Hello, I am (estimated) 6.5 weeks today. I was having some bad cramping without bleeding last week and called my doctor. She brought me in for blood work 2 days apart to monitor hormone levels. I got a call today saying that my levels rose a "little bit" but didn't double as they were expected to. I am still experiencing some nausea and breast tenderness. Has anyone else experienced this? I am worried things aren't working out like they're supposed to.
Did they tell you what your levels actually were? Levels below 1,200 will double roughly every 24-48 hours. Levels up to 6,000 will increase about 60% every 48-72 hrs. After 6,000 hcg is usually null and void, and your progress and viability should be monitored via ultrasounds, not hcg levels.
I had BW done at 6-7 weeks (3 draws) because I had cramping and spotting. Ultrasound showed correct growth and a heartbeat flickering away. However, my hcg levels were around 5,000 and my OB told me that while the u/s was great, my levels weren't progressing "well" (growth of 60-something-percent over 4 days, I believe), and that they didn't want to give me too much hope. I'm now almost 16 weeks along.
All this to say -- at 6.5 weeks, your levels are likely above 5,000 and they should be going by an ultrasound versus your hcg levels to see the progress of the pregnancy.
My first test was 10,994 miu/ml and the second was 15,531 miu/ml. So it sounds like maybe it won't be doubling every 2 days now since it's so high? Thank you for the information. The nurse I spoke with on the phone was just really discouraging and I was so flustered I didn't know what questions to ask. I have my first ultrasound appointment in a couple weeks. Congratulations to you:) it's good to hear everything is going well.
@beauty_b23 - Yeah, if you're above 10,000, you won't be doubling for quite a few days. At 6.5 weeks, your level is awesome. Like I said - mine was like 5,000/6,000 at 6 weeks and my last draw at just over 7 weeks was like 8,000 or something like that. So I wasn't even close to doubling in 48-72 hrs.
Definitely take anything you're being told with a grain of salt. I cried on the way home after my appt and getting my blood draw results, and had friends who calmed me down and shared the information I shared with you, which prompted me to do my own research. At this point - don't focus on your HCG levels. They're going in the appropriate direction, and honestly, they're doubling in the appropriate time. Wait for the ultrasound, and go from there.
Re: Hormone levels aren't rising as they should be.
Levels below 1,200 will double roughly every 24-48 hours. Levels up to 6,000 will increase about 60% every 48-72 hrs. After 6,000 hcg is usually null and void, and your progress and viability should be monitored via ultrasounds, not hcg levels.
I had BW done at 6-7 weeks (3 draws) because I had cramping and spotting. Ultrasound showed correct growth and a heartbeat flickering away. However, my hcg levels were around 5,000 and my OB told me that while the u/s was great, my levels weren't progressing "well" (growth of 60-something-percent over 4 days, I believe), and that they didn't want to give me too much hope. I'm now almost 16 weeks along.
All this to say -- at 6.5 weeks, your levels are likely above 5,000 and they should be going by an ultrasound versus your hcg levels to see the progress of the pregnancy.
Me: 30 | DH: 34 | DSS: 14 | DS: 4
PG #2, EDD 10/12/2023
Thank you for the information. The nurse I spoke with on the phone was just really discouraging and I was so flustered I didn't know what questions to ask. I have my first ultrasound appointment in a couple weeks.
Congratulations to you:) it's good to hear everything is going well.
At 6.5 weeks, your level is awesome. Like I said - mine was like 5,000/6,000 at 6 weeks and my last draw at just over 7 weeks was like 8,000 or something like that. So I wasn't even close to doubling in 48-72 hrs.
Definitely take anything you're being told with a grain of salt.
I cried on the way home after my appt and getting my blood draw results, and had friends who calmed me down and shared the information I shared with you, which prompted me to do my own research.
At this point - don't focus on your HCG levels. They're going in the appropriate direction, and honestly, they're doubling in the appropriate time. Wait for the ultrasound, and go from there.
Me: 30 | DH: 34 | DSS: 14 | DS: 4
PG #2, EDD 10/12/2023