hCG is odd ...

[hobbes602b]

Hi there. My wife (30) was recently considering Accutane to treat acne. As some of you may know, the testing to be eligible is quite extensive as to ensure that the woman will not conceive during treatment due to bad side-effects. That said, she got the blood work done and much to our surprise, the test came back stating that she had an hCG level of 11. We were shocked, because timing wise, it doesn't add up. She just has her period a week before the test was done and we had not had sex during the time frame.

To be sure, she went back 6 days later (as hCG should have doubled a few times) to look at the hCG in a blood test, and it remained at 11. So it was 11 last Friday and 11  6 days later.

My question is this: can the hCG simply normally be 11 in her body or does this mean she IS pregnant, or worse, could she have miscarried at a VERY early stage? I guess we're just confused as to why hCG would be in her system at all ... and not rising ...

Any info is much appreciated.

thanks.

-Concerned Hubby.

[evthing4reason]

I would not reccomend accutane is she is planing on becoming pregnant in the next 5 years. Plus it will only be a quick fix, i'd try a natropath to se what the underlying cause of the acne might be ( horomone inbalance, allergy to something...)
I don't think anyone should be prescribed these drugs unless they have very severe grade 5 cystic acne which is very painful,

[martikadragoon]

I thought I'd tell you, I was on Soriatane, which requires extensive testing/reassurance that you don't get pregnant except it's MORE extensive than Accutane.
I couldn't get pregnant for 3 years AFTER getting OFF soriatane. Then got pregnant right at the 3 yr mark. My son has other unrelated genetic health issues but none due to the soriatane.
I understand the concern and she is right, other women problems can cause hcg to be slightly high. Have the doctor do an ultrasound in a week if it's still not higher. or hasn't dropped.  I'd say DEFINITELY make sure  she's not pregnant first, and also make sure she signs up to be apart of the national registry of ACCUTANE users. (the doctors keep tabs on it)

Good luck!

[martikadragoon]

elyz.. actually if it's a blood test then its' under 5 is a negative. (from my doctor) but that could just be my doctor. lol.

[Elyz1214]

hcg can be high for a lot of reasons - talk to the doctor about it.

sometimes other female issues cause just slight elevations, and it's BARELY high anyway - a negative is 0-10.