Why are my HCG levels still so high?

[saralar]

I had an abortion almost 5 weeks ago. My doctor decided to check my HCG levels and I am still at a 907.8. She told me this was extreamly high considering this situation and that I am to get my blood work checked again in 2 weeks. Should I be concerned about this high number and why is it so high to begin with? I was only 5 weeks at the time of termination also.

[saralar]

Thanks for the advice. I think that's going to be my next request. I was also told at the time when my bloodwork was done that I had a low grade fever of 99.9 and for some reason or other my doctor doesn't seem to be worried. I am though because this just doesn't seem right and I've been very dizzy lately too. I think I'm going to have a second opinion because this could very well escalate into something worse. My MD just said for me to have my HCG levels checked again in two weeks but I really don't feel very comfortable with waiting that long. Plus the low grade fever could very well be a sign of an infection.

[AnnieBrooke]

When I miscarried naturally, some of the placental tissue stayed behind.  It was still "vascular," meaning blood was going in and out in the normal way and so it was still alive.  It gave me hCG levels of 100, 95, 90, and so on for a really long time (like three months) and they finally did a D&C to remove it.  I wasn't still pregnant, there was no embryo left in my uterus, but the placenta gives the hCG reading.  I would certainly have read "pregnant" on a home test.  The doctor said I'd be amazed at how small a bit of placental tissue can give you a reading.  Maybe that is what is going on for you.  I think it was visible on ultrasound -- if so, maybe your doctor can find it if that is what is happening.

[saralar]

Well I'm not really sure what to think. I'm positive that I'm not pregnant though because my husband deployed to Afghanistan right before I had the abortion. We tryed to get it done while he was still here so I could have his moral support but I was too early. They couldn't detect the fetus on the ultrasound. I really hope that it wasn't a missed abortion....it was hard enough for me to get this done in the first place. Thanks for your help though.

[JadedSweetheart]

I had a miscarriage (which is called a spontaneous abortion) about 5 weeks ago.  I recently took a home pregnancy test (which detects hcg levels over 30) and it was positive.  I think if you took one it would be positive, too.  I called my doctor and asked if my levels should still be high and he said "No", that I am pregnant.  I then had it confirmed at the ER because I am very high risk and have back problems etc.
I think it's possible that you are pregnant again or the abortion was a missed abortion, where they didn't get all the tissue out of your uterus and you are sort of-but not really "pregnant" still.
I hope it all works out for you!