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Does A HCG Level Of 15 Mean A Pregnancy?
Hi I'm a 45 yr aged female who had ended up in the ER on June 18th 2011 after having a significant asthma attack with allergic reaction too. I had tobe tested for pregnancy per hospital protocol. Well to my surprise my blood tests came back "positive" with an hcg level of 15! I still haven't had my menses with the last time being on May 8 thru the 14 dates. Today is now June 30th which shows I've missed at least 1 month per my calculations. I did a First Response Gold hot on 6/29/11 but it was negative! I feel like I have a bit of "morning sickness in afternoons too but I'm not certain if it's nerves too. Do you think I could be pregnant or not?
Mon, 28 Nov 2016
Hallow Dear,
Beta hCG levels more than 25 mIU/ml are diagnostic of pregnancy while in non-pregnant state, the levels are under 5 mIU/ml. Levels 0f 15 mIU/ml are low, suggesting rather weak positive test.
Such weak positive test could be due to:
1. Recent Missed abortion where the baby is no more viable and still not expelled out. The hCG levels are dropping down, however are not as low as in non-pregnant state.
2. Ectopic pregnancy wherein the products of conception have been implanted somewhere outside the uterine cavity; most commonly the tube. Such pregnancy does not grow and if ignored lands into the rupture causing sever bleeding inside the abdomen. It requires emergency surgical intervention with many units of blood transfusion. In this condition, all other symptoms of pregnancy like morning sickness and breast symptoms are experienced.
Ultrasonography will sort out the matter. If non-viable baby is seen in the uterine cavity, it is missed abortion demanding evacuation of the uterus ASAP to prevent further complications like bleeding and infection.
If the uterine cavity is empty, it is suggestive of ectopic pregnancy. If ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed before rupture, it can be managed conservatively with medicines like Methotrexate.
Please report to your Gynaecologist ASAP.
I hope you got the message.
Dr. Nishikant Shrotri
Beta hCG levels more than 25 mIU/ml are diagnostic of pregnancy while in non-pregnant state, the levels are under 5 mIU/ml. Levels 0f 15 mIU/ml are low, suggesting rather weak positive test.
Such weak positive test could be due to:
1. Recent Missed abortion where the baby is no more viable and still not expelled out. The hCG levels are dropping down, however are not as low as in non-pregnant state.
2. Ectopic pregnancy wherein the products of conception have been implanted somewhere outside the uterine cavity; most commonly the tube. Such pregnancy does not grow and if ignored lands into the rupture causing sever bleeding inside the abdomen. It requires emergency surgical intervention with many units of blood transfusion. In this condition, all other symptoms of pregnancy like morning sickness and breast symptoms are experienced.
Ultrasonography will sort out the matter. If non-viable baby is seen in the uterine cavity, it is missed abortion demanding evacuation of the uterus ASAP to prevent further complications like bleeding and infection.
If the uterine cavity is empty, it is suggestive of ectopic pregnancy. If ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed before rupture, it can be managed conservatively with medicines like Methotrexate.
Please report to your Gynaecologist ASAP.
I hope you got the message.
Dr. Nishikant Shrotri
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