarring, I got pregnant immdediately. I am now about 51/2wks and my HCG levels ar at 695(no where near where they want that number to be) and my progesterone has now dropped to 15. Needless to say I am very sad and half hopeful. Any thoughts??