Really low hcg levels and spotting?

clb1984 · February 2016

Has anyone else had any experience with really low hcg levels and spotting? My last period started Dec30 and my cycle is usually31 days. I got a positive hpt last Saturday, but very faintly. I wasn't temping so I'm not sure when I ovulated. I had some very faint spotting last Saturday evening, then nothing until Thursday. I had some spotting Thursday and then yesterday after a bm where I strained. I had my blood taken Thursday and my hcg was really low, 208. I got them taken again today and will get them taken again in 48 hours, but in the mean time I'm wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences in this or previous pregnancies? The Dr said that one number can't tell him anything, he needs to see how much it rises, and that I could be less far along than I thought, but it could be a sign it's not viable. Of course I'm a big worrier now and can't help but think the worst. It's crazy how quickly you get attached/how much you worry, usually I'm very level headed!

vanmercer · February 2016

I am in the same boat. For a week I have been having blood work every few days, bleeding and the response of we'll wait and see. Frustrating! My sister in law is a doctor and many doctors friends who all deliver babies. They say slow rises or spikes in hcg are normal and so is bleeding and that some patients have had bleeding all through pregnancy with positive results. May be a miscarriage for me but just means baby wouldn't have been healthy or had a good life and no indication of future positive outcomes. Hang in there. They are expecting a few weeks of testing before they can tell me for sure about viability.

Hillzy30 · February 2016

I've been going through the same thing - lots of bleeding and spotting. My hcg levels weren't low (and did rise as they should) but it's still nerve wracking until we go for our u/s next week. All we can do is hang in there. I'm sorry you're dealing with this and hoping you get good results from your second draw.

alysie89 · February 2016

I'm sorry to hear things are so stressful! Hopefully it will all be okay!

Low HCG for a lot of people is normal, and so is spotting. I know with HCG there is a huge range of accepted levels. I was on the lower end one pregnancy and all turned out well. I was about a week behind ovulating than where I thought it should be due to stress -or so we guessed at the time (I got married 4 days after my bfp)

Spotting is also super normal and common, and I've (in other pregnancies) had a significant amount of spotting.
Both times I had happy healthy pregnancies, unfortunately though the only way to know is time.

I hope you have a happy and healthy 9 months ahead of you!

quailbeach · February 2016

Maybe check out betabase.info ? They have some great charts on average numbers and doubling times. I hope you get a good rise on your next beta!

clb1984 · February 2016

Thanks ladies, it helps to know others are going through/have been through similar things. Good luck in all your pregnancies

. @vanmercer that is a good way to look at it and I'm trying to keep that in mind if this one doesn't work out, keeps it in perspective. Good luck with all your testing too.
I didn't know about betabase, just checked it out, it's really interesting! OK, going to hang tight and try not to worry until Monday, I'll update when I get the next numbers, fingers crossed!

2015dee · February 2016

208 in and of itself isn't "low." For comparison, my first beta was 110 (at what I think was 14-15dpo, but could be off). My second was 332. It's the rise that matters, not the initial number. I'd guess that maybe you ovulated later than normal or something like that. The spotting can be normal in some pregnancies, but it can also be a sign of m/c in others. You'll just have to see how that number rises. The waiting game is the WORST!!

missteacherlady16 · February 2016

One beta won't tell you much. Hcg can vary widely in the beginning. It's more important that you see hcg levels doubling every 48-72 hours. Fx you see an increase in your next draw!

kgracea · February 2016

Hey @clb1984 I haven't had any spotting yet, but my HCG levels are low as well, or they're at least not rising like they should be. My doctor hasn't mentioned anything to me about my progesterone levels, but my friends have told me to start taking progesterone supplements. I'm not 100% if they avoid a miscarriage or if they will help my HCG levels, but they've all had success after taking them. My doctor didn't have much to say about them and said there's not real proof they help but she still have me a prescription and I just started trying them yesterday. My first US and heartbeat check is Monday and I'm a nervous wreck. I've had two prior miscarriages so this will be my 3rd pregnancy.

missteacherlady16 · February 2016

kgracea said:

Hey @clb1984 I haven't had any spotting yet, but my HCG levels are low as well, or they're at least not rising like they should be. My doctor hasn't mentioned anything to me about my progesterone levels, but my friends have told me to start taking progesterone supplements. I'm not 100% if they avoid a miscarriage or if they will help my HCG levels, but they've all had success after taking them. My doctor didn't have much to say about them and said there's not real proof they help but she still have me a prescription and I just started trying them yesterday. My first US and heartbeat check is Monday and I'm a nervous wreck. I've had two prior miscarriages so this will be my 3rd pregnancy.

please do not take progesterone supplements unless prescribed by a doctor.

Unfortunately, the studies are kind of mixed on progesterone supplements and miscarriage. Some feel that it just delays the inevitable. And different doctors/labs have varying baselines for a normal progesterone level.

Low hcg should not be a concern unless you are having regular draws to check for doubling every 48-72 hours and the value is not increasing as it should.

kgracea · February 2016

Yes my HCG levels are not increasing like they should. I asked about progesterone supplements to my doctor and she left it up to me to decide. I was interested in trying anything that may help so she wrote me a prescription.

SuperKristy85 · February 2016

From how far along it sounds like you are (between 3-4 weeks?) those numbers are within the correct range, but your doctors right theres no way to know until you get your next set. I am also having my hcg levels monitored. Its pretty frustrating waiting! Im sorry your going through this and I hope it works out positively

clb1984 · February 2016

Just got a call from my Dr, they seem to have lost my numbers from my Saturday sample, but my Tuesday sample (Monday was a holiday here in Ontario) came back at 1340, so it looks like they have doubled every 48 hours. Huge sigh of relief here! I'm going back for another sample tomorrow and an ultrasound Friday, fingers crossed everything is healthy and happy:) I've had a little more spotting, but very very light, I'm still hoping the other tests put my mind at ease, so I can stop panicking every time I pee!
Thanks for the advice ladies, good luck with everyone who is waiting for their hcg levels

feel free to post what they are as seeing other people's experiences really helped me when i was waiting:)

SuperNerd42 · February 2016

Glad you had good results come back @clb1984 !

Mine are really low too, but fingers crossed it's because I got a positive so early. My first betas were drawn on 10 dpo and came back at 30. Today's for 12 dpo was 109! My doctor wants to have it repeated again on Friday, as well as checking progesterone.

I've had to explain a few times that my cycles are really long and my last period will not be accurate- I should be over 5 weeks along based on that!

clb1984 · February 2016

Hey @SuperNerd42 , how much behind where the Dr would put you do you think you are? I got more numbers back today which doubled again to 2690, which is reassuring, but i had my ultrasound and there's just a sac in my uterus at this point, he said I'd be measuring at closer to 4-5 weeks from the ultrasound, but based on days my Dr has me at 7-8. I was expecting to be a bit earlier with a slightly longer cycle... But that seems like a lot! Will just have to wait another10 days and check again...
@vanmercer , @Hillzy30 and @kgracea , how did ladies get on with your betas/waiting game? Hope everyone is happy and healthy!

SuperNerd42 · February 2016

@clb1984 my fingers are crossed for you! I'm 4 weeks according to my own chart and knowledge of my cycles, but doctors office has me at 5w 4d. My numbers today were 281- so they did double again. I'm going in again next Friday to check again. Once they get high enough she'll do an ultrasound. Until then it's just a waiting game!

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