HCG levels following a miscarriage

[Ane__0]

  I found out on 2/24/99 that my baby was dead. I thought I was 17 weeks pregnant but the fetus measured only 13 weeks.  I had a D&C on 2/26/99.  It was my first pregnancy.  I had my follow up appointment after one month.  The doctor said I should get my period soon as I have always had extremely regular 29 day cycles.  Instead I started experiencing pregnancy symptoms (nausea, lower abdominal cramping, constipation, excess saliva).  I took a pregnancy test on 3/26/99 and it had a faint positive result.  I repeated the test on 3/28/99 and the line was darker.  (The test was the Equate brand from Wal-mart).  I am wondering whether I could be experiencing residual hcg from my prior pregnancy or whether I am in fact pregnant.  Additionally, I have developed flu-like symptoms without a fever.  I recall a friend telling me that some women have flu-like symptoms in early pregnancy.  Have you ever heard of this?  I am going in for the blood tests next week but am dying to know if residual hcg is a possibility (given that the fetus was dead four weeks and it has been four weeks since my d&c).  Thank you.

[hfhs.md.db]

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Dear Anne
There are many factors in your case which could determine the rate of hCG decline after your miscarriage. For example, even though the fetus was 4 weeks behind your expected gestational age, it is difficult to know how long the fetus was dead. The same factors that led to the fetal death may have led to the smaller than expected growth.
In general, hCG declines by half approximately every 2 days. Since levels are maximal at the point in pregnancy you were, it is entirely possible that there is residual hCG. My suggestion is to follow the course you have already outlined and obtain a quantitative serum hCG. A repeat level 2-3 days after this (if the first level is positive) will definitively tell your pregnancy status, depending if the second value is higher or lower than the first.