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What Causes Low hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy?
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This information has been reviewed and approved by an experienced fertility specialist at Indira IVF to provide accurate and up-to-date guidance for our readers.
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Disclosure
The information provided here serves as a general guide and does not constitute medical advice. We strongly advise consulting a certified fertility expert for professional assessment and personalized treatment recommendations.
Synopsis
Seeing an unexpectedly low hCG level on your lab report can be alarming and send your mind racing with questions. After weeks of hoping and anticipating, one small number on a page can feel like it holds your entire future. Naturally, an individual or a couple begins a frantic search for answers. This is why it is important to be well aware of what hCG is, what low levels mean, and when it’s time to see the doctor.
What is hCG?
The hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin hormone, is made by the placenta when a woman is pregnant. It is also known as the “pregnancy hormone” and is what pregnancy tests detect to confirm a pregnancy. The hormone rises in number rather quickly within the first 8-10 weeks of a pregnancy and is assessed by doctors to confirm that your pregnancy is moving forward safely.
After a baby is conceived, hCG is the first hormone made by the placenta. It signals your body to stop menstruating and helps produce the hormones progesterone and oestrogen, which are necessary for fetal development.
Most non-pregnant individuals have either undetectable or extremely low levels of hCG. However, when pregnancy occurs, this number rises quickly, peaking at around the tenth week and gradually declining until birth.
Standard hCG Levels
There is no one answer for “normal” hCG levels, as they differ from woman to woman. The standard hCG range during a pregnancy can resemble the numbers below:
| Pregnancy Week | Standard hCG Range (mIU/mL) |
|---|---|
| 3 weeks | 5–50 |
| 4 weeks | 5–426 |
| 5 weeks | 18–7,340 |
| 6 weeks | 1,080–56,500 |
| 7-8 weeks | 7,650–229,000 |
| 9-12 weeks | 25,700–288,000 |
| 13-16 weeks | 13,300–254,000 |
| 17-24 weeks | 4,060–165,400 |
| 25-40 weeks | 3,640–117,000 |
Common Causes of Low hCG Levels
If hCG levels are lower than normal, it may not be an immediate cause of worry, and some women may even go ahead to complete their pregnancy without ever finding out if the hormone was low. That being said, low hCG levels may sometimes be caused by underlying issues such as the following:
- Incorrect Gestational Age:Low hCG levels may be detected if there was an error in calculating the stage of your pregnancy, as well as the estimated date of giving birth. This is estimated based on a woman’s last menstrual period, and the calculation may be inaccurate if she has irregular periods or does not accurately recall her dates.
- Blighted Ovum:A blighted ovum occurs when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterus wall but does not continue to develop. The development of the gestational sac can cause hCG to be released, but the level may not rise if the egg is not developing. A blighted ovum usually occurs in the earlier stages of the pregnancy, and most women may not even realise that it has occurred, mistaking the symptoms for a normal period.
- Ectopic Pregnancy:In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilised egg stays and develops in the fallopian tubes. hCG levels remain low in such cases and can be an indicator of an ectopic pregnancy, which is an abnormal and dangerous condition, as the fallopian tubes can rupture and bleed. Symptoms include pain that increases with movement, heavy vaginal bleeding, painful intercourse, symptoms of shock, dizziness, fainting, shoulder pain, etc.
- Miscarriage:In the case of a miscarriage, hCG levels may rise more slowly than expected, plateau, or begin to fall. Common signs of a miscarriage include vaginal bleeding, cramps, release of clots or tissue pieces, white/pink mucus discharge, and loss of pregnancy-related symptoms such as tenderness in the breasts.
Can You Raise hCG Levels?
Typically, hCG levels should rise significantly every two days after conception. Many women even experience hormone levels doubling every two days. If your hCG levels are rising more slowly than expected, it is understandable that it would be a cause of concern. That being said, there is no scientifically proven method to raise hCG levels.
Whether it is a home remedy suggested by an elder or a supplement recommended by a friend, nothing, unfortunately, can do the trick. The best thing you can do in this case is to reach out to a healthcare provider for answers. hCG levels are typically measured through either a blood test or a urine test.
When to Seek Medical Attention
You should get in contact with your fertility doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms in pregnancy:
- Severe pain in the abdomen
- Unexpected shoulder pain
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Signs of internal bleeding
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
Conclusion
Low hCG levels in a lab report are bound to be worrying, but they may not always represent bad news. Sometimes hCG levels may be lower than expected simply because you have miscalculated your gestational age. And even if that is not the case, many pregnancies with lower-than-expected hCG levels continue normally without any issues. At the end of the day, every pregnancy journey is different and requires careful monitoring so that doctors have the clearest picture. Even if women have issues at the beginning, with patience, care and support, they can have healthy and successful pregnancies.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Many healthy pregnancies start with low hCG levels. Even if the level remains lower than expected throughout the term, you can still have a successful pregnancy.
In the early stages of pregnancy, doctors often recommend monitoring hCG every 48 hours to determine if it is rising properly.
There is little solid evidence that stress directly lowers hCG levels. Most of the reasons are related to the course of the pregnancy.
In early pregnancy, a healthy rise normally means levels doubling every two to three days, but this can vary from woman to woman.
No, hCG levels vary widely from person to person, and comparisons are usually meaningless. Remember, all pregnancies are different.