HCG Levels in Early Pregnancy

The HCG hormone, also called as human chorionic gonadotropin is an essential hormone produced during pregnancy. It is actually produced by the embryo just after conception. HCG is also produced by the placenta in the later stages of pregnancy. HCG plays a key role in maintaining the levels of progesterone and the corpus luteum of the ovaries both of which are very important for a healthy pregnancy. More on hormones during pregnancy.

Significance of HCG Levels in Early Pregnancy
The blood HCG levels in early pregnancy starts to rise within 8 to 11 days after conception and keeps on increasing until the 16th week of the LMP (last menstrual period). Normal average HCG levels in early pregnancy are 6500 mIU/ml. These levels keep on changing per 30.9 hours till about the 8th week of the LMP. HCG levels tend to double on an average and reaches its peak during the 9th and 10 week after the LMP. This is the reason why HCG becomes the deciding factor in the earliest detection of pregnancy. Following are the conclusions that one can derive from the HCG levels in early pregnancy.

• HCG levels less than 5 mIU/ml: Pregnancy test negative
• HCG levels between 5-25 mIU/ml: Equivocal. Test after a few more days.
• HCG levels more than 25 mIU/ml: Pregnancy test positive.

There are many reasons for checking the HCG levels in early pregnancy besides the confirmation of conception. Blood HCG levels can determine several other factors like ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, multiple pregnancy and early pregnancy miscarriage as well. Such cases tend to show lack of development in the HCG levels during early pregnancy. It is also true that HCG tests are needed to be performed for more than three times within 48 hours to determine the progress of pregnancy. Following is a chart that will help you to determine the HCG levels in early pregnancy as well as the later stages of pregnancy.

Weeks after LMP	HCG levels for single baby (in mIU/ml)
3 weeks	0 to 5
4 weeks	5 to 426
5 weeks	18 to 7340
6 weeks	1080 to 56500
7 to 8 weeks	7650 to 229000
9 to 12 weeks	25700 to 288000
13 to 16 weeks	13300 to 254000
17 to 24 weeks	4060 to 165400
25 weeks to childbirth	3640 to 117000

More on

• Pregnancy Development Calender
• Stages of Pregnancy Development

Facts about HCG Levels in Early Pregnancy

• HCG hormones are also called as pregnancy hormones that are very important for the production of progesterone and estrogen. HCG levels are normally measured by performing two types of blood test and a typical urine test. HCG is typically measured in mIU/ml, which is 'Milli international units per millimeter'. Quantity of HCG is also called as beta subunit of HCG levels.
• One thing to remember here is that one cannot rely totally upon HCG levels. Low HCG levels do not necessarily mean there is something wrong with the pregnancy and normal HCG levels in early pregnancy cannot guarantee that there are no complications. Hence, other techniques like ultrasound findings are very helpful compared to the detection of the HCG levels in early pregnancy. More on level 2 ultrasound during pregnancy.
• One significant fact about HCG is that the HCG injections are used for various other benefits like weight loss and treatment for infertility. More on HCG shots for weight loss. HCH injections are used as a parallel fertility medication for both males as well as females.
• It is arguably stated that the high HCG levels in early pregnancy actually work as an active agent against HIV. Women who are already on HCG injections might take 5 to 15 day's time to get cleared out from their system and hence, they can show disruptions into the tests that are done till 14 days after taking an HCG injection.

Ensure you have the best and balanced diet, plenty of pregnancy exercise, stress free lifestyle and timely medical interventions for a healthy and tension free pregnancy! Take care!