Understanding Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Levels During Pregnancy
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a vital hormone produced by the placenta shortly after implantation. It plays a key role in maintaining pregnancy by supporting the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone essential for a healthy uterine environment. Due to its rapid increase in early pregnancy, hCG is often referred to as the "pregnancy hormone."
This hormone is also what makes home pregnancy tests effective, as they detect the presence of hCG in urine to confirm pregnancy. hCG levels rise significantly in the first trimester, doubling approximately every 48–72 hours, before peaking and gradually declining.
In this article, we’ll delve into what hCG is, what different hCG levels indicate, when it becomes detectable by at-home pregnancy tests, and the typical hCG levels expected during the early weeks of pregnancy.
What Is hCG?
Human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG for short, is a hormone that is produced in large amounts during your pregnancy period. Many home pregnancy tests often work by detecting hCG levels in your urine.
In the initial weeks of your pregnancy, the embryo produces more hCG along with other hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones aid in building up the lining of the uterus and send signals to the ovaries to stop releasing eggs, thereby stopping your period.
But, keep in mind that even non-pregnant women and healthy men also have low levels of hCG. Normally, the hCG levels would be less than 5 mIU/mL and less than 2 mIU/mL for these groups, respectively.
When Does Your Body Start Producing hCG?
As mentioned earlier, your body already has certain hCG levels. But when a fertilised egg implants in your uterus, these hCG levels begin to grow rapidly. Usually, the spike in your hCG levels occurs about ten days post-conception. In these early weeks of your pregnancy, you might not even know that you’re pregnant as you may not experience any signs or symptoms of pregnancy. However, you may experience implantation bleeding when the fertilised egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. This is quite normal and may look like spotting or a light period flow.
When Can Pregnancy Tests Detect hCG?
All over-the-counter pregnancy tests work a little differently, so you should check the instructions in or on the box. Keep in mind that hCG levels increase over time, so pregnancy tests are more accurate as time goes on.
You might try taking a pregnancy test about three to four weeks after the first day of your period, as this is when the levels of hCG in your urine will have increased enough to be detected. You might like to wait until around the time you miss your first period, which may be when you first start to suspect that you may be pregnant anyway.
Taking the test too early may mean you get a false negative — that is, the result may be negative when you are actually pregnant. This may occur because very early on in your pregnancy, the levels of hCG may be so low that an at-home pregnancy test might not be sensitive enough to pick up on the hormone.
A blood test is the most accurate way to detect hCG levels because more of the pregnancy hormone is present in the blood than in the urine. Blood tests can detect levels between 5 and 10 mIU/mL versus the 20 mIU/mL that most at-home pregnancy tests can detect.
If your home pregnancy test is positive, your doctor may offer a blood test to check your hCG levels. The results can help your doctor confirm your pregnancy and determine how far along you are.
A higher-than-normal level of hCG may indicate that you’re having twins or triplets.
If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant, you can get an estimate of your due date with our Due Date Calculator above using either the date of conception or the date of the first day of your last menstrual period.
hCG Levels Chart for pregnancy
The hCG levels listed above are general reference ranges. Individual levels may vary widely. If you have concerns about your hCG levels, consult a healthcare professional for personalised evaluation and guidance.
What Causes Low hCG Levels During Pregnancy?
While hCG levels in pregnancy naturally rise in early stages, low beta hCG levels in pregnancy can sometimes indicate concerns. Here are some possible causes:
1. Miscalculated Pregnancy Dates
If ovulation or implantation occurred later than expected, your pregnancy may be younger than initially estimated. This can result in lower-than-expected hCG levels.
2. Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tubes. In these cases, hCG levels often rise more slowly than normal and may not double every 48-72 hours.
3. Miscarriage or Chemical Pregnancy
A chemical pregnancy occurs when an embryo implants but stops developing early on, leading to a drop in hCG levels. In a miscarriage, declining beta hCG levels in pregnancy can be an early sign of pregnancy loss.
4. Blighted Ovum (Anembryonic Pregnancy)
This happens when a fertilised egg attaches to the uterus but does not develop into an embryo, leading to low or plateauing hCG levels in pregnancy.
5. Placental Issues
In rare cases, problems with the placenta can affect hCG production. Certain medical conditions affecting the placenta may cause insufficient hormone levels.
How Do You Increase hCG Levels During Pregnancy?
If hCG levels in pregnancy are lower than expected, medical intervention depends on the cause. Here are some approaches that may help:
1. Ensure Proper Nutrition and prenatal Vitamins
A well-balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and folic acid supports overall pregnancy health. Taking prenatal vitamins, especially those with folic acid and vitamin B6, can contribute to hormonal balance.
2. Monitor and Manage Stress
High stress levels can impact hormone production. Engaging in relaxation techniques like meditation, prenatal yoga, and deep breathing may support a healthy pregnancy.
3. Get Adequate Rest and Hydration
Staying hydrated and getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep can help maintain hCG level balance, supporting optimal pregnancy health.
4. hCG Injections (Only If Recommended by a Doctor)
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe hCG injections to support early pregnancy, particularly in cases of hormonal imbalances or fertility treatments.
5. Progesterone Supplements
If low beta hCG levels in pregnancy are linked to insufficient progesterone, doctors may prescribe progesterone supplements to help sustain the pregnancy.
6. Regular Medical Checkups
Frequent blood tests and ultrasounds help track the pregnancy's progression. If hCG levels are slow to rise but continue increasing, the doctor may monitor the pregnancy rather than intervene immediately.
Can You Still Be Pregnant with Low hCG Levels?
Yes, it’s possible to have a healthy pregnancy even with low hCG levels in pregnancy.
While hCG levels typically rise during early pregnancy, the rate of increase is more important than the absolute number. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Slow-rising hCG may still result in a healthy pregnancy: Some pregnancies have slower hCG increases but develop normally.
Ultrasound confirmation is more reliable: After about 6-7 weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound is a better indicator of viability than hCG levels chart alone. However, for very early detection, monitoring 2 weeks pregnant hCG levels can provide some insights, though they may still be quite low at this stage.
Miscalculated ovulation can affect results: If you ovulated later than expected, your pregnancy may be younger than estimated, leading to lower 2 weeks pregnant hCG levels. Regular testing can help track progression accurately.
However, if hCG levels drop, it may indicate a pregnancy loss or other complications. Your doctor will guide you.
hCG Levels Chart
This chart will give you an idea of how your hCG levels may rise during the first trimester and then dip slightly during the second trimester. Keep in mind that, if you want your hCG blood test results explained in more detail, your doctor is the best person to turn to.
| Pregnancy week | Range of hCG levels in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) |
|---|---|
| 3 weeks | 5–72 mIU/mL |
| 4 weeks | 10–708 mIU/mL |
| 5 weeks | 217–8,245 mIU/mL |
| 6 weeks | 152–32,177 mIU/mL |
| 7 weeks | 4,059–153,767 mIU/mL |
| 8 weeks | 31,366–149,094 mIU/mL |
| 9 weeks | 59,109–135,901 mIU/mL |
| 10 weeks | 44,186–170,409 mIU/mL |
| 12 weeks | 27,107–201,165 mIU/mL |
| 14 weeks | 24,302–93,646 mIU/mL |
| 15 weeks | 12,540–69,747 mIU/mL |
| 16 weeks | 8,904–55,332 mIU/mL |
| 17 weeks | 8,240–51,793 mIU/mL |
| 18 weeks | 9,649–55,271 mIU/mL |
What Does It Mean if You Have High or Low hCG Levels?
It’s important to remember that every pregnancy is different, and you may have lower or higher levels of hCG hormone than what’s indicated in the week-by-week chart above. Most likely, there’s no cause for concern, but your healthcare provider will help you understand what these levels mean.
Low Levels of hCG
Low levels of hCG are normal for non-pregnant women and men. Normally, hCG levels would be less than 5 mIU/mL and less than 2 mIU/mL, respectively, for these groups. If you’re pregnant and experience low hCG levels, it’s important to look at your entire pregnancy as a whole. Your healthcare provider will consider all the factors of your pregnancy to determine why you might be experiencing lower-than-normal levels of hCG. If your provider suspects anything like an ectopic pregnancy, they may perform additional tests to rule it out.
High Levels of hCG
Likewise, high levels of the hCG hormone might not indicate anything out of the ordinary. However, a higher-than-normal level of hCG may be a sign that you’re having twins or triplets! Again, your healthcare provider will work with you to determine an appropriate course of action, if any is needed.
Lower- or higher-than-normal levels of the hCG hormone during your pregnancy might not indicate anything unusual. However, it’s always a good idea to follow up with your healthcare provider as a precaution, regardless of any questions or concerns you have. Read more about other pregnancy symptoms not to ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottomline
During pregnancy, your hCG levels play a vital role as the changing levels indicate that your little one is developing inside your belly. We understand that these hormonal changes can sometimes throw you off and make you irritable. But all you need to remember is that due to these hormones, soon enough you will be blessed with a healthy and happy baby!