HCG Levels Close to Doubling

[vthokie]

It seems that this is not an uncommon issue during pregnancy.  At least I am not alone.  However, I am still terrified considering I lost my first pregnancy when we discovered during a routine ultrasound at 8.5 weeks that there was no heartbeat.

I took Clomid and had artificial insemination on 9/11/05.  I discovered I was pregnant 9/27/05 (day 32 of my cycle).  I immediately went to the OBGYN to draw blood to test my HCG levels, something I didn't do on my first pregnancy.  The results were:

(Progesterone levels are fine).
Tues 9/27:   155 (taken at 12:00 p.m.)
Thurs 9/29:  247 (taken at 8:15 a.m.--not quite 48 hours later)

The nurse told me that she didn't want me to be crushed, nor did she want me to be too optimistic.  She wanted to see them double to at least 310.  

I'm just over 5 weeks along, so I would think at this point in my pregnancy that a few hours off in drawing blood shouldn't make that much of a difference.  Still, I was only 63 away from doubling.

I go in tomorrow for more bloodwork and find out the results Tues 10/4.  Ultrasound is scheduled at 6.5 weeks for 10/10.  That will tell us much more.

I have no abdominal pain, bleeding or nausea.  I am fatigued and have breast tenderness and frequent urination.

Everything I've read isn't good when the HCG levels do not double.  We've been trying for 2 years with one failed pregnancy and possibly another.  While I would like to hear good stories of people who have carried to term when their HCG level didn't double early on, I am also looking for honesty.

Thank you

[kimmie_n_angus]

i wish i could offer you more comfort. i am sorry for your loss and what you are faced with now. it can go both ways....i know ppl who didn't quite double but still carried healthy babies to term and ppl who m/c'ed. so unfortunately it is a waiting game to see if they still continue to rise and an u/s to see if the baby's heart is beating. i know how stressful the wait can be....i have been there too. i am sending my love and prayers to you and your baby. i hope works out in the good. take care and lots of love.

kimmie

[3x lucky]

dont worry.. my levels too aren't doubling exactly.. i have collected opinions from 4 different doctors..thay ALL
(with no hesitation) tell me as long as they are rising.. i had an ultrasound at 6.4 weeks.. there was a very strong visible heartbeat..

[mgi]

my numbers did double (nearly triple) after IVF and I stilll had miscarriage.
There is hope plus it wasn't 48 hours
good luck

[vthokie]

Thank you for your comments thus far.  It really helps to know that there are other people out there who know what I'm going through.  Everybody tells you not to worry or stress out too much, but it's difficult knowing that there's something inside of you and you can't do anything for it.  I guess the lesson is that there's a higher power in control here and if it's meant to be, it will happen.

[Still_AndiJ]

Here is an HCG calulator that figures your doubling times:

http://www.ivfer.com/hcg.htm

I plugged in your numbers and here is what I got:


Your doubling time was approximately 62.5 hours.

But here is some encouraging news:

Beta hCG levels should double approximately every 2 days for the first four weeks of pregnancy [1]. As  pregnancy progresses the doubling time increases. By 6 to 7 weeks gestation beta hCG levels may take as long as 3 1/2 days to double [2,3]. You can use the calculator below to calculate the doubling time of two beta hCG samples by entering the date of the blood test and the corresponding beta hCG value for that day. If the hCG level is declining the the half life of the hormone will be calculated.


Don't stress out too much yet. Chances are all is fine : ) I am afirm believer that constant HCG levels can cause more stress than anything else. An ultrasound is the gold standard in prenatal dx. An u/s done too early in pg can also cause a lot of stress. 6.5 weeks is a bit early, but there is a good chance if nothing is seen then, that another one done 2 weeks later will alleviate your fears.

Good luck!

Andrea

[poetgirl1979]

I posted a post a few days a go on "Info on HCG levels in Pregnancy", if you want some facts check it out. Hope everything works out!!! God bless!

[poetgirl1979]

What do you mean they are not doubling??? From 247 to 817 is MORE than double....247 x's 2 would be around 500 (actually 496). So I guess I don't understand. Here's my chart from work once again. I'm guessing you are between 3-4 weeks along? God bless!

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

[vthokie]

The first HCG level was 155.  Should have doubled to 310 but results showed 247.  There were 4 days in between the 247 results and today's of 817.  Today's should have been at 988.  You were probably thinking there were 48 hours in between the 2nd & 3rd results.

[Still_AndiJ]

The good news is though that your "doubling time" decreased. Rather than being 62.5 hours, it is down to 55.6. That is a big jump.

I will keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Andi

[vthokie]

I took my 3rd round of HCG Bloodwork this morning and asked the lab to rush the results.  My nurse just called and said the progression is as follows:

9/27:  155
9/29:  247
10/3:  817

So it seems that the numbers are still not doubling but at least they are increasing.  We won't know anything more until the 6.5 week ultrasound next Monday.  Please keep the prayers going.

Thank you!

[vthokie]

Yes, I'm cautiously optimistic about the doubling time decreasing.  Thank you for sending that calculator link.  We've been doing a lot of praying.  Thanks to everyone out there who is right there with us.  We're praying for you, too.

[Bella01]

Thank you for your recent response to my post on 10/4.  As you know I am also 5 weeks 5 days and am worried about my hcg levels lagging.  I am waiting for my lab results from this morning.  I have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow.  I was hoping you would see this post and forward the link to the hcg calculator to me.  I could not find it.  
I have you in my prayers.

[Still_AndiJ]

The hcg calculator is under my first post in this thread ; ) You have to cut and paste it to get it to work. It is full of some really good information, as well as percentages of women who went on to successful pregnancies based on their numbers range and # of DPO.

Andrea

[duehring]

My sister's hcg's were not doubling correctly. They thought she would miscarry and she is now 39 weeks pregnant and all looks good.

[vthokie]

We had the 6 week ultrasound today.  There was only a gestational sac that measured at 5 weeks.  We are sure of the LMP date and we also had an IUI, so it should have measured at 6 weeks.  We go back next week for another ultrasound, but the doctor said she is not hopeful.

[franvm]

I'm not really understanding my Hcg levels and was wondering whether anyone could give me some feedback. Hcg's are not routinely done over here in the UK, but I had a routine scan (for something completely different to my pregnancy) on 10/6. As I guessed I was approx 6 weeks pregnant (i now reckon I was 4-5) they were concerned as to the small size of my uterus and queried an ectopic. They started doing Hcg levels that day and have done them every other day since. They went as follows:
10/6 1586
10/8 3058
10/10 4800
10/12 8180
To me they look pretty good, but the professionals think that this indicates either an ectopic (which they as yet have no evidence for and I have no symptoms) or a possible forthcoming miscarraige. This is all really worrying. Thankfully they're going to lay off doing Hcg's now, as they feel it's not going to tell them anything, and I'm having an ulrasound on monday (10/17) to check if there's anything in the gestational sac. Does anyone have any feedback on my levels, as that's all I keep thinking about?

[peppersmom]

Hi Ladies,
I was hoping to get some input on my situation.  I was on my first round of clomid and got pregnant(09/27).  My first blood test revealed HCG=229 and Prog=76.  The second blood test was ordered incorrectly and I only got the Prog=92.  My doctor was suspecting twins since the Prog was so high.  I had my third blood test done and the HCG=9625 and Prog=56.  Should I be worried the Prog dropped?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[vthokie]

Hi ladies....I have some incredible news.  We went for an ultrasound today expecting to get bad news based on our meeting w/ the doc last week, and instead we witnessed a miracle.  Last week, we only saw a gestational sac w/ nothing in it measuring at 5 weeks (should have been 6 weeks).  Today, we saw the gestational sac, yolk sac & fetus w/ a strong heartbeat measuring at 7 weeks!  Talk about growing by leaps & bounds!!!

Apparently, we took my HCG bloodwork too early.  So to all you ladies out there worried about your HCG levels, the ultrasound really is the answer.

Just thought I'd share my good news.  We go back next Thurs. for another ultrasound to make sure everything is ok.  They are keeping a good eye on me since I lost my last pregnancy.  This one now has a 95% chance of going on.

[rjborgesrn]

i hope someone can help me- my last period was 9/16/05- i went to the md to be treated for uti and abd pain -no bleeding- ultrasound was done the nurse said i was 5 weeks 3 days- the ultra sound tech said 6 weeks, anyhow a gest sac was seen but no yolk sac, no fetal pole- my hcg was 7,120, today i has another hcg (48 later) it did not double - increased to 11,000- i am not schedules for any more blood work and my next us is nov. 10th- what does this seem like? I am going crazy - I appreciate ant input...

[niece1]

Hi I am kind of in the same position. I am 5 wks and 5 days, I have had 3 mc's in the past year. I have been going good for a while now. I have had some spotting but nothing to be concerned with. My HGC levels were more than double for a while now. I go to the doctors every 3 to 4 days to repeat my bloodwork. Today the doctor called and said my HCG levels did not double but were only off by 100-200 he was not that concern, but being I have had some many mc's I am scared. I am having an ultrasound on Friday. I just don't know what to think.

[Spatula]

Kind of crazy  - I am only a couple of days behind you!  Here are my dates and concerns:
10/25  doc said I am 4 weeks, 2days, hcg 23.4
11/1  should be 5.2 weeks, hcg 8430

This means I am doubling every 19.7 hours... this can't be right, but I plugged in info to the hcg calculator at: http://www.ivfer.com/hcg.htm
and these are my results.

I have an ultrasound on Friday 11/4, nervous, nervous, nervous.  Have had 2 successful pregnancies with the help of prometrium (yuck) and 2 miscarriages.  I am on prometrium right now, dizzy, tired, thirsty all the time, crampy every now and then.  Will keep everyone posted.  By the way, there is interesting study on IVFer site called BabyMed's HCG page - in a nutshell, it tracts women's hcg levels, and shows that an ultrasound is the only true method of knowing if a pregnancy is progressing as it should.  Thank goodness my doc gives them frequently!

[msQ]

congrats..Vthokie,  I've been reading all of y'alls posting and maybe y'all can help me.  We have been trying for about 6 month to get pregnant, I was scheduled to have surgery to clear a blockage in my tubes.  Well on October 25th my doctor had me take a blood test to make sure I was not pregnant well on the 26th he calls and said he need me to take another test because my levels were boarder line. The day of my surgery I received a call canceling the surgery because my levels were at 29 and need me to have my blood drawn again.  So on 10/31 my levels came back at 127.  He asked me to have my blood drawn again in 7 days 11/7 it is now at 707.  Bow they want me to have my blood drawn in a week again.  I've spoke to the Nurse and all she said is they just want to make sure it keeps going up.  Below is a breakdown from my LMP.  I've read so many HCG Level web sites and I'm just confused.  If any one has any ideas let me know.  

10/03 = LMP
10/17 = Ovulated
10/26 =  29
10/31 = 127
11/07 = 707
11/14 =  ?

[Andie71]

I had my blood drawn this Monday when I was exactly 6 weeks.  The numbers came back pretty high...40,996.
I had my second blood draw on Wednesday and the numbers only went up to 52,000+.
The doc office has not called me back to talk about the numbers so I have no idea if it's good or bad.  I heard they are supposed to double, though.  I'm worried because that is not even close to doubling.  
Has anyone else gone through this same thing?  What was the outcome?
Thanks!
Andie
edd 7/4/06

[melody2]

Hello to all mothers or mothers to be.I am 30 yo and my husband and I have been trying to have a baby for the past year.Since I have the PCO syndrome I was dissapointed and I desided to do IVF.But,a few days ago I find out I was pregnant due to some spotting.It was quite early,the 21st day of my cycle and I couldnt imagine I was pregnant.I took the test on the 24th day and my HCB level was 570.15 days have passed from that day and my levels are dissapointing,although the spotting has stopped from the first week.They never doubled.Actually the doubling time is 221 hours!!I am now in the 6th week and I am going to have an US 6 days from now.Please wish me luck.Since I am a medical doctor I understand that things are getting very difficult.
10/7 LMP
10/31 570
11/3  740
11/11 1350
PLEASE if there is out there anyone with so large doubling time and have a healthy pregnancy so far ,contact me.I am falling apart .......

[Andie71]

Melody ~
I am not in your situation but you sound so upset and I just wanted to tell you I'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the luck in the world!  
Hang in there~
Andie

[melody2]

Thank you Andie!If I had so high levels as you I wouldnt worry.You probably are having twins.Keep up..

[niece1]

Hello Everyone

I posted a couple of weeks ago about the HCG levels almost but didn't double.  I just want everyone to know there is hope. I had my 6 wks ultrasound and they heard a heartbeat. So don't worry, it can happen. I hope that helps.

[melody2]

I had an early 5week us yesterday due to bleeding,only to find out that i had an ectopic pregnancy.I am trying to be optimistic but it is sooo hard!I am going to have a surgery and I am going to be with an ovary less.What a tragedy!I am wondering what bad things I made to deserve that.....

[willynilly]

Searching for answers-  
HCG #'s as follows
12 past transfer 57
14 days 127
17 day 205 (not doubling and it was it was 72 hours)
19 days  437
21 days 952
24 days 3,452
All numbers doubled but the on from day 14-17 My dr said all looked well, but that one result.  She said it was probalby a vanishing twin that caused the numbers to do some weird stuff on that one day, but now I am worried. Ultrasound on Mon- holding my breath until then.
ANyone ever gotten these results before, good news is doubling time is getting better and better- Any one had the vanishing twin thing?
thanks for any info

[pausar]

A day after my missed period I took a blood test to discover my hcg was 135.52.  I was thrilled, since I have been through three yrs of trying with surgery, pregnancy, miscarriage, and lupron.   We conceived on our own, which I am thrilled about, but my second Hcg three days later did NOT double, it was 199.16 and now I am thinking I am doomed.  My next one will be 72 hrs from last and I am very anxious.  Am I so early that it may not be doubling yet?

[daprincess21]

i cant say i know much about hcg levels, but just by reading the responses above to this post, there is hope for you i would beilive. good luck!

[whishingwell]

Hi there, I was hoping someone can give me some peace of mind!!!

This is my 4th pregnacy - my first 2 I miscarried and my 3rd was successful.  I recently just found out that I'm pregnant again.  I cannot remember exactly when my last menstrual period was, I think it was between the 31st of August and 2nd of September.  On the 24th of september I decided to do a home PT and it was positive so I did a BHCG thereafter and the results are as follows:

SEPT 24 - 8
SEPT 26 - 27
SEPT 28 - 40
OCT 01  -  94

The secretary at my doctor's office said that there's a good possibility that I could have ovulated late and that's why my levels are low OR it's probably not a healthy pregnancy...I've checked all websites with the different HCG Normal levels and calculators and all seem to be fine but I can't help but have a NEGATIVE feeling...Has anyone ever experienced anything like this???