Information about hCG Levels
The
pregnancy hormone, called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is first
found in a pregnant woman's blood as early as 7 to 8 days after
conception. Early pregnancy testing is generally based on the detection
or measurement of hCG levels. Blood and urine tests made during your
pregnancy are taken to measure the hCG levels.
hCG levels in Early Pregnancy
hCG levels in
Early Pregnancy. The hormone hCG is made by the developing embryo soon after
conception and later by part of the placenta. The purpose of hCG is to
maintain progesterone production that is critical for a pregnancy in
humans. As a pregnancy grows, hCG increases.
Chart of normal hCG levels
The serum
test (blood test) uses 2-4 mL of venous blood for testing. The serum hCG
levels are measured from the LMP (last menstrual
period). The chart of normal hCG levels using the serum test
(blood test) is as follows:
|
Chart of normal hCG
levels |
|
Non-pregnant women |
Under
5.0 mIU/ml |
| 3 weeks since LMP |
5 - 50
mIU/ml |
|
4
weeks since LMP |
5 -
426 mIU/ml |
|
5
weeks since LMP |
18 -
7,340 mIU/ml |
|
6
weeks since LMP |
1,080
- 56,500 mIU/ml |
|
7 - 8
weeks since LMP |
7, 650
- 229,000 mIU/ml |
|
9 - 12
weeks since LMP |
25,700
- 288,000 mIU/ml |
|
13 -
16 weeks since LMP |
13,300
- 254,000 mIU/ml |
|
17 -
24 weeks since LMP |
4,060
- 165,400 mIU/ml |
|
25 -
40 weeks since LMP |
3,640
- 117,000 mIU/ml |
|
Chart of normal hCG
levels |
Twins hCG levels - hCG levels for multiples
Twins hcg
levels or hcg levels for multiples. The serum test (blood test) for
testing hCG levels can help to confirm if you are going to have twins or
multiples because you will have higher hCG levels with a twin or
multiple pregnancy. However, hCG levels alone are not enough to
guarantee that you are going to have twins or multiples. Checking for
multiple heartbeats can confirm the presence of twins or multiples at 12
weeks of pregnancy when the Doppler test which distinguishes two or more
heartbeats. An ultrasound scan can also reveal whether you are carrying
twins or multiples.
