Expert: Dr. Harriet Johnson - 10/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: 10 days past a 3 day embryo transfer:  HCG 28 and progesterone 13.5

13 days post transfer:  HCG 75 and progesterone 34

Looking for any thoughts and analysis.  HCG is doubling every 50 hrs.  But is it low?

ANSWER: Hi,

It's not too low, pretty normal. Don't worry yet, think positive. Good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Third test today, three days after HCG was 75, and its now 176.  Doctor doesnt sound too optimistic.  The 48 hour increase as still around 77% (if my math is correct) which I thought was fine.  thoughts?

ANSWER: Hi,

It's a little on the low side, it should be between 200-400 but not anything to worry too much about.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is the reason its not too much to worry about because they are still increasing.  The nurse today told me that I would be 5 weeks on saturday (is that correct, they transferred the embro on oct 13th) and they like to see hcg at 1000 at that point.  that seems high to me considering on monday they said the level of 75 was fine.  to get to 1000 by saturday (5 days later) It wouldve had to have done a LOT more than double every 48 hrs.  Im confused.  I ask to speak to my doctor and all i get is the nurse.  At this rate, I wont be at 1000 until next saturday.  Is that ok?  Ive read on multiple websites that its not the actual number that important, but whether or not its doubling every 2-3 days.  how true is that?

Answer
Hi,

Your hCG levels indicate that you won't be 5 weeks pregnant today, if you were 5 weeks pregnant today your hCG levels would be between 2500-6500. I'd say you're about 4 weeks 4 days pregnant. Both the number and how much it's doubling are important because the number needs to be correct for the stage it's at and the levels need to be doubling at a steady speed for the pregnancy to stay viable. Good luck!