HCG indicator during early pregnancy: low, high. What does the drop in level mean? What does high hCG indicate in early pregnancy? Decrease in hCG in early pregnancy

The first weeks of pregnancy are especially exciting for women who planned conception and carefully prepared for it. Doubts that the long-awaited event has occurred overcome even after a delay in menstruation and a positive result of a rapid test. What other signs can confirm the fact of conception? This will help a blood test for chorionic gonadotropin. It is he who acts as the main marker of the birth of a new life.

What is hCG, what is the role of this hormone in the female body?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the tissues of the chorion immediately after implantation of the embryo into the uterine cavity (about 12 days after conception). When there is no pregnancy, the level of this hormone is close to zero. After the onset of conception, it increases to tens of thousands of units, reaching the limit by the 10th week, and then decreases slightly.

The role of hCG in the early stages of gestation is very high. It supports the work of the corpus luteum - a temporary endocrine gland that produces progesterone, increases the number of chorionic villi, and provides them with nutrition. With its increase, there is a gradual adaptation to pregnancy, there is a restructuring of the hormonal background and important functions of the body.

Adaptation to pregnancy under the influence of hCG is an increase in the production of hormones of the adrenal cortex. They suppress the immune response to the embryo from the mother's body, because for him the fetus is to some extent alien. The production of hCG depends on how well the implantation process is going. If the fertilized egg is healthy, it produces the right amount of gonadotropin and gestation proceeds normally.

Diagnostic studies to determine the level of hCG

2-3 days after implantation, an increase in hCG is observed in the blood, after 3-5 days the hormone begins to be excreted along with the urine. With indirect signs of pregnancy (cycle delay, breast swelling, changes in taste habits), it is recommended to perform a rapid test. The probability of his error is 5%.

A blood test for hCG will give more accurate information. Biomaterial can be handed over in the direction of a doctor or independently in a paid clinic. To do this, take blood from a vein on an empty stomach in the morning. The answer will be ready on the same day or the next day. According to the results of the analysis, the fact of conception is judged.

How does the concentration of hCG change during pregnancy?

Deciphering the results of the analysis should be entrusted to the doctor. However, it is important to know that with a rate of less than 5 mU / ml, uterine pregnancy is excluded, and the reason for the cycle delay is different.

With an increase in hCG to values ​​​​above 5 mU / ml, you can prepare for motherhood. In any case, it is important to undergo an examination by a doctor who will confirm the fact of conception, register and monitor the performance of chorionic gonadotropin in the first weeks.

What HCG result is considered normal? Indicators of acceptable hormone levels by week are shown in the table:

The indicators of the table are not an absolute dogma, after IVF they are always a little higher. Each expectant mother has her own optimal limits, therefore, to assess the dynamics of the increase in the hormone, the doctor evaluates the previous and new tests. When reporting from the last day of menstruation to 4 weeks of obstetric pregnancy, the level of gonadotropin doubles every two days.

You can calculate the doubling rate of the parameter using the formula “2.2+-0.8 days”. Hormone levels can increase faster, doubling every 1.5 days, or slower, doubling every 3 days. Having reached the limit values ​​​​by 9-11 weeks, it stops in growth, and then slows down. Subsequently, it slightly decreases to 6-7 weeks and remains so until childbirth. After the baby is born, the level of hCG gradually drops, and by the 4th week of the child's life does not exceed the norm of 5 mU / ml.

Reasons for the slow growth of hCG, its slowdown or decrease in the early stages

Deviations from the normative indicators can be attributed to signs of pathology. It is important for the doctor to understand why this happened and urgently eliminate the anomaly. If hCG slowly grows in the blood of a pregnant woman in the early stages, a delay in the physical development of the embryo is likely. This happens because the formation of the placenta slows down and the blood flow between the expectant mother and the child is disturbed. The embryo does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, which leads to intrauterine hypoxia.

Low hCG, a sudden drop in its level in the first weeks of gestation is a serious symptom that may indicate:

• placental insufficiency;
• ectopic implantation;
• fading pregnancy;
• slowing down the physical development of the embryo;
• the threat of failure;
• chromosomal abnormalities;
• rejection of the fetal egg before the delay of the cycle;
• detachment and non-engraftment of an embryo planted with IVF.

A low increase in gonadotropin may indicate placental insufficiency, fetal hypoxia, and its intrauterine death. The indicator slowly grows in the later stages, if the pregnancy is postponed, this situation is controlled by doctors.

Only a doctor can draw conclusions about what is attributed to the norm and pathology. Often, the analysis has to be retaken in order to eliminate the error of the laboratory. In the absence of suspicious signs, it is recommended to repeat the analysis in a week, and then conduct an ultrasound scan.

Of particular danger to women's health is an ectopic pregnancy after natural insemination or IVF. At first, a woman notes the same signs as with a normal conception. However, after a while, pathological symptoms join them - pain in the lower abdomen, bloody spotting. A blood test in this case does not show an increase in hCG, although there is a delay in menstruation. It is important to diagnose this condition in time and remove the embryo using laparoscopy. Otherwise, there may be a rupture of the fallopian tube (the place where the fetal egg usually begins to grow), peritonitis, sepsis.

Treatment tactics

In 15% of cases, a slow increase in the level of gonadotropin in the early stages is a natural phenomenon observed in the absence of pathology. In any case, having detected deviations in the growth of the pregnancy hormone, the doctor takes the patient under special control and prescribes additional examinations.

Bearing with an insufficient increase in hCG is complicated, since pregnancy is most often associated with certain pathologies and proceeds poorly. However, it is often possible to keep and endure a healthy child. Much depends on the cause of the decrease in the level of hCG:

• if the drop in hCG is associated with an ectopic pregnancy, an emergency surgical intervention is indicated to save the patient's life (for more details, see the article:);
• in case of a frozen pregnancy, diagnostic curettage is carried out, then the cause of the pathology is found out, hormonal correction and careful preparation for a new pregnancy are carried out;
• when there is a threat of spontaneous abortion, preservation in a hospital is indicated, where important medical measures are carried out.

Treatment in the hospital involves monitoring the level of hCG in dynamics, as well as passing other tests that provide the doctor with additional information about the patient's health status. Special medications containing gonadotropin taken from the urine of pregnant women often help to increase the concentration of the pregnancy hormone (Pregnil, Horagon, Ecostimulin). Usually injections of drugs are made in dosages of 1500, 2000, 5000 IU. The dose is selected individually, while the patient's condition is monitored. If therapeutic measures are taken in a timely manner, the chances of bearing a baby increase.

High hCG in early pregnancy can make a woman happy, and upset, and very surprised - after all, the reasons for the growth of this indicator can be different, but they are all extremely important for health.

What does hCG show?

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a hormone that allows doctors to detect a range of changes in a patient's body. Some of these changes are natural and should not cause grief or concern, while others indicate pathologies. To determine the level of hCG, it is necessary to donate blood from a vein for analysis, this can be done in any modern medical laboratory. Like any other hormone test, it is advisable to take this analysis in the morning on an empty stomach, in a calm, not nervous state, after having a good night's sleep. The result usually becomes known the next day, and in large cities you can find it even on the day of delivery, in the evening. The cost of such a medical service ranges from 450 to 1100 rubles. Most often, women are interested in the level of hCG, although in some cases this analysis is necessary for men (for example, if cancer is suspected). Patients are concerned about this indicator, first of all, as a confirmation of pregnancy.

An increase in hCG indicates that a woman is pregnant.

Norms of chorionic gonadotropin for women

To diagnose pregnancy, the gynecologist needs to see in the results of the analysis not just any high numbers, but very specific data that fit into the norms established by modern laboratories. They may vary depending on the reagents used, but most often laboratory norms are as follows:

• 1-2 weeks - 20-155;
• 2-3 weeks - 100-4880;
• 3-4 weeks - 1120-31400;
• 4-5 weeks - 2460-82400;
• 5-6 weeks - 23000-152000;
• 6-7 weeks - 27200-233100.

Weeks are counted from conception, not from the end of menstruation. Women need to remember that it is difficult to determine the level of hCG in early pregnancy, and before the delay in the menstrual cycle, a blood test cannot be considered reliable, because the hormone can rise a little later than the day the test is taken.

HCG can also be determined in the urine. Any woman can purchase an appropriate test at a pharmacy and independently determine the level of this hormone in her body. However, such tests are not always reliable and give both false positive and false negative results. In addition, when determining the level of this indicator in the urine, it is impossible to know its exact amount, therefore, it is impossible to understand whether there is an abnormally high level of hCG.

Abnormally high hCG

If the level of this hormone turned out to be so high that it does not coincide with the gestational age, and ultrasound confirms this, then the reasons must be sought elsewhere. HCG can become too high with the development of tumors, in particular, tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs and genitourinary system, with impaired fetal development (for example, with Down's symptom), as well as with multiple pregnancies. In some rare cases, very high levels of this hormone may indicate the presence of some kind of endocrine disease. In any case, if the norm is exceeded, it is advisable to retake the analysis so that there is no doubt about its reliability either for the patient or for the doctors.

An abnormally high rate, if confirmed by repeated analysis, requires serious attention. If the reason for the unhealthy growth of the hormone is the appearance of neoplasms, then the woman urgently needs to consult an oncologist. If the cause is fetal chromosomal abnormalities, then this diagnosis must be confirmed as soon as possible so that the patient can quickly decide whether to leave the fetus or have an abortion. Time plays a key role in any of the options, so you can not delay a visit to the doctor. In the event that hCG is elevated due to multiple pregnancy, the gynecologist should perform an ultrasound scan and make sure that the pregnancy is uterine, that is, the embryo is attached to the walls of the uterus, and not located in the fallopian tubes. Multiple pregnancy requires special care of both the expectant mother and physicians.

HCG growth rate

Many patients are interested in how quickly an increase in hCG can be observed during pregnancy. Usually, the indicator doubles every 2-3 days in the first weeks after conception and attachment of the embryo to the walls of the uterus. There should not be an abrupt increase in the hormone, and if the dynamics are exactly like this, then you need to urgently see the doctors.

HCG during the development of pregnancy should increase smoothly, but steadily. If this happens otherwise, the pregnancy develops with violations, and with the timely intervention of doctors, it can usually be saved. To find out how this indicator changes in the body, it is necessary to take an analysis 3-5 times with breaks of about 2-3 days. Then the picture will be complete enough to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

HCG indicator during early pregnancy: low, high. What does the drop in level mean?

What else does low hCG mean? Not excluded. This means the following: fertilization took place, but for some reason the body recognized the fetus as unviable and rejected it even before the delay in menstruation. A woman, most often, does not even suspect that a new life is ripening in her. True, in some women in this case, menstruation somewhat changes its character (due to the implantation that has begun and failed):

• discharge becomes copious;
• pain in the lower abdomen is felt;
• discharge takes a little longer than usual.

There is no need to regret the termination of such a pregnancy: the body was able to recognize the defects of the future fetus incompatible with life and eliminated everything without consequences for the life and health of the mother.

Decrease in hCG in early pregnancy

An unfavorable sign is a decrease in the hCG rate to 11 weeks. HCG drops in early pregnancy for reasons:

• beginning miscarriage;
• fetal circulatory disorders.

If hCG is more than half the norm, this is an occasion to observe a woman for a week. If there are signs of a spontaneous abortion that has begun, the woman is placed in a hospital for preservation.

Elevated hCG during early pregnancy

It would seem that elevated hCG during early pregnancy is good. The fetus is successfully fixed, the hormone is actively secreted, it increases rapidly - everything is fine. Indeed, most often the body can increase the level of the hormone during pregnancy with twins or triplets. In this case, when a multiple pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound, a woman can rejoice - a physiological increase.

But large hCG also occurs under other circumstances:

• development of tumors (including malignant);
• Down syndrome in a developing fetus;
• other developmental anomalies - in particular, neural tube defects;
• blistering.

What level of hCG is considered really high - in each specific situation, you need to ask your doctor. Self-diagnosis is unacceptable.

It is imperative to monitor hCG in dynamics, since this hormone is a marker of a normal, progressing pregnancy. If you want to make sure that everything is in order, periodically take an analysis until the 11th week, and then you will have much less reason to worry. And if the mother is calm, everything will be fine with the child too.

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