What Causes Low HCG Levels in Early Pregnancy & How to Increase It?

The HCG levels are checked by a doctor when a woman is unsure if she is pregnant. However, the absence of HCG in her blood does not always imply that she is not pregnant. For instance, she might be too early in her pregnancy for HCG levels to rise. Every aspiring and would-be mom knows how important HCG is but do they understand what causes low HCG levels in early pregnancy?

In this article, we will discuss all the details starting from the basics of HCG and then the possible reasons for low HCG levels in early pregnancy and how to increase HCG levels in early pregnancy by food.

What is HCG in pregnancy?

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is often referred to as the pregnancy hormone because it is produced by cells created in the placenta, which provides nourishment to the egg after it has been fertilised and attached to the uterine wall. A blood test may identify levels approximately 11 days after pregnancy, while a urine test can reveal levels 12-14 days after conception. HCG levels typically double every 72 hours for the first 8-11 weeks of pregnancy, then gradually fall and level out for the rest of the pregnancy.

How to read the HCG pregnancy test?

HCG levels of more than five million (mIU/mL) international units per millilitre often suggest pregnancy. The first test score is considered to be the baseline level, which may range from 20 mIU/mL or even lower to 2,500 mIU/mL. Because of a medical practice known as "doubling time", the baseline level is crucial. During the first four weeks of a healthy pregnancy, HCG levels normally increase every two to three days. The levels will almost double every 96 hours after six weeks. Whether a woman's baseline level is more than 5 mIU/mL, her doctor may order a follow-up test to see if the number doubles.

Why do doctors suggest an HCG injection during pregnancy?

HCG injections are administered to pregnant women unless they are essential because the body of a pregnant woman needs high quantities of HCG to help sustain the pregnancy. Therefore, women with low HCG levels are given HCG injections during pregnancy.

What causes low HCG levels in early pregnancy?

Here are some other reasons for low HCG levels:

1. Miscalculated gestational age

Low HCG levels usually indicate a pregnancy that was considered to be between 6 and 12 weeks is not actually in that time period. Ultrasound and other HCG tests may be utilised to measure gestational age accurately.

2. Miscarriage

Low HCG levels might sometimes suggest that the woman has had or will have a miscarriage. If the pregnancy fails to produce a placenta, the levels may initially be normal but fail to increase.

3. Blighted egg

When an egg is fertilised, it adheres to the uterine wall but does not grow further. The gestational sac may produce HCG hormone, but the amount does not grow since the egg does not mature.

4. Ectopic conception

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilised egg stays in the fallopian tube and develops there, which is fatal. Low HCG levels may be indicative of an ectopic pregnancy.

Although sometimes it's not possible for a woman to increase her HCG levels naturally, a few things can be considered to sustain normal pregnancy.

You may also like: How to Increase HCG Levels In Early Pregnancy Naturally?

How to increase HCG levels in early pregnancy by food?

HCG increases naturally in the body; however, if a woman's HCG is critically low, her doctor may prescribe hCG injections. Attempting remedies or consuming foods that claim to increase hCG levels may seem appealing. However, it is important to note that there is no known method to alter or elevate hCG levels.

Furthermore, it is crucial to understand that HCG levels provide insights into the progress of a pregnancy, but adjusting these levels would not address any underlying issues. In a healthy pregnancy, HCG levels naturally increase until around the 12th week, after which they gradually decrease. As long as the levels are consistently rising, there is no need for concern or attempts to further elevate them.

Conclusion

Although it is important to know what causes low HCG levels in early pregnancy, it is equally important to remember that It is normal for HCG to progress slowly during early pregnancy. Also, some women have a healthy pregnancy throughout with not very high levels of HCG. And what works for one might not work for another. Food plays an important role in keeping a woman's hormones in balance, ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Follow the doctor's advice and make diet plans accordingly. Women should watch their symptoms, eat healthily and work as per their doctor's suggestions.

References

1. Nepomnaschy PA, Weinberg CR, Wilcox AJ, Baird DD. (2008). Urinary hCG patterns during the week following implantation. NCBI

2. Barjaktarovic M, Korevaar TI. (2017). Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations during the late first trimester are associated with fetal growth in a fetal sex-specific manner. NCBI

3. Kohorn, EI. (2004). What we know about low-level hCG: Definition, classification and management. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine

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