HCG Blood Tests
Blood tests can be regarded as the most accurate way to detect pregnancy.
In fact, they measure the same thing that urine tests do, but they appear to be more sensitive and can detect even small levels of hCG within about 8-12 days post-ovulation.
Moreover, they not only detect the presence of the “pregnancy hormone”, but also measure the amount of hCG. It is highly important, as by taking regular tests you can see whether the pregnancy is progressing along normally.
The following table provides hCG levels during pregnancy:
(hCG levels in weeks from gestational age)
| 1 - 2 weeks | 25 - 300 mIU/ml |
| 3 - 4 weeks | 1000 - 5000 mIU/ml |
| 4 - 5 weeks | 1000 - 30000 mIU/ml |
| 5 - 6 weeks | 1500 - 50000 mIU/ml |
| 6 - 7 weeks | 5000 - 100000 mIU/ml |
| 7 - 8 weeks | 10000 - 150000 mIU/ml |
| 8 - 9 weeks | 15000 - 170000 mIU/ml |
| 9 - 10 weeks | 20000 - 200000 mIU/ml |
| 11 - 12 weeks | 25000 - 270000 mIU/ml |
| 13 - 14 weeks | 15000 - 200000 mIU/ml |
| 15 - 25 weeks | 10000 - 150000 mIU/ml |
| 26 - 37 weeks | 7000 - 60000 mIU/ml |
Non-pregnant females: <5.0 mIU/ml
Postmenopausal: <9.5 mIU/ml
If you have taken the blood test you should know the following:
- hCG is measured in milli-international units per millilitre (mIU/ml).
- There are two common types of hCG tests - a qualitative hCG test and quantitative hCG test, which is also called beta hCG. The aim of the qualitative hCG test is to detect the presence of hCG in the blood, while quantitative hCG test measures the amount of hCG in the blood.
- An hCG level <5mIU/ml is considered negative for pregnancy, and >25mIU/ml is definitely regarded as a positive result.
- Most of normal pregnancies have the hCG level approximately double every two to three days during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
- Due to the wide variation of numbers hCG tests should not be used to date a pregnancy.
- In normal pregnancies different women may have different hCG levels, as well as hCG levels may widely vary between different pregnancies for the same woman.
- The hCG level starts decreasing after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
- Multiple testing of hCG is required for most diagnoses.
- If a woman is carrying twins hCG levels are usually extremely high.
- The hCG hormone can stay in a woman’s blood at low levels for up to 4 to 6 weeks after a miscarriage.
If you still have some questions concerning your hCG levels, consult your doctor!
hi i have been to hospital had a scan but cant see a sack ny hcg levels on 2/10/06 were 279
and again on the 4/10/06 were at 403 is this normal
It can be normal as hcg levels usually double every 2-3 days in early pregnancy.
It is also possible that a scan won’t show any sac untill 5-6 week of pregnancy.
Anyway, you should consult your health care specialist and have another hcg test and sonography to see whether the pregnancy is progressing.
hi just had a scan small sac 3cm. approx about 6weeks but bleeding a fair bit. hgc 546 is this normallevelor should it be higher. thanks
In general, on 6th week of pregnancy hCG levels are usually a bit higher. However, there is too little info to make any assumption.
You should take multiple hCG testing and see whether the levels are increasing.
If they are, it seems to be normal.
If they are decreasing + bleeding, there is a threat of miscarriage.
have had an internal scan and there was a sac; i was told that i was miscarrying and to come back in two weeks
to see that the sac had all gone on its own accord. I have gone back and the sac it still there but they cannot see a
yolk. They have taken a blood test and this has come back inconclusive. They do not know if it is a failed pregnancy
or an early pregnancy!! I have got to have another blood test tomorrow. I am at my wits end worrying!!
Hi, Ive been bleeding for 4 days now, it feels like a normal period. They are testing me for an eptopic pregnancy. I already three children but the last was done by emergancy section, Im really upset I go again on saturday for my next bloods! Theres no baby in my womb but all the tests are saying Im pregnant.Fingers crossed and good luck to anyone who might experiance this it really is horrid! x
hey i had one baby on february 28th 05 then got pregnant that july .. my hcg levels were low.. no bleeding though we went in at 8 weeks and the baby was not a baby it was a tumor.. the next day i had a dnc.. in may of last year 2006 i once again found out i was pregnant a week later i started bleeding..the doctor said my hcgs were low once again.. they came in to tell me that i had lost the baby and me and my husband vowed to never try again. however just 2 weeks after that i found out i was pregnant again only the baby was measuring 5 weeks.. turns out the baby i lost was a twin i had him on march 16th of 07 we are now expecting another baby i am 5 weeks 2 days my hcg levels are normal and i go to the doctors tomorrow.. so yes some of us have been there hold tight.. dont lose the faith everything happens for a reason.. god never gives u more than u can handle..
I just wanted to comment on Amys story it got me tearing and wish we all heard more amazing stories like that. Very sad but ends with a miricle …. I just lost my first baby at 4 months after 3 yrs of trying on March 27th this yr and I believe this is my miricle because I am now pregnant again and due on March 27th 2009. I agree afterwards I knew my chances and didnt want to put myself through the pain again but I knew if I didnt I would regret it and I am sooo thankful everyday we tried again !
i just had a blood test done and it come up negative but it has only been a couple days since i had unprotected sex..so im going to go back in a week or so, just to make sure im not.
hi i am pregnant and this is my blood work b/W 11 DPO 28.9 progesterone 24.8
2nd beta 13 dpo 93 progesterone 29
3rd beta 15 dpo 253 progesterone 37
4th beta 17 dpo 621 progesterone 34
5th beta 19 dpo 1,163 progesterone 37
Should I be worried because it didn’t double from the 4th beta to the 5? I am very nervous
ive just come back from having an internal scan which showed empty uterus but suspicious eptopic so had some hcg bloods taken the reults ahve just cme back inconclusive what does this mean.? has anyone got any ideas im so confused .. it hard enough being told im miscarrying when i didt even know i was pregnant let alone being told it eptopic then having bloods tha are inconclusive.
thanks wendy
So I had a blood pregnancy test yesterday at 11 dpo it came out negative(Nurse said less then 2) is it still possible that I am pregnant?
Thanks for the information above, I also have read that hCG levels are increased not only be a sign of pregnancy, but also a sign of tumor in placenta, twin pregnancy or the use of certain medications. I hope this little info useful.