What does human chorionic gonadotropin do?
HCG is the first pregnancy hormone the placenta makes after conception. It plays an important role in telling the rest of your body that you’re pregnant. It tells your body to stop menstruating, and then signals your body to produce hormones like progesterone and estrogen.
Progesterone and estrogen are two other hormones that are necessary for pregnancy and fetal development. Progesterone supports pregnancy by thickening your uterine lining and keeping your uterus relaxed. Estrogen helps with fetal organ development, increases blood flow to the placenta and helps prepare your body for labor.
You can think of hCG as the first hormone that supports early pregnancy — then, it calls in other hormones to help.
When does my body make hCG?
Everyone has small amounts of hCG in their bodies (almost undetectable levels). But when you’re pregnant, hCG levels rise quickly, and to levels that typically only exist in pregnancy. HCG peaks around 10 weeks of pregnancy, and then gradually falls until childbirth.
What level of hCG indicates pregnancy?
An hCG level above 25 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) usually means you’re pregnant. But it’s not a guarantee. Your provider may recommend checking your hCG level again in a few days to see if the level rises, which would confirm a pregnancy.
What are normal hCG levels by week in pregnancy?
This chart shows how your hCG levels rise quickly and steadily in the first trimester before falling:
Weeks since last menstrual period hCG levels (mIU/mL) 3 5-50 4 5-426 5 18-7,340 6 1,080-56,500 7 to 8 7,650-229,000 9 to 12 25,700-288,000 13 to 16 13,300-254,000 17 to 24 4,060-165,400 25 to 40 3,640-117,000 Weeks since last menstrual period 3 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 5-50 4 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 5-426 5 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 18-7,340 6 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 1,080-56,500 7 to 8 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 7,650-229,000 9 to 12 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 25,700-288,000 13 to 16 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 13,300-254,000 17 to 24 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 4,060-165,400 25 to 40 hCG levels (mIU/mL) 3,640-117,000
These numbers are just a guide. Your levels may rise differently. It’s not the number that matters as much as how the number changes. Your healthcare provider will let you know if your hCG levels need to be checked and what the test results mean for your pregnancy. Remember, healthy pregnancies may have lower-than-average hCG levels.
How often do you test in pregnancy?
HCG levels aren’t routinely checked during pregnancy. Healthcare providers may check hCG levels in the first trimester if there’s concern about the pregnancy progressing. If your hCG level is lower than average, your provider will test your hCG level again in a few days to see if it changes. Some providers measure hCG as part of prenatal genetic testing.