You've probably heard the name hCG, especially if you're a mom-to-be or already are. Most of the time, we become familiar with it after taking a home pregnancy test . So, what is hCG? Why is it so important? Let's talk about it in detail, very simply.
What is hCG? Let's understand it simply!
Simply put, hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a hormone produced by your baby's placenta when you are pregnant. Many people also call it the 'pregnancy hormone' because it plays a very important role during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester . The pregnancy test kit you use at home will show you a 'positive' result by looking for the presence of this hCG hormone in your body, that is, in your urine. A doctor can measure the exact level of hCG in your body with a blood test or a urine test .
During the first 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy, hCG levels rise very quickly. So fast, in fact, that they can double every three days! Sometimes doctors look at how quickly hCG levels rise to give an idea of whether the pregnancy is healthy and developing properly.
However, it is good to know this. If the level of hCG in a person who is not pregnant is unusually high, it can sometimes be a sign of a certain type of cancer . Although very rare, some types of cancer , such as germ cell tumors , can also produce hCG in the body. Therefore, doctors sometimes use this hCG test to diagnose a cancer, to see how successful the treatment is, or to confirm whether the cancer has come back.
What does the hCG hormone actually do to our body?
The hCG hormone is like the first message to your body that says, "You're pregnant!" This hormone is the first major pregnancy hormone produced by the placenta after conception . It's what sends the message to the rest of your body that you're pregnant.
With this message, hCG stops your monthly period. It then signals your body to produce two other important hormones essential for pregnancy: progesterone and estrogen .
To explain a little:
- Progesterone : This hormone thickens the walls of the uterus, creating a suitable environment for the baby to grow well. It also helps keep the uterus relaxed.
- Estrogen: This helps the baby's organs develop, increases blood supply to the placenta, and helps prepare the body for childbirth.
So, we can think of hCG as the first hormone that supports early pregnancy. Only then do other hormones join in.
When does hCG start being produced in our body?
In fact, non-pregnant women and men can have very small amounts of hCG in their bodies (often at levels that are too low to be measured). However, when you become pregnant, these hCG levels rise very quickly. These high levels are usually only seen during pregnancy. hCG levels peak around 10 weeks into pregnancy, and then gradually decline. It remains at a certain level until childbirth .
What is the hCG level needed to accurately confirm pregnancy?
Generally, a hCG level above 25 milli-international units per milliliter (25 mIU/mL) is considered to indicate pregnancy. However, this is not a 100% guarantee. Your doctor may ask you to retest your hCG level in a few days. If the level is still high, it can confirm pregnancy.
How do normal hCG levels change from week to week during pregnancy?
It's amazing how quickly hCG levels change throughout pregnancy. They rise rapidly in the first trimester, then drop slightly. These values are just guidelines, right? Your hCG levels can vary greatly. What's important is not the exact value, but how it changes over time.
Generally, when counting weeks from the date of the last menstrual period (LMP):
- Weeks 3-4 (immediately after menstruation): Between 5 – 426 mIU/mL
- Week 5: Between 18 – 7,340 mIU/mL
- Week 6: Between 1,080 – 56,500 mIU/mL
- Weeks 7-8: Between 7,650 – 229,000 mIU/mL
- Weeks 9-12 : 25,700 – 288,000 mIU/mL (may peak at this time)
- Weeks 13-16 (second trimester): Between 13,300 – 254,000 mIU/mL
- Weeks 17-24: Between 4,060 – 165,400 mIU/mL
- Weeks 25-40 (third trimester): Between 3,640 – 117,000 mIU/mL
Don't panic when you see these values, okay? These are just normal ranges. If there's anything special you need to know about your hCG levels, your doctor will explain it to you. Remember, even in healthy pregnancies, hCG levels can sometimes be a little lower than normal.
How often are hCG tests done during pregnancy?
In most cases, not all pregnant women have their hCG levels checked continuously. Doctors may only check hCG levels during the first trimester if they have any concerns about whether the pregnancy is progressing properly. If your hCG level is lower than expected, your doctor will check it again in a few days to see if there has been a change. Some doctors also measure hCG levels as part of prenatal genetic testing .
How are hCG levels tested?
There are two main ways to measure hCG levels:
1. Blood test: This involves taking a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm and measuring the amount of hCG in it. A blood test can quickly detect hCG, and it can also tell you the hCG level by a number .
2. Urine test: This involves taking a sample of your urine and checking it for hCG. However, this test cannot tell you exactly how high or low your hCG levels are. Usually, you can get an accurate result by waiting until after your period has passed . You can do this at home or at your doctor's office.
If you've used an at-home pregnancy test , it means you've already had an hCG test. Those tests show whether your urine contains hCG, which is either 'positive' or 'negative'.
The important thing is that a low hCG level does not mean that you have any disease. It is just a tool to help identify potential problems. If your doctor suspects your hCG level, they will check it again in two or three days. They may also order an ultrasound scan to confirm the pregnancy or to see how far along you are in your pregnancy.
What can low hCG levels mean?
If hCG levels are lower than expected, or are decreasing, there could be several reasons:
- Blighted ovum: In this case, the fertilized egg implants in the uterus but does not develop into an embryo.
- Miscarriage: The termination of a pregnancy.
- Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy that implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This is an emergency.
- Not remembering the exact date of your last period: This can cause the pregnancy weeks calculated incorrectly, which can make the hCG level appear lower than expected.
If your doctor thinks your hCG level is low compared to the pregnancy, they will check your hCG level again in two to three days, or they will perform an ultrasound scan to confirm the pregnancy.
What can high hCG levels mean?
If the hCG level is much higher than expected, there could be several reasons for this:
- Pregnancy may be earlier than you think: You may be more weeks along than you think.
- Having twins, triplets, or more: As the number of children increases, hCG levels also increase.
- Molar pregnancy or other Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases (GTD): These are conditions in which cells in the placenta grow abnormally.
- Very rarely, some types of cancer can also cause elevated hCG levels in the blood.
When should I see a doctor?
Most of the time, you won't be aware of your hCG levels unless you see the results in your online medical records. Doctors usually test for hCG early in pregnancy, but they don't continue to do so unless there's a specific reason. If you have any questions about your hCG test results, be sure to talk to your doctor.
How is hCG used in fertility treatments?
If you are trying to have a baby using fertility treatments such as IVF (in-vitro fertilization) or IUI (intrauterine insemination) , you may be given an injection of hCG to help with ovulation . Also, after ovulation, hCG may be given to help the fertilized egg implant in the uterus. If you have had previous infertility, your doctor may be more concerned about your hCG levels from the start.
What happens to men with hCG?
Although hCG is a pregnancy hormone, there are cases where it can also be beneficial for men. hCG is used to treat certain conditions:
- Low testosterone levels.
- Male infertility.
- Undescended testicles.
Finally, remember this!
hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a very important hormone, also known as the 'pregnancy hormone'. This is the hormone that is detected by home pregnancy tests. Your body produces this hormone in large quantities during the first trimester of pregnancy to support your growing baby.
Your hCG levels provide valuable information about your pregnancy and can sometimes give your obstetrician a clue about potential problems. However, if your pregnancy is going well, you may not even be aware of your hCG levels.
If you have any questions about hCG levels or what they mean, don't be afraid to ask your doctor. That's the best thing to do.
` hCG, pregnancy hormone, pregnancy, pregnancy, hormones, placenta, progesterone, estrogen
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