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What is hCG and Why Does it Matter?
When you get pregnant, your body starts producing hCG soon after the fertilised egg implants in your uterus. This hormone is made by the cells that will eventually form the placenta (the organ that nourishes your baby).hCG plays a big role early on by stopping your periods, thickening the lining of your uterus to support your baby, and even signalling your ovaries to make more oestrogen and progesterone.
In those first weeks, you might start feeling a bit sick or queasy. That’s partly because of hCG, as it’s thought to contribute to morning sickness.
The important thing to remember is that hCG levels during pregnancy aren’t the same for everyone. They can be very different from one person to another, and even from one pregnancy to the next. So there’s no need to stress about hitting an exact number.
How hCG Levels Change Week by Week
Your hCG levels can fluctuate throughout pregnancy. They don’t just rise steadily like some other hormones. Instead, they follow a unique pattern:- Early surge: After the fertilised egg implants, hCG levels start low but double every 29 to 53 hours in the first few weeks. This rapid rise is important for supporting your growing embryo.
- Peak and decline: By around 8 to 12 weeks, hCG levels usually reach their highest point. After this peak, the levels start to drop because the placenta takes over the job of making oestrogen and progesterone.
- Stabilising later on: From the second trimester, hCG levels even out and stay more or less steady. Then it gradually decreases further as you approach the end of your pregnancy.
- Post-delivery drop: After you give birth, hCG levels fall back to pre-pregnancy levels.
Keep in mind that these are just averages, and your levels might be different:
- 3 weeks: 5–72 mIU/mL
- 4 weeks: 10–708 mIU/mL
- 5 weeks: 217–8,245 mIU/mL
- 6 weeks: 152–32,177 mIU/mL
- 7 to 8 weeks: 7,650–229,000 mIU/mL
- 9 to 12 weeks: 25,700–288,000 mIU/mL
- 13 to 16 weeks: 3,300–253,000 mIU/mL
- 17 to 24 weeks: 4,060–165,400 mIU/mL
- 25 weeks to term: 3,640–117,000 mIU/mL
What Low hCG Levels Could Mean
It can feel stressful if your hCG levels are lower than expected or aren’t rising as quickly as they should. But it’s not always a sign of trouble.If you’ve been wondering what causes low hCG levels in early pregnancy, some possible reasons include:
- Miscalculated due date: Doctors usually calculate your due date based on a 28-day cycle with ovulation on day 14. If your cycle is longer, shorter, or irregular, your pregnancy might not be as far along as you thought. This can make your hCG levels look lower than expected.
- Ectopic pregnancy: This is a rare but serious condition where the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus, often in the fallopian tube. It leads to lower hCG production.
- Miscarriage: If hCG stops rising or starts dropping in early pregnancy, it may be a sign of miscarriage.
- Blighted ovum: Sometimes a fertilised egg implants but doesn’t develop into a baby. In this case, hCG won’t rise as it normally would. It’s a common cause of early miscarriage.
What High hCG Levels Could Indicate
Sometimes hCG levels can be higher than what’s considered average, and understanding the reasons for high hCG levels in early pregnancy can help explain why:- Further along than expected: High levels could just mean your pregnancy is further along than initially calculated.
- Multiples: Carrying more than one baby often pushes hCG levels during pregnancy much higher than usual.
- Molar pregnancy: It is a rare condition where a non-viable egg implants and forms abnormal tissue that secretes hCG, sometimes causing very high levels.
- Down syndrome: Sometimes high hCG shows up in pregnancies where the baby has Down syndrome. Doctors always confirm with other tests.
- Choriocarcinoma: This is a rare cancer that develops in the uterus early in pregnancy which can also increase hCG levels.
Can You Influence Your hCG Levels?
If your levels are trending upward in the first trimester, that’s a good sign, and there’s no need to try to make them higher. Focus on taking care of yourself—eating well, staying hydrated, and following your doctor’s advice.Why Single hCG Measurements Aren’t Enough
A single hCG reading doesn’t tell the whole story. Levels can be high or low for many reasons, so what really matters is how they change over time.For example, a lower number might just mean your pregnancy is earlier than you thought, while a higher one could point to twins.
If your doctor is concerned, they’ll likely order a series of blood tests to track the trend or use an ultrasound to check on your baby’s development. This gives a clearer picture of how your pregnancy is progressing.
Fluctuating hCG levels are a normal part of pregnancy, and you don’t need to worry if your numbers don’t match someone else’s. What really counts is that they rise in the early weeks, peak around 8 to 12 weeks, and then gradually decline as your placenta takes over.
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FAQs on Are Your HCG Levels Fluctuating During Pregnancy? Here's What It Can Mean
- How to increase hCG levels in early pregnancy?
There’s no way to directly increase hCG through diet or supplements. Your hCG levels are a reflection of what’s happening in your pregnancy, and they rise naturally in a healthy pregnancy. - What does it mean if my hCG is not doubling but increasing?
If your hCG is not doubling but only slowly increasing, it can be a cause for concern. This may point to an impending miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, or an embryonic pregnancy.