Many pregnant women and those trying to conceive may have heard the term beta-hCG related to taking a pregnancy test and wondering what it means.
Beta-hCG (β-hCG) is a test that measures the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood. This hormone is produced as soon as 10 days after conception and above-normal levels can confirm pregnancy.
In addition, beta-hCG testing may also be used during the evaluation of fertility treatments (a synthetic form of hormone is sometimes used to help follicles mature and activate). ovulation), as well as when there is concern that something is wrong. a pregnancy.
Also known as
The beta-hCG blood test is also sometimes called:
- Quantitative pregnancy test
- Blood hCG quantitative test
- Quantitative serial beta-hCG test
- Quantitative test of serum beta-HCG
Which measure of Beta hCG
A pregnancy test involves detecting hCG in urine or blood.
The urinalysis is a qualitative test as it can only tell you whether the sample is positive or negative for hCG. The same goes for the qualitative hCG blood test.
In contrast, beta hCG is a quantitative test, which means it not only reveals that the hormone is present in the blood, but also shows the exact amount. The level of hCG is measured in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml).
When Beta-hCG tests are used
Beta-hCG testing can be done to pregnancy confirmation see an antenatal doctor early (as a follow-up of a positive urine test at home or in the clinic). But beta hCG is not always taken or needed in common pregnancies. Many doctors use transvaginal ultrasound at pregnancy confirmation visits to actually see visible evidence of pregnancy (the gestational sac).
Beta-hCG testing is also used when available Concerned about pregnancy complications, including miscarriage. In these situations, repeat tests may be done every two to three days to assess how quickly hCG levels rise.
In the early stages of pregnancy, the rate of increase says more than the actual amount of the hormone in the blood. Slowly rising hCG levels may indicate a high risk of miscarriage.
If you are undergoing fertility treatments, your doctor may order a beta-hCG test just before or during your period to see if efforts are successful. Doctors who care for women who inject hCG to improve their chances of conceiving either as part of intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) need to be careful about timing their beta-testing. hCG to ensure that the drug has cleared from the body and will not affect the test results.
Other uses for beta-hCG testing during pregnancy include:
- Determining the age of the fetus: The beta-hCG test does not always accurately determine gestational age. However, your results — considered along with the date of your last period — can give your doctor a general idea, as the expected hCG range varies from week to week. first trimester.
- Checking the fetus: Beta hCG is part of both maternal serum triple and quadruple screening tests performed between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation to evaluate signs of certain fetal health problems, including Down syndrome.
Unrelated to pregnancy, beta-hCG testing can help diagnose some cancers.
Beta hCG levels during pregnancy
The following are typical hCG concentration ranges during pregnancy. These ranges are a guide only, as every pregnancy is different.
| Expected hCG levels in the first trimester | |
|---|---|
| Time since last period | hCG range (if pregnant) |
| 3 weeks | 5 to 72 mIU/ml |
| 4 weeks | 10 to 708 mIU/ml |
| 5 weeks | 217 to 8.245 mIU/ml |
| 6 weeks | 152 to 32,177 mIU/ml |
| 7 weeks | 4,059 to 153,767 mIU/ml |
| 8 weeks | 31,366 to 149,094 mIU/ml |
| 9 weeks | 59,109 to 135.901 mIU/ml |
| 10 weeks | 44.186 to 170,409 mIU/ml |
| 12 weeks | 27,107 to 201,165 mIU/ml |
| 14 weeks | 24,302 to 93,646 mIU/ml |
| 16 weeks | 8,904 to 55,332 mIU/ml |
Remember: Whether you have high or low hormone levels is not an important sign of a healthy pregnancy. This is because many factors can affect total hCG levels, including maternal smoking, weight, ethnicity, number of births (how many times a woman has given birth), and nausea ( severe morning sickness).
Instead, doctors will look to see if hCG levels double every 48 to 72 hours from whatever level they started. They look for this during the first weeks of pregnancy, as normally hCG levels peak around 8 to 11 weeks gestation, then drop and level off thereafter.
If Beta-hCG levels are lower than expected
If your hCG levels are low, it’s likely that another test will be done in a few days to confirm if levels are up. If your beta-hCG levels are lower than expected (and remain low on repeat testing), this could indicate:
If one of these problems is suspected, your doctor will do other tests, typically a transvaginal ultrasound, to determine the status of your pregnancy.
If Beta-hCG levels are higher than expected
Reasons why your beta-hCG level may be higher than expected include:
- Multiple pregnancy
- Pregnancy date incorrect
- Molar pregnancy (when a mass of tissue develops inside the uterus instead of the placenta)
Again, an atypical result will be followed up with repeat testing and/or other evaluations to find out what’s going on.
A very good word
If you see your hCG results on the lab report before you have had a chance to talk about them with your doctor, don’t rush to your own conclusions. While there is a lot of information, a beta-hCG test is just one way your doctor gathers information about — and determines the status — of your pregnancy.
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