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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

The Pregnancy Hormone : Americ

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): The Pregnanc Hormone

The hormone h man chorionic gonado ropin (better known as hCG) is produced during pregnanc . It is made b cells that form the placenta, which nourishes the egg after it has been fertili ed and becomes attached to the uterine wall. Levels can first be detected b a blood test about 11 da s after conception and about 12 - 14 da s after conception b a urine test. In general the hCG levels will double ever 72 hours. The level will reach its peak in the first 8 - 11 weeks of pregnanc and then will decline and level off for the remainder of the pregnanc .

Ke things to remember about hCG levels:

In a bout 85% of normal pregnancies, the hCG level will double ever 48 - 72 hours. As ou get further along in pregnanc and the hCG level gets higher, the time it takes to double can increase to about ever 96 hours. Caution must be used in making too much of hCG numbers. A normal pregnanc ma have low hCG levels and result in a perfectl health bab . The results from an ultrasound after 5 - 6 weeks gestation are much more accurate than using hCG numbers. An hCG level of less than 5mIU/ml is considered negative for pregnanc , and an thing above 25mIU/ml is considered positive for pregnanc . The hCG hormone is measured in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml). A transvaginal ultrasound should be able to show at least a gestational sac once the hCG levels have reached between 1,000 - 2,000mIU/ml. Because levels can differentiate so much and conception dating can be wrong, a diagnosis should not be made b ultrasound findings until the hCG level has reached at least 2,000. A single hCG reading is not enough information for most diagnoses. When there is a question regarding the health of the pregnanc , multiple testings of hCG done a couple of da s apart give a more accurate assessment of the situation. The hCG levels should not be used to date a pregnanc since these numbers can var so widel .
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11/21/11

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

The Pregnancy Hormone : Americ

There are two common t pes of hCG tests. A qualitative hCG test detects if hCG is present in the blood. A quantitative hCG test (or beta hCG) measures the amount of hCG actuall present in the blood.

Guideline to hCG levels during pregnanc :

hCG levels in weeks from LMP (gestational age)* : 3 weeks LMP: 5 - 50 mIU/ml 4 weeks LMP: 5 - 426 mIU/ml 5 weeks LMP: 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml 6 weeks LMP: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml 7 - 8 weeks LMP: 7, 650 - 229,000 mIU/ml 9 - 12 weeks LMP: 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml 13 - 16 weeks LMP: 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml 17 - 24 weeks LMP: 4,060 - 165,400 mIU/ml 25 - 40 weeks LMP: 3,640 - 117,000 mIU/ml Non-pregnant females: <5.0 mIU/ml Postmenopausal females: <9.5 mIU/ml * These numbers are just a GUIDELINE-- every woman s level of hCG can rise differently. It is not necessarily the level that matters but rather the change in the level.

What can a low hCG level mean?

A low hCG level can mean an number of things and should be rechecked within 48-72 hours to see how the level is changing. A low hCG level could indicate: Miscalculation of pregnanc dating Possible miscarriage or blighted ovum Ectopic pregnanc

What can a high hCG level mean?

A high level of hCG can also mean a number of things and should be rechecked within 48-72 hours to evaluate changes in the level. A high hCG level can indicate: Miscalculation of pregnanc dating Molar pregnanc Multiple pregnanc

Should m hCG level be checked routinel ?

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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

The Pregnancy Hormone : Americ

I i no common fo doc o o o inel check o hCG le el nle o a e ho ing ign of a po ible p oblem. A heal h ca e p o ide ma echeck o le el if o a e bleeding, e pe iencing e e e c amping, o ha e a hi o of mi ca iage.

What can I e pect of m hCG le els after a pregnanc loss?

Mo omen can e pec hei le el o e n o a non-p egnan ange abo 4 - 6 eek af e a p egnanc lo ha occ ed. Thi can diffe en ia e b ho he lo occ ed ( pon aneo mi ca iage, D & C p oced e, abo ion, na al deli e ) and ho high he le el e e a he ime of he lo . Heal h ca e p o ide all ill con in e o e hCG le el af e a p egnanc lo o en e he e n back o <5.0

Can an thing interfere ith m hCG le els?

No hing ho ld in e fe e i h an hCG le el a e of en ed in fe ili ea men , and ma affec a e . All o he medica ion ho mone medica ion ho ld no ha e an e cep medica ion ha con ain hCG. The e medica ion o heal h ca e p o ide ho ld ad i e o on ho he ch a an ibio ic , pain elie e , con acep ion o o he effec on a e ha mea e hCG.

The information contained herein is for educational purposes only and is not meant for diagnosis or treatment. Any information found herein should be discussed with a health care professional. Use of this information should be done in accordance with the health care plan outlined by your health care professional. For specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, consult your doctor. All content is copyrighted by the American Pregnancy Association unless otherwise noted. 2000-2011 American Pregnancy Association. All Rights Reserved. willo design group

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