Ectopic pregnancy hcg will show or not. Does the test show an ectopic pregnancy in the early stages. Method for testing the level of human chorionic gonadotropin

With a delay in menstruation, a woman first of all thinks about the onset of pregnancy.

To accurately determine whether conception has occurred or not, a blood sample test for the content of chorionic gonadotropin helps.

However, pregnancy does not always develop normally. Therefore, it is very important to dispel all doubts. However, not always ultrasonography able to recognize fertilized egg in the uterine cavity.

It happens that the egg is simply not visible - a common situation on early dates, or a uterine pregnancy is mistakenly placed, and the fetus is actually absent.

Such diagnoses can confirm or refute a blood test for hCG. How does the course of pregnancy affect the concentration of the hormone and is it possible to timely detect a violation of the process by its changes?

Immediately after conception, hCG begins to be produced.

The hormone consists of 2 subunits - proteins α and β. Alpha-hCG is in demand for the production of other hormones and in minimum quantity present in the body of every person.

If the process proceeds correctly, a significant amount of protein is produced already on the 5-7th day. The maximum rate, up to 200 mIU / ml, is reached by the end of the first trimester.

Chorionic gonadotropin plays important role during ovulation and further production corpus luteum. Thanks to the hormone, there is an increase after fertilization and stimulation until the placenta takes over its production.

The tasks of hCG include maintaining immunity and creating conditions that prevent the rejection of the embryo by the mother's body.

In addition, the hormone stimulates the functionality of the cells that produce testosterone, which ensures the normal formation of the male reproductive system.

How does the concentration of hCG change?

However, you should not rely only on the determination of the hormone indicator, since its spread is significant. That is why it is recommended to use 2 methods in diagnostics.

Ultrasound does not always show an ectopic pregnancy, but confirms the absence of a normal one.

Combination negative result Ultrasound with a slow increase in the concentration of chorionic gonadotropin allows you to timely identify the pathology and take measures to reduce the risk of rupture of the fallopian tube.

What causes can lead to a lower indication of the growth of hCG

The result of a low level of hCG can be not only an ectopic pregnancy. The reasons for the slow growth of the hormone include:

  • Irregularity of the menstrual cycle.

The inability to accurately determine the date of fertilization often leads to misdiagnosis of the timing. The error is corrected as the observation proceeds.

The threat of interruption or abruption of the placenta provokes a decrease in the rate by 50% below the norm.

  • Frozen pregnancy.

Accompanied by the cessation of hCG production. Therefore, its level is gradually decreasing.

  • Placental chronic insufficiency.

It develops due to the lack of normal blood supply to the fetus and causes a deficiency of hCG.

  • Early analysis.

The concentration of the substance has not yet reached the required limit.

In any case, a decrease in the level of the hormone is an indication for a thorough examination. To ensure the healthy development of the fetus and reduce the risk of rupture of the fallopian tube, it is recommended not to neglect the appointments of the obstetrician and undergo examinations on time.

The appearance of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood and urine of a woman signals pregnancy. The substance is produced by the germinal membrane - the chorion. According to the dynamics of hormone secretion, the process of fetal development is monitored. The value of hCG when outside uterine pregnancy reduced in relation to the norm, which makes it possible to recognize the pathology on early stage and avoid risk to the woman's life.

Characteristics of pathological pregnancy

The fertilization of the egg by the sperm takes place in the fallopian tube. On the 7th day, the zygote enters the uterus, attaches to its wall. However, in 4% of cases, a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterine cavity, which is characterized as an ectopic pregnancy (EP).

There are several types of WB:

  • tubal - the fetal egg is attached to the wall of the fallopian tube;
  • ovarian - the egg, when the tube is contracted by reverse current, enters the ovary;
  • peritoneal - the mechanism of occurrence is similar to the previous one, only the fetal egg is in abdominal cavity;
  • cervical - a fertilized egg is implanted in the cervical region;
  • pregnancy in the rudimentary horn of the uterus.

The most common form is tubular. Not in appendix normal conditions for the growth and development of the embryo, therefore, the ingrowth of chorionic villi into the wall of the fallopian tube eventually leads to its rupture, severe intra-abdominal bleeding. This usually happens at 5-7 weeks of the term. Doctors identify several factors increased risk WB development. These include IVF (in vitro fertilization), hormonal deficiency, tumors of the uterus and appendages, genital infections, oral contraceptives. WB is an indication for surgical intervention. The extraction of the embryo is carried out by a minimally invasive method of laparoscopy. If there has been a rupture of the fetus, it must be removed. Early diagnosis pathology facilitates the work of surgeons and reduces the risk to a woman's life to zero.

The importance of hCG analysis

Gonadotropin is produced within a few hours after conception. Its secretion by the germinal membrane increases sharply on days 6-8 after the embryo is fixed in the body of the uterus. According to the growth activity of hCG, pathologies of the course of pregnancy can be detected.

On initial terms leakage ectopic pregnancy nothing different from the norm. There is a delay in menstruation, the woman feels a slight malaise. You can also notice scanty pink or brownish discharge from the vagina, which are considered a sign of implantation of the zygote in the uterus. This is the trick of pathology. Usually it can be detected only after assessing the concentration of hCG. Therefore, it is important to know how hCG grows in the blood during an ectopic pregnancy.

It is impossible to save the fetus with WB, so it must be urgently interrupted. Profuse bleeding after rupture of the appendage threatens the woman's life, and the removal of the fallopian tube as a result can lead to infertility.

Features of the production of hCG with WB

The level of hCG during an ectopic pregnancy rises much less than during the normal gestation process. In the first weeks healthy pregnancy the concentration of gonadotropin doubles every two days. Max Level secretion is observed at 7-11 weeks, then there is a gradual drop.

WB is characterized by an increase in the concentration of the hormone by half in a week, and sometimes complete absence gonadotropin growth. With urine, hCG begins to be excreted only 10-12 days after conception. With WB, its concentration is low.

A pharmacy test can equally show a positive or negative (false negative) result. The second strip will be weakly visible or not appear at all.

Analysis for hCG in the diagnosis of pathology

You can suspect an ectopic pregnancy by the following symptoms: delayed menstruation, pain in the lower abdomen, bloody issues from the vagina. With a trip to the gynecologist in this case should not be postponed. If WB is suspected, the following studies are prescribed:

  • blood test for hCG;
  • transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus.

This is sufficient for diagnosing WB. In the protein composition of gonadotropin, there are two amino acid chains - alpha and beta. Biological fluids are examined for antibodies to beta-hCG. For hormonal analysis take 5 ml of venous blood. The material is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Before submitting a sample, decrease physical exercise stop taking medications. A single blood test for a hormone is not enough to make a diagnosis. If its concentration in the blood differs from the norm, a second study is carried out after two days.

The interpretation of the results should be carried out by a specialist. The level of hCG depends on the gestational age, body weight and age of the patient, so it is quite difficult to independently evaluate the indicators. If suspicions of WB are confirmed after laboratory tests, the patient is hospitalized and an ultrasound is urgently performed. A fertilized egg in the uterus can be seen on ultrasound immediately after implantation. With WB, the picture shows the absence of the embryo in the cavity of the organ. Free fluid is visible behind the uterus, and an inhomogeneous formation can be seen on one of the appendages.

The dynamics of hCG with WB

Gonadotropin values ​​may vary with different methods research. The average level of hCG during normal and ectopic pregnancy by week is presented in the comparative table:

Obstetric weekThe content is normal, honey / mlContent in case of pathology, honey/ml
1-2 25-156 0-100
2-3 101–4870 200–1000
3-4 1110–31500 1050–5680
4-5 2560–82300 9050–43220
5-6 23100–151000 40700–102540
6-7 27300–233000 64600–116310

The figures are for the period calculated from the date of conception, and not from the beginning of the last menstrual cycle. According to the table, it is noticeable how the gonadotropin index is able to fall with WB in relation to the norm. A reduced level of hCG can also be observed in other pathologies of pregnancy. Ultrasound for diagnosis is required. The results of a hormonal blood test can be obtained 1-2 days after the donation. They should be immediately presented to the attending physician.

You should donate blood for chorionic hormone at the first signs of pregnancy in order to exclude WB. Definition of hCG in the blood during an ectopic pregnancy in the early stages avoids rupture of the fallopian tube and severe consequences for women's health. Timely diagnosis will enable you to save reproductive function, in the future, a woman will be able to conceive and bear a child.

- happiness. But it also happens that, for some reason, pregnancy is pathological.

HCG is an abbreviation for human chorionic gonadotropin. This hormone is produced during gestation.

Gestation is pregnancy.


According to studies, 15% of eggs attach outside the uterus. With the formation children's place HCG keeps rising. But, if the gestation is ectopic, then the growth of the hormone slows down.

Is it necessary to take an analysis?

It is impossible to ignore the delivery of the analysis, only it will indicate deviations in a timely manner.

Since the symptoms coincide with the norm, women turn rather late.

Early diagnosis of disorders increases the likelihood of successful treatment and the possibility of having children in the future.

HCG value

Comprehensive research:

  • Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
  • laparoscopy ( surgical method, in which surgery occurs through small incisions);
  • determination of the level of chorionic gonadotropin by weeks.

Does analysis show pathology?

Does it show hCG ectopic pregnancy? Yes, and this will help.

The second strip is weakly colored, fuzzy and does not change if the procedure is repeated. This indicates ectopic gestation.

Inkjet tests are more sensitive, and therefore the line is brighter and more expressive, but unlike the control one. If on the 5-7th day of the delay, according to the test results, the second strip is pale, you should immediately consult a doctor.

On electronic tests the result is shown on the display. With ectopic gestation, the display shows "+" or PREGNANT.

How hormones behave

By nature, it is conceived in such a way that a fertilized egg is attached to the uterus, where it develops. In pathology, the egg is fixed in another place, creating a danger to the woman. In almost 100% it is the fallopian tube, ovary or abdominal region.

HCG initially rises as in the normal development of pregnancy, and only from weeks the results indicate problems with gestation. By this time, a second analysis is scheduled, which checks whether the growth of hormones is increasing.

Underestimated performance

A low secret level doesn't always say . The result may indicate other problems with the bearing of the fetus.

With a sharp stop in the growth of the secret, the doctor assumes the death of the fetus due to a fading of development. The woman undergoes an ultrasound scan, upon confirmation, curettage is prescribed (if there was no miscarriage).

An underestimated level of the hormone also occurs with the threat of miscarriage for hormonal reasons.

There are also non-pathological low levels of secretion. With late ovulation or incorrect data on menstrual cycle given to the doctor.

Causes of low hCG:

  • frozen gestation;
  • ectopic gestation;
  • intrauterine fetal death;
  • gestation of the fetus;
  • insufficiency of the placenta.

Increased rates

The most popular reasons elevated hormone- multiple pregnancy, severe toxicosis or diabetes mellitus.

Increased rates in the second trimester indicate a possible Down syndrome in a child. To make sure, additional examinations are carried out, because it is impossible to rely on the result of one analysis.

In the third trimester, high chorionic gonadotropin indicates a precarious fetus and the child's discomfort.

Reasons for high hCG levels:

  • gestation of the fetus;
  • diabetes;
  • congenital malformations, Down syndrome in the fetus;
  • multiple gestation;
  • preeclampsia, severe toxicosis;
  • skid is vesicular;
  • education during internal organs(lungs, kidneys, uterus);
  • chorioncarcinoma;
  • recent abortion (4-5 days ago);
  • , preparations containing human chorionic gonadotropin.

Maximum rate

With ectopic gestation, the level of secretion reaches a peak by 6-7 weeks and is 64600-116310 mU / ml.

Research Options

There are the following ways to determine the level of chorionic gonadotropin:

  • a special test for ectopic gestation;
  • Analysis of urine.

Blood analysis

if you accept hormonal preparations, before the procedure, warn the doctor about this.

Blood is taken from a vein. For 4-6 hours, food and drink are excluded.

Blood is taken from a vein and sent to a laboratory.

To obtain more reliable results, experts do not recommend physical activity before taking the analysis.

HCG test

The accuracy of the test is 90%, thanks to specific data, not outward signs stripes. Most reliable results between the first week and the second week of delay.

How to analyze correctly

When determining pregnancy without going to the doctor, reliable results are needed. You can achieve them by following the rules:

  1. Urine is used immediately. When transfused, the indicators decrease.
  2. Do not keep the test open, it loses its ability in the open air.
  3. Read the instructions for each test carefully. If you follow them, the results will be more accurate.

Hormone levels by week

What determines the dynamics of hormones

The level of the hormone shows how well the fetus develops. At natural pregnancy this hormone increases by 60–65% within 2 days. If the gestation is ectopic, then the level of gonadotropin increases only 2 times a week. Of such kind increase in hCG may indicate other problems.

An ectopic pregnancy (ectopic - "displaced") is a pregnancy in which a fertilized egg is implanted "in the wrong place" - outside the uterine cavity. It is impossible to bear a fetus during an ectopic pregnancy. Depending on the place of attachment of the fertilized egg, ovarian, tubal, abdominal, cervical pregnancy is distinguished. The most common (98% of ectopic pregnancy) is a tubal pregnancy.

tubal pregnancy


At tubal pregnancy fertilized egg implants in the mucosa fallopian tube as deep as in the endometrium. Tubal pregnancy is divided into types depending on the department in which the fetal egg is located: isthmic, interstitial, ampullar and fimbrial. Ampullary and isthmic pregnancies are more common than all others.

There are the following clinical forms tubal pregnancy:

  1. Progressive (undisturbed) tubal pregnancy. With such a pregnancy in the early stages, the woman has no complaints, the condition is satisfactory. Body temperature is usually normal.
  2. Disrupted tubal pregnancy. Interrupt options can be:
    • tubal abortion type. Violation of tubal pregnancy by the type of tubal abortion is observed most often when the fetal egg develops in the ampullar or fimbrillar part of the tube.
    • type of fallopian tube rupture(with a delay in menstruation by an average of 3-4 weeks). If the development of the fetal egg occurs in the isthmic part of the tube, then the violation of pregnancy occurs as a rupture of the tube, accompanied, as a rule, by profuse internal bleeding.

Causes of an ectopic pregnancy

There are many reasons (risk factors) for the development of an ectopic pregnancy:

  • Infectious inflammation adnexa of the uterus, ovaries and Bladder, as well as infectious complications after childbirth or abortion, curettage of the uterus.
  • Chronic salpingitis(inflammation of the fallopian tubes) increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy by 7 times. Chlamydial salpingitis is more often complicated by ectopic pregnancy than gonococcal.
  • Congenital defects of the fallopian tube can lead to abnormal implantation of the embryo in the uterus and cause an ectopic pregnancy.
  • Adhesive process in the pelvis due to endometriosis causes narrowing of the fallopian tubes. This makes it difficult to transport the egg to the uterine cavity and can also lead to implantation of the embryo in the fallopian tube - that is, to the development of an ectopic pregnancy.
  • Operations. For example, when removing appendicitis or after a caesarean section, or after operations on the fallopian tubes for inflammatory diseases.
  • Infertility. With infertility, regardless of the cause, the risk of ectopic pregnancy is increased, as well as with long-term use of drugs containing hormones for the treatment of infertility.
  • Hormonal disorders in the body of a pregnant woman and the age of a woman over 35 years.
  • Intrauterine device. (Navy). An ectopic pregnancy can occur when using an IUD (intrauterine contraceptive).
  • ECO. In vitro fertilization with embryo or zygote transfer, artificial insemination is complicated by ectopic pregnancy in about 5% of cases.

The conditions listed above can lead to blockage of the fallopian tubes or a violation of their contraction, which in turn leads to the onset of an ectopic pregnancy.

Early signs of an ectopic pregnancy

Signs in the early stages of an ectopic pregnancy do not differ from the condition in a normal (uterine) pregnancy in the early stages: delayed menstruation, breast engorgement, nausea, unusual taste sensations and so on. That is, at first the body perceives this pathology as normal pregnancy. With a disturbed, ectopic pregnancy, pallor may be noted skin and mucous membranes, frequent weak pulse, blood pressure can be reduced. In a clinical blood test of a pregnant woman, anemia is detected.

probable clinical signs An ectopic pregnancy is a lag in the size of the uterus in terms of the expected pregnancy and complaints of pathological bleeding and pain in the lower abdomen.

credible diagnostic features ectopic pregnancy is the definition of a fetal egg in the fallopian tube with ultrasound or diagnostic laparoscopy.

Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy

With an ectopic pregnancy, a woman has complaints:

  • to delay menstruation;
  • on dark spotting from the genital tract;
  • nausea, dizziness, single vomiting;
  • for lower abdominal pain different nature and intensity;
  • irradiation (spread) of pain in the lumbar region, sacrum, rectum, inner surface hips.

Symptoms gradually increase as the gestational sac grows. Main symptom with ectopic pregnancy - pain. At the beginning pain lower abdomen tolerable; paroxysmal (cramping) unilateral pain on the left or right can be given to the rectum or lower back. If you have symptoms such as pain and spotting (from smearing dark brown to scarlet), and there is a possibility that you are pregnant, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.

If you do not consult a doctor, then soon the pain becomes harsh character. However, an attack of pain that arose in connection with tubal abortion, can last for several minutes, then the pain subsides, after which the attack can be repeated at different intervals. The abdomen is swollen, soft on palpation, painful above the pubic joint. A rupture of the fallopian tube is characterized by an attack sharp pains with irradiation to the rectum, sacrum, thigh, collarbone. Dizziness, severe pallor, lethargy, cyanosis, even fainting, cold sweat, thready pulse, tachycardia, lowering blood pressure.

Exacerbation of all symptoms indicates a rupture of the fallopian tube and the onset of bleeding. Most often this happens at 8 weeks of gestation, when the growth of the embryo begins. At this time, painkillers should not be taken, as these drugs will temporarily relieve symptoms and smooth out the picture, but the woman's condition will only worsen.