What is an hCG Level?

hCG stands for "Human Chorionic Gonadotropin," the pregnancy hormone, which is produced by the placenta and detected in the blood within a few days after implantation. When you test at home with a pregnancy test, you actually test for the presence of hCG in the urine. If hCG is present, then the pregnancy test will be positive, and that means you are pregnant unless there is a false positive pregnancy test. Many women wonder what the hCG level in early pregnancy is. In most normal pregnancies with hCG levels below 1,200 mIU/ml, the hCG usually doubles every 48-72 hours and increases by at least 60% every two days. Once it reaches about 6,000 mIU it takes longer to double and after 11-12 weeks the hCG normally decreases. At an HCG level greater than 12,000 mIU/ml there should be a visible embryo with a heartbeat, though it could take up to an hCG level of 22,000 mIU/ml to first see the fetal heart beat. A low hCG count in pregnancy may indicate a miscalculated date of conception, an ectopic pregnancy, or a possible miscarriage.

However, a perfectly healthy pregnancy may have low hCG counts and levels. A high hCG count in pregnancy may indicate a miscalculated date of conception, a molar pregnancy, or a multiple pregnancy. Some fertility drugs usually hCG injections containing hCG may affect your hCG levels. Other than that, other medications including antibiotics and oral contraceptives will not affect your hCG level. If you are taking a fertility medication that would affect your hCG count then your healthcare provider should discuss with you how this would affect your tests.

hCG Drops In Early Pregnancy

hCG is the pregnancy hoirmone which is produced by the placenta as early as 3-4 days after implantation. ... read more »

Pregnancy Tests - FAQs

What is a pregnancy test, how does it work, when is it positive, are there false positive or false negatives? Frequently asked questions about pregnancy tests ... read more »

hCG Levels Chart and Calculator

This hCG calculator and hCG levels chart assess whether your hCG levels are rising normally and doubling normally. ... read more »

Frequent Urination

Pregnancy hormones are to blame for frequent urination during pregnancy as hCG levels increase blood flow to the pelvic region of the body. Increased fluid retention is another cause for frequent urination. ... read more »

Positive Home Pregnancy Test and Period

My home pregnancy test was positive but my period came ... read more »

What Does the Blood Pregnancy Test Reveal?

A pregnancy test is run by the obstetrician during the first office visit to confirm the presence of the hCG hormone and confirm the pregnancy. ... read more »

Serum HCG Levels Do Not Predict Oocyte Maturity

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is the pregnancy hormone that triggers a positive pregnancy test. The hormone is used to help facilitate egg maturation and release. ... read more »

hCG Levels and Pregnancy Testing

This article is about normal hCG pregnancy hormone levels implantation symptoms and bleeding and early pregnancy tests ... read more »

hCG Increasing Fast

There is no sufficient scientific evidence that with twins there is always a faster-than-usual rise in hCG. Normal hCG values can vary up to 20 times in normal pregnancies. ... read more »

What Affects Normal hCG Levels In Pregnancy?

Human chorionic gonadotropin, more frequently referred to as hCG, is a hormone that is produced during pregnancy. ... read more »

Low and Slow Rising hCG Blood Levels in Pregnancy Test

When is the hCG titer in the blood considered to be too low and when is it considered to be slow rising? ... read more »

Normal hCG Levels in Pregnancy

Human chorionic gonadotropin hCG levels can vary significantly in pregnancy, and  there is a wide range of normal levels in early pregnancy. ... read more »

hCG Information Levels and Numbers in Early Pregnancy

hCG pregnancy hormone information on hCG numbers in early pregnancy and all the facts are presented here. ... read more »

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, the Pregnancy Hormone

Find out more about the pregnancy hormone hCG, how it's used to determine pregnancy, and how the concentration changes during pregnancy. ... read more »

hCG Human Chorionic Gonadotropin During Pregnancy

You will find here hCG levels and all the hCG information and facts about the pregnancy hormone which increases by at least 60% every 2 days until it reaches 1,200 mIU/ml. ... read more »

What Is a Chemical Pregnancy?

A chemical pregnancy happens much more frequently than most people expect, probably up to 30-40% of all pregnancies end up in a chemical pregnancy. ... read more »

HCG Count In Pregnancy

Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. ... read more »