question about hcg levels (BFP & loss)

mcodea88 · December 2014

hi ladies! At 9 weeks I lost my bean. I had a D&E done on the 22nd of December. I decided this morning to take a pg test (wondfo) to see if I still had hcg in my system. I got a faint second line which leads me to believe I'm still producing it or it's still in my system from when I was pg. So does anyone have any knowledge of how long this stays in your system? I am assuming as long as it's there I won't get AF. I'm TTC again, not yet, but I'm waiting for all my body's ducks to get in a row if you know what I mean.

Thanks so much!

PinkCamino · December 2014

mcodea88 said:

hi ladies! At 9 weeks I lost my bean. I had a D&E done on the 22nd of December. I decided this morning to take a pg test (wondfo) to see if I still had hcg in my system. I got a faint second line which leads me to believe I'm still producing it or it's still in my system from when I was pg. So does anyone have any knowledge of how long this stays in your system? I am assuming as long as it's there I won't get AF. I'm TTC again, not yet, but I'm waiting for all my body's ducks to get in a row if you know what I mean. Thanks so much!

I'm so sorry for your loss.

You had a D&C 8 days ago so I'm not surprised you still have residual HCG. My doctor asked me to POAS HPT 1 month after my procedure to confirm that it was negative.

I see you said you're going to start TTC - how long did your doctor tell you to wait?

PinkCamino · December 2014

Kellybenelly83 said:

It can take a while to get out of your system fully. Once it does (mine took about 4 weeks) then your body will start its cycle over but it can still be a little wonky for a while.
I'm sorry for your loss.

It's a little different with D&Cs. The lining is scraped super thin so the healing process takes some time. Some ladies wait 10+ weeks for AF to return.

Leahks77 · December 2014

I'm so sorry for your loss. It definitely varies case to case but I got a negative HPT around 3wks after and AF came 32 days after my D&C (so about a week and a half after negative HPT). I was 12wks when I had the procedure but baby stopped growing at 8. I know this can effect the numbers as well? I hope your body resets itself quickly. The waiting is rough.

katib77 · December 2014

My HCG was tracked after my loss at 9 weeks (med miso loss at home no d&c) it took 4 weeks before it was below 25 (what will still pick up on an hpt) but then to get below 5 took forever - like an additional 5 weeks. I did get AF when it was down around 25 so you might get AF even when there is a very faint line.

catvaughn5002 · December 2014

I don't have any experience here but I'm sorry for your loss. I hope AF shows for you soon.

mcodea88 · December 2014

@pinkcamino, the Dr said to wait 2 cycles, but really that's only because the first cycle will be wonky, so the second may be easier for me. I'm not sure if it matters that I had a D&E and not a D&C, and also, that the Dr who performed it advised me she literally just takes out the things that need to come out right away, and she doesn't scrape the uterus because that can lead to scarring which we also don't want. I'm hoping that helps me too. After the D&E, literally the next morning, I felt like a million bucks. I had a terrible week miscarrying, I was doubled over for about 5 days. And they said to expect cramping after the D&E, but honestly I didn't have any. I just didn't feel sick anymore.

It's sad, all of this. It was my first pregnancy... I was / am devastated by this. On a wednesday, the U/S showed baby with a strong heartbeat, and 5 days later, no heartbeat. Those 5 days were shit!! Bed rest, and in so much discomfort.

I tried shutting down all the emails and alerts I got - but two days ago, I got an email from the bump saying "congratulations on week 10!". I wanted to burst into tears.

I have a list of questions for the dr for Monday. I want to be taken seriously and I'm worried they'll think I'm overthinking things... do you mind if I post them here? See what you all think?

meredithcarole · December 2014

I was able to turn a test + for about 3 and a half weeks after my D&C.

Go ahead an ask your questions. We will answer what we know. Don't feel like anything is a "stupid" question. It's a very confusing time and you have a right to learn as much about your situation as you can.

rmpar29 · December 2014

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TB, but this is my understanding of a D&C vs D&E based on my googling. A D&C is usually done for a 1st Tri loss, while a D&E is usually done for a 2nd or 3rd Tri loss. D&E involved dilating the cervix more (4-5 cm vs 1-2 cm) and the need for more surgical instruments. Now, some clinics use these terms interchangeably, although they are not the same procedure. Either can use scraping or vacuum, so I would think there's still a need to hold off on trying for the 2 cycles like your doctor has advised.

I would think you would still have HCG in your system, for how long is anyone's guess. Is your doctor's following your betas to 0?

mcodea88 · December 2014

OK here it goes...

Progesterone - was tested prior to becoming pg, it was low. Nothing done at the time. Got pregnant and i had to point out to the DR ( who prob didn't look at my chart) that my Prog was low pre pregnancy, so he tested it at about 5.5 weeks and it was good - 22.4 It was never tested again although I did ask for it to be tested. They said once you hear the heartbeat on the US (I did at 6 weeks - saw it, didn't hear it) then there is no need to test blood levels again. I feel like I should have been monitored more? Especially since prog is important in maintaining pregnancy. And from the little I have read, it fluctuates and can go down. So 22.4 at 5.5 weeks could have been 8.0 at 8 weeks. No one would know.

After coming off the pill, and also while/ I was on it, I struggled with a hormone imbalance. While on it, I'd get migraines and yeast infections every month around the 4th week (AF week). But I'd never get my period (I was on Loestrin 24 and NEVER got my period). I'd also get night sweats - literally soaking through my clothes in the middle of the night. Then, when I went off the pill in June, I had MAJOR hair loss, plus my skin on my face, and my hair was SO oily you'd think I was a homeless person. It was embarrassing. I was so oily. I dealt with the oil, but the hair loss was extreme. I read it can happen after coming off the pill, but I feel like it's another sign of hormone issues.

My LP is short - from 8-10 days, no longer. That's not great I know. Also - ovulation is supremely irregular (I chalked it up to coming off the pill). I'd ovulate at CD 29, CD 39, CD 21...

After coming off the pill, when I got AF, it was only 1-2 days at the most. Never a second longer. and SUPER light. I also chalked this up to coming off the pill, things are wonky. But again - feel it could more represent hormone issues.

I had NO symptoms of being pregnant except tender breasts. NONE. Then, around week 7.5, my breasts stopped hurting altogether. Never came back. Not sure if that's a sign of hormones changing again, low Prog?

OK that's my list so far, what do you think?

mcodea88 · December 2014

@rmpar29 my doctor is following NOTHING.

PinkCamino · December 2014

mcodea88 said:

@rmpar29 my doctor is following NOTHING.

You need to find a new doctor. There is a ton of speculation going on in here and unfortunately none of us are doctors and as a result I really hesitate to make any suggestions. The one thing I can tell you is that I had virtually no symptoms with my pregnancy that made it to 21 weeks so the lack of symptoms doesn't necessarily correlate to a progesterone issue.

The light AF, the sporadic and unpredictable O and the shorter LP are all things you need to be discussing with your Doc.

Best of luck.

SunshineShades · December 2014

With my d&c it took 5 weeks before I was below 5 for HCG. 48 days before I had AF return.

Sorry for your loss *hugs*

[Deleted User] · December 2014

After my D&C it took 4 weeks for my HCG levels to go back below 5 and it was another week before AF came. I'd ask if your doctor can give you weekly beta draws to track it down to O.

gscoville · January 2015

It took over 7 weeks for my HCG to return to zero after my loss at 8 weeks - it took about three weeks to go down from the 11,000+ at the time of my surgery to around 300, then it took four more weeks to go down that remaining few hundred. This was determined through weekly blood draws ordered by my doctor, you should definitely find a new doctor if the one you're with won't monitor your levels down to zero.

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