HCG Levels at 6 weeks

Your HCG levels at six weeks could be anywhere from 1,080 to 56,500 mIU/ml.

Women may be concerned about their HCG levels by six weeks because if a miscarriage where to occur, they are most common during the first six weeks of pregnancy. A particularly low HCG level can indicate that a miscarriage has occurred. On the other hand, a higher HCG level could indicate twins, which can be known as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

HCG stands for the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin. It is produced by the cells which form the placenta. Consequently, when your HCG levels shoot up in a woman’s body, it is a sure sign of pregnancy. The HCG hormone is sent into your blood stream when the baby is attached to the lining of your uterus (about eight to twelve days after conception).

During pregnancy, HCG levels should double every 48 to 72 hours. They will peak about the first eight to eleven weeks of pregnancy, and then they will starting lowering and gradually level off. Because HCG levels indicate pregnancy, how HCG levels are reacting is important to follow.

However, it is important to realize that normal HCG levels can vary from woman to woman, and even from one woman’s pregnancy to another. HCG levels, even at six weeks, should not be relied upon too heavily. The results from an ultrasound after five to six weeks gestation are much more accurate than using HCG numbers.

Therefore, an affixation with HCG levels could cause unnecessary stress. Focus should instead deal with if the levels are doubling. At six weeks, it should be apparent if the HCG levels have been consistently doubling every two to three days. By six weeks, it could even be three and a half days to double. This doubling is what doctors primarily watch, and from which they could learn about any abnormalities in your pregnancy.

If a pregnant woman’s HCG levels do not fall (or they exceed) within 2,000 mIU/ml by six weeks, it does not necessarily mean problems. An ultrasound should be taken to determine the cause, whether it could mean twins or a miscarriage or other issues. The HCG average level does not fit every woman. Some have much higher or lower levels. However, by six weeks, a proper testing, both of HCG levels accompanied with an ultrasound, will be helpful to answer any questions about the woman and baby’s progress.