Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG, is also known as the pregnancy hormone. This hormone is the one that is detected by a pregnancy test, whether it is a urine or a blood test. HCG levels are sometimes measured in early pregnancy. This is generally done if you were an infertility patient or if there is reason to believe something is wrong.
In some cases, the doctor can use the HCG level to predict an outcome. For example, in some cases a very low HCG level can indicate either an ectopic pregnancy or impending miscarriage. This is not always the case. Some women with low HCG levels go on to have perfectly healthy pregnancies.
A high level of HCG is often an indication that the mother is carrying a multiple pregnancy. This is usually twins, but is sometimes more. Your doctor will check the levels of HCG and use the number of days past ovulation on the day of the test to determine if your level is normal, low or high.
In general, HCG levels can be detected with a home pregnancy kit on the day of your missed period. A few brands can detect lower levels and can be used a day or so before your period is due. Blood tests can be done as early as ten days past ovulation.
If you were given an HCG injection as part of infertility treatment, this may interfere with the results of pregnancy tests. Ideally, you should wait until two weeks after the injection was given to get a true result from the pregnancy test.
The levels of HCG continue to increase on every day past ovulation. In most cases, the level should double every three days. This only happens for the first ten weeks of your pregnancy. After this point, the levels gradually begin to drop. This is when the placenta takes over and supports the pregnancy.
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