The HCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin) is produced in the body during pregnancy by the cells that form the placenta. HCG can be detected in the early stages of pregnancy through a typical blood test or a home pregnancy test.
Understanding HCG
After the fertilisation and implantation of an egg in the uterus, the cells that end up as the placenta start making the HCG hormone.
This hormone is the primary indication of pregnancy and can be detected in a typical blood test about 11 days after conception.
However, HCG levels can also be detected through urine as part of a home pregnancy test kit at around two weeks after conception (when you would be approximately four weeks pregnant).
There are situations when you’re convinced that you’re pregnant but have a negative test result. This typically happens if you take your test early or your urine is very diluted. But nothing changes the fact that pregnancy is accompanied by the presence of HCG in the blood and urine. So taking the test again in a few days or weeks first thing in the morning when urine is most concentrated will give you a positive pregnancy result.
How do HCG levels during pregnancy vary?
In the early stages of pregnancy, the HCG levels double every 2-3 days. While the level of HCG is pretty variable, signs of low or reducing levels indicate complications in the pregnancy, such as an incoming miscarriage or an extrauterine pregnancy.
DURING PREGNANCY, the HCG levels reach the highest values at around eight to fourteen weeks after conception. Once this period is over, the HCG levels gradually decline before flattening out in the second and third trimesters.
It should be noted that HCG levels often tend to drop instead of rising and then increasing again. Falling of HCG levels usually indicates a miscarriage, but the HCG levels often rise again and lead to a normal pregnancy.
What particular HCG levels imply in a pregnancy?
The HCG levels at any stage of pregnancy don’t provide too much information. However, the average HCG levels vary across different women. So even if one’s HCG levels are not within the normal range, they can still have a normal and healthy pregnancy.
Regardless, you must experience an increase in your HCG levels in the early stages of your pregnancy. In fact, if your HCG levels don’t escalate during this time or they start dropping, it points towards a problem such as a miscarriage or an extrauterine pregnancy
Additionally, HCG levels more than normal values can point towards multiple babies.
When it comes to home pregnancy tests, one cannot exactly ascertain the HCG values. But if you want to know your exact HCG levels, you can get a blood test done under the supervision of your GP. This would also confirm your pregnancy. Furthermore, your GP may also call for more HCG blood tests to gauge how your pregnancy is progressing. Through these tests, your GP can get a clear picture of the trends of your HCG levels.
How do you increase low HCG levels?
One would think of trying various remedies or diets to raise the body’s HCG levels, but there’s no way to alter it.
In addition, while HCG levels give you information about your pregnancy, changing their levels won’t do you any good or solve your problems.
In any normal pregnancy, the HCG levels would increase on their own accord until the 3rd month before gradually declining. Therefore, neither you nor your GP should opt for any method(s) to elevate the levels.
Typical HCG levels in pregnancy
HCG levels vary from woman to woman, pregnancy to pregnancy. A standard test gives an HCG measurement in units per litre (U/l).
The following highlights the typical levels of HCG throughout pregnancy:
| Number of weeks since last period | Standard HCG range (U/l) |
| 4 | 0–750 |
| 5 | 200–7,000 |
| 6 | 200–32,000 |
| 7 | 3,000–160,000 |
| 8-12 | 32,000–210,000 |
| 13-16 | 9,000–210,000 |
| 16-29 | 1,400–53,000 |
| 29-41 | 940–60,000 |
Risks associated with HCG tests
HCG tests are completely safe by all means. The urine test is free from any risks and the blood test can cause a little bit of pain and minor bruising at the injection site.
The urine tests can often give false negative results and naturally cause a lot of stress. On the other hand, blood tests typically give more accurate results but are also known not to detect low HCG levels in the early stages of pregnancy. There are just too many variables and uncertainties involved and as such, we strongly recommend you to consult your GP for all pregnancy tests.
Conclusion
Most women learn about their pregnancy through a home pregnancy test and get the much-coveted confirmation about a healthy pregnancy through blood tests. It should be mentioned that the test is quite reliable, particularly as the pregnancy gains progress.
That said, these tests aren’t sufficient to gauge the nature of the pregnancy. In other words, one cannot differentiate the various pregnancy complications that might occur at this time. Therefore, your GP may ask you to undertake a few more blood tests to identify any prevailing issues and sort them out.
It goes without saying that pregnancy is among the most crucial phases of a woman’s life. It is natural to be anxious, have uncertainties, concerns and be overwhelmed with stress at this juncture. But that’s the beauty of this wonderful journey that culminates in your very own bundle of joy!
The HCG hormone can bring in a host of trials and errors but worry not! By taking note of the test schedules and achieving a correct and foolproof interpretation of the pregnancy test results, you’ll be able to plan ahead perfectly. So take your pregnancy tests under the guidance of your GP and get a full-fledged confirmation about your pregnancy. Once confirmed, follow all necessary steps and directions to ensure a smooth and hassle-free pregnancy.
Happy pregnancy!
