Only 1 beta before Ultrasound?

bayareagirl2011 · March 2014

Hi ladies,

I'm new here...have definitely been lurking for awhile and reading the discussions of similar issues have really helped immensely.

To get to the point: is it normal just to have 1 beta before the first ultrasound? I went in for my beta (I asked if I could test early), 10dp3dt, and it came back at 103. She said that was a "normal" number, and no need for any other blood draws prior to the u/s. I was surprised since they monitored me so closely prior to my egg retrieval (I had to get my blood drawn EVERY day for 5 days straight). Is this normal? I guess I'm a planner...I wish they would see me again, so that if there's bad news, I don't get it 2.5 weeks later.

Just a quick background since I'm new...

We just finished a round of IVF, with my egg retrieval on 3/14. We ended up having to go the donor route because the micro TESE on my dh was unsuccessful. No known issues with me. They retrieved 18 eggs, 17 fertilized. I thought they would do a 5 day transfer, but my RE decided to do a 3 day instead, saying he had 4 "perfect 8 cell" and in order to do a 5 day, he likes to have 6. Anyway, I trusted him, and we transferred 2. I first tested 8dp3dt in the PM and came up with 2 positive lines. I was absolutely shocked and so happy. Then, the nest morning, using FMU, the line was noticiably lighter. I was nervous all day and wondered if it was the trigger that was left in my system...or something wasn't going well, but that's when I peeked around on these forums and found loads of helpful info (thank you all). I also asked my RE if I could come in for a beta the next day, a little early, since I was originally scheduled for tomorrow, the 31st. That evening, I tested again, and the line was just as dark as the first night...so many of the stories I've read here was accurate for me - PM was better for testing than AM. Anyway, sorry for the novel, just wanted to say, happy to be here and good luck to all.

imoverit · March 2014

Beta doubling is whats important and one beta doesnt really give much info. However, your u/s will give you the best info but I know its hard to wait. Maybe ask for at least one more beta to ease your mind?

Ruthie04 · March 2014

I have mixed feelings on this one. Since doubling is so important, I think I'd ask for a second to ease my mind. But, I had three betas and I was so anxious about the exact numbers, I thought I'd lose my mind. I suppose this one really depends on your personality. Congratulations on your positive beta and fx for a fabulous ultrasound!!

Dragonfly1226 · March 2014

The emotional answer - I would want a second beta at least so I would have (hopefully) some early encouragement that everything was alright.

The rational answer - After you have a positive beta, subsequent betas can give you some information, but you would most likely need an u/s anyway to know for sure. I always thought the second and third betas were to try to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.

I guess at the end of the day most pregnant ladies take a test and then go see a doctor at eight to twelve weeks. Congratulations on your BFP! Wishing you all the best!

luvboston · March 2014

One beta is ridiculous I would insist on another.

kmc84 · March 2014

Only one beta is a little odd. Like others have said, you want to see the number double. My clinic does a minimum of two betas, usually three before u/s. it looks like you have a great start! Congratulations!

bayareagirl2011 · March 2014

Thanks so much for the responses ladies...I was wondering if I was being paranoid. I may go ahead and ask my OB for the blood test since trekking to my RE is 1.5 hours of sitting in traffic before work. I hope that will be OK.

srveatch · March 2014

I only had one beta when I got pregnant with A. They said that it came back high enough that I didn't need another one. My RE was old school though and has since retired.

itsmevkb · March 2014

The thing with betas is that a low beta may tell you something and a non-doubling beta may tell you something (and mainly hint at bad things) but a normal beta and a doubling beta, although good indicators, are ultimately no guarantee of anything. So, I'm sure that is why your RE doesn't see the need for more than just the one. If it will make you feel better to have a second then definitely ask for one but I'll just warn you, sometimes the more you know, the more it just gives you to obsess over!

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Julie21613 · March 2014

I always had 2-3 betas. A friend of mine had a very high first beta (600 +) and her RE told her they didn't need another. She wasn't comfortable with that so called and asked for another. She had a 2nd 4 days later and it was 3800. So she accepted that and didn't go for any more... she did end up with twins...hence the very high initial beta. Long & short... if it were me, I would ask for a 2nd for peace of mind.

bayareagirl2011 · April 2014

Totally agree with the reasoning that at this point, it's more information than anything. That being said, I wrote my RE an email this morning and they called saying something similar - basically, they thought it was a high enough that it pointed towards a healthy pregnancy, and that additional info wouldn't be really had until the ultrasound. They asked earlier that I continue progesterone, so nothing would be changed there. She said that sometimes the information does more harm than good (which, I can relate to, I AM one of those women that will obsess...but aren't most once we've been through this much already?) They said they would definitely be willing to do a second beta if it eased my mind, so I'm going to go in tomorrow. Hoping all is good. So if my original was 103 on Friday, then by tomorrow...hopefully it should be over 400? Thanks again for the responses, you ladies are the best.

Hels · April 2014

With DD, I had 3 or 4 betas (it was beta hell).

This current pregnancy (22 weeks now after a FET 5 day transfer) I only had one beta. It came back at 155. RE said he didn't need to do any more. I decided that was fine by me since I just couldn't put myself through beta hell ever again. It's definitely not the standard approach though.

bayareagirl2011 · April 2014

Very true..."beta hell" was definitely a very real possibility. Anyway, I took the chance and it came back today at 637. I'm NOT going to ask for a 3rd.

Thanks again, it's nice to know there are all sides to this!

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