Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Ultrasound Has A Dark Shadow. Does This Mean I Am Pregnant?
on the 25th had an ultrasound to check if i was pregnant due to a test claiming positive pregnancy. well in the ultrasound there was a dark shadow about the length of my index finger and as wide as a pencil. does this mean i could be pregnant there was no sack though. This is my second pregnancy as well but yesterday the 1st of march 2013 went to wodonga hospital to have bloods done for chronic hives an the checked my HCG levels and apparently there is none..... what could cause this pregnancy test to be positive and my uterus to be open with a dark shadow but no HCG levels anymore am i pregnant or is it something else causing this i really need help
Tue, 5 Mar 2013
hi there, you need to get your pregnancy test once more to rule out any random error of the test strip. If your serum HCG levels are that of a nonpregnent state then the urine test is a false positive.Your discription of the ultrasound finding is not very conclusive of pregnacy and if it is just a dark shadow seen in the uterine cavity it could be just the endometrial thickness which is normal depending on the menstural day you are in. Get a proper ultrasound done by a radiologist who will be able to interprate the findings more conclusively and put your mind to rest. As per the pregnancy part you may reconfirm it with the help of a urine preg.test and a serum HCG levels. Take care.
I find this answer helpful
2 Doctors agree with this answer
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
First of all i would like to point out that the findings on ultrasound depends on your gestational age.
During the very early weeks,the only thing that might be picked up would be endometrial thickening and then at about 5weeks or so,the gestational sac becomes the first part of pregnancy that can be visualized on ultrasound. Fetal poles appear afterwards and then at 6weeks+ the fetal heartbeat is appreciated.
Secondly,one of the markers used in checking for pregnancy is the beta - HCG, so it quite confusing if your pregnancy test is positive and the labs was not able to pick up HCG levels in your blood.
I suggest you do a repeat ultrasound scan after some weeks and repeat the serum HCG test.
Thanks alot. Wish you well.
Thanks for your query.
First of all i would like to point out that the findings on ultrasound depends on your gestational age.
During the very early weeks,the only thing that might be picked up would be endometrial thickening and then at about 5weeks or so,the gestational sac becomes the first part of pregnancy that can be visualized on ultrasound. Fetal poles appear afterwards and then at 6weeks+ the fetal heartbeat is appreciated.
Secondly,one of the markers used in checking for pregnancy is the beta - HCG, so it quite confusing if your pregnancy test is positive and the labs was not able to pick up HCG levels in your blood.
I suggest you do a repeat ultrasound scan after some weeks and repeat the serum HCG test.
Thanks alot. Wish you well.
I find this answer helpful
3 Doctors agree with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Abortion
Loading Online Doctors....