15 hcg what period shows. HCG level by day from conception. What does an increase or decrease in hCG mean?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (abbreviated hCG, hCG, HCG in English, hCG in Ukrainian) is a hormone that, under normal conditions of the body, is produced exclusively during pregnancy. The hCG hormone is produced after conception - it is synthesized by the fertilized egg, and after it is formed trophoblast (this is the precursor of the placenta), this hormone is produced by its tissues. That is why the level of hCG is determined only after conception.
Chorionic gonadotropin consists of two different subunits - alpha and beta ... In this case, alpha is identical with the subunits of alpha hormones. When it comes to hCG - what it is, its B-subunit is considered. It is important to understand, considering what beta hCG is, that it is a unique subunit, so it cannot be confused with other hormones. Speaking about research on human chorionic gonadotropin, we mean that there is no difference between hCG and beta-hCG.
What is HCG during pregnancy? Its definition and decoding is a very important stage in the diagnosis of a number of pathologies of both the fetus and the woman. In some conditions that will be described in this article, the hCG values are either greatly reduced or increased. Considering what kind of analysis it is, it should be borne in mind that with small deviations from the norm, this study does not have diagnostic value. Therefore, some diseases and conditions of the expectant mother ( prolongation of pregnancy , intrauterine infection, chronic placental insufficiency ) is determined by other methods.
After the results of hCG have been obtained, they are deciphered over time, since each woman's hCG level during pregnancy changes in its own way. Consequently, one result cannot be used to judge the situation as a whole.
It is important that the obtained result of the analysis of hCG for pregnancy must be considered by a qualified specialist. After all, decoding the hCG test is very important, as it allows you to correct some problems of fetal development.
Since the free beta subunit of gonadotropin is unique, the test that determines the rate of hCG during pregnancy is also called beta-hCG. Normal - if during pregnancy HCGb appears in the blood a few days after conception. But, nevertheless, if, for example, hCG is 8, what this means, after the first analysis, it is definitely impossible to say. Retesting will be required to confirm pregnancy. In general, the fb-HCG rate is a very important indicator of fetal development.
Taking hCG in "Invitro", "Gemotest" "Helix" and in other clinics, a woman needs to understand what this indicator is when such a test shows pregnancy, etc. This will be discussed in the article below.
What is HCG for?
Determining HCGb indicators, you need to understand what human gonadotropin is needed for. Wikipedia testifies to the following:
- this hormone at the beginning of pregnancy stimulates the synthesis process and;
- prevents disappearance corpus luteum ;
- prevents aggression the maternal body against the cells of the fetus;
- initiates physiological and anatomical changes in the body of a pregnant woman;
- stimulates the adrenal glands and gonads of the fetus;
- participates in the process of sexual differentiation in male fetuses.
Why is this analysis prescribed?
The analysis is prescribed for women in order to:
- early diagnosis of pregnancy;
- monitoring the dynamics of the course of pregnancy;
- definition of malformations (fetal anatomy);
- development exceptions ectopic pregnancy ;
- the need to assess whether the artificial was completely carried out;
- establishing that there is a threat;
- diagnostics and tumors .
For male patients, such an analysis is necessary to diagnose testicular tumors .
HCG levels during pregnancy
The function of chorionic gonadotropin in the body is very important. Its indicators in the early stages begin to increase, as it is produced by a fertilized egg. It is hCG that makes pregnancy possible to develop, since it starts all the processes necessary for bearing a baby.
Already 9 days after ovulation, hCG can be determined in blood plasma. That is, even when the fertilized egg has entered the endometrium, a slow increase in the indicators of this hormone is noted. And if its low level is determined in the early stages, then the concentration doubles every two days. What exactly should its level be at a certain week, how hCG should grow, slow or rapid growth is noted, you can find out from the corresponding tables.
The growth of hCG during pregnancy occurs up to 8-10 weeks from the last menstruation, when its peak is noted - 50,000-10000 IU / L. Further, the level of the hormone begins to decrease, by 18-20 weeks it is already reduced by half. Then the hCG content remains stable throughout the pregnancy.
During pregnancy, gonadotropin is excreted from the body by the kidneys, therefore, excreted in the urine. It can be determined by conducting a urinalysis in the interval 30-60 days after the last menstruation. The highest rates are observed at 60-70 days. That is why, when hCG begins to be produced, you can do a pregnancy test strip or other urine tests.
HCG levels in late pregnancy can reach repeated peaks. Previously, doctors considered this a variant of the norm. However, it has now been proven that elevated hCG at a later date may indicate a developmental pathology. In particular, a high hormone level in the last weeks of gestation sometimes means that there is a reaction of the placenta to placental insufficiency in the case of rhesus conflict .
Therefore, it is necessary to determine this disease in a timely manner and carry out treatment.
The main signs of cystic drift are:
- Constant, indomitable vomit , much more painful than usual.
- Uterine bleeding (heavy daub) in the early stages.
- The size of the uterus is larger than normal for this period.
- Symptoms preeclampsia (sometimes).
- Trembling fingers, palpitations, weight loss (rare).
When the signs described above are noted, it is important to consult a gynecologist, undergo an ultrasound scan and be tested for hCG.
If pregnancy develops normally, then the indicator of this hormone rarely increases more than 500,000 IU / L. There is an approximate calculation of hormone norms for each period. But if a cystic drift develops, the level of hCG differs, several times higher than these norms.
To heal a hydatidiform mole, all trophoblast must be removed from the uterus. For this, curettage or other surgical interventions are performed.
It may happen that a benign cystic drift develops into malignant chorionic carcinoma ... As a rule, with this tumor, metastases appear very quickly. But it responds well to treatment with chemotherapy .
There are the following indications for chemotherapy:
- The hCG level is above 20,000 IU / L one month after the blister mole has been removed.
- An increase in the level of this hormone after the bladder skid has been removed.
- Metastases to other organs.
Chorionic carcinoma
Chorionic carcinoma may manifest both after a cystic drift, and after childbirth or abortion. If a woman develops this disease, then 40 days after the pregnancy has ended, the hCG level has not dropped, but its increase is noted. Uterine bleeding may also occur, signs that indicate metastases. In such a situation, there are indications for chemotherapy and surgery. In the future, the patient should be monitored. How long it should last, the doctor decides.
The use of drugs with chorionic gonadotropin
Like all human hormones, human chorionic gonadotropin levels can be influenced by various factors. So, the test result is influenced by whether a woman takes drugs containing human gonadotropin by mouth.
As a rule, such drugs are prescribed to women during, as well as during the period when preparations for IVF are in progress, in order to increase the level of the hormone.
In rare cases, such medications are taken if there is a threat of miscarriage. In any case, if a woman uses such medications, then before taking any measurements and analyzes, you need to warn the doctor about this.
Taking a variety of drugs, many women are interested in whether they can affect the levels of this hormone. For example, it is often asked whether it affects to the hCG level. According to experts, Duphaston may slightly affect the level of this hormone, since this drug controls the level progesterone ... However, if the norms of hCG do not comply, this cannot be attributed to the effect of the drug, since we can talk about a pathological condition.
The level of this hormone is not affected.
Hormonal drugs, the active component of which is human chorionic gonadotropin, are Profazi , Humegon , Horagon , Choriogonin , Menogon ... They restore the ovulatory process, activate the hormonal activity of the corpus luteum. At what size of the follicle the injection is made, the doctor determines.
Initially, research is carried out on hormones, their rate in women and deviations. If there are certain deviations, in particular, progesterone is below normal, what this means, the doctor will explain during the consultation and prescribe a specific treatment.
If necessary, in order to stimulate ovulation, injections of hCG from 5000 to 10,000 IU are prescribed, in order to maintain pregnancy - from 1000 to 3000 IU. Individual dose selection is important. Therefore, if an injection is 10,000, when ovulation, if an injection is 5,000, after how much ovulation, a specialist will explain.
Currently, human chorionic gonadotropin is also used by athletes, since it increases in the male body under its influence.
False positive test result
Those who are interested in how long the pregnancy test for this hormone shows, it should be noted that in some situations the tests can be false positive.
This happens in the following cases:
- Some experts say that when taking oral contraceptives, the level of the hormone may increase. However, there is no proven evidence that contraception affects hCG.
- As a rule, after childbirth or abortion, hormone levels decrease for seven days. In some cases, the doctor waits 42 days, after which the tests are taken, and he can make a diagnosis. If the analysis shows that hCG has not decreased or increased, then we can talk about a trophoblastic tumor.
- The level may remain elevated with the manifestation of metastases chorionic carcinoma , cystic drift .
- Other tumors can also develop from embryonic tissues, but they rarely increase the level of the hormone. Therefore, in the presence of education in the brain, stomach, lungs and a high level of chorionic gonadotropin, first of all, there is a suspicion of trophoblastic tumors with metastases.
Thus, the hCG index in non-pregnant women should not be higher than those that are normal. The norm of hCG in non-pregnant women is from 0 to 5. The level of this hormone in a non-pregnant woman may be higher in the first days after an abortion, while taking certain medications, and also with the development of certain pathological conditions.
HCG immunity
In rare cases (units) in the female body are produced to the chorionic hormone. They are an obstacle for the normal attachment of a fertilized egg in the uterus and its subsequent development.
Therefore, if in two or more cases the pregnancy ended in a spontaneous miscarriage, it is important to pass an analysis to determine antibodies to hCG and find out if there are certain abnormalities. If the result is positive, treatment is given during the first trimester.
The woman is prescribed glucocorticoids and low molecular weight heparins ... However, it is important to consider that organisms that produce antibodies to hCG are rare. Therefore, in the absence of pregnancy, you must initially go through all the studies and exclude the influence of other factors on women's and men's health.
conclusions
Thus, the analysis for hCG is a very important study during the period of bearing a baby. It is quite understandable that after receiving the research results, patients have many questions. For example, why hCG grows, but does not double, how to correctly decipher hCG by DPO, etc., does fibroids affect hormone levels, etc. You need to ask a gynecologist about everything, who will help decipher the analyzes and give comprehensive answers to all questions.
»We explained the purpose of determining the level of hCG in the blood, as well as the general trend of this indicator during pregnancy. However, we did not dwell in detail on the norms of hCG by week. These values are necessary to determine the norm or pathology of the course of your pregnancy. We will warn you right away: pregnancy management, including the appointment of tests and their interpretation, is a professional matter. Only a qualified doctor can adequately assess the condition of a woman and her fetus, however, it will be much easier for him if a woman is informed about the hCG indicators by week, and at the same time trusts him and fulfills the prescriptions.
Change in hCG index during pregnancy
Before we start describing the level of hCG by week, we should dwell on the features of the analysis itself. Chorionic gonadotropin consists of two fractions - alpha and beta. Alpha-hCG is identical with the constituents of some other hormones that are in no way associated with the presence of pregnancy, while beta-hCG has a high specificity: this fraction is produced exclusively by chorion.
Home tests, the so-called test strips, are based on the reaction of hCG of both subunits, but when determining hCG in the blood, they use a technique that captures only a specific beta fraction.
The second important point: any laboratory technique has its own sensitivity threshold. Please note that the hCG standards for weeks of pregnancy, although they begin from the first week of embryonic development, however, at this time, the results practically do not differ from the hCG indicators in non-pregnant women. You should not run to the laboratory the very next day after the intended conception - this is a waste of money and time. The earliest period at which in some cases laboratory diagnosis of pregnancy is possible is 7-8 days after the alleged conception. However, here too, gynecologists recommend not to rush, but to conduct the study only after a delay.
When determining hCG by week, they are guided by several main points:
an indicator up to 5 mIU / ml is considered negative;
an indicator from 5 to 25 mIU / ml is doubtful and requires a repeat in a few days;
when assessing the deviation from the norm of hCG by week, a difference exceeding 20% of the standard is taken into account. A decrease or increase in the level of hCG by 50% or more is considered a pathology.
A deviation of 20% usually requires a repeat analysis. If, upon repeated examination, an even greater deviation from the norm is found, a conclusion is made about the presence of a pathological process, if the result remains the same, and there is no clinical picture of pregnancy complications, an increased hCG is considered as a variant of the individual norm.
A single study of the hCG level is rarely used - it is relevant only for early diagnosis of pregnancy. To identify pathological conditions (threats of interruption, fetal-placental insufficiency, etc.), the dynamics of hCG changes is observed.
So how does the hCG rate change by week of pregnancy? Its growth is especially pronounced in the first weeks, then the increase in the indicator slows down somewhat and it stabilizes. The increase in the value of hCG by week is usually expressed in the time required to double its concentration in the blood. Initially, it only takes 2 days to double the hCG level. Starting from 5-6 weeks, this indicator is already equal to 3 days, in 7-8 weeks - 4 days. By the time of 9-10 weeks, the concentration of hCG reaches its peak and further decreases slightly, reaching the norm by 16 weeks for 6-7 weeks. In the second half of pregnancy, the dynamics of the hCG level by week is not subject to sharp fluctuations: for the rest of the time, its indicator is only about 10% of its maximum at 10 weeks, slightly increasing on the eve of childbirth.
HCG levels vary by week of pregnancy. The initial increase is explained by the intensive growth of the fetus, the child's place and the active hormonal changes in the female body: at this time, the chorion secretes a large amount of hCG to prepare a place for the baby and provide conditions for its successful development. But after 10 weeks, the placenta undergoes significant changes: now it is not so much a hormonal organ as a respiratory and nutritional one - after all, it is thanks to the placenta that the fetus receives nutrients and oxygen. This explains the decline in the growth of hCG in the blood.
HCG indicators by week
To make it easier to navigate the hCG indicators by week, it is customary to present the standards in the form of a table.
What should be considered when comparing the results with the data in the table?
The HCG weekly table shows obstetric weeks, which are counted from the date of the start of the last menstrual period. That is why you will not see the rate of hCG here in 2 weeks - during this period we are not talking about any pregnancy, because conception itself occurs only at the end of this very second week or at the beginning of the third.
To make it easier to navigate when comparing the period of embryonic (from conception) and obstetric (from the last menstruation), it can be taken as a rule that the first is always 2 weeks behind the second.
If your result shows a slight increase in hCG (more than 5 mIU / ml), remember that before reaching 25 mIU / ml, the result is considered doubtful and must be repeated after 2-5 days.
The level of hCG by week is not an absolute norm: there are minimum acceptable, maximum and average values. However, even if your result does not fit into the specified framework, a deviation of more than 20% is usually considered as a criterion for the appointment of an additional examination (re-examination of hCG, analysis of estrogen and progesterone). And even in this situation, it may turn out that this deviation is a variant of an individual norm, so do not make independent conclusions - entrust this matter to a specialist.
In each case, the resulting indicator should be compared with those norms of hCG by week, which are accepted in the laboratory where you passed the analysis. This is explained by the fact that different institutions can use different methods, so compare your result with the data indicated on the laboratory form.
What is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)?
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a special protein hormone that is produced by the membranes of the developing embryo during the entire period of pregnancy. HCG supports the normal development of pregnancy. Thanks to this hormone, the processes that cause menstruation are blocked in the body of a pregnant woman and the production of hormones necessary to maintain pregnancy increases.
An increase in the concentration of hCG in the blood and urine of a pregnant woman is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
The role of hCG in the first trimester of pregnancy is to stimulate the formation of hormones necessary for the development and maintenance of pregnancy, such as progesterone, estrogens (estradiol and free estriol). With the normal development of pregnancy, these hormones are subsequently produced by the placenta.
Chorionic gonadotropin very important. In a male fetus, chorionic gonadotropin stimulates the so-called Leydig cells, which synthesize testosterone. Testosterone in this case is simply necessary, as it promotes the formation of male genital organs, and also affects the adrenal cortex of the embryo. HCG consists of two units - alpha and beta-hCG. The alpha component of hCG has a similar structure to the units of the hormones TSH, FSH and LH, and beta-hCG is unique. Therefore, in the diagnosis, laboratory analysis of b-hCG is of decisive importance.
Small amounts of chorionic gonadotropin are produced by the human pituitary gland even in the absence of pregnancy. This explains the fact that in some cases, very low concentrations of this hormone are determined in the blood of non-pregnant women (including women during menopause) and even in the blood of men.
Acceptable blood levels of hCG in non-pregnant women and men
How does the level of human chorionic gonadotropin change during pregnancy?
With the normal development of pregnancy, hCG is determined in the blood of pregnant women from about 8-11-14 days after conception.The hCG level rises rapidly and, starting at the 3rd week of pregnancy, doubles approximately every 2-3 days. The increase in the concentration in the blood of a pregnant woman continues until about 11-12 weeks of pregnancy. Between 12 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, the concentration of hCG decreases slightly. From 22 weeks until delivery, the concentration of hCG in the blood of a pregnant woman begins to increase again, but more slowly than at the beginning of pregnancy.
By the rate of increase in the concentration of hCG in the blood, doctors can determine some deviations from the normal development of pregnancy. In particular, with an ectopic pregnancy or a frozen pregnancy, the rate of increase in the concentration of hCG is lower than in a normal pregnancy.
An accelerated rate of increase in the concentration of hCG can be a sign of cystic drift (chorionadenoma), multiple pregnancies, or fetal chromosomal diseases (for example, Down's disease).
There are no strict guidelines for the content of hCG in the blood of pregnant women. The hCG level at the same gestational age can vary significantly from woman to woman. In this regard, single measurements of the hCG level are not very informative. To assess the development of pregnancy, the dynamics of changes in the concentration of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood is important.
Days since your last period | Gestational age | Nomes of the hCG level for this period mU / ml |
Human chorionic gonadotropin norm graph
Norms of human chorionic gonadotropin in blood serum
Note!
In the last table, weekly rates are given for the timing of pregnancy "from conception" (and not for the timing of the last menstruation).
Anyway!
The above figures are not a benchmark! Each laboratory can set its own standards, including by week of pregnancy. When assessing the results of the hCG norm by weeks of pregnancy, you need to rely only on the norms of the laboratory where you were analyzed.
Tests to determine the level of hCG
To determine the level of hCG, various laboratory blood tests are used, which can detect pregnancy at a period of 1-2 weeks.The analysis can be passed in many laboratories in the direction of a gynecologist and independently. No special preparation for taking a blood test is required. However, before getting a referral for a test, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, as some medications may affect the test results. The analysis is best done in the morning on an empty stomach. For a higher reliability of the test, it is recommended to exclude physical activity on the eve of the study.
By the way, home rapid pregnancy tests are also based on the principle of determining the level of hCG, but only in the urine, not in the blood. And it should be said that compared to a laboratory blood test, this one is much less accurate, since the level in the urine is two times lower than that in the blood.
A laboratory test for determining pregnancy in the early stages is recommended to be carried out no earlier than 3-5 days of delay in menstruation. The pregnancy blood test can be repeated 2-3 days later to verify the results.
To identify fetal pathology in pregnant women, an analysis for chorionic gonadotropin is taken from 14 to 18 weeks of pregnancy. However, in order for the diagnosis of possible fetal pathologies to be reliable, it is necessary to pass more than one blood test for hCG. Together with hCG, the following markers are deposited: AFP, hCG, E3 (alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, free estriol.)
Serum levels of AFP and hCG in physiological pregnancy
| Pregnancy period, weeks | AFP, medium level | AFP, min-max | HG, intermediate level | HG, min-max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 23,7 | 12 - 59,3 | 66,3 | 26,5 - 228 |
| 15 | 29,5 | 15 - 73,8 | ||
| 16 | 33,2 | 17,5 - 100 | 30,1 | 9,4 - 83,0 |
| 17 | 39,8 | 20,5 - 123 | ||
| 18 | 43,7 | 21 - 138 | 24 | 5,7 - 81,4 |
| 19 | 48,3 | 23,5 - 159 | ||
| 20 | 56 | 25,5 - 177 | 18,3 | 5,2 - 65,4 |
| 21 | 65 | 27,5 - 195 | ||
| 22 | 83 | 35 - 249 | 18,3 | 4,5 - 70,8 |
| 24 | 16,1 | 3,1 - 69,6 |
Can the analysis for hCG be "wrong" in determining pregnancy?
HCG indicators that go beyond the norm for a particular week of pregnancy can be observed if the gestational age is incorrectly determined.Laboratory analyzes can be in error, but the chances of error are very small.
Decoding
Normally, during pregnancy, the level of chorionic gonadotropin gradually rises. During the 1st trimester of pregnancy, the level of b-hCG increases rapidly, doubling every 2-3 days. At 10-12 weeks of gestation, the highest hCG level in the blood is reached, then its content begins to decrease slowly and remains constant during the second half of pregnancy.An increase in beta-hCG during pregnancy can occur when:
- multiple pregnancies (the rate increases in proportion to the number of fruits)
- toxicosis, gestosis
- maternal diabetes mellitus
- fetal pathologies, Down syndrome, multiple malformations
- incorrectly set gestational age
- taking synthetic gestagens
- production of hCG by the pituitary gland of the examined woman; testicular tumor
tumor diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
neoplasms of the lungs, kidneys, uterus
cystic drift, recurrence of cystic drift
chorionic carcinoma
taking hCG drugs
the analysis was done within 4–5 days after the abortion, etc.Chorionic gonadotropin is usually elevated if the test was performed 4–5 days after the abortion or as a result of taking hCG drugs.
Low hCG in pregnant women, it can mean an incorrect setting of the term for determining pregnancy or be a sign of serious violations:
- ectopic pregnancy
- undeveloped pregnancy
- delayed fetal development
- the threat of spontaneous abortion (reduced by more than 50%)
- chronic placental insufficiency
- true prolongation of pregnancy
- fetal death (in the II-III trimester of pregnancy).
Whatever the result of the analysis for hormones during pregnancy does not work, remember that only a qualified doctor can give the correct decoding, determining which hCG is the norm for you in combination with the data obtained by other examination methods.
Video. Prenatal Screening - HCG
The hCG calculator will help to decipher the results of a blood test for hCG in dynamics by days from the date of conception, embryo transfer (after IVF) or delay, determine the gestational age and assess the dynamics of the growth of the hormone level.
Doubling period of hCG in singleton pregnancy
HCG begins to be produced as early as 6-10 days after the fertilization of the egg. In the first weeks, the hCG level should double approximately every 2 days. As the gestational age increases, the rate of its growth slows down - when the level of 1200 mU / ml is reached, hCG doubles every 3-4 days (from 72 to 96 hours), and after 6000 mU / ml, doubling occurs on average every 4 days (96 hours).
PM - by the date of the last menstruation.
DPO - days after ovulation.
The concentration of hCG reaches a maximum at 9-11 weeks of pregnancy, then the level of hCG begins to slowly decrease.
With multiple pregnancies, the hCG content increases in proportion to the number of fetuses and, on average, hCG values in pregnant women with twins (triplets) are usually higher than in other pregnant women at the same period.
Laboratory standards and user results
HCG rates in different laboratories may differ. This is due to the use of various research methods, reagents and other factors. Therefore, for a correct assessment of the dynamics of growth of the hormone, it is necessary to conduct research in one laboratory and evaluate the results relative to the norms of this laboratory. The HCG calculator allows you to evaluate your results relative to the norms of different laboratories:
The results of other users on the graph may also differ (depending on laboratory norms), contain errors (for example, data entered incorrectly).