The First Trimester and Non-Doubling hCG Levels
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Non-Doubling hCG Levels in the First Trimester Do Not Mean Inevitable Miscarriage!
Keep in mind, what we know about medicine is still evolving. Most doctors are overworked and staying on top of the more current research would be exhausting if not nearly impossible. For this reason, I like to encourage women to learn more about their pregnancies and share what they have learned with their physicians. A good doctor will take an interest in what you have learned.
I believe every woman deserves to have no doubt before having her pregnancy ended.
Touch of Blue III, Hope PosterI am not a medical professional. The information I share is meant to supplement the information given you by your doctor. If you feel your doctor is not doing enough for you or not willing to listen to your concerns, I strongly encourage you to take what you've learned here and get a second opinion.
Number One: Research regarding hCG Levels
Redefining [beta]-HCG in viable pregnancies: rose 50% every 2 days
The Study
Redefining [beta]-HCG in viable pregnancies: rose 50% every 2 days
What they found
Researchers examined 293 women with viable first-trimester pregnancies. In this study, they found that in many of the pregnancies, hCG levels only rose 50% in two days.
Why is this important?
Many women are incorrectly told that if their levels do not double in two days or, at the most three, they are probably going to miscarry. In fact, I get e-mails daily from women who have been told this. In some cases they go on to miscarry but many go on to continue their pregnancies.
Number Two: Helpful Article About hCG Levels
Ultrasound markers useful in determining early pregnancy viability: don't rely on [beta]-HCG levels
The Article
Ultrasound markers useful in determining early pregnancy viability: don't rely on [beta]-HCG levels
What they found
Although this is not specifically a study, there is some useful information to take away:
"Once you confirm [by ultrasound] that the pregnancy is in the uterus, there is no place for [beta]-HCG,
"Many clinicians determine whether [beta]-HCG levels have doubled within 48 hours, a sign of normal pregnancy, but sometimes they rely on this sign too far into the pregnancy"
What NOT to take from this article
This article is correct that far too great an importance in placed on doubling hCG levels. However, they also state when a yolk sac and embryonic pole should be seen. We have collected enough misdiagnosed miscarriage stories now to know this is not necessarily true. We have seen that if you have a tilted uterus, chances are you will see your baby up to three weeks (or even more!) later than most women. So, while we agree with their thoughts on hCG levels, their criteria for diagnosing a miscarriage with ultrasound is not quite as valid.
Number Three: A Doctor's Blog Discussing hCG Levels
HCG Levels and Ultrasounds in Early Pregnancy
The Blog
HCG Levels and Ultrasounds in Early Pregnancy
About this blog
This blog by Dr. Robert Warnock again reiterates that misinterpretation can cause a lot of needless stress.
What to take from this page:
HCG that does not double every two to three days does not necessarily indicate a problem with the pregnancy
Once the pregnancy is visible on ultrasound, further HCG testing is less reliable than ultrasound for monitoring a pregnancy, as the variations in HCG levels are frequently misleading and cause unnecessary worry.
If you're pain-free and you're not bleeding and you're at low-risk for an ectopic pregnancy, try to avoid the temptation to monitor HCG levels.
Try not to read too much into the absolute numbers and rates of increase of the HCG levels.
Once an intrauterine pregnancy is visible on ultrasound, do not put any faith in HCG measurements.
Number Four: Pregnancy Site's Information on hCGs
HCG Ranges on Conceiving Concepts
This Page
HCG Ranges
What you'll find here
The information found on this page is found in numerous places on the web. I just like that they've got it all contained on one page. You'll find average range of hCG levels as well as typical doubling time.
Most importantly, remember, typical doubling times increase with higher hCG levels.
- Under 1200 mIU/ml: 48-72 hours.
- Between 1200 to 6000 mIU/ml: 72-96 hours.
- Over 6000 mIU/ml: more than 96 hours
More of My Pages
an pregnancy and miscarriage related topics
My Own Misdiagnosed Blighted Ovum Story
- After turning down the D&C twice, we found my baby at nearly nine weeks!
My First Misdiagnosed Miscarriage
- During my first pregnancy, we believed I was miscarrying at 12 weeks
A collection of Misdiagnosed Miscarriage stories
When You've Been Diagnosed with a Miscarriage
Bleeding during the First Trimester
What your Doctor may not know about your pregnancy after IVF
Miscarriage News and Research
hCG levels and Pregnancy FAQ
Tilted Uterus and Early Pregnancy
16 Days Past Ovulation (DPO) and hCG levels
Infant Survival Rates during Pregnancy
Is This Really an Ectopic Pregnancy?
High hCGs and No Baby?
The First Trimester: Enlarged Yolk Sac
Progesterone and Miscarriage
Asherman's Syndrome: Why you may want to rethink your D&C
So You've Been Told You Have A Blighted Ovum
Blighted Ovum FAQ
Non-Doubling hCG Levels in the First Trimester Do Not Mean Inevitable Miscarriage!
Can Stress Lead to Miscarriage?
Getting a Second Opinion about a Miscarriage Diagnosis
Why You May Want an Ultrasound Right Before Your D&C
Intravenous Iron Infusion and Me
Coping With A Miscarriage
Remembrance Gifts After A Miscarriage
If You Found This Page Helpful
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Comments?
I'd love to hear from you
Do you have any further pages of interest to women researching hCG levels? Please, feel free to leave links or just comments.
If I don't reply to you here, please feel free to e-mail me directly at misdiagnosedmiscarriage@gmail.com
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JoshK47
May 31, 2012 @ 10:13 am | delete
- Very well-presented information. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Dee Smith
May 24, 2012 @ 11:42 am | delete
- Update....last Thursday went in for u/s and saw embryo and it measured a little behind still w/out heartbeat (6.6 @ 8 weeks gest.). Went in today on call physician could not find same embryo and says possibly non viable pregnancy. Devastated I asked well where did the embryo go, I mean really. He did not know which figure was the embryo and gave two different measurements...7.2 which is up from 6.6 last week and then 16 mm for the other figure showing in uterus. I have had no cramping and no bleeding. I am so upset and worried right now....Trying to pursuade me into surgery. I declined. I will wait on God's report and go with that whether it is good or bad.
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speedbumpbutterfly
May 16, 2012 @ 10:00 pm | delete
- I was at work last Tuesday and started to spot. Went to my Dr who said everything would be fine, next day, I was able to get an emergency ultrasound, but they couldn't see a heart beat (but they said I was on the cusp of when you might see a heart beat). Anyway, last Friday I went to see a different Dr, I had a blood test to measure my HCG level and was told to have another test on Monday and I'd get the results for both in the afternoon. I was told by my Dr that the HCG level would need to double.
We went for my results Monday afternoon and didn't get the news we were hoping for. My HCG level on Friday (6 weeks 3 days) was 30,000 on Monday it had only gone up to 36,000 so my Dr has told me I am going to miscarry... :-( the really horrible thing is, I'm not bleeding, not in any pain....I physically feel fine. I'm just desperately sad at receiving the news. Yesterday, I was 7 weeks. Feel lost right now if I'm honest.
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Daisy A
May 18, 2012 @ 2:34 pm | delete
- Oh, my gosh! I understand what you're going through. I just had my 1st HCG test done on 5-14-12. It was positive, and technically, I was 2 weeks pregnant. I had a level of 45. I was very excited. I went 2 days later, and it only went up to 46. They told me this is a very bad sign, and that I could have a chemical or eptopic pregnancy. Today is Friday, the 16th, and I still have to wait for my next result. I've had some spotting and weird brown discharge. The doctor says it can be the Crinone. I'm still worried but hopeful. I know that it'd be worse if I was farther along, but if it turns out I did miscarry, I will be very disappointed. This is my first in vitro treatment and my very first pregnancy.
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Dee Smith
May 22, 2012 @ 10:19 am | delete
- I was told by my fertility specialist that after 30k they do not double every 2 days but up to sometimes every 96 hours. Mine did not double in the beginning either and after 30k they slowed and I have not miscarried so far (thank God). Stay prayerful and hopeful, I am only 8 weeks gestational.
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Hello. My name is Kay. I'm not a medical professional but due to life's twists and turns, I've learned a bit about topics like miscarriage (as well as... more »
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