Lab Results & confusion

katielynn25

I got my lab resluts from my first blood draw and they said everything looks fabulous but they want me to come in and do another draw to check hcg levels.  They were a little on the low side so they want to make certain everything is ok.

Along those lines, I'm really confused about how far along I am. It seems like I find a different answer everywhere I look.  I o'd on Sept 4 which was cd 23.  My last period started on Aug 13th. I think my hcg appears low because the dr was calculating my due date based on a 28 cycle when I'm about 8 days longer.  It's not a big deal but it would be nice to know how far along I really am. Any thoughts

spacystasi

I think Dr.s always calculate based upon the first day of your last menstrual cycle.  Usually they will do an ultrasound within the first trimester, and that will give them a better date for an EDD.  If it's within just a few days of the previous EDD, they probably won't change it on your charts, but if it's a week or more apart they will probably go by the new due date.

mishquiche

Glad things are looking good.  I hope you get a good answer about your EDD soon!

jcyahne

Did they tell you what your HCG level was?

Seattle_JiLLn

HCG can be all over the place for people.  They probably are having you come back b/c what really matters is that the HCG doubles in 2-3 days.

Since you definitely know when you ovulated, base your EDD from your ovulation date.   Most of the on line calculators will have that option.  If not, just take your ovulation date, and back up 14 days, and pretend that's your LMP date.  then it will calculate it correctly.

And next time you see your doc, remind him that you ovulated late and that you know exactly when you conceived and that you know your EDD from that.  If he's not an idiot, he'll work from there.

N.CarolinaGirl

I bet you're dead on about your doc not taking your longer cycle into consideration. 

 But I can't help but wonder - why isn't he listening to you about this?

katielynn25

12 dpo my hcg level was 128. I haven't met with my midwife yet, just the nurse so we will talk about it at our first appointment on Oct. 9th.

Seattle_JiLLn

that's not low at all!  That's really good.   Just think - most tests have a level of around 25 that they can detect I think.  And you can usually barely get a positive that early.   So you are good.   I think I was in that range at 14DPO usuallly... and you should be more like 250 by 14 DPO.

KWagner0405

I am experiencing the same thing! I had my blood drawn for the first time yesterday and my HcG levels were also low. So low that they think I am 2-3 weeks along, but the date of my last period is telling me I am 5 weeks along. I also have a longer cycle (30-33 days), and I ovulate about 16-18 days after the first day of my period, instead of the "normal" 11-14.

My Dr. says everything looks great, but I am going back on Friday to retest. Hopefully they can figure out how far along I am.

It's good to hear that I am not alone.

Seattle_JiLLn

They can't think you're 2 weeks along if you get a positive pregnancy test.  at 2 weeks "pregnant" you are just ovulating and conceiving.   I think they mean they think your fetus is 2 or 3 weeks old right?  That would be 4-5 weeks pregnant.  Which is what you think you are.  

KWagner0405

Thank you for responding and yes, you are right. I am completely lost and still learning about how to calculate all of this, etc. It's absolutely confusing. I took another blood test today and my levels have doubled, which is great.

Seattle_JiLLn

yeah the whole date thing is so stupid b/c you're 2 weeks "pregnant" before you even ovulate and have sex.    It's just that they go by your period rather than when you ovulate historically since that's all women tend to know.   So even though pregnancy is 40 weeks, you pretty much get the first 4 weeks "free".