slow rising HCG, (doubling time 7 days,) yet heartbeat

june2016baby

This might be rare enough that no one else has experienced it... But if you have, let me know! My HCG levels were checked at 6 weeks 2 day and 6 weeks 4 days due to spotting. They went from about 14,500 to 17,500, a doubling rate of over 7 days! So of course the OB did an ultrasound, and the baby was measuring fine with a good heart rate. At 8 weeks, 3 days, did another beta to find out 60,600 HCG. My doubling rate was again, over 7 days. An ultrasound however, showed perfect baby and heart rate. I did a whole lot of research, and haven't found anyone with HCG as slow rising as mine, that ended up with a healthy baby. My OB did admit that this puts me in a high risk category for a chromosome problem, so I'll do all the testing when it's time. I never did Betas with my other pregnancies, so perhaps they've all been low and I had no idea. (I have 3 healthy kiddos.) I've never had even a touch of morning sickness, so maybe the low HCG is why? Anyone have any helpful comments/ experiences?

theatremandy

Wow-I haven't experienced this, but it sounds like baby is doing just fine. Does the doc want to keep monitoring your levels?

june2016baby

Hmm, I don't know. But he's concerned enough to do another ultrasound next week again.

cassy0407

This is very interesting to me. I have no experience but I'd love to hear an update after your next appointment

longhurrdontcurr

My levels were doubling like every 24 hours until I got to about 14,000. Then it went to like 149 hours doubling time! I haven't even had an ultrasound yet though so no idea what's going on in there or how things will turn out.. I also had a previous miscarriage from a blighted ovum.
Please update us after your next appointment!

sorarose

It sounds like your levels may be so high that they aren't going to keep doubling. 

Also, can you clarify? How do you know it doubled over 7 days? Did you get tested 7 days later or are you just averaging? 

BLM10

There is a beta calculator online that gives you the rate. Also, after 6-7 weeks it slows way down. Mine around 5.5 weeks were at a 4 day doubling rate but also super high (first was almost 19000). I had a normal ultrasound with heartbeat a few days later and expect a good one next week. Good luck!

june2016baby

BLM10 said:

There is a beta calculator online that gives you the rate. Also, after 6-7 weeks it slows way down. Mine around 5.5 weeks were at a 4 day doubling rate but also super high (first was almost 19000). I had a normal ultrasound with heartbeat a few days later and expect a good one next week. Good luck!

Yes, I used an online calculator, and then did the math to make sure it was right. My OB was pretty surprised to see a normally growing baby both times after seeing my numbers.

I didn't ask the OB about this, but I did read online that after your number gets higher, a 96 hour (4 day) doubling time can be normal. Mine was 7.8 days, so almost twice the normal doubling time.

I'm hoping for a healthy baby, it I'm not counting on it yet.

june2016baby

longhurrdontcurr said:

My levels were doubling like every 24 hours until I got to about 14,000. Then it went to like 149 hours doubling time! I haven't even had an ultrasound yet though so no idea what's going on in there or how things will turn out.. I also had a previous miscarriage from a blighted ovum.
Please update us after your next appointment!

Sure! It's Wednesday morning. I'll let you know. Your doubling rate is over 6 days, kind of similar mine.

longhurrdontcurr

I have news!!!! I actually started getting sharp abdominal pain today and some pink spotting so I went to the hospital... I was worried maybe it was something serious. They did an ultrasound and found a baby!! It measured right on track, everything looked great and there was a heartbeat of 112! Though there is a little pocket of blood we are hoping gets reabsorbed or just comes out... At least it's not another blighted ovum though!
Oh and my pain was apparently because I had to poop. )

june2016baby

longhurrdontcurr said:

I have news!!!! I actually started getting sharp abdominal pain today and some pink spotting so I went to the hospital... I was worried maybe it was something serious. They did an ultrasound and found a baby!! It measured right on track, everything looked great and there was a heartbeat of 112! Though there is a little pocket of blood we are hoping gets reabsorbed or just comes out... At least it's not another blighted ovum though!
Oh and my pain was apparently because I had to poop. )

Great news! How far along are you?

june2016baby

Original poster here. I had another ultrasound today and all looked well. The baby's heart rate was 167 (9 weeks 5 days) and it measured fine. I'm still not sure what my low numbers mean. But all looks well!

longhurrdontcurr

june2016baby said:

longhurrdontcurr said:

I have news!!!! I actually started getting sharp abdominal pain today and some pink spotting so I went to the hospital... I was worried maybe it was something serious. They did an ultrasound and found a baby!! It measured right on track, everything looked great and there was a heartbeat of 112! Though there is a little pocket of blood we are hoping gets reabsorbed or just comes out... At least it's not another blighted ovum though!
Oh and my pain was apparently because I had to poop. )

Great news! How far along are you?

I'm 7 weeks as of yesterday when I went in it I was only 6+2

Knottie1434129262

Mine is slow rising too! I'm 6 weeks but it rose from 20800 to 25300 in 2 days. I just found out, so I don't have any tips, but I figured you would want to know that you're not alone

june2016baby

Knottie1434129262 said:

Mine is slow rising too! I'm 6 weeks but it rose from 20800 to 25300 in 2 days. I just found out, so I don't have any tips, but I figured you would want to know that you're not alone

Huh! Your doubling rate is also over 7 days. I think we're far enough along that the rates are just slowing down.

jhmcham

I know this is an old thread, but I'm curious if anyone here has updates? I'm in the same boat now. 8 weeks and HcG has been extremely slow to rise for several weeks. Low progesterone also, but we are supplementing that.

yalaverdi

Any updates