Re: HCG Levels

Posted By hfhs.md.rcs on October 23, 1998 at 13:57:13:

In Reply to: HCG Levels posted by Candice on October 18, 1998 at 23:54:25:






I will try and make my question as easy as possible to undrstand as I sit
here frustrated by the lack of information and answers I am getting. I am
30 yrs. old. I have two beautiful boys 31/2 & 5. I recently had 2 miscarriages
one at 11 wks fetus 6.6wks. The other at 9 wks, no fetus detected by sono
and Pathology is not back on tissue.  My last menstral cycle was July 28.
On Sept 8, 1998 I found out I was Pregnant. On Sept 10 my HCG was 63. On
Sept. 17 was 680. On Sept 24 was 7300. On Oct 1 was 23000 also had sono it
indicated a 6wk sac but nothing to be seen.  I skipped a week and went on
vacation. On Oct 14 my hcg was 40,000.  Had sono indicated 6.6 wk sac w/
yoke sac no fetal pole identified.   My question is, my #'s don't add up to the
maternal age but yet that could indicate I'm not as far along as we thought
but more importantly the #'s stopped doubling. In your opinion is this a
indication of something bad going to happen.  Also, Is it possible for
someone to REALLY be 7-8 weeks along and not be able to see a fetus or fetal
pole. at last sono I should have been 11.2wks. The other problem I have is
the varing scales for the HCG levels.  Some scales indicate that I am 7-12
weeks along and others say 6-8.  Do you have a up to date scale for women to
look at.  I've noticed as I have searched this internet up and down that
their are no scales or ranges to be found.
I understand my question is quite involved. I only hope that that you might
beable to come up with something different than " Lets see what happens
next week.  Even if you news is bad it's better than no news at all.
thanks Candice  
Dear Candice;
If you look through this forum, you will see other questions regarding hCG and its meaning.
hCG is a hormone produced by the trophoblast (placenta). Trophoblast does not require a fetus or a normal pregnancy to make hCG. However, in the absence of a normal pregnancy, hCG production is different.
In a normal pregnancy between approximately 4.5 weeks from last menstrual period and 8 weeks from last menstrual period, the hCG level doubles approximately every 2 to 3 days. If the pregnancy is not normal (no fetus; ectopic pregnancy; hydatidiform mole), the rate of change is different.
There is no scale: the only meaning to hCG is the doubling pattern. The absolute level varies with the assay, the individual, the rate of change (whether 2 days or 3 days).
Every unit must establish, based on their hCG assay and their ultrasound technology, the level of hCG at which they consistently see normal fetal development. When one passes that level of hCG and there is no formed fetus and fetal heart, the pregnancy has no future even if the trophoblast continues to grow and make more hCG.
Keywords: hCG
this information is provided for education purposes only and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.