hCG Levels in Pregnancy
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is the "pregnancy hormone" that keeps the corpus luteum producing progesterone after conception. It is the level of this hormone present in a woman's urine that is measured by most home pregnancy tests. The increase in hCG contributes significantly to all of your pregnancy symptoms especially morning sickness. Checking the hCG levels in blood as performed by your doctor is a much more sensitive test than a home pregnancy test and can detect pregnancy as early as ten days after fertilization.
With pregnancy, hCG levels should double every two to three days. However, some women are given hGG injections to trigger ovulation or to lengthen the luteal phase of their cycle, in which case trace amounts can remain in the system for as long as ten days and give a false positive on a pregnancy test. An hCG level of less than 5 mIU/ml generally indicates that you are not pregnant. Pregnant women normally attain serum concentrations of 10 to 50 mIU/ml in the week following conception. A maximum level is reached by the second to third month, followed by a decrease in the third trimester. The most sensitive home pregnancy tests measure approximately 20 mIU/ml of hCG.
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