Low HCG levels - can anyone help?

[gemxgem]

Hi ladies

I had a positive test on Tuesday so I booked myself into the docs on Wednesday and had my bloods done - they have come back today with only a weak positive - 64!
The digital said I was 1-2 weeks pregnant. My LMP was 20th November (and this is also what they put on my blood paperwork) - BUT I had a long cycle last time of 34 days, which would make my ovulation later and I am almost certain I ovulated on day 23, which would make me when the test was done 15DPO. Is this level 'normal' for 15DPO? They receptionist said it wasn't normal and should be in the 100s, but I am wondering whether they are basing this on my LMP which would make me 3 weeks +1 day pregnant, but I believe I am actually 2 weeks + 1 day pregnant.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I worried sick now! Took a urine test this morning and it was a bit paler than normal. HELP!

 

[sammyc1989]

The digi tests say positive 1-2 weeks at above 10 HCG and less than 50 HCG, as far as I know. So if you got it at say between 10 and 32 HCG on tuesday, then in the last 2 days it is possible that you could have doubled between the last 2 days!

You need a comparison test really, they shouldnt be going off just 1 test!

 

[Qqltsmejen]

I pulled this off the americanpregnancy website

Guideline to hCG levels during pregnancy:

hCG levels in weeks from LMP (gestational age)* :
3 weeks LMP: 5 - 50 mIU/ml
4 weeks LMP: 5 - 426 mIU/ml
5 weeks LMP: 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml
6 weeks LMP: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml
7 - 8 weeks LMP: 7,650 - 229,000 mIU/ml
9 - 12 weeks LMP: 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml
13 - 16 weeks LMP: 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml
17 - 24 weeks LMP: 4,060 - 165,400 mIU/ml
25 - 40 weeks LMP: 3,640 - 117,000 mIU/ml
Non-pregnant females: <5.0 mIU/ml
Postmenopausal: <9.5 mIU/ml

 

[Qqltsmejen]

It also says

**Remember - These numbers are just a GUIDELINE -- every woman&#8217;s hormone level can rise differently. It is not necessarily the level that matters but rather the change in the level

 

[gemxgem]

Thanks, the receptionist was just very matter of fact, telling me to come back in a week and if the levels have risen then its good and if they have got lower then thats bad! Yer okay thanks!
I think they may have been basing it on my LMP and not the fact that I had a long cycle, I don't think I can wait a week!

 

[sammyc1989]

Try not to worry hun, i've been through this a couple weeks ago and worrying doesnt really help I know its easier said than done but try to keep busy! x

 

[mixedbeautyx]

Its all about the doubling. Goodluck xx

 

[gemxgem]

thank you, I have been searching the net for answers and found this:


* At 14 DPO, the average HCG level is 48 mIU/ml, with a typical range of 17-119 mIU/ml.
* At 15 DPO, the average HCG level is 59 mIU/ml, with a typical range of 17-147 mIU/ml.
* At 16 DPO, the average HCG level is 95 mIU/ml, with a typical range of 33-223 mIU/ml.
* At 17 DPO, the average HCG level is 132 mIU/ml, with a typical range of 17-429 mIU/ml.
* At 18 DPO, the average HCG level is 292 mIU/ml, with a typical range of 70-758 mIU/ml.

So it would seem I could be in the normal range. I really hope so. Damn it got to wait a week now!!!

 

[sammyc1989]

lol you're as bad as me with your googlings

 

[gemxgem]

lol you're as bad as me with your googlings

I am terrible for it! I think my OH thinks im obsessive, but the net always seems to have the answers im looking for!

 

[sammyc1989]

Mmmm but beware - sometimes you can find an answer (as I did) that you DON'T want - and then find out that it's actually rubbish anyway!

And you can spend days or even weeks worrying about that thing when it will never happen/doesnt matter!

 

[gemxgem]

Yes I've done that too!

Don't know if I'm overthinking but if I did ovulate on day 23 then implantation happened about last Wednesday so the level would be about right wouldn't it? I took a test on Saturday and it was negative so in 5 days it's gone up to 64 and that was a 10ml test too. Xx

 

[filipenko32]

Gem why is a receptionist giving you medical advice? Your number sounds perfectly in range to me and anyway it's the doubling that matters in 48-72 hours not the number! You could use Internet cheapies to see if your line is getting darker and rule out a chemical, that's what I always do. Otherwise I really think you'll be just fine x

 

[TryinFor1]

The nurse told me to be very worried about my HCG results too.

At 4 weeks (14dpo), it was 34
At 4+3 weeks (17dpo), it was 85
at 5+1 weeks (22dpo), it was almost 600.

Now my nurse is telling me congratulations. It is all about doubling time. If your next one comes back as though they have doubled at least every 72 hours, then you are good to go.

When the nurse told me I should be worried, I stressed and didnt get out of bed for three days till my next beta and results. It was awful. Stress is not good for the baby. I am STILL stressing out because I just want everything to be ok. Lol. Just try to keep your head up and not stress out the next week.

I do have a standing order at a lab for the next six months to make sure baby levels are doing ok but my DR thinks my pregnancy will progress fine and my levels started out lower than yours.

 

[filipenko32]

Aww tryin that is just awful you were so caused so much stress makes me

 

[LivForHim]

Try not to worry hon! My first level was only a 67 and they were fine with that level! I agree, why is the receptionist giving you medical advice? She shouldn't be telling you anything! That is a great starting level...I wouldn't worry! I'm sure all is going just fine! Keep us updated and Good Luck!!

 

[TryinFor1]

Whenever I tried to switch OBGYNs (I was pissed the nurse told me to be worried), I called the DR my mom goes to and tried to go there. I told them my HCG levels and that the nurse from my OBGYN said that I should be worried. Not even five seconds later, she said "we cant let you see the doctor because your levels are so low. They should be in the thousands." UHM, no....no they shouldnt. There really is no like "correct" level they should be at. It is 100% about how they double. Mine doubled every 42 hours which is better than 48 hours.

Basically, I told my mom that the RECEPTIONIST said this and my mom called up there and screamed at them all and told them that stress can contribute to a miscarriage and them spreading false medical advice to newly pregnant women is what is going to cause them to miscarry and just stuff like that. She especially let the lady who talked to me have it! The bitch (sorry) tried to tell my mom that she never said that to me. HAHAHA. Cause my mom is gonna believe you over me? Anyway, I love my mommy.

Your levels are seriously fine. I bet that your next beta will be sky high!

 

[gemxgem]

Thanks girls I appreciate all your advice. I was feeling a bit down so stupid me went and bought a digital thinking it would say 2-3 weeks and it still says 1-2 weeks?! I ovulated 2 weeks and 2 days ago so I should surely be in the 2-3 week range now? Grrr I don't want to send myself crazy, wish there were urine tests that actually told you the hcg level!

 

[TigerLady]

Go by your o date, not your LMP. Especially if you o'd on cd23, that is almost 10 days later than the docs are assuming you o'd. 10 days makes a big difference in early hcg.

If you are 15dpo, your numbers are fine.

 

[gemxgem]

The nurse told me to be very worried about my HCG results too.

At 4 weeks (14dpo), it was 34
At 4+3 weeks (17dpo), it was 85
at 5+1 weeks (22dpo), it was almost 600.

Now my nurse is telling me congratulations. It is all about doubling time. If your next one comes back as though they have doubled at least every 72 hours, then you are good to go.

When the nurse told me I should be worried, I stressed and didnt get out of bed for three days till my next beta and results. It was awful. Stress is not good for the baby. I am STILL stressing out because I just want everything to be ok. Lol. Just try to keep your head up and not stress out the next week.

I do have a standing order at a lab for the next six months to make sure baby levels are doing ok but my DR thinks my pregnancy will progress fine and my levels started out lower than yours.

Thanks for that, knowing there are others out there that started with low hcg levels is comforting xxx