When you suspect you're pregnant, the first thing you do is take a pregnancy test, right? The joy you feel when two lines appear on it... Those two lines indicate that your body has a hormone called hCG. This is also called the 'pregnancy hormone'. So, today we'll talk about what this hCG is, what it does, and what it means when it increases or decreases.
Simply put, what is hCG?
hCG is the short name for the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin . After you become pregnant, this hormone is produced by the placenta, which forms around the baby. This is one of the main and first hormones produced in the body during pregnancy. That's why it's also called the "pregnancy hormone."
A urine test or blood test to confirm that you are pregnant checks for the presence of this hormone hCG in your body. During the first 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, hCG levels rise very rapidly . They usually double every three days. Sometimes doctors check the rate at which hCG levels rise to determine if the pregnancy is progressing normally.
Importantly, high levels of hCG in a non-pregnant person can be a sign of some types of cancer. Therefore, this hCG test is used to detect some cancers and to see if they are responding to treatment.
What does this hCG hormone do to the body?
Think of hCG as a message to your entire body saying, "You're pregnant now." This hormone is the first thing your body knows about pregnancy. Once it receives that message, your body prepares for many changes.
The hCG hormone mainly does these things:
- Stops menstruation: This hCG hormone signals the body to stop menstruation throughout pregnancy.
- Helps produce other hormones: hCG stimulates the production of two other hormones, progesterone and estrogen, which are essential during pregnancy.
- Progesterone: This hormone thickens the walls of the uterus, creating a safe environment for the baby to latch on to. It also helps keep the uterus loose.
- Estrogen: This helps the baby's organs develop, increases blood supply to the placenta, and prepares the body for childbirth.
Simply put, hCG is like a leader who lays the first foundation for pregnancy and then hands over the work to other hormones.
What should hCG levels be normally according to the weeks of pregnancy?
During early pregnancy, hCG levels rise rapidly, peak around 10 weeks, and then gradually decline, remaining at low levels until delivery.
But remember, these values are not the same for everyone . These are just general guidelines. What's important is not the single value, but how that value changes over time. Your doctor can run these tests if necessary and explain to you what the results mean.
| Number of weeks since last menstrual period | Normal hCG level (mIU/mL) |
|---|---|
| 3 weeks | 5 – 50 |
| 4 weeks | 5 – 426 |
| 5 weeks | 18 – 7,340 |
| 6 weeks | 1,080 – 56,500 |
| 7 – 8 weeks | 7,650 – 229,000 |
| Weeks 9 – 12 | 25,700 – 288,000 |
| Weeks 13 – 16 | 13,300 – 254,000 |
| Weeks 17 – 24 | 4,060 – 165,400 |
| Weeks 25 – 40 | 3,640 – 117,000 |
How are hCG levels tested?
There are two main ways to check hCG levels.
- Blood Test: Your doctor will take a small sample of your blood and perform the test. This will give you a precise measurement of how much hCG hormone is in your blood. This test can also detect pregnancy earlier than a urine test.
- Urine Test: This is the same pregnancy test you do at home. It only checks for hCG in your urine. It doesn't tell you how much. It usually takes a few days after your period has stopped to get an accurate result.
Remember, a low hCG level is not a definitive diagnosis. It is only a sign that something may be wrong. If your doctor is concerned about your hCG level, they will likely retest you in two to three days. Or they may do an ultrasound scan to confirm the pregnancy.
What does it mean if hCG levels are low?
There are several reasons why your hCG levels may be low compared to the rest of your pregnancy. But don't worry, your doctor will make the final decision after conducting more tests.
Low hCG levels may indicate things like:
- Miscalculated gestational age: Your gestational age may be shorter than you think.
- Miscarriage: The pregnancy may have stopped.
- Blighted Ovum: This is a condition where a gestational sac forms but no baby develops inside.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: This is when a pregnancy implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This is an emergency.
What if the hCG level is too high?
Also, there may be several reasons why hCG levels are higher than expected.
- Miscalculated gestational age: Your pregnancy may be longer than you think.
- Twins or more children: When you have two or three children, hCG levels are much higher than normal.
- Molar Pregnancy: This is a rare condition in which the placental tissue develops abnormally.
Are there any other uses for hCG besides pregnancy?
Yes, the hCG hormone is used for other medical treatments besides pregnancy.
- Fertility Treatments: In treatments such as IVF (In-vitro Fertilization) or IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) for those who are having difficulty conceiving, hCG is given as an injection to stimulate ovulation.
- Treatment for men: hCG is also used to treat some conditions in men. For example:
- Decrease in testosterone hormone
- Male infertility
- Conditions in which the testicles do not descend properly
Take-Home Message
- hCG is the "pregnancy hormone." Your home pregnancy test will also check for this hormone.
- The rapid rise in levels of this hormone during the first few weeks of pregnancy is a good sign of a healthy pregnancy.
- What is more important than the value obtained from a single hCG level measurement is the way that the value changes (trend) over a few days.
- Low or high hCG levels can mean a variety of things. But don't panic, talk to your doctor and get further tests done if necessary to confirm the situation.
- If you have any questions or doubts about your test results, never hesitate to discuss them with your doctor.
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