Low And Slow Rising HCG Levels - Need Experience/Knowledge

FelicityInRain

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum, really need help, and was hoping you could provide some insight into this *hell* I'm going through.....

Okay, so here's the quick version:

I should be 6w1d today.  Last LMP was 1-28-11.  I know I ovulated on CD18.  My doctor is very big into blood drawing and analyzing my numbers.

At 4w3d my HCG was 44.  Progesterone was 17.20
At 4w5d my HCG was 84.
At 5w3d my HCG was 337.
At 5w6d my HCG was 749.  Progesterone was still 17.20

My doctor is telling me that I am not doubling or tripling every 48 hours, and that I am not following the normal curve, and this is concerning.  They should be over 1,000 and we either need to see a huge rise or we will start to see a decline signaling a miscarriage.  This doctor does not do any ultrasounds until 8 weeks.  I decided to get a second opinion, because to me, it seemed like the numbers were still rising and that was a good sign... I also have had zero bleeding.  I know and trust my own doctor, so it's very distressing to have him say this outcome will be bad.  So I go to the second opinion doctor and does an ultrasound and only sees a thickened uterine lining (typical for 2-3 weeks along).  He said we would not see the sac because of the lowness of the numbers.... This doctor DOES NOT test numbers, and he thinks it's pointless.  He tells me to come back in a week (which will be this Tuesday), to see if we can see a sac.  So, now I am in complete limbo, and am scared to death...  This is my first pregnancy, and I never thought it would be ruined this way, or have a bad outcome.

I just wanted to know if any of you have ever experienced this or know anyone who has experienced this.  Good and bad experiences are helpful, as I have already accepted the worst here...  I just need some answers.

Thank you so much for helping.

hopefulelise

I've heard that in early pregnancy the levels should rise every 48-72 hours. I'm not quite sure where the cutoff is when every 48 goes to to every 48-72 as the acceptable norm. I put your numbers into a beta doubling calculator and they doubled between 48-72 hours.

I've had a few pregnancies where my levels were very slowly rising and not doubling like they should. Those ended in miscarriages. I did however google the he** out of it during the time and found success stories with slowly rising betas. However, mine ended badly.

Also, I've read you cannot see anything on ultrasound until your hcg reaches 2,000.

I'm sorry I have no real answers, but just my experience and what I've read in the past.

GL and keep us updated!

JMack1117

With my DD, my first beta was a 17, and doubled closer to 72 hours instead of 48 (which is normal, but still concerning).  Long story short, perfect pregnancy, perfect baby, perfect almost 3 year old now.  Hang in there-sometimes more knowledge isn't helpful--especially when there's nothing you can do about it!

quezzo

Your levels have to be above 2,000 to see anything on the ultrasound, but are you sure you ovulated on CD 18? 

Also, as far as the heartbeat goes, days and even hours can matter at this point. Some people will see an early heartbeat in their fifth week, but it is common for it to not show up on an ultrasound until the middle of the 6th week.

That said, when I had slow rising numbers it ended in a miscarriage. I'm sorry you're going through this. Try to stay positive and take care of your self right now. 

thundercatsarego

I just went through this and I am currently miscarrying. Your numbers are a little higher than mine, but almost the same thing. 

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Try to stay cautiously optimistic. These boards helped me A LOT while I was going through this, so continue to lean on us and keep us updated!!  

Fallon621

Pretty much like the girls said at this point you should be able to see something on an U/S.  It does not look good.  I am very very sorry that you are going through this. 

 If it is confirmed that you are having a M/C then I would suggest going over to the MPL (miscarraige/pregnancy loss) board.  And if you are up to it the TTCAL board for when you are feeling up to trying again. But lurk and post an intro.  The woman on both boards are wonderful and really helped me though my loss.  ((((HUGS))))

Lissa832

Has your doctornmentioned the possibility that it is an ectopic pregnancy. With an ectopic, your numbers will still rise, but not appropriately. In my experience though, this pregnancy is likely not viable. I'm sorry.