How many days after conception can a urine test for hCG be done? HCG after ovulation: how to maintain the required level

Many girls, sitting in front of the obstetrician-gynecologist's office, review their pregnancy history. It is almost completely covered with the results of urine and blood tests. Everyone wants to know if everything is okay with the baby? But, alas, all the hieroglyphs, numbers, and abbreviations cannot be deciphered by the common man. Leafing through history, almost everyone pays attention to the abbreviation hCG. Many people are interested in these letters. And this is just a hormone that shows pregnancy week by week.

What does hCG stand for?

After detecting a delay, many girls go for tests to determine the level of the hCG hormone in the blood. The analysis will show changes even with a delay of only one or two days. HCG is a glycoprotein consisting of alpha (referred to as TSH, FSH, LH) and beta (hCG).

Doctors use a beta subunit test to determine hormone levels. The pregnancy test also contains this unit, but it is so small that it reacts to pregnancy occurring after 4-5 weeks.

For convenient use, there is a table of hCG by day. It shows the age of the embryo in relation to the level of the hormone.

To make sure that the pregnancy is progressing normally, it is necessary to be tested several times, and the hCG level should not exceed 2000 mU/ml. Do not forget that one test cannot determine pregnancy with an accuracy of up to a week.

during pregnancy

The hCG table for weeks of pregnancy in different medical centers has slight differences. Most doctors use the average.

The spread in standards is quite large. The hCG table by week of pregnancy will relieve the panic of women who have detected deviations in any direction in their tests. The table will help determine the level of the hormone from the moment. To do this, you need to subtract two from the order of the obstetric week. For example, a hormone at the 10th obstetric week corresponds to the 8th week from the moment of conception. The hCG norm table below will become a guide for women. However, remember that your doctor has the final say.

What affects changes in the hCG hormone

The rate of hCG growth during pregnancy signals doctors about normal development or a lag behind normal development. As a rule, at 14-18 weeks, doctors prescribe repeated hormone tests to be on the safe side. Since at this time the indicator may indicate the development of pathology in the fetus.

In some cases, when determining pregnancy, a test strip, ultrasound, or even a blood test can be wrong. Quite often, hCG (table and its unit of measurement) shows a positive result, but there is no pregnancy. Many factors influence this result:

• taking hormonal medications;
• recent abortion or childbirth (in this case, the hormone level may not yet stabilize);
• the presence of a tumor from embryonic chorionic villi;
• abnormal course of pregnancy.

If the level of hCG hormone is elevated and does not correspond to the weeks of pregnancy, the reason may be as follows:

• the gestational age does not correspond to the date of conception expected by the doctor;
• multiple pregnancy;
• the initial stages of pregnancy are accompanied by severe toxicosis;
• chromosomal abnormalities in;
• diabetes mellitus in the mother.

If the hCG level has decreased during testing, the table shows deviations from the norm of more than 50%, in which case the following options are considered:

• discrepancy between the dates of the actual and expected stages of pregnancy;
• there is a threat of miscarriage;
• frozen or ectopic pregnancy;
• period more than 41 weeks;
• fetal death in the last month of pregnancy.

Changes in hCG levels during normal pregnancy

In the absence of various hormonal imbalances in the female body and compliance, an increase in the hormone will be observed every 2 or 3 days. The hCG table by day shows the increase in the hormone, so if in a few days the indicator has increased by more than 60%, do not panic. Pregnancy from the 9th obstetric week or the 7th from the moment of conception will show a decrease in the level of the hormone in the blood.

If a woman has, respectively, the level of the hCG hormone will increase as many times as the fetus develops.

HCG during frozen pregnancy

A frozen pregnancy is when the fetus dies under the influence of various factors. In this case, the level of the hormone rapidly decreases. If there is such a risk, the doctor will prescribe tests to monitor the dynamics of changes in the hCG hormone.

Does the table indicate indicators that are outside the normal range? In this case, there is still no room for panic, because the deadline could have been set incorrectly. Such cases happen, the doctor additionally prescribes an ultrasound, and only after its results can we say with accuracy about the development of the fetus. There are also cases in which the pregnancy has already frozen, but the hormone levels continue to rise.

HCG level indicators for twins

Many women, being pregnant, do not even suspect that they have not one baby under their hearts, but two. Ultrasound in the early stages may not clearly show the presence of such a pregnancy. In this case, a test for the hCG hormone in case of twins becomes a salvation. The table doubles the indicators. However, every pregnancy is different from the previous one, especially with twins. The hCG value in the table for multiple pregnancies shows relative values. If the indicators constantly double, be 100% sure that you will have two babies.

To be completely sure, the dynamics of changes in hCG are studied at an early stage. The doctor orders tests every few days. This should not scare a woman. This research method is the only way to determine multiple pregnancy at an early stage.

HCG indicator for twins after IVF

The hCG value in the table during in vitro fertilization will be shown in a modified state, since the values ​​will exceed the standard ones. This is due to the fact that on the eve of the procedure, the woman undergoes hormonal therapy, which prepares the body for pregnancy. During the procedure, several embryos are implanted into the uterus at the same time. And for most women, both take root. The hCG hormone level will help confirm this (for twins, the table shows fairly high numbers).

Why do you need a test to determine hCG? And how to donate blood correctly

By taking a hormone test, a woman can find out about the results of her pregnancy after 5-6 days from the moment of conception. This is much more effective than conventional rapid tests.

This test will allow you to determine a more accurate date of conception. Quite often, the mother cannot accurately name the date of conception, or she names it, but it is incorrect. This is quite important, since the hearth development parameters correspond to a certain period. And deviations from the norm can become a signal of complications.

The test indicators make it possible to accurately determine the correct development of the child. A sharp increase in hCG levels indicates a multiple pregnancy, the presence of diseases in the mother or hereditary diseases in the baby. On the contrary, a decrease in level can be a signal of fetal fading and developmental delay.

To obtain a more reliable result, it is necessary to correctly take the hormone test. The doctor will tell you all the details. But we must not forget that tests are taken on an empty stomach. It is advisable to donate blood in the morning, but if this is not possible, you can donate during the day, provided that the woman has not eaten for about 4-6 hours. Blood is drawn from a vein.

It is advisable to avoid physical activity the day before the tests. If you use hormonal drugs, you should inform your doctor, as this affects the accuracy of the analysis.

If the test results are alarming, do not rush to panic. The doctor will be able to interpret them correctly. If necessary, he will schedule a repeat test.

HCG is human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by the cell membranes of the embryo. This occurs after the fertilized egg attaches to the endometrium.

"Pregnancy maintenance hormone"- this is how hCG is mentioned. Thanks to stimulation with human chorionic genadotropin, progesterone is produced. The hCG level by day from conception cannot exist outside of pregnancy. Special testing for hCG is carried out throughout the entire period, because its level constantly increases until the 13th week of gestation.

Discovery of hCG

For a long time, it was practically impossible to determine whether conception had occurred in the early stages. In general, pregnancy itself was determined by interviewing women and through scientific experiments.

It was only in 1927 that the hCG hormone was discovered in the urine and blood of expectant mothers; this became a real breakthrough in medicine. Relevant studies have only convinced everyone that the level of hCG on certain days of conception is actually contained in the tissues of the placenta and only during the period of gestation. That is, it confirms the presence of conception.

Based on this discovery, the first test for self-detection of pregnancy at home was developed in 1971. Since then, work in this direction has not stopped.

What is hCG?

About a week after the conception process, a specific capsule with liquid contents appears, its shell consists of many cells. This capsule is called a blastocyst and its significance is enormous - it plays a role in building the tissue from which the placenta and the baby itself will develop. The existence of the blastocyst will last until it enters the uterus and conception occurs.

It is as a result of contact of the blastocyst with the endometrium that an active level of hCG is produced during the days of conception. And only then, when the blastocyst comes into contact with chorionic gonadotropin, the first chorionic villi appear - this is the very first part of the placenta.

The synthesis of progesterone in a woman’s body also cannot occur without the participation of hCG (fertility hormone). After all, it is hCG that affects the corpus luteum of the ovary in such a way that the ovary begins to produce progesterone. In turn, progesterone is no less important - it participates in the formation of the endometrium and sends signals to the pituitary gland that there is no need for ovulation. That is, that conception has already been successful.

As a rule, this occurs on the sixth day after successful ovulation or embryo transfer (IVF).

Starting from the sixteenth week, the need for hCG levels decreases, since the placenta is already sufficiently developed to produce progesterone itself.

Alpha HCG and Beta HCG- These are two types of human chorionic gonadotropin. Alpha hCG has obvious similarities with other hormones in the body. But Beta - hCG - is simply unique and is produced only during the period of successful conception. Beta-hCG plays a role in the safety of the child in the early stages of pregnancy. This is a very difficult process, because a woman’s body tends to perceive a fertilized egg as a foreign body and the immune system tries with all its might to reject it during the process of conception.

The level of hCG has a suppressive effect on the immune system, which helps maintain pregnancy.

A blood test for hCG levels shows successful conception from the seventh day from the moment of conception. For comparison: conventional testing detects pregnancy exactly from the fifth week.

In the case of implantation of an embryo into the uterus, the level of hCG is done already in the fourteenth week. Multiple conception contributes to an even higher level of hCG in the blood of the expectant mother.

The conception test sold in pharmacies is based specifically on detecting the level of hCG. This is possible because it contains special antibodies that react to hCG.

Pharmacy tests have different sensitivity to hCG levels and the most susceptible of them detect pregnancy already at about ten days from the moment of conception.

How do hCG levels change?

HCG levels, as stated earlier, will not be the same throughout pregnancy. Its value increases from the first days after fertilization and doubles every two to three days. The highest levels are at 10-12 weeks. After overcoming this peak, hCG begins to gradually decrease and this occurs until approximately the 140th day of conception - then the level of hCG stabilizes and remains unchanged until the end of pregnancy.

All this data is combined into a table that clearly shows the normal level of hCG.

To establish the level of hCG and its concentration, a laboratory test of urine and blood is performed. However, based on the blood results, confirmation can be obtained faster - the release of human chorionic gonadotropin into the blood occurs faster by several weeks.

There is also a table that clearly demonstrates fluctuations in hCG levels by day from conception.

From the table above you can see that at first it takes 2 days to double the result, then it takes three days, and at a period of 7-8 weeks the doubling of the indicator occurs in four days. That is, there is a peculiar dynamics in the increase in hCG levels.

After the 20th week, the concentration of hCG does not change sharply, then only on the eve of the birth itself it will increase slightly.

Doctors explain such fluctuations by the individual physiological characteristics of the expectant mother. At the initial stage of embryo evolution, the growth of hCG is caused both by the rapid development of the fetus and placenta, and by various changes in the body, including hormonal ones. But already in the 10th week from conception the picture changes: the placenta has already changed enough and its hormonal function is declining.

Now the placenta acts as the most important element that supplies the baby with nutrients for normal development, as well as oxygen. It is because of this that a decrease in hCG levels can be observed during this period.

Why is a hCG test prescribed?

Why take a test for hormone levels after conception:

• early detection of successful conception.
• monitoring of pregnancy over time.
• diagnosing anatomical malformations of the fetus.
• excluding tubal, ovarian or other types of conception outside the uterus.
• assessment of induced abortion.
• determination of the threat of miscarriage.
• diagnosis of tumor processes and amenorrhea.

If the result is below normal

It is very alarming when the hCG level is below normal and if this deviation is more than 20%. You should also be wary if the growth of hCG is slow. But if the patient receives a result that is questioned, then it must be needs to be confirmed by repeated research. Only the results of one laboratory can be compared. Comparisons and conclusions must be reviewed by a doctor. If it is confirmed that the hCG level is low, this indicates:

• incorrect timing of conception;
• frozen pregnancy or actual death of the fetus;
• conception outside the body of the uterus;
• untimely embryonic development;
• likelihood of miscarriage;
• period from conception more than 40 weeks;
• chronic placental insufficiency.

As can be seen from the above, these are very serious reasons that cannot be ignored. Therefore, you must undergo an ultrasound examination, which your doctor will probably recommend.

Ectopic conception is insidious in that at first the level of hCG in case of improper development of the egg is not too less than normal. But later the level drops very rapidly. In this case, it is extremely important to urgently undergo an ultrasound, which will accurately determine the attachment of the embryo and allow the necessary measures to be taken. This condition can pose a direct threat to a woman’s life.

A frozen conception means that the fetus is dead and for some reason is still in the body. In this case, hCG remains at the same level for some time, and then begins to fall. The doctor can immediately determine that the uterus is hardened - this happens because the fetus cannot leave the body. Such conception does not depend on the period; it can happen in any trimester. The specific factors of this pathology have not yet been precisely established.

The result is above normal

Unlike the previous one, a high level of hCG is not so critical. It indicates multiple conception or severe toxicosis in a woman. Here it is very important to consider the analysis data in conjunction with all other studies. If the indicators of other tests also have significant deviations from the normal level, this means the presence of diseases such as diabetes mellitus and gestosis. When using hormonal medications, women may experience an increase in hCG levels.

A high concentration of hCG, in combination with low estriol and ACE, indicates a real threat of the birth of a child with Down syndrome.

In this regard, in order to detect any pathology in time, two screening examinations are carried out. At 11-14 weeks, the first screening is scheduled. It involves a mandatory study of the level of human chorionic gonadotropin. Based on its results, the doctor must calculate the possibility of giving birth to a child with chromosomal abnormalities.

The data from the first screening will subsequently have to confirm or refute the data from the second screening at 16-17 weeks. The possibility of a completely healthy child with elevated hCG levels cannot be ruled out. In this case, an analysis of amniotic fluid is indicated - it gives a very accurate result.

In diseases of the blastocyst, both benign and malignant, the level of hCG may increase.

False positive result

A small amount of human chorionic gonadotropin is always present in the body. It is elevated due to conception occurring or in situations such as:

• taking special medications for infertility. Thanks to the injection of such a medication, elevated hCG will remain in the body for another two weeks;
• malignant tumors;
• use of anticancer drugs and infertility drugs.

False negative result

A result of this nature can be obtained if:

• the analysis was carried out too early, even before the hormones increased to the threshold of sensitivity.
• if the fetus is female. A distinctive feature is that if the fetus is male, the increase in hCG levels may begin later.
• ectopic conception.

Experts often advise taking an hCG test twice with an interval of two days. This is necessary to obtain an accurate result. If the second analysis shows higher values ​​than the first, then only the doctor will be able to state positive dynamics. This will mean that conception has occurred. Normally, during this time, hCG should increase by 1.5-2 times. If during these two days the hCG remains the same or even decreases, this indicates that the egg has not been fertilized.

When taking tests, it would be a good idea to ask in more detail about the standards in this laboratory, this is due to the fact that the values ​​​​of different laboratories can differ significantly from each other.

HCG norm in the absence of conception

Carrying out this study is necessary not only when establishing the fact of pregnancy. It is indicated for suspected uterine fibroids and ovarian cancer. In such cases, an analysis of hCG levels is prescribed in conjunction with other examinations and will help accurately diagnose diseases.

During menopause, due to the restructuring of body functions, hCG can normally be contained in an amount of 9.5 mIU/ml.

If an elevated hCG is detected in a non-pregnant woman, this may mean:

• the presence in the blood of substances similar to human chorionic gonadotropin.
• HCG is synthesized by the female pituitary gland.
• The patient is using medications containing hCG.
• HCG is produced by a tumor developing in an organ.

In cases where hCG is detected outside of conception, subsequent examinations are prescribed to confirm or refute the diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

Immunity against hCG

It is extremely rare for a woman’s body to produce antibodies to chorionic hormone. These antibodies prevent the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine cavity and also prevent it from subsequently developing normally.

If conception ends in miscarriage and this has happened more than twice already, then it is all the more important to find out the level of hCG in the blood and also test for antibodies to hCG. This will accurately indicate whether there are any abnormalities in the body. If the result confirms the presence of antibodies, then during the entire first trimester you will have to take appropriate treatment with hormonal drugs and other medications.

The hCG level is also determined by urine analysis and its reliability is 97-98%. For analysis, the first morning urine, that is, its last portion, is collected.

A urine test for hCG may also be indicated for diagnosing amenorrhea, uterine bleeding, malignant neoplasms in the appendages and uterus, and some other diseases.

During a normal pregnancy, hCG can be detected in the urine as early as 5-7 days after fertilization. At this stage, the hCG norm is 50 mIU/ml or more. Its maximum content in urine occurs at 8-9 weeks of the first trimester.

At this time, the functions of chorionic gonadotropin include controlling the corpus luteum and stimulating the synthesis of hormones that affect the normal development of pregnancy.

When the first trimester ends, all functions of the hCG level are already performed by the placenta. The concentration of hCG level in urine from this time begins to decrease.

The presence of hCG can also be detected in the blood of non-pregnant women; it should normally not be more than 10 mIU/ml

Normal levels of hCG in urine:

An increased level of hCG in the urine may occur in the following cases:

• multiple conception;
• malignant formation in the uterine cavity (most often due to abortion);
• chorionic cell diseases;
• cancerous tumors in the ovaries, lungs, breasts;
• infertility treatment.

Low level of hCG in urine:

• threat of spontaneous abortion;
• frozen conception;
• tubal or other type of ectopic pregnancy.

The maintenance of pregnancy and its normal resolution directly depend on human chorionic gonadotropin and its concentration in the woman’s blood. It performs different functions throughout pregnancy, but all of them are equally important for the normal formation and development of the fetus.

Conclusion

Determining the level of hCG is very important in monitoring the health of both the woman and the unborn child. It is important that the analysis is prescribed exclusively by the doctor, and the results are interpreted by him. Incorrect interpretation of the research results means unnecessary worries and worries, which are extremely undesirable during the period of bearing a child.

Therefore, during the period of planning and carrying a pregnancy, it is very important to accurately and, most importantly, promptly follow all the doctor’s recommendations and not worry in advance. With the modern level of development of medicine, many pathological processes are perfectly amenable to correction and treatment. The only condition for this is their timely and accurate diagnosis. All modern research is aimed and working in this direction.

For a woman, motherhood is not only nine months of anxious anticipation and the joy of a long-awaited meeting with the baby. For an expectant mother, the entire period of pregnancy is a heavy burden on the body. Many functions and some organs undergo changes. The psycho-emotional background of the expectant mother is also not stable.

As a rule, a gynecologist who monitors the course of a woman’s pregnancy periodically prescribes tests for her. This is done in order to adequately assess whether everything is normal. Among the numerous laboratory tests, there is one test called hCG. It is very informative. For the expectant mother and for the gynecologist at the beginning of pregnancy, the hCG level is a key indicator of the presence of fertilization, and it can also be used to quite accurately determine the date of the expected birth.

What is hCG?

First, you need to say how this mysterious abbreviation stands for. HCG is human choriotic gonadotropin.

This is a hormone that is produced by the cells of the embryonic germinal membrane after the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining.

There are two substances of this hormone: alpha-hCG and beta-hCG. The first of the substances is very similar to other human hormones. Beta-hCG is unique in nature and is released only during pregnancy. This hormone allows a woman to preserve the fetus in the earliest stages. During this period, the immune system does everything possible to eliminate the foreign body. This is how a woman’s body’s defenses perceive the unborn baby. It is human chorionic gonadotropin that suppresses the immune response and maintains pregnancy. When determining the content of beta-hCG, a blood test will be more informative, since all pharmacy rapid tests react to both fractions of the hormone.

There are certain statistics about the onset of production of this hormone. In the vast majority of cases, the formation of hCG in the body of a pregnant woman begins 7-10 days after fertilization. The concentration of this hormone reaches its peak levels at 11-12 weeks. After this period, the hCG level begins to gradually decrease and stabilizes by mid-pregnancy. Further, its concentration remains stable and decreases slightly immediately at the time of birth.

How is hCG content determined?

Determination of the presence of hCG and its concentration can be carried out in the blood or urine of a pregnant woman. It is these biological fluids that are subject to laboratory testing.

There is some evidence that the release of this hormone into the blood occurs faster by several weeks. By taking this test, you will be able to find out about the fact and duration of pregnancy earlier.

In order to determine the level of hCG in urine, it is not at all necessary to contact a laboratory. The pharmacy sells a variety of pregnancy tests. These modern miniature devices can not only confirm the fact of fertilization, but also provide information about the concentration of hCG in a woman’s urine. Every representative of the fair sex knows perfectly well what two stripes on such a test indicate. The objectivity of this verification method, according to its manufacturer, is 98-99%. However, in order to make sure exactly what the level of hCG is, a woman should entrust a laboratory analysis.

When is the best time to donate blood for hCG?

It is known that the concentration of human choriotic gonadotropin begins to increase already in the first days after fertilization of the egg. According to statistics, in 5% of women the level of hCG increases already on the 8th day after conception.

In the vast majority of pregnant women, the concentration of this hormone begins to increase by the 11th day from the moment of fertilization of the egg. If a woman does not know the exact date of conception, then she should donate blood for an hCG test 3-4 weeks after the start of her last menstruation. In this case, the expectant mother usually detects a delay of several days.

Quite often, gynecologists recommend that a woman be tested for choriotic gonadotropin twice with a time interval of a couple of days. If a repeat analysis shows an increased level of hCG relative to the first result, the doctor will note the dynamics of growth and confirm the presence of pregnancy.
Usually within a few days the concentration of gonadotropin increases by 1.5-2 times. If the opposite picture is observed, that is, the level of the hormone is stably low or has decreased, then fertilization of the egg has not occurred.

When taking an analysis, it is very important to find out the standards adopted in this particular laboratory. The fact is that these indicators may differ in different institutions.

How to prepare for the hCG test?

There is no need for any special preparation. If a woman is taking a drug containing hormones, she must inform the doctor and laboratory assistant about this. Some medications, especially with progesterones, can affect the results of the study. It is best to take a blood test in the morning on an empty stomach.

What is the normal hCG level for a non-pregnant woman?

Often women undergo this test, regardless of whether they are pregnant or not. Sometimes a gynecologist recommends checking your hCG level if you suspect certain diseases, such as fibroids or ovarian cancer. The concentration of this hormone, along with other examination methods, can directly indicate the presence of the disease.

Normally, the hCG level in a non-pregnant woman should be 0-5 mU/ml. In women during menopause, due to changes in the body, the content of this hormone reaches 9.5 mIU/ml. If the analysis reveals a high level of hCG, this may be caused by the following reasons:

• A reaction to substances in a woman’s blood similar to hCG.
• This hormone is produced by the patient's pituitary gland.
• A woman is taking medications containing hCG.
• The hormone is produced by a tumor of an organ.

In cases where hCG is elevated and pregnancy is not detected, the patient undergoes a full diagnosis and receives appropriate treatment.

HCG levels during pregnancy

As mentioned earlier, after implantation of the fertilized egg has occurred, the chorion begins to produce hCG. This is how the embryo tries to survive in this still hostile world.

A woman's hormonal background begins to change. The hCG level begins to rise quite quickly in the days following conception. But immediately after conception it is not advisable to run to the laboratory for tests. During this period, as a rule, the result will not show an increase in hCG concentration. In order for laboratory diagnostics to detect pregnancy, at least 7-8 days must pass from the moment of fertilization. But gynecologists do not recommend forcing things and performing an analysis after a delay in menstruation.

• A result of up to 5 mU/ml is accepted in international medical practice as negative.
• An indicator of 5-25 mU/ml is considered doubtful; after a few days it is necessary to take a second test to monitor the dynamics.
• A deviation from the norm is considered to be a difference of more than 20%. If the result differs from the standard indicators for this period by 50% or more, then we are talking about a pathological phenomenon. If the deviation from the norm is 20%, then the patient is sent for a repeat test. If it showed an increase in the indicator of difference from the standards, then they talk about the development of pathology. If a deviation of 20% was confirmed, or a lower result was obtained, then this is considered a variant of the norm.

A single laboratory test of the level of choriotic gonadotropin is practiced very rarely. This may only be relevant at the beginning of pregnancy. Basically, a series of periodic tests are prescribed at a certain time interval. In this way, the dynamics of changes in the level of hCG are observed and pathological conditions are identified, such as the threat of interruption, fetoplacental insufficiency and others.

How does hCG change by day of pregnancy?

In order to assess how the hCG level changes by day of pregnancy, you need to carefully consider the table provided below.

From this table we can conclude that the hCG level by day of pregnancy changes quite dynamically in the first weeks after ovulation, then the rate decreases slightly and the level reaches stable levels.

At first, it takes 2 days for gonadotropin levels to double. Further, from the 5th-6th period, it takes 3 days for the concentration of hCG to double. At 7-8 weeks this figure is 4 days.

When pregnancy reaches a period of 9-10 seven-day periods, the hCG level reaches its peak values. By the 16th week, this factor is close to the concentration of the hormone in the 6-7 period. Thus, the level of hCG in the early stages changes quite dynamically.

After the 20th week of pregnancy, the concentration of hCG does not change so dramatically. Once every 10 seven-day calendar periods, the hormone level increases by approximately 10%. Only on the eve of birth does the hCG level increase slightly.

Experts explain this uneven growth of human chorionic gonadotropin to the physiological characteristics of a pregnant woman. The initial increase in hCG levels is due to the intensive development of the size of the fetus, placenta and hormonal changes in the body of the expectant mother. During this period, the chorion produces a large amount of gonadotropin to prepare a place for the baby and provide optimal conditions for its development. After the 10th week, the placenta changes significantly. From this moment on, her hormonal function fades away. The placenta is transformed into the main organ of nutrition and respiration in the mother-fetus system. It is thanks to this important element that the baby receives all the substances necessary for growth and development, as well as vital oxygen. Therefore, during this period there is a decline in the dynamics of hCG concentration.

What are the hCG levels by week?

It is very convenient to see how hCG levels change during pregnancy week by week. At the 3-4th seven-day period it is 25-156 mU/ml. Already at 4-5 weeks, the concentration of the hormone increases: 101-4870 mU/ml. By the 5th-6th period, the hCG content becomes equal to 1110-31,500 mU/ml. At 6-7 weeks, the hormone concentration changes to 2560-82,300 mU/ml. The hCG level after the 7th seven-day period rises to 23,100-151,000 mU/ml. In the 8th-9th period, the hormone content falls within the range of 27,300 - 233,000 mU/ml. For a period of 9-13 weeks, indicators of 20,900-291,000 mU/ml are considered normal. By period 13-18, the hCG level decreases to 6140-103,000 mU/ml. From the 18th to the 23rd week, the hormone concentration remains at the level of 4720-80 100 mU/ml. Further, the hCG content decreases slightly. From the 23rd to the 41st week it remains at the level of 2700-78,100 mU/ml.

How to compare laboratory data with standards?

Having received laboratory test data, expectant mothers rush to find out whether they correspond to the norm. When comparing your results with the above indicators, you should take into account one very important circumstance. The text indicates obstetric weeks, which doctors count from the date of the start of the last menstruation.

The hCG level during pregnancy at 2 weeks is equal to that of a woman in normal physical condition. Conception occurs only towards the end of the second or the beginning of the third seven-day calendar period.

It is necessary to remember the fact that when comparing obstetric and embryonic stages of pregnancy, the first lags behind the second by two weeks.

If the analysis results in a result slightly higher than 5 mU/ml, the gynecologist will send you for a repeat test in a few days. Until the hCG level (from conception) reaches 25 mU/ml, it is considered doubtful and requires confirmation. Remember that you should always compare the results of a study with the standards of the laboratory where they were carried out. Only a doctor can make a comparison in the most accurate way.

If the result is below normal

If the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin obtained as a result of the analysis does not meet the standard and the deviation is more than 20%, then this is a very alarming sign. First, the doctor prescribes a repeat test. If the low level of hCG is confirmed, then this may be a consequence of the following conditions:

• Incorrectly calculated gestational age.
• Regressive pregnancy (frozen pregnancy or fetal death).
• Ectopic pregnancy.
• Delayed embryo development.
• Threat of spontaneous miscarriage.
• Post-term pregnancy (over 40 weeks).
• Chronic placental insufficiency.

To make a more accurate diagnosis, the patient undergoes a mandatory ultrasound examination.

The level of hCG during an ectopic pregnancy is initially slightly below normal, and then the dynamics drop sharply. But tubal or ovarian attachment of the embryo can only be determined with greater accuracy by ultrasound. It is very important to promptly detect an ectopic pregnancy, since this condition directly threatens the health and life of a woman. Modern methods of eliminating this condition make it possible to completely preserve reproductive function. Laparoscopic operations are seamless and as gentle as possible. The rehabilitation period with this method of treatment is minimal.

During a frozen pregnancy, the fetus dies, but for some reason it is not excreted from the body. The hCG level initially remains at a certain level, then begins to decrease. In this case, the doctor observes thickening of the uterus, since spontaneous abortion does not occur.

Regressive pregnancy can occur both in the early stages and in a later period. The reasons may be varied, but no clear dependence of this condition on specific factors has been identified.

If the indicator is higher than normal

Most often, an elevated hCG level during a generally normal pregnancy is not a dangerous sign. It is often a companion to multiple births or severe toxicosis.

However, if other tests also differ significantly from the norm, then an elevated hCG level may indicate gestosis or diabetes mellitus. This factor is also observed in women taking hormonal drugs.

In addition, an upward difference in the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin in combination with reduced estriol and ACE (triple extensive test) may indicate the risk of having a child with Down syndrome.

A pregnant woman undergoes two screenings. The first of them is carried out from 11 to 14 weeks after conception. The level of hCG in the mother's blood is measured and if it is elevated, then we are talking about chromosomal mutations. Based on the data obtained, the doctor calculates the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome or other chromosomal diseases. Typically, children with trisomy have elevated hCG levels. To confirm the blood test, an ultrasound is performed, and then repeated screening at 16-17 weeks. Sometimes it happens that an elevated level of hCG is detected in a completely healthy baby. Then the amniotic fluid is analyzed for high accuracy of the result.

HCG is a marker for diagnosing pregnancy and possible abnormalities in fetal development. This hormone is used to stimulate ovulation and maintain the body during pregnancy.

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  Briefly about hCG

  Human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, is a hormone produced by the embryonic membrane (chorion), which is formed immediately after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. The level of hCG after ovulation, in the event of pregnancy, increases rapidly. That is why this hormone is considered a reliable indicator of favorable intrauterine development of the embryo.

  In laboratory conditions, pregnancy is diagnosed using a blood test. HCG consists of alpha and beta particles. To detect pregnancy and determine its duration, an analysis is performed for the presence of beta-hCG. Every 2-3 days, the amount of the hormone in the blood serum of a pregnant woman doubles. The maximum level of beta-hCG is observed for a period of 8-11 weeks, and then it gradually decreases.

  The maximum level of beta-hCG is observed at 8-11 weeks

  Human chorionic gonadotropin is found not only in the blood of the expectant mother, but also in her urine. It is its presence that reveals that very coveted line on a pharmacy test to determine pregnancy. True, the concentration of hCG in urine is less than in the blood, so the accuracy of this method of diagnosing pregnancy is lower than in the laboratory.

  

  Main functions of hCG

  • preventing the disappearance of the corpus luteum and stimulating the synthesis of estrogen and progesterone at the beginning of pregnancy;
  • initiation of changes in the female body during pregnancy;
  • prevention of aggression of the mother's immunity to fetal cells; stimulation of the adrenal glands and gonads of the unborn child;
  • activation of testosterone production by the testicles of the fetus (boy).

  

  When to get tested for hCG?

  Expecting a baby is an exciting stage in a woman’s life. And how sometimes you want to hear the cherished words: “You will have a child!” When can you go to the laboratory knowing that the result will be positive?

  Blood can be donated for hCG on days 3-5 of missed menstruation (approximately 12 days after ovulation).

  A week after conception, hCG is already detected in the blood serum, but to be more confident in the results, there is no need to rush into getting tested. The dynamics of the growth of the pregnancy hormone can be traced during three studies with a difference of 2 days.

  

  HCG level norms

  Only a qualified specialist can objectively evaluate the results of laboratory tests. Based on hCG levels after ovulation, it is possible:

  • diagnose an “interesting situation” in the early stages;
  • exclude (or detect) the possibility of ectopic pregnancy;
  • identify the threat of spontaneous abortion;
  • determine frozen pregnancy;
  • assess the condition of the body after an induced abortion.

  Table of hCG norms (by days after ovulation)

  Day after ovulation	HCG level	Day after ovulation	HCG level	Day after ovulation	HCG level
  7	2-10	19	370-1300	31	11500-60000
  8	3-18	20	520-2000	32	12800-63000
  9	5-21	21	750-3100	33	14000-68000
  10	8-26	22	1050-4900	34	15500-70000
  11	11-45	23	1400-6200	35	17000-74000
  12	17-65	24	1830-7800	36	19000-78000
  13	22-105	25	2400-9800	37	20500-83000
  14	29-170	26	4200-15600	38	22000-87000
  15	39-270	27	5400-19500	39	23000-93000
  16	68-400	28	7100-27300	40	25000-108000
  17	120-580	29	8800-33000	41	26500-117000
  18	220-840	30	10500-40000	42	28000-128000

  Sometimes it happens that the expectant mother’s body does not produce hCG in sufficient quantities or stops producing it altogether. An hCG value below the norm by 20% may indicate serious problems associated with pregnancy.

  Causes of low hCG levels

  • frozen pregnancy;
  • placental insufficiency;
  • ectopic pregnancy;
  • threat of miscarriage; antenatal fetal death;
  • delay in fetal development.

  When pregnancy is diagnosed early, a low level of hCG may also be associated with the haste of a woman who took tests ahead of schedule.

  

  A timely hCG test will help identify possible pregnancy complications.

  Timely detection of low hCG levels and normalization of its growth significantly increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy outcome.

  Causes of elevated hCG

  • taking hCG for medicinal purposes;
  • multiple pregnancy;
  • chromosomal pathologies of the fetus;
  • diabetes;
  • trophoblastic tumors.

  There is no need to rush into worries if the result is not within the normative framework. Only the doctor accompanying the pregnancy can say for sure whether there are any abnormalities or not. Just don’t delay your visit to the doctor so that, if possible, you can take timely measures.

  HCG injection for ovulation

  There are situations when a married couple cannot conceive a child for a long time. There are many reasons for this, one of which is the woman’s lack of ovulation. Anovulation can be caused by:

  • polycystic ovary syndrome;
  • endocrine diseases (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism); severe stress;
  • problems with underweight or overweight;
  • excessive physical activity;
  • taking certain medications;
  • frequent changes in climate zones;
  • eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia);
  • age-related changes in the female body.

  To determine the exact cause of anovulation, it is necessary to undergo examinations: take a blood test for hormones, do an ultrasound, and monitor the dynamics of basal temperature. It is quite possible that ovulation will be restored naturally after the troubles identified during the examination are eliminated (for example, after the elevated levels of prolactin or thyroid hormones are reduced).

  Ultrasound monitoring of follicle development makes it possible to diagnose anovulation. It is a set of regular ultrasound examinations that are carried out starting from the 8-10th day of the cycle every 2-3 days until the fact of ovulation is detected or until the start of the next menstrual cycle. Based on the results of observations, the doctor may decide on the need for drug stimulation of ovulation (hCG injections 5000 - 10000 IU).

  At the stage of pregnancy planning, hCG injections are also used in preparation for in vitro fertilization. In hCG injections, the active substance is obtained from the urine of pregnant women. The most popular drugs include Profazi, Pregnil, Horagon, Choriogonin, Menogon. The main function of these drugs is to restore the ovulation process, promote the formation of the corpus luteum and increase its hormonal activity.

  Usually, for the purpose of stimulation, an injection of hCG is prescribed in a dosage of 5000 - 10000 IU, to maintain an “interesting position” - 1000 - 3000 IU. However, the exact selection of the drug and its dosage should be carried out by a specialist, since an excess of human chorionic gonadotropin can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

  After an HCG injection, ovulation usually occurs within 24-36 hours. Its presence is confirmed by an ultrasound examination, after which the doctor selects an individual plan for the couple’s intimate relationship. The frequency of necessary sexual intercourse depends on the indicators of both the woman and the man (for the future father it is important to have a good spermogram result).

  As for popular pregnancy tests, after such an injection you should not resort to them earlier than 14-15 days after the day of expected conception. Otherwise, the result may be a false positive, leading to unnecessary disappointment.

  In some cases, an hCG injection is necessary for the proper formation of the placenta and minimizing the risks associated with the threat of spontaneous abortion or miscarriage

  Sometimes doctors use hCG injections after ovulation to achieve certain goals related to a woman's reproductive function.
  Injections of this hormone after ovulation are given for the purpose of:

  • maintaining the proper functioning of the corpus luteum until the placenta independently produces hormones necessary for the fetus;
  • proper formation of the placenta so that it can cope with its functions;
  • maintaining pregnancy if there is a risk of spontaneous abortion or a history of miscarriages.

  Contraindications to hCG injections

  Even such an important hormone, which should be produced by the body of any woman in an interesting position, cannot be administered to everyone. HCG drugs have a list of contraindications:

  • pituitary tumor;
  • malignant ovarian tumor;
  • lactation period;
  • early menopause;
  • presence and predisposition to blood clots;
  • hypothyroidism;
  • obstruction of the fallopian tubes;
  • individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

  Nature has endowed a woman with a unique ability - to be a mother. Unfortunately, not all married couples can conceive a child naturally; not all pregnant women are destined to carry their baby to term. Injections of human chorionic gonadotropin, quite popular in modern obstetrics, significantly increase a woman’s chances of realizing her reproductive function and give her the opportunity to enjoy her role as a mother.

Let us note right away: managing pregnancy, as well as prescribing various tests, is the competence of a specialist. Only a doctor specializing in these issues can correctly assess the condition of the woman and her fetus. It will be better if a woman gets acquainted with the daily hCG levels and follows all the appointments, as well as the specialist’s recommendations.

Explanation of the concept of hCG

First, let's decipher what this concept means. This is a pregnancy maintenance hormone. It is also a progesterone stimulator, which does not exist without pregnancy.

Increase in hCG during pregnancy

Human chorionic gonadotropin levels continue to rise even after 10 days of conception. And the process finally stops already in the thirteenth week. You need to know how hCG increases day by day and how to control it. Do tests on the volume of the hormone in the blood for successful embryo transfer during the processes of artificial fertilization of an egg or calculating ovulation.

When the egg is fertilized, a blastocyst begins to form after 7 days. This is a sphere containing water and dozens of cells. It is needed primarily for the tissue that is being formed. And from it later, the child begins its development. The lifespan of such matter is limited. The tissue develops until it reaches the uterus, but this does not happen in one day.

When the epidermis comes into contact with the blastocyst, active hCG is produced - further, the initial chorionic villi are formed, which are the first part of the placenta.

Human chorionic gonadotropin has an important property: it stimulates the corpus luteum in the organ (ovary) to produce another substance - progesterone. It forms the endometrium and sends signals through the nervous system to the pituitary gland, which are recognized - the process “ovulation is no longer needed” is started.

Starting from about 4 months from conception, the fetal membrane in the mother’s abdomen itself splashes out a sufficient amount of progesterone, so the importance of the corpus luteum and hCG decreases day by day.

Are there hCG standards?

There are daily and weekly standards.

Daytime

The higher the level of this hormone, the more strongly it can affect fertilization and pregnancy development processes. This process goes very quickly. To understand how hCG grows, it is enough to know that at the beginning of the trimester the volume of the hormone becomes 2 times higher. The highest level will be in the seventh to tenth week. And later the hormone levels drop. The doctor, depending on the growth rate of the hormone, can understand how the pregnancy is progressing.

Weekly

From fourteen to eighteen weeks, hormone coefficients indicate the manifestation of pathological changes in fetal development. It is at this time that observation is the best measure for protection.

Remember that it is measured by days from conception.

Deviations from the norm

High levels of human chorionic gonadotropin and possible problems and abnormalities:

• Both high and low numbers of hCG in the blood indicate major problems during pregnancy or even the onset of complications.
• A high level of hCG during fetal development will indicate the presence of pregnancy with gestosis and toxicosis.
• There may also be abnormalities in chromosomes. That is, when a chromosome is missing or an extra one appears, various genetic diseases begin (for example, Down syndrome).

An increase in hCG is observed mainly in two pathologies:

• diabetes;
• a pregnant woman takes a synthetic gestagen.

What will a low score give?

Low hormone levels are a signal of the following pathologies:

• visually – stoppage of fetal activity or delay in its development;
• the likelihood of spontaneous abortion;
• chronic placental insufficiency;
• the fetus was post-term due to anatomical features.

In addition, the volume of the hormone, which has obvious differences at the exact stage of pregnancy, cannot be considered pathological if the date for the beginning of fetal development and other processes is incorrectly determined. It happens that the hormone is not observed at all. This happens if there is a pregnancy outside the uterine organ or the analysis is done too early.

It must be taken into account that in order to obtain the correct analysis result, the rules must be followed. The basic rule is that blood testing for “b-hCG” must be carried out. Don't drink or eat for six hours.

To examine the level of hCG, blood is taken from a vein. The procedure is not 100% accurate, but to increase the reliability of the data, it is recommended to avoid physical activity before taking the tests.

If there are diseases that require hormones, then you need to notify laboratory technicians and doctors who will decipher the information received.

What should you consider when decrypting?

By week, obstetric weeks are shown, reporting from the starting date of the final menstruation. Because of this, it will not be possible to understand the hCG rate in two weeks - this period does not describe the period of pregnancy, since conception itself begins in the 2nd or third week. For quick orientation, compare the terms:

• embryonic (beginning of conception);
• obstetric (last menstruation)

The second one is always ahead of the first one. When the results show any increase in hCG (more than five mIU/ml), you need to remember that before reaching 25 mIU/ml, they may be inaccurate and require re-analysis two days later.

The hCG level by week cannot be an exact norm. There are minimum acceptable, maximum and average indicators. However, when the results do not fit within the specified period, the criterion for prescribing diagnostics (repeated studies of human chorionic gonadotropin, analysis of estrogen and progesterone) is often a deviation of more than twenty percent. And this deviation can be considered the norm, so there is no need to make a premature conclusion - entrust this matter to a specialist.

HCG norms

In any case, the data obtained should be compared with the norm of the hormone for seven days, which were taken in the laboratory where the analysis was carried out. Doctors explain this by saying that different institutions may use different methods. Therefore, it is recommended to consult your local therapist for information. But just in case, we present the table below.

Test strips are used for a quick check, but they are not as effective as real laboratory tests.

You should know that monitoring hCG levels week by week from conception during pregnancy is very important, but not every time it is productive. Doctors themselves, according to the rules, must refer for such an analysis to check for disturbances in the circulatory systems of a pregnant woman.

There is no need to worry about this if you have not been prescribed tests for human chorionic gonadotropin - it means there are simply no indications for the procedure and everything is fine.