Determination of HCG in pregnancy - a mandatory procedure, which allows you to track the growth of the embryo from the moment of conception. Woman delivers analysis when registering: in the early period, the number of human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood in the implementation of the ovum to the uterus increases rapidly. Regular testing of hCG on days (DPO) - the fastest way to identify possible pathology of fetal development.
The relationship of hCG and pregnancy
Latency is not a reliable sign of pregnancy. In the female hormone is produced only after fertilization. To find a term in the pregnant woman's advice is sent to the lab, where it should donate blood and to show the result of HCG gynecologist.
The hormone is represented by two subunits:
- beta;
- alpha.
Last subunit is almost completely corresponds to the pituitary hormones (for alpha type). To determine the level of hCG, explore the beta type. HCG indicators for weeks reveal the pathology of the fetus and the disease progressing in women. To follow the dynamics (growth of hCG on days after ovulation), the analysis is assigned several times.
After conception HCG numbers begin to grow. On the basis of the analysis of an expert is able to accurately determine the time of pregnancy. In the female hormone performs the following functions:
- involved in the formation of gonadal sex of the embryo;
- It accelerates the stimulation of the gonads and adrenal glands in the fetus;
- It starts the anatomical and physiological processes caused by pregnancy;
- It protects the fetus from rejection of the maternal organism;
- stores temporary gland (the corpus luteum).
Thanks to hCG in a woman stops menstruating. Hormone leaves the body in the urine, so the woman is prescribed not only take a blood test for hCG in pregnancy. Raising rates observed after 30-45 days after the end of the menstrual cycle. Unit - in mIU / ml. The maximum increase is observed after 60 days: no earlier than this period of time can be carried out urinary tests.
Any deviation of hCG DPO may adversely affect the female body's ability to synthesize progesterone and estrogen. The increase in performance has been observed on day 10 after fertilization. Most often hCG doubles every 48 hours.
Norma hCG pregnancy week by week can be different. Indicators reach a peak in the last trimester. In this case, the probability of spontaneous abortion or the appearance of life-threatening fetal abnormalities increases. If Rhesus conflict may occur placental insufficiency.
On what terms you need to carry out research
The growth of hCG during pregnancy in the early stages is observed every 2-3 days. After fertilization should pass 6-7 days before the embryo is firmly entrenched in the uterus. Blood tests can be 10 days after the onset of pregnancy. Rapid tests show positive results in 2 weeks: this is due to the lack of sensitivity of the reagents to hCG. The urine hormone concentration can be increased more slowly than in the blood.
Indications of hCG (dynamics) that are different from the norm, also point to the development in the womb of several embryos. Under laboratory conditions tested venous blood. The most accurate results can be obtained within 2 weeks after fertilization. Women found later implantation (when the fetus is in the uterus is fixed for a long time), so that even at low rates you need to donate blood again after 5-7 days.
5 obstetric week fetus may die in anatomical uterine anomalies. The embryo dies due to lack of opportunity to develop normally in the womb. If hCG levels at 5 weeks of pregnancy increased 3 times or more, the woman should be tested for the presence of trophoblastic tumors.
Analyzes can not be neglected: the blood on the HCG need to take regularly to make time to recognize missed abortion. In this case, the embryo dies without occurrence of spontaneous abortion. When the indicator stops double-viable pregnancy. Can confirm the diagnosis by ultrasound: fetal heartbeat can not be heard or seen the fertilized egg.
Fifth week - the most dangerous period of the formation of the embryo.
If the fetus is measured in the last trimester of pregnancy, the deviation from the norm of hCG on terms most often negligible. Pathology called antenatal pregnancy. When anembrionii fruit stall at 5 week. In that case hCG ceases to rise and a few days of his figures remain the same. When chromosomal abnormalities embryo dies more often on week 12.
How to get tested
Analysis of hCG during pregnancy on days you need to take in the morning on an empty stomach. Blood is drawn from a vein. HCG levels, rules on which week to determine the exact gestational age, identify developmental abnormalities in the first trimester. It can take on a 5-day delay.
If the results of analysis of the observed deviations from the norm (below or above HCG for weeks from conception), it is necessary to revisit the laboratory after 3-4 days. Decrypt indicators must physician: he explains to the patient the main reasons for deviations. The hormone is also determined in urine and amniotic fluid.
Venous blood sampling is considered the most informative way to determine hCG obstetric weeks. A pregnant woman should thoroughly prepare for the procedure to eliminate the possibility of false positives. On the performance can influence:
- analysis carried out on the eve of instrumental diagnostics (radiography, ultrasound);
- nerve strain or stress;
- physical exhaustion;
- physiotherapy (barotherapy);
- long term administration of drugs;
- eating the wrong foods.
The woman is prescribed to agree in advance with your doctor cancellation of drug therapy. Before collecting the blood it is important to keep the psycho-emotional balance. If necessary, re-delivery of biomaterial experts recommend to stick to the same conditions (nutrition, visit the same laboratory).
sampling algorithm:
- health worker prepares in advance the necessary tools, container labels and make an appropriate entry in the logbook;
- a woman seated on a soft chair, asked to straighten the arm at the elbow joint is placed under the roll of oilcloth;
- superposed above the elbow harness of rubber or material, the pulse is checked on the wrist;
- injection site is wiped with an alcohol swab;
- asking a woman a few seconds open and close his fist;
- gently injected the needle into the vein, removed and Harness produce fence biomaterial.
After a medical worker took out a needle should be attached to the injection site with alcohol soaked cotton wool and ask the patient to bend the arm at the elbow. Results of the analysis does not have to wait long, most often they are ready after 24-48 hours. To minimize the risk of hematoma formation, it is necessary to wait until the clot formed at the puncture site.
normal levels
HCG dynamics is determined on the basis of the analysis results. Figure often increases as the formation of the fetus. HCG growth table allows to independently determine the optimal values: Pregnant woman can use an online calculator. The program calculates the time, it can be found on specialized sites.
HCG values norms for days after ovulation is considered a kind of markers that can help you quickly identify the anatomical and genetic abnormalities in the fetus:
- discreet speaker indicates Shereshevscky syndrome;
- reduced scores indicates a high risk of Patau or Edwards' syndrome;
- higher values (more than 2-fold) indicate the Down's syndrome.
To confirm or refute the diagnosis, the pregnant woman must undergo a series of examinations. Indicators may not coincide, in which case there is a high risk of malformation of the neural tube or the cardiovascular system.
As hCG increases by leaps
If you suspect a miscarriage should be conducted on the analysis of hormones. HCG table for days after ovulation allows us to trace the dynamics and self-identify deviations:
| Days from the moment of conception | beyond the norm | Days from the moment of conception | beyond the norm |
| 7 | 2-10 | 25 | 2400-9800 |
| 8 | 3-10 | 26 | 4200-15600 |
| 9 | 5-20 | 27 | 5400-19000 |
| 10 | 8-25 | 28 | 7000-23000 |
| 11 | 11-45 | 29 | 8700-33500 |
| 12 | 17-65 | 30 | 10500-40000 |
| 13 | 25-105 | 31 | 11500-50000 |
| 14 | 29-170 | 32 | 12700-65000 |
| 15 | 39-240 | 33 | 14000-68000 |
| 16 | 69-400 | 34 | 15500-70000 |
| 17 | 120-580 | 35 | 17000-75000 |
| 18 | 220-840 | 36 | 19000-78500 |
| 19 | 370-1300 | 37 | 20500-80000 |
| 20 | 520-2000 | 38 | 22000-88000 |
| 21 | 750-3100 | 39 | 23000-95000 |
| 22 | 1050-4900 | 40 | 25000-100 000 |
| 23 | 1400-6200 | 41 | 26000-118 000 |
| 24 | 1850-7800 | 42 | 28500 — 120 000 |
Indicators of pregnancy hCG table are approximate, they may vary depending on the duration and the physiological characteristics of the female body. Analyzes on hormones can be taken regardless of whether the woman suspected pregnancy or not. Using laboratory method can identify a number of pathologies, including cancer (ovarian cancer).
For non-pregnant women is considered normal figure of 0-4 mU / ml. Values based on age may be slightly increased: in the menopausal period, they grow up to 9 mU. Higher rates may indicate:
- the presence of benign or malignant tumors;
- of chronic administration of drugs that can affect hormone levels;
- of the pituitary gland's ability to produce beta-subunit.
If fertilization has not occurred, despite the increase in rates, the woman should undergo further examination.
As rising HCG for weeks
HCG pregnancy, weekly rate (see table):
| Time prospective conception (weeks) | upper limits | lower Bounds |
| before fertilization | 5 | 0 |
| controversial figures | 5 | 25 |
| 1-2 | 470 | 40 |
| 3-4 | 4800 | 1400 |
| 5 | 32000 | 11200 |
| 6 | 97000 | 25300 |
| 7 | 151000 | 32000 |
| 8 | 234000 | 35700 |
| 9 | 151000 | 35000 |
| 10 | 133000 | 32500 |
| 11 | 122000 | 31000 |
| 12 | 110000 | 29500 |
| 13 | 100000 | 27000 |
| 14 | 90000 | 24200 |
| 15 | 81000 | 20000 |
| 16 | 80000 | 18500 |
| Up to 20 weeks | 73000 | 5000 |
| Up to the 40th week | 60000 | 3200 |
Table hCG weekly allows your doctor to monitor the development of the fetus. Due to the reference values of the specialist can advance to identify possible deviations. Single studies have not practiced. Analyzes must pass with a certain periodicity. Growth performance is reduced after 23 th week.
The causes of variances
HCG levels on days from conception should regularly rise. If growth is not observed, the woman should immediately contact your doctor. Deviations are often observed with ectopic pregnancy. This lethal condition in which the ovum is secured within the fallopian tube or ovary. At untimely surgical risk of internal bleeding increases.
There are a number of features that define the ectopic pregnancy by a blood test. The growth is slow, the values are not correct. Gynecologist regularly monitors the value, trying not to miss the moment when a woman needs to appoint ultrasound (using a special sensor).
elevated levels
Elevated hCG values are possible in multiple pregnancies. Implantation of several embryos is accompanied by a rapid release of hormones (in direct proportion to the number of children in the womb). Woman prescribed get tested several times to confirm the multiple pregnancy. Other causes of high performance:
- prolonged hormonal drugs;
- development of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy;
- fetal malformations;
- gestational trophoblastic disease (hydatidiform mole, placenta tumor bed or epithelioid tumor);
- gestational diabetes mellitus type;
- toxemia (late or early).
If a gynecologist from the beginning of the term incorrectly identified, the highest value is not considered pathological. They can act as markers of developmental abnormalities. In the presence of genetic abnormalities in the child hCG in maternal blood will be doubled (compared with normal). High risk:
- improper neural tube;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- Turner's syndrome;
- Patau syndrome;
- Edwards' syndrome;
- Down's syndrome.
First Screening allows almost 70% probability detect abnormalities of fetal development. After gynecologist assessed all the risks it involves genetics, which will help you choose a complex medical treatment. If pregnancy prolific, that the woman observe several specialists at the same time.
High rates observed in false-positive pregnancy, when a woman's body begins to produce a hormone with a vengeance. Predisposing factors:
- hormone therapy, which allows pharmacologically replace ovarian function;
- benign or malignant tumors in the kidneys, lungs and sexual organs;
- molar pregnancy.
Medication to normalize indicators is impossible. If growth has provoked multiple pregnancies or late toxicosis, is cause for concern at the woman not. In identifying fetal abnormalities gynecologist is obliged to inform both parents and explain to them the possible consequences. To minimize the risk of misdiagnosis, it is necessary to be tested several times in different laboratories. Consultation genetics in this case obligatory.
reduced level
Chorion (containment fetus) begins to produce a hormone immediately after fertilization. Reduced levels of hCG in the blood in the early stages - an alarming sign, which is considered the cause of abnormalities. If the figures begin to decrease from 12 weeks, then no cause for concern. The most common factors that trigger the decline of values:
- Hormonal imbalance. In this case, the progesterone level is much higher than the HCG. Low values of the last show of placental pathologies.
- Perenashivanie. If a pregnant woman in the last stages of hCG is rapidly declining, doctors artificially stimulate childbirth.
- fetal death (fading). The fruit is often freezes for 5-6 months pregnant. If pathology identified in a timely manner, then the probability rises to save the child's life.
- Introduction to triggers. Reduced hormone levels may be observed after administration of drugs that stimulate ovulation. Gynecologists recommend to donate blood after 2 weeks after the procedure.
- Ectopic pregnancy. In this case, the test will be positive and hormone indicators - low. Embryo secured within the fallopian tube, chorion generates hCG in a small amount.
- The risk of spontaneous abortion. The decline may trigger hormonal disorders. To save the life of the fetus, the patient need to be hospitalized immediately.
If after IVF hCG levels remained low, most likely, pregnancy has not occurred. Unreliable results are obtained when non-compliance algorithm fence biomaterial medical personnel. If a woman before blood donation is not in compliance with directions of the doctor (was in stress, eat greasy, acidic or spicy foods), then the value may be reduced.
After identifying the exact causes that make the hormone level drops, the patient is prescribed medication. If in the process of diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities have been identified, the doctor recommends a woman to terminate a pregnancy. If an ectopic pregnancy to save the life of the embryo impossible. If VNB was revealed later, the pipe rupture risk increases. The remnants of fetal eggs are removed surgically. Blood transfusion necessary for internal bleeding.
