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Maternal (Expert Forum)
abnormal hormone levels
Patient medical question and answer from The Maternal and Child Health Forum. Health topic area and articles about newborn care
abnormal hormone levels
by Susan__0, Nov 10, 1998 12:00AM
On November 2, I went for my annual gyn checkup. I am 47 and had not had a period since mid-June. On November 6, I learned that my HCG level was 28,000 and was told to come for an ultrasound November 2. The ultrasound showed an empty uterus and I was scheduled for a laparoscopy/laparotomy that afternoon. At the hospital, the HCG level was found to be 3. The procedure was cancelled. I am to have tests repeated on November 13 or 16, including FSH levels, which I am told are elevated. However, I'm told they are normally elevated during pregnancy.
I don't understand why I would have had such a highly elevated HCG level, and why it would have dropped so fast. The doctor thinks its a chronic ectopic pregancy. I also wonder when, or if, I am likely to experience a normal menstrual cycle. My husband and I abandoned attempts to have a second child about four years ago and now are wondering whether to try for an intentional pregnancy.
And of course, the underlying anxiety I have is whether some sort of tumor or other problem might be producing these hormone results.
Susan
Dear Susan:
I am also confused by the sudden drop in the hCG level: a third measurement would be the arbitrator as to whether the value is truly high or low.
An FSH level is normally very low, almost unmeasureable, in pregnancy. A high FSH level fits with a decline in ovarian function as occurs with the transition to menopause.
An ultrasound image, besides showing the empty uterus, can also demonstrate a chronic ectopic pregnancy.
Keywords: hCG, FSH
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