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Beta results
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post #1 of 50
9/5/12 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 

Hey, just thought it would be nice to have a place for folks to share their beta hcg test numbers (mostly b/c I'm curious, oh, and DW just got her first beta and I wanted to share ;)

 

15 dpo

Beta HCG 156

 

Our second Beta will be Friday where we are hoping for doubling time!  

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post #2 of 50
9/5/12 at 2:29pm
Pardon my ignorance, but what is beta HCG? I know HCG is the hormone pregnancy tests test for, but what's with the beta?
post #3 of 50
9/5/12 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BeagleMommy View Post

Pardon my ignorance, but what is beta HCG? I know HCG is the hormone pregnancy tests test for, but what's with the beta?

I have the same question.  With DS, I didn't have any of these types of blood tests done.  Is it worthwhile to ask for?  I have an apt with my family Dr. tomorrow to get a req. for the NT u/s since I don't have an appointment with my potential midwife until Sept 19. and could ask for a req. at that time.

post #4 of 50
9/5/12 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 

Beta HCG is the blood test that measures the quantity (specific number) of the hcg hormone in your system (pregnancy tests just tell you it's there).  Generally, the number needs to double every 48 hours or so in order for the pregnancy to stick.  Most women don't get these tests done b/c they aren't working with fertility clinics or have no reason to anticipate that the number wouldn't double.  Women who've had m/c or work with fertility clinics (or have other prior issues such as ectopic pregnancies) get these done.  I think they can be requested, but after a certain point they don't actually tell you anything b/c once things are far enough along in the pregnancy the hcg levels stabilize and no longer double (I'm not sure when that would be) and you need 2-3 of the beta hcg tests done in order for the numbers to tell you anything.  

post #5 of 50
9/5/12 at 3:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wishin'&hopin' View Post

Beta HCG is the blood test that measures the quantity (specific number) of the hcg hormone in your system (pregnancy tests just tell you it's there).  Generally, the number needs to double every 48 hours or so in order for the pregnancy to stick.  Most women don't get these tests done b/c they aren't working with fertility clinics or have no reason to anticipate that the number wouldn't double.  Women who've had m/c or work with fertility clinics (or have other prior issues such as ectopic pregnancies) get these done.  I think they can be requested, but after a certain point they don't actually tell you anything b/c once things are far enough along in the pregnancy the hcg levels stabilize and no longer double (I'm not sure when that would be) and you need 2-3 of the beta hcg tests done in order for the numbers to tell you anything.  

Thanks for the explanation!

post #6 of 50
9/5/12 at 4:29pm
On Aug 29 (13DPO)

Quant HCT 194
Progesterone 31.5
post #7 of 50
9/5/12 at 5:41pm
Thanks for the explanation. I hate needles so any unnecessary blood work isn't happening for me! :-)
post #8 of 50
9/5/12 at 5:48pm

I'll play (it's good to get this written down)!

 

16 dpo - 418

18 dpo - 849

23 dpo (and 4w5d by LMP) - ultrasound, measuring 4w5d exactly and showing yolk sac

post #9 of 50
9/5/12 at 7:34pm

I so, so wish I hadn't refused the beta HCG draw, because I had my u/s today and they just saw a sac - that may or may not be anything. (The tech said it may be the start of a sac, may be a cyst or something...do they seriously not know?) I wish I'd had blood drawn to KNOW if my numbers are good, because now I have to wait for 12 days, thinking there may not even be a baby in there.

post #10 of 50
9/5/12 at 7:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SweetMama34 View Post

I so, so wish I hadn't refused the beta HCG draw, because I had my u/s today and they just saw a sac - that may or may not be anything. (The tech said it may be the start of a sac, may be a cyst or something...do they seriously not know?) I wish I'd had blood drawn to KNOW if my numbers are good, because now I have to wait for 12 days, thinking there may not even be a baby in there.


Oh, I feel for you! I have totally been there (measuring smaller than expected). Twice (once with a m/c, and once with a successful pregnancy). I know how hard it is. But, please try your best not to worry too much, because you truly just don't know yet. It could be that implantation took longer than usual, or you ovulated later than you might have thought, or that it is developing slightly slower. But, you wouldn't have gotten a BFP if there weren't the start of something, that's for sure! Why do you have to wait 12 days? Couldn't they get you in at 7? Sorry you are going through this!!

post #11 of 50
9/5/12 at 8:11pm

I'm sorry to hear that Sweetmama34!  I hope that you get good news in 12 days.  I'm sure that will feel long...

 

If it makes you feel any better...I had a friend who had slow doubling times in her last pregnancy, and her Dr. told her to not be surprised if her pg was not successful.  She now has a healthy boy who is 2 days younger than my DS.  So I don't think any test is perfect, unfortunetly.  Be gentle on yourself.

post #12 of 50
9/6/12 at 4:40am
Thread Starter 

Sweetmama--I do hope you get happy news in 12 days.  One of the things I remind myself about (b/c of our fertility history I've had to) is that the tests themselves don't change anything.  The beta numbers can tell someone if a pregnancy is viable...but they are not a guarantee either way.  Hugs to you and I do hope that that there is a baby in there for you.  

post #13 of 50
9/6/12 at 7:23am

SweetMama34, I'm hoping for good news for you as well! Is there a possibility they could do a blood draw now and then again in 48 hours to check for doubling? 12 days seems like an awful long time to wait!

 

Because of my MC in May and a chemical pregnancy last cycle, my doctor wanted to check my levels to make sure they were doubling. Here's what they came back as:

15 dpo - 253 hCG

17 dpo - 688

 

Yay for doubling! I'm also taking a progesterone supplement due to a history of short luteal phase, so my progesterone looked good too.
 

post #14 of 50
9/6/12 at 7:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by snozzberry View Post

SweetMama34, I'm hoping for good news for you as well! Is there a possibility they could do a blood draw now and then again in 48 hours to check for doubling? 12 days seems like an awful long time to wait!

 


 

Yes, that's a good idea, then you could have more information much sooner than waiting 12 days!

post #15 of 50
9/6/12 at 8:53am

Thank you all for the support. I talked with my midwife and we can do bloodwork, but while it may give us some information, it won't change the inevitable from happening (be it a healthy pregnancy or not).

 

Twelve days, because I already had one scheduled and I'm trying to keep it simple - as simple as I can. I'm switching from one midwife's care to another...and trying not to double up on all of my appointments. It's kind of hard being inbetween, though....I just feel a little confused about everything.

 

BUT - I spent a lot of time just sitting with it all yesterday. I saw a sac. That's wonderful for where I'm at (5w1d). When I go back, we'll see what's there and go from there! Thank you all for the well wishes. I'll update for sure.

post #16 of 50
9/6/12 at 9:13am

I have had a few blood tests done already as well as an early U/S which showed the following.

Aug 30 (not sure of exact dpo but probably about day 17) hcg 900

Sept 2 hcg 2,000

Sept 4 U/S that they couldn't find anything with not even a yolk sack

Sept 5 hcg 11,000

I know the first u/s was very early and that there is a possibility it was just too early to see anything but very worrying.  My numbers are more then doubling and I am feeling lots of pregnancy symptoms.  Progesterone level was drawn with first blood work and I sent an email today to my mw to let me know what that number is as I have been having some on and off mild spotting.  We had a miscarriage in June so I am of course on edge and worried.  I have more hcgs to be done and another u/s booked in a couple weeks.  I wish I could be someone that was more relaxed but I really like knowing what is going on.
 

post #17 of 50
9/6/12 at 11:06am

beta hcg:

4wks3d/17dpo - 626

4wks5d/19dpo - 1498

 

I have lots of Beta tests in the system, but my intuition is telling me I don't need them, so I haven't gone to get any more.  I probably will tomorrow because my viability scan is on Monday and it will be nice to have results for that.

post #18 of 50
9/6/12 at 1:15pm

SweetMama, thinking of you! I wouldn't worry yet. As others have said, those early u/s can be so hard to really get a good look.

post #19 of 50
9/6/12 at 2:46pm
13dpo
HCG: 230

(nice to see you here, wishin' smile.gif)
post #20 of 50
9/6/12 at 4:35pm
Thread Starter 

Lisedea, good to see you here too!  (And, yes the beta seems high for day 13...but totally in range of normal (b/c it's a HUGE range!)

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