INCIID’s Beta HCG Chart

INCIID's Pregnancy hCG Beta Chart

Human Chorionic Gondaotropin (hCG) is often referred to as the "pregnancy hormone" because it signals the ovary that an egg has been fertilized and the cells are dividing. In response, the ovary continues producing progesterone which fosters the continued growth and development of the embryo. hCG is the first hormone to herald pregnancy, first appearing when an embryo has as few as 6-8 cells. As the number of cells increases, the amount of hCG produced increases as well. Home Pregnancy Tests (HPTs) can detect this hormone in your urine a few days before your expected menstrual bleeding begins, providing advanced notice of a pregnancy. An hCG-beta blood test is much more sensitive than an HPT, and can detect pregnancy as early as 8-10 days after fertilization.

More important than the hCG value is how it changes over time. Although most people expect the hCG to double every two days during the early weeks of pregnancy, an increase of as little as 60% is still very reassuring that all is going well. If you have received an hCG injection (Profasi, Pregnyl) to trigger ovulation or to lengthen the luteal phase of your cycle, trace amounts can remain in your system as long  as one week after your last injection; resulting in a false positive on a pregnancy test, or, creating a misleading trend in hCG production. To confirm a pregnancy related increase in hCG compare two or more consecutive quantitative hCG beta blood tests, preferably done by the same lab. If your level increases progressively, you have an on-going pregnancy. .

An hCG level of less than 5 mIU/ml generally indicates you are not pregnant.

Pregnant women usually attain serum concentrations of 10 to 50 mIU in the week following conception. The hCG level will rise progressively during the first trimester—reflecting the rapid growth of the placenta that is producing it. These levels then plateau before they go down during the third trimester. This hormone will then disappear following delivery until the next pregnancy occurs.

Robert Greene, MD, FACOG (Read His Bio)

Ask Dr. Greene a early pregnancy question on the INCIID Pregnancy Forum
Medical Director (Email Dr. Greene through link below)
Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicine

Dr. Greene discusses HCG very thoroughly in his new and excellent book: PERFECT HORMONE BALANCE FOR FERTILITY

Every aspect of pregnancy—from your ability to conceive to your risk of a preterm delivery—is affected by your hormonal health. But if you’re like many women, you don’t know the critically important role hormones play at every stage of your pregnancy. In Dr. Robert Greene’s Perfect Hormone Balance for Pregnancy, Dr. Greene, a world-renowned hormone expert, incorporates his years of research into a practical plan for maintaining excellent hormone health throughout your pregnancy.

Balanced hormones are essential to a healthy pregnancy for you and for optimal brain development for your baby. Dr. Greene’s groundbreaking Perfect Balance Pregnancy Program, which follows all the guidelines recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, shows you how to overcome and avoid common factors that create hormonal imbalance—including overeating, insufficient sleep, chronic stress, and the chemicals found in food, water, and cosmetics. With this easy-to-follow plan for maintaining proper hormone balance, you’ll understand:

• why your symptoms matter
• the importance of diet and exercise
• what is the appropriate weight gain for your body
• how to reduce tension and improve sleep
• why and how to avoid environmental toxins

The Perfect Balance Pregnancy Program arms you with the tools you need before, during, and after pregnancy to stay healthy and feel great.

Visit Dr. Greene's pregnancy blog