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When During Pregnancy Does The HCG Levels Start Dropping?
Question: Hi there,
I've asked you some questions before. I am currently 10 weeks 1 day with my singleton. Up until now I have gotten HCG tests a couple of times a week. 6 days ago, during my 9th week my results for HCG were 220,000. However today at 10 weeks 1 day I had another HCG test and it was 205,000. I have read at some point that the HCG levels and drops but is it too early to see a drop like this? Or is everything normal about it dropping at this stage? Is it unreliable to use HCG at this stage as an indicator? Scans of the baby have been good so far.
I've asked you some questions before. I am currently 10 weeks 1 day with my singleton. Up until now I have gotten HCG tests a couple of times a week. 6 days ago, during my 9th week my results for HCG were 220,000. However today at 10 weeks 1 day I had another HCG test and it was 205,000. I have read at some point that the HCG levels and drops but is it too early to see a drop like this? Or is everything normal about it dropping at this stage? Is it unreliable to use HCG at this stage as an indicator? Scans of the baby have been good so far.
Brief Answer:
hCG values are unreliable at this stage
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Good to see you back. I am happy to see your pregnancy is running successful.
As we discussed earlier, serum beta hCG blood test are not a reliable parameter of progress in pregnancy after 6 weeks especially when everything is normal.
I see no point in continuing doing serum beta hCG blood values at this stage of pregnancy. They need not drop. They are going to increase but not doubling as accurately.
Ultrasound scan is best way to follow up with pregnancy. Don't do anymore serum beta hCG blood tests. They are of no value. Continue with ultrasound scan.
Let me know if you need any more help.
Regards,
Dr. Mahesh Koregol.
hCG values are unreliable at this stage
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Good to see you back. I am happy to see your pregnancy is running successful.
As we discussed earlier, serum beta hCG blood test are not a reliable parameter of progress in pregnancy after 6 weeks especially when everything is normal.
I see no point in continuing doing serum beta hCG blood values at this stage of pregnancy. They need not drop. They are going to increase but not doubling as accurately.
Ultrasound scan is best way to follow up with pregnancy. Don't do anymore serum beta hCG blood tests. They are of no value. Continue with ultrasound scan.
Let me know if you need any more help.
Regards,
Dr. Mahesh Koregol.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply. I won't do any more, but you seem to have said they just don't double after a certain stage, which is fine. Mine have actually dropped at 10 week mark, so I wanted to know if this is normal at this stage.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
This is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
THis is absolutely normal to have dropped values at this stage. There is nothing to worry about it.
Your pregnancy is going on well and no reason to worry.
Regards
This is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
THis is absolutely normal to have dropped values at this stage. There is nothing to worry about it.
Your pregnancy is going on well and no reason to worry.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have another concern!
I woke up this morning with low down, abdominal pains that feel sort of sharp, in the middle of abdomen and a little sometimes on either side. They are NOT like period pain, but they almost feel like having pulled a muscle, but I haven't done anything physical to cause that to happen apart from stretching and arching back a little before I get out of bed. There was no pain yesterday so I'm a bit puzzled as to why this is suddenly today when I get out of bed. I rested most of the day but the pains are still there - when I stand I can feel this tugging, pulling pain, sometimes a bit sharp.
I'm only just 10 weeks 2 days so I am feeling it is a bit early for something like round ligament pain.
Can you tell me what this might mean?
I woke up this morning with low down, abdominal pains that feel sort of sharp, in the middle of abdomen and a little sometimes on either side. They are NOT like period pain, but they almost feel like having pulled a muscle, but I haven't done anything physical to cause that to happen apart from stretching and arching back a little before I get out of bed. There was no pain yesterday so I'm a bit puzzled as to why this is suddenly today when I get out of bed. I rested most of the day but the pains are still there - when I stand I can feel this tugging, pulling pain, sometimes a bit sharp.
I'm only just 10 weeks 2 days so I am feeling it is a bit early for something like round ligament pain.
Can you tell me what this might mean?
Brief Answer:
Take an antacid
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This pain is due to gastritis. You need to take antacid ónce in the morning before breakfast and in the night before dinner. This should help.
Dont worry about it. Your pregnancy is safe.
Take an antacid
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This pain is due to gastritis. You need to take antacid ónce in the morning before breakfast and in the night before dinner. This should help.
Dont worry about it. Your pregnancy is safe.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I find that a bit of a puzzling answer. The pain is nowhere near my stomach, it is right down low, near my public area, pelvis, lower abdomen and I have no problems above that. ?? I do not think this sounds right.
I have absolutely none of the symptoms of gastritis.????
I have absolutely none of the symptoms of gastritis.????
Brief Answer:
Gastritis / UTI
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The gastritis pain leads to referred pain which radiates down to lower part of stomach during this time of pregnancy. Hence it is possible that this is gastritis. Please see if the pain is relieved by an antacid pill.
If you dont think this is gastritis ( as you know your body better) , the only other possibility at this stage of pregnancy is Urinary tract infection (UTI). Please get urine routine test done to confirm urinary tract infection. You can take medicines for the same if confirmed.
Let me know if you need more help.
Gastritis / UTI
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The gastritis pain leads to referred pain which radiates down to lower part of stomach during this time of pregnancy. Hence it is possible that this is gastritis. Please see if the pain is relieved by an antacid pill.
If you dont think this is gastritis ( as you know your body better) , the only other possibility at this stage of pregnancy is Urinary tract infection (UTI). Please get urine routine test done to confirm urinary tract infection. You can take medicines for the same if confirmed.
Let me know if you need more help.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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