|  | Family Health | Womens Health

What Is HCG Hormone?

Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone produced during pregnancy. It is created from the same cells that make the placenta, which provides nourishment to the fertilized egg after it attaches to the uterine wall. Levels are detected within 12 to 14 days from conception by the use of a urine test. From this day, the hCG levels will double every three days, until the levels peak at around 14 weeks, after which levels begin to decline.

  1. HCG Levels in Pregnancy

    • The hCG levels are measured in milliliters (ml), and milli-international units (mIU), shown as mIU/ml. The basic guideline levels for hCG in singleton pregnancies are as follows: three weeks: five to 50 mIU/ml, four weeks: five to 426 mIU/ml, five weeks: 18 to 7,340 mIU/ml, six weeks: 1,080 to 56,500 mIU/ml, seven to eight weeks: 7,650 to 229,000 mIU/ml, and nine to 12 weeks: 25,700 to 288,000 mIU/ml. These levels will be higher in women who may be carrying a multiple pregnancy. Levels also vary in women carrying healthy singleton pregnancies.

    HCG Interference

    • One thing that can interfere with the hCG levels is a miscarriage, which will cause the levels to drop back to pre-pregnancy stage. Use of fertility drugs that contain hCG can interfere with hCG levels as well. These drugs are specifically used in fertility treatments such as, invitro fertilization, and intrauterine insemination to stimulate the ovaries in order to produce follicles and to mature them.

    High HCG

    • As the pregnancy progresses, hCG levels increase until the 14th week decline. If hCG levels are too high, tests will be conducted within 48 to 72 hours to determine why the levels have changed. High hCG levels can indicate a miscalculation in the pregnancy date; molar pregnancy, which is where there's hCG and at times a gestational sac with no fetus inside; Down Syndrome; or a multiple pregnancy. If your physician suspects any of these instances, he will run additional tests.

    Low HCG

    • In the beginning of your pregnancy, hCG levels will start off low, and gradually rise until around the 14th week. If your hCG levels start to decline instead of increase in the early weeks this could indicate a problem. Common reasons for a decrease in hCG are pregnancy date miscalculation, possible miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the fetus grows outside of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.

    Considerations

    • HCG levels are not checked routinely, unless there is reason to believe there is a problem with the pregnancy. The levels may be rechecked if there are signs of bleeding, or complaints such as unbearable cramping, or a past history of miscarriage. If a miscarriage occurs, the levels will usually return to normal about four to six weeks after the loss. This depends on whether the miscarriage is complete, whether it was induced through abortion, or removed surgically. Pre-pregnancy HCG levels should be less than 5.0 mIU/ml.

Womens Health - Related Articles