Introduction
When you suspect you might be pregnant, one of the first things that you do is take a pregnancy test or go for a blood test. But the answer lies on the hormone HCG.
Pregnancy kits are sensitive to HCG hormone and show two pink lines if the urine sample has about 20 to 50 mIU/mL of HCG as this hormone surges after conception.
A blood test that confirms pregnancy is called Beta HCG blood test.
This test mainly checks for the amount of HCG in blood to detect pregnancy.
Explore everything about HCG hormone and the role of HCG in pregnancy in this blog.
What is HCG in pregnancy?
Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) also called the pregnancy hormone surges as soon as the fertilised egg attaches to the uterine wall.
This hormone is produced by the placenta and it stimulates the body to produce more estrogen and progesterone to support the baby’s growth and development during pregnancy.
These hormones also help the body to prepare for labor in the later stages of pregnancy.
Role of HCG in pregnancy
Rise in HCG levels is one of the first changes that happens in the body post conception. HCG has multiples roles in pregnancy including:
- Signals the body that you are pregnant and to stop menstruating
- Stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone
- Progesterone helps thicken the uterine lining and keeps the uterus relaxed
- Estrogen helps with the baby’s growth and development and increases blood flow to the placenta.
HCG blood test vs Urine test
Although both urine pregnancy test and Beta HCG blood test are done to detect pregnancy, the blood test for pregnancy known as Beta HCG blood test is said to be more accurate than an at home urine pregnancy test and it can detect pregnancy from as early as 10 to 12 days of conception.
On the other hand, a urine pregnancy test is a convenient and budget friendly option that can be done at home. Home pregnancy kits are said to be reliable if taken at least one day after your missed period.
When does HCG hormone start to rise during pregnancy?
Ideally, HCG hormones start to rise soon after implantation that is around 10-12 days after conception.What is the ideal range of hCG levels during pregnancy?
During the initial phase of pregnancy, there can be a rise in HCG levels week by week and after 9-11 weeks of pregnancy, the HCG levels slowly start to decline.
| Pregnancy Stage | hCG Levels (mIU/mL) |
|---|---|
| Non-pregnant | <5 mIU/mL |
| 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 | 7,650-2,29,000 mIU/mL |
| 9-12 Weeks LMP | 25,700-2,88,000 mIU/mL |
| 13-16 Weeks LMP | 13,300-2,54,000 mIU/mL |
| 17-24 Weeks LMP | 4,060-1,65,400 mIU/mL |
| 25-40 Weeks LMP | 3,640-1,17,000 mIU/mL |
What does a low HCG level mean?
If your HCG levels are lower than the normal range, it is important to wait and repeat the test after 48-72 hours.
This is because HCG levels almost doubles in 48 hours indicating a healthy, progressing pregnancy. If the values are still lower, it is important to seek medical help as reduced HCG levels in pregnancy can indicate various factors including miscalculation of gestational week, miscarriage, chemical pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy.
When does HCG level start to fall during pregnancy?
HCG levels ideally peak around 9-10 weeks of pregnancy and start to gradually decline and remain at lower levels throughout the course of pregnancy.
Conclusion
When it comes to taking a pregnancy test, be it a at-home pregnancy test or a Beta HCG test, HCG hormone plays a crucial role in not just confirming pregnancy but also in stimulating the ovaries to produce more estrogen and progesterone hormones to help with the baby’s growth and development.
Once you take a pregnancy test and find out you are pregnant, it is important to take a Beta HCG blood test to confirm pregnancy followed by an early pregnancy to find the viability, heartbeat and position of the fetus.
To take a Beta HCG blood test or to book your slot for early pregnancy scan, contact Jammi Scans at 7338771733 to book an appointment with Dr. Deepthi Jammi.
If you’ve confirmed your pregnancy, the next important step is to book your early pregnancy scan. At our centre, we offer expert care and clear guidance to help you move forward with peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What level of beta hCG confirms pregnancy?
Generally, beta HCG levels above 25 mIU/mL are considered positive.
02. What are normal hCG levels when not pregnant?
Non pregnant women have some traces of HCG in their body. But the levels are too low. The ideal level of HCG in a non-pregnant woman is usually less than 5 mIU/mL.
03. Should I Check My hCG Level Regularly?
Most pregnant mothers do not require routine HCG level check unless advised by their healthcare provider due to some kind of pregnancy complications.
04. How soon will a pregnancy test show positive?
Ideally, it is recommended to take a pregnancy test at least after a week of your missed period to ensure accurate results.
05. What is the normal HCG range in early pregnancy?
At around 5 weeks of pregnancy, the ideal HCG range is anywhere between 18-7,340 mIU/ml.
06. HCG test for ectopic pregnancy
Although women with ectopic pregnancy have higher HCG hormones than a non-pregnant woman, the HCG levels do not progress as they normally should.
For a mother with a healthy pregnancy, HCG hormone nearly doubles in 48–72 hours. But for those with an ectopic pregnancy, the rise in the hormone is much slower, requiring further intervention.
07. Is 0.100 beta hCG positive in pregnancy?
No. 0.100 HCG isn’t considered positive. A non-pregnant woman has less than <5 mIU/mL of HCG hormone in the body.
Generally, beta HCG levels above 25 mIU/mL are considered positive.
08. What does a 0.2 beta hCG level mean?
Ideally, the normal range of HCG levels in a non-pregnant woman is <5 mIU/mL. So a HCG level of 0.2 is considered negative for pregnancy and it doesn’t mean anything unusual.
09. How accurate is the hCG one step pregnancy test?
Ideally, home pregnancy kits are up to 99% accurate in detecting pregnancy. They are easy to use, convenient and affordable ways to detect pregnancy.
But healthcare experts recommend taking a Beta HCG blood test followed by an early pregnancy scan to confirm pregnancy.
