HCG/progesterone levels - what do they mean?

dbtberg

Hello ladies! I'm new here. Short back story - I got my first BFP September 5, and based on my LMP, we thought I must be 6 weeks in. Then I saw my OB last Thursday and there was nothing on the sonogram but a thicker lining (a nightmare!). We thought maybe it might be ectopic, or an earlier stage of pregnancy than we thought (we weren't tracking ovulation and I had just gotten off the pill in July), we were so worried.

Then my doctor calls the next day and she says that my HCG levels are at 1200, and my progesterone level is 14, which is consistent with a 3/4 week pregnancy. She seemed very happy, that at that stage we really wouldn't see anything on the sonogram, and said she would see me again in 2 weeks! We were almost over the moon with happiness.

My question is, what does this mean? Are they normal? I think I understand HCG but have no idea what progesterone levels mean... Thanks so much for any insight.

KidShrink

HCG levels typically double every 48hrs or so, and it starts being detectable in blood a few days after implantation. Progesterone is what maintains the pregnancy...eventually, it'll be produced by the placenta, but for now it comes from your ovulation. Anything above 10 is considered okay. Lower levels would probably lead to progesterone supplements to decrease the likelihood of miscarriage.

dbtberg

Thanks so much for the info, this is very helpful