What is the difference between hCG and beta. In what units is it customary to measure hCG levels? Testing beta-hCG levels: what is it used for?

With the onset of pregnancy, the expectant mother will have to undergo a lot of research and undergo many tests. Most often, women are prescribed a general examination of urine and blood. However, the results of such diagnostics cannot confirm or refute the new interesting situation. This article will focus on beta-hCG. You will find out what this substance is and why it is formed. It is also worth mentioning at what time you need to take a beta-hCG test. In medicine, there are generally accepted norms for this substance in a woman’s blood during different periods of pregnancy.

Beta HCG

This substance is secreted by the fertilized egg and placenta. It appears in the blood expectant mother the very next day after implantation. At the same time, conventional pregnancy tests still show a negative result. This is due to the fact that the amount of beta-hCG in the urine is much less than in the blood. That is why, if you want to quickly find out about your pregnancy, you should take a blood test.

During the period from the thirteenth to the eighteenth week, a range of this hormone can be observed in the blood of the expectant mother ranging from 6140 to 103,000 units. After this (up to approximately the 24th week of embryo development), the level of human chorionic gonadotropin is 4720-80 100 IU/ml.

Third trimester

At this stage, hormone levels are very rarely measured. However, there are generally accepted standards that are oriented towards when it is necessary to conduct research. So, in the period from the 23rd to the 40th week, 2700-78,100 units of the substance are found in the blood of the expectant mother.

Remember that when multiple pregnancy the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin may be slightly higher.

Possible pathologies

Is there a certain norm for beta-hCG for possible pathologies? Unfortunately, medicine has not yet established certain data. All due to the fact that the pathology can begin at different dates and under various conditions. Also, the body of each expectant mother is individual and cannot react to possible difficulties in the same way.

When the hormone level reaches its norm before a certain week (usually the 5th-6th). After this, a sharp decline in the substance occurs, and the analysis shows negative values.
An ectopic pregnancy is characterized by the fact that the norm of beta-hCG is not achieved. The hormone level is growing, but very slowly and significantly lags behind the established values.
HCG levels are much higher than normal during hydatidiform mole. However, during an ultrasound, an embryo with a heartbeat is not detected.
If the expectant mother suffers from diabetes, then the amount of beta-hCG may also exceed normal values.

Can a normal pregnancy not meet the established hCG standards?

It also happens that the fetus develops absolutely normally, but the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in the woman’s blood is significantly higher or lower than normal. Why is this happening?

Most often, this situation arises in the very early stages. At the same time, the woman cannot accurately name the date of conception. If the gestational age is set incorrectly, then the hormone level values may diverge from the established standards. Most often it helps to clarify the situation ultrasound diagnostics. During an ultrasound, the doctor can accurately determine the duration of pregnancy (up to one day).

Summing up and concluding the article

So, you now know what levels of human chorionic gonadotropin are allowed during pregnancy. Remember not to rely too much on established numbers. Each woman's body is individual and can react differently to a new position. Do not take into account the numbers that your friends had at one time or another. Some doctors say that the normal level of beta-hCG may vary depending on the gender of the unborn child.

If you received bad result, then it is worth repeating the analysis. Often there is a laboratory error or incorrect comparison with standards. When decoding data, always pay attention to the established study center values. They may be very different from other laboratories. The result can also be displayed in different units of measurement. All this greatly influences the obtained values. To clarify the situation, contact your gynecologist and follow all instructions given. Have an easy pregnancy!

In the body of each of us there are many complex biochemical processes that are regulated by special substances - hormones. Most of them are the same in both sexes, the sex hormones are different, and during pregnancy new substances appear, including hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin.

Without hormones, it is impossible to imagine proper metabolism, reactions to stress, and adaptation to constantly changing environmental conditions. Pregnancy is a very special state of the female body, placing increased demands on its functioning and requiring additional regulatory mechanisms. Appears in the body of the expectant mother hCG hormone produced by the tissues of the developing embryo and reflecting the normal course of pregnancy.

Chorionic gonadotropin is the most important substance that supports fetal growth; it is the first to “notify” the expectant mother about her special condition. The pregnancy test is based on the appearance of hCG, so most women have heard of it one way or another.

HCG is produced by the membranes of the fetus, so it cannot be detected outside of pregnancy. Its contents determines physiological or impaired development of the embryo, and the appearance in the body of a man or a non-pregnant woman indicates the development of a tumor.

Properties and role of hCG in the body

After the fusion of the sperm and egg, intensive reproduction of embryonic cells begins, and by the end of the first week it is ready to attach to the inner wall of the uterus. At this stage, the embryo is represented by only a small vesicle, but the cells of its outer part (trophoblast) are already intensively producing a hormone that ensures normal growth.

The trophoblast is fixed to the endometrium and converted into chorion, which makes up the bulk of the placenta. Through the villous membrane, there is a connection between the blood flow of the mother and the fetus, metabolism, delivery of useful and removal of unnecessary metabolic products. The chorion secretes human chorionic gonadotropin throughout pregnancy., helping not only to develop the unborn baby, but also supporting the “pregnant” state of a woman.

When pregnancy occurs, the main regulatory substance in a woman becomes progesterone, which in the very first stages of its development is formed by the corpus luteum of the ovary. HCG during pregnancy is needed to maintain the function of the corpus luteum and a constant increase in the concentration of progesterone, so it is not surprising that the corpus luteum in a pregnant woman does not disappear, as during a normal menstrual cycle.

The biological properties of hCG are similar to those of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone, but the effect on the corpus luteum is significantly predominant. In addition, it is more active than the “regular” luteinizing hormone, which is formed in the second phase menstrual cycle, because pregnancy requires significant concentrations of progesterone.

According to the chemical structure, hCG is represented by two subunits - alpha and beta. The first completely coincides with that of the gonadotropic hormones LH and FSH, the second - beta - is unique, which explains both the uniqueness of the functions performed and the possibility of qualitative analysis of hCG in the blood or urine.

The functions of hCG are:

Maintenance of the corpus luteum and its production of progesterone;
Implementation of correct implantation and formation of the chorionic membrane;
Increase in the number of chorionic villi, their nutrition;
Adaptation to the state of pregnancy.

Adaptation of a woman to developing pregnancy consists of increasing the production of adrenal hormones under the influence of hCG. Glucocorticoids provide immunosuppression - suppression of immune reactions on the part of the mother in relation to fetal tissues, because the embryo is half genetically foreign. These functions are performed by hCG, while “ordinary” gonadotropic hormones are not able to enhance the work of the adrenal cortex.

When chorionic gonadotropin is administered to a woman, ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum are stimulated, and the production of endogenous sex steroids increases. If hCG is administered to a man, testosterone production increases and spermatogenesis increases.

A blood test for hCG is used to determine the presence of pregnancy and to monitor its progress. If tumors of the gonads are suspected, it may also be necessary to determine the concentration of this hormone. HCG in urine allows you to quickly and fairly reliably confirm the presence of pregnancy, so this method is applicable for express diagnostics.

Normal indicators

The level of hCG is determined by gender, duration of pregnancy, and the presence of a tumor. In men and non-pregnant women it is absent or does not exceed 5 mU/ml. During pregnancy, it appears approximately a week after conception, and its levels continuously increase, reaching a maximum by the end of the first trimester.

If pregnancy is suspected, it is possible to determine a negative hCG, the reason for which may be in the test performed too early or in the ectopic location of the embryo.

A table of weekly norms is used to monitor hCG levels and timely detect deviations. In the first or second week it is 25-156 mU/ml, by week 6 it can reach 151,000 mU/ml, the maximum hCG occurs in the 11th week of gestation - up to 291,000 mU/ml.

Table: hCG norm by obstetric week

Gestation period, obstetric weeks	HCG level, honey/ml
Pregnancy is unlikely	0-5
Pregnancy is possible (1-2 weeks)	5-25
3-4 week	25-156
4-5 week	101-4870
5-6 week	1110-31500
6-7 week	2560-82300
7-8 week	23100-151000
8-9 week	27300-233000
9-13 week	20900-291000
13-18 week	6140-103000
18-23 week	4720-80100
23-41 weeks	2700-78100

Thus, this hormone first increases, and from the second trimester decreases slightly, since the need for it is highest at the time of formation of the placenta. The mature placenta from the second trimester of gestation itself produces the necessary amounts of progesterone and estrogens, so hCG gradually decreases, but it is still necessary for its nutritional role and stimulation of testosterone production by fetal tissues for proper development gonads.

A blood test for hCG allows you to absolutely accurately confirm a short-term pregnancy. This substance appears in urine one to two days later, and to determine it, any woman can use a rapid test purchased at a pharmacy. To obtain a reliable result and eliminate errors, it is recommended to use not one, but several test strips at once.

The hCG level by day from conception is determined based on the average rate and rate of growth of the hormone per given period. So, in the first 2-5 weeks hCG level doubles every day and a half. If there is more than one fetus, then the concentration will increase in proportion to the number of embryos.

Table: approximate hCG level by day from ovulation (conception)

Days after conception	Minimum hCG level, honey/ml	Maximum hCG level, honey/ml
7 days	2	10
8 days	3	18
9 days	5	21
10 days	8	26
11 days	11	45
12 days	17	65
13 days	22	105
14 days	29	170
15 days	39	270
16 days	68	400
17 days	120	580
18 days	220	840
19 days	370	1300
20 days	520	2000
21 day	750	3100
22 days	1050	4900
23 days	1400	6200
24 days	1830	7800
25 days	2400	9800
26 days	4200	15600
27 days	5400	19500
28 days	7100	27300
29 days	8800	33000
30 days	10500	40000
31 days	11500	60000
32 days	12800	63000
33 days	14000	68000
34 days	15500	70000
35 days	17000	74000
36 days	19000	78000
37 days	20500	83000
38 days	22000	87000
39 days	23000	93000
40 days	25000	108000
41 days	26500	117000
42 days	28000	128000

With pathology, it is possible to either increase or decrease the amount of hCG required at a specific stage of pregnancy. An increase in this hormone may indicate the presence of diabetes, gestosis, or an incorrectly determined gestational age. If a woman has had an abortion, and the hCG concentration does not decrease, then this is a sign of pregnancy progression.

Low hCG or its insufficient increase usually indicates a delay in fetal development, ectopic localization of the embryo, pathology of the placenta, and the threat of miscarriage.

When is hCG determination necessary?

It is necessary to determine the content of human chorionic gonadotropin:

To confirm the fact of pregnancy;
In order to control its flow;
In case of possible complications of the fetus (defects) or placental tissue;
To control the quality of medical abortion;
With amenorrhea of unknown origin;
When diagnosing neoplasms that secrete hCG.

In men and non-pregnant women, the hCG test is usually negative; in rare cases, trace amounts are possible, not exceeding 5 U per liter of blood. When the concentration of the hormone in a woman increases, we can conclude that pregnancy has occurred, and conception occurred at least 5-6 days ago. Then hCG continuously increases, its amount is compared with normal values for this period. To correctly decipher the data, you need to accurately calculate the time of conception.

The determination of hCG during pregnancy is part of the so-called triple test, which includes, in addition to hCG, indicators and estriol. A comprehensive assessment of deviations of these substances allows us to suspect possible violations on the part of the mother or embryo.

In non-pregnant women and males, the need to determine hCG may arise in case of suspected neoplasia of the ovaries, testes and other organs. Trophoblastic diseases (hydatidiform mole, chorionepithelioma) are also accompanied by changes in the amount of hCG.

Blood sampling from a vein for hCG is usually taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. It does not require any preparation. When diagnosing pregnancy, to obtain more reliable results, it is better to donate blood at the earliest 4-5 days after a missed period. It is prescribed to pregnant women in the second trimester. If it is necessary to monitor the degree of hCG increase in the first trimester of gestation, the analysis can be repeated every few days.

Deviations in hCG content

Any deviation from the hCG table data in a pregnant woman can be considered a sign of pathology both fetus and placental tissue, therefore requiring close attention and further examination.

HCG is elevated

Exceeding the normal hCG value is possible both during pregnancy and outside of it. In pregnant women, elevated hCG may indicate:

More than one developing embryo (hCG increases according to their number);
Prolonged pregnancy;
Availability ;
from the expectant mother;
Fetal malformations;
Taking hormonal medications.

If a woman is not pregnant, or the test was taken from a man, and hCG is elevated, the reason for this may be:

Medical abortion up to five days ago;
Taking medications containing hCG;
Growth of chorionic carcinoma;
Hydatidiform drift;
Testicular seminoma;
Tumors of other localization - intestines, lungs, uterus.

It is known that during menopause, when jumps in hormone concentrations occur, an increase in the level of hCG in the blood is possible. In elderly patients with kidney pathology requiring hemodialysis, hCG can significantly exceed the norm (up to 10 times). This is due to a violation of the natural excretion of the hormone from the body and its accumulation in the blood, while its production different fabrics remains at the physiological level.

HCG is low

Pathology is indicated not only by an increase, but also by a decrease in the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin. An insufficient amount of it causes a delay in the development of organs and tissues of the unborn baby, negatively affects the maturation of the placenta, and, therefore, blood flow, the exchange of nutrients and oxygen between the body of the mother and the fetus suffer. Intrauterine hypoxia can lead to serious deviations in the development of the embryo, so low hCG also requires increased attention to the patient.

A decrease in hCG production in a pregnant woman may indicate:

Ectopic embryo fixation;
Slowing down the development of the embryo;
“Frozen” pregnancy or intrauterine death in the second or third trimesters;
Threatened miscarriage;
Placental insufficiency;
Post-term pregnancy.

At ectopic pregnancy the embryo does not implant into the uterine mucosa; it develops in the fallopian tube, ovary, or even on the peritoneum. These organs do not have the conditions for normal embryo fixation, proper development of the trophoblast and chorion, so the hCG level does not increase as expected at a specific gestational age. Determination of hCG along with data ultrasound examination can serve as an important diagnostic criterion for ectopic pregnancy.

An increase in hCG in non-pregnant women and men indicates probable tumor growth. If a tumor is detected and the patient is undergoing treatment, then determining the hCG can help evaluate the effectiveness of therapy.

Human chorionic gonadotropin in pharmacology

Human chorionic gonadotropin is not only an important diagnostic indicator. This hormone can be successfully used in the treatment of certain diseases, and athletes decide to take the drug to achieve better training results.

Medicines based on hCG are obtained by isolating the hormone from the urine of pregnant women, or with the help of special microorganisms. The most common are pregnyl, choragon, and prophasia.

HCG, having a gonadotropic effect, stimulates ovulation, sperm maturation, improving their quality and quantity, increases the production of sex steroids, and affects the formation of secondary sexual characteristics.

Indications for prescribing a drug based on hCG may include:

Menstrual dysfunction in women due to decreased production of gonadotropic hormones;
Infertility;
Stimulation of the ovaries during the procedure of in vitro fertilization (IVF);
Threat of miscarriage;
Impaired development of the gonads in men (hypogonadism), sperm pathology.

Preparations based on hCG contraindicated with tumors of the gonads, decreased function of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands,. This hormone should not be taken by nursing mothers, and special care should be taken when prescribing it to adolescents and people suffering from impaired renal function.

HCG is usually administered intramuscularly, and the regimen, frequency and duration of treatment depend on the goals of treatment and the gender of the patient. To provoke ovulation or “superovulation” during IVF, the drug is administered once in a high dose (up to 10 thousand IU). If there is a threat of miscarriage, impaired sexual development in boys, or hypogonadism, hCG is administered for 1-3 months, the dose is determined by the indications.

It's no secret that athletes pay increased attention to various kinds drugs that can improve training results. Using steroid hormones, it is possible to increase muscle mass and strength, however there is also side effects such impact: decreased testosterone production, risk of testicular atrophy.

In order to reduce the side effects of steroids and “smooth out” the manifestations of withdrawal syndrome, athletes use hCG drugs, which increase the concentration of testosterone and prevent atrophic changes in the testicles. It is worth noting that hCG is not a panacea; it does not eliminate the loss of muscle mass and adverse reactions of taking steroids, but it can somewhat reduce them and only “delay” the withdrawal syndrome.

Experts have an extremely negative attitude towards the use of hCG drugs by athletes, after all, metabolic disorders after taking steroid hormones can become even worse. In addition, the risk of tumors increases under the influence of hormone therapy. It has been noted that testosterone levels may not increase, but excessive stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary system will result in adverse reactions.

Thus, athletes should not trust unverified information and advice from their colleagues who have decided to undergo such treatment. The effect of hCG drugs in athletes, and especially against the background of steroid therapy, has not been fully studied, so there is no reason to claim that it is effective and, most importantly, safe. No competent specialist will prescribe hormonal drugs without medical indications.

Video: HCG and other components of perinatal screening of pregnant women

– one of the main hormones that regulate the functions of the sex glands. It performs a number of important tasks in the body of a pregnant woman, helping to maintain the desired concentration of other hormones and survive the stress that pregnancy represents.

Given the important role of human chorionic gonadotropin, it is not surprising that analysis of its concentration in the blood is one of the main ones in monitoring pregnancy. The units of measurement for hCG in test results from several different laboratories may differ, so it is important to know the relationship between them to correctly interpret the results.

Why is HCG so important?

To understand why the content of human chorionic gonadotropin is one of the main markers healthy pregnancy(especially in the first trimester), it is necessary to understand its properties and effects on the body.

Along with other gonadotropic hormones (luteinizing and follicle-stimulating), as well as thyrotropin (TSH), hCG consists of an α- and β-subunit. The structure of the β-subunit of hCG distinguishes it from the listed hormones (the α-subunit is homologous to the similar structural component in FSH and TSH). During pregnancy, it is a determining factor that allows you to determine the concentration of this particular hormone due to a specific reaction to the subunit.

In its properties, hCG is reminiscent of both other gonadotropic hormones. However, despite the ability to bind to both types of receptors, luteinizing properties significantly prevail over follicle stimulation. In this capacity, hCG is significantly superior to the usual pituitary luteinizing hormone: it is thanks to its high activity that the corpus luteum, which normally exists in the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle, is preserved until the placenta develops enough to produce estrogen and progesterone.

Under the influence of human chorionic gonadotropin, the corpus luteum produces a lot, which is required for normal course pregnancy. HCG also stimulates the production of estrogens, without which activation of progesterone, weak androgens and glucocorticoids is impossible, which reduce the immune response to a half-foreign body and avoid miscarriage.

The role of hCG in the body of a pregnant woman explains the dynamics of hormone production: up to 10-12 weeks, its amount steadily increases, because For normal gestation, more and more progesterone is required. After the placenta matures and the tissues begin to secrete all the hormones necessary for pregnancy, the need for the existence of the corpus luteum and its intense stimulation disappears, so the concentration of hCG decreases.

Considering all of the above, an excess or deficiency of human chorionic gonadotropin in pregnant women indicates pathologies or diagnostic errors (more likely early stages gestation).

Normal concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin during pregnancy

Human chorionic gonadotropin is considered a placental hormone, despite the fact that in the absence of pregnancy, a small amount of it (not higher than 5 mIU / ml, according to some data - up to 6.15) is produced by the pituitary gland. Normal during pregnancy beta hCG several orders of magnitude higher than this figure.

Normal levels of hCG in the blood by week of pregnancy;

Number of weeks (from conception)	Normal hCG concentration, mIU/ml
Up to 2	25-156
2-3	100-4870
3-4	1110-31500
4-5	2560-82300
5-6	23100-151000
6-7	27300-233000
7-11	up to 291000
11-16	6140-103000
16-21	4720-80100
21-39	2700-78100

Normally, after the corpus luteum ceases functioning, the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin gradually decreases, but in the third trimester of pregnancy a repeated, less intense peak in the level of the hormone may be observed.

Previously, in medical practice, this phenomenon was considered one of the normal variants. Today, experts are more wary of the peak: an increase in hCG levels after the 11th week often indicates pathologies that threaten the health of the mother (trophoblastic disease) or placental insufficiency. The latter is often observed in cases of Rh conflict between the pregnant woman and the fetus.

To monitor the health of the fetus, as well as to determine the presence of certain types of cancer, an analysis of the content of free β-hCG is used.

Week of pregnancy	Free hCG concentration, mIU/ml
Screening in the first trimester
9	502-4109
10	549-3864
11	370-2775
12	285-2734
13	302-2441
Screening in the second trimester;
14	189-1690
15	125-1319
16	99-1064
17	71-911
18	82-709

The concentration of free hCG may be reported in nanograms per milliliter. The ratio of honey and mME to ng is given below.

In men and in women who are not pregnant, the level of unbound beta subunit of gonadotropin does not exceed 43 mIU/ml (maximum level of free hCG 2 ng/ml).

The table provided is indicative only. The results should be interpreted by the observing physician, because These standards are averaged and may not be suitable for a particular pregnant woman due to special circumstances (some chronic diseases, multiple births, etc.).

Causes of low and high hCG levels

Possible reasons Increased hCG levels in expectant mothers can result in:

multiple pregnancy (hormone concentration level is proportional to quantity);
gestosis;
severe early toxicosis;
diabetes mellitus in a pregnant woman;
prolonged gestation;
discrepancy between the estimated and actual stages of pregnancy;
taking hCG drugs or gestagens;
chromosomal pathologies in the fetus.

In non-pregnant women increased level HCG in the blood may be associated with the onset of menopause ( normal indicator increases to 9.5 mIU/ml), analysis less than 5 days after the abortion and trophoblastic diseases (hydatidiform mole, etc.).

Normally, after the birth of a child, human chorionic gonadotropin is not detected in the urine, and its concentration in the blood quickly drops to normal values (0-6.15 mIU/ml). If this does not happen even after 42 days after birth, gynecologists talk about trophoblastic pathology.

The cause of an increase in gonadotropin levels can also be the presence of a cancerous tumor in the intestines, kidneys, or lungs. In men increased amount HCG in the blood can also be associated with seminoma and testicular teratoma, and in women, with a hormone-producing neoplasm in the uterus.

A low hCG level, unlike an elevated one, is only dangerous. Possible causes of the phenomenon may be:

ectopic location of the fetus;
delayed fetal development;
true post-maturity;
risk of miscarriage;
antenatal fetal death (with monitoring in the 2-3 trimester of pregnancy);
chronic placental insufficiency (for example, due to Rh conflict between mother and fetus).

Not only the result is of great importance, but also the dynamics hCG growth. For example, when it doubles on average 2 times a week, whereas normally the concentration of gonadotropin doubles every 2 days. When there is a threat of miscarriage, the hCG level rapidly decreases (on average by more than 50% of the normal value).

Features of analysis for hCG levels

Units

The concentration of chorionic hormone is measured in mIU/ml (international milliunits per milliliter), honey/ml or in mass units - nanograms per milliliter of biomaterial. The indicators honey and mME are equivalent to each other. To convert ng/ml to conventional units, you need to multiply the result by 21.28.

Thus, 21.28 mIU/ml = 21.28 mIU/ml = 1 ng/ml.

Confirmation of the result

With an hCG level of approximately 500 mIU/ml, the fetus can be detected on transvaginal ultrasound. Early ultrasound diagnosis is used to clarify the location of the fetus, because the concentration of placental gonadotropin also increases during ectopic pregnancy.

Biomaterial

Blood and urine can be used to study the level of hCG concentration. Home test strips and inkjet testers are less accurate than venous blood tests, but are cheap and easy to use. The sensitivity of the tests is indicated on the packaging.

Most of them show a positive result when the hCG concentration exceeds 25 mIU/ml, i.e. approximately 2 weeks after conception. More expensive tests can indicate pregnancy earlier - already 7-10 days after fertilization of the egg.

However, in the early stages, experts advise resorting to a blood test, because talk about true positives or negative result It will be possible only after several days have passed after the delay.

Use in combination with other studies

An increased level of hCG in pregnant women may indicate chromosomal diseases of the fetus (most likely Down syndrome). To clarify the result, a comprehensive screening is carried out. In the first trimester, it includes the analysis of free β-hCG and PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A). Low protein levels indicate a high risk of severe chromosomal pathologies. In the second trimester, screening includes the study of three biochemical markers (hCG, alpha-fetoprotein and estriol-A).

In the absence of pregnancy, the hCG test can be used in combination with tests for tumor markers to determine cancer.

How to get an accurate result

The correctness of the result largely depends not only on the reagents and the correct work of the laboratory staff, but also on the preparation of the patient for the study. There are several rules that will minimize the error:

Venous blood analysis should be carried out strictly, if possible before 10 am;
It is not advisable to eat on the eve of the test fatty foods, drink alcohol and play sports;
for 2-3 hours before blood sampling, you must not smoke or even drink water, and also avoid stress;
the patient or patient must warn the laboratory technician about all medications taken, especially hormonal ones;
It is not advisable to donate biomaterial after radiography, ultrasound, massage, physiotherapy and examinations.

This is important: for monitoring pregnancy, the dynamics of the increase in hCG levels is very important, so tests must be taken at the same time of day, under constant nutritional conditions.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (abbreviated as hCG, hGT, HCG in English language, HGL in Ukrainian) is a hormone that, in the normal state of the body, is produced exclusively during pregnancy. The hCG hormone is produced after conception - it is synthesized by the fertilized egg, and after it is formed trophoblast (this is the precursor of the placenta), this hormone is produced by its tissues. That is why the level of hCG is determined only after conception.

Human chorionic gonadotropin consists of two different subunits - alpha And beta . Moreover, alpha is identical to the subunits of alpha hormones. When we talk about hCG - what it is, its B-subunit is considered. It is important to understand when considering what beta hCG is that it is a unique subunit, so it cannot be confused with other hormones. When talking about testing for human chorionic gonadotropin, we mean that there is no difference between hCG and beta-hCG.

What is hCG during pregnancy? Its definition and decoding is a very important stage in the diagnosis of a number of pathologies of both the fetus and the woman. In some conditions that will be described in this article, hCG values are either greatly reduced or increased. When considering what kind of analysis this is, you need to take into account that with small deviations from the norm, this study has no diagnostic value. Therefore, some diseases and conditions of the expectant mother ( post-term pregnancy , intrauterine infection, chronic fetoplacental insufficiency ) determined by other methods.

After being received hCG results, they are deciphered in dynamics, since each woman’s hCG level during pregnancy changes in her own way. Therefore, one result cannot judge the situation as a whole.

It is important that the result of the hCG pregnancy test be reviewed by a qualified specialist. After all, decoding hCG test is very important, as it allows you to correct some problems in fetal development.

Since the free beta subunit of gonadotropin is unique, the test that determines the norm of hCG during pregnancy is also called beta-hCG. The norm is if during pregnancy HCGb appears in the blood a few days after conception. But, nevertheless, if, for example, hCG is 8, what does this mean cannot be definitely said after the first analysis. A repeat test will be needed to confirm pregnancy. In general, the fb-HCG norm is a very important indicator of fetal development.

When taking hCG at Invitro, Hemotest, Helix and other clinics, a woman needs to understand what this indicator is, when such a test will show pregnancy, etc. This will be discussed in the article below.

What is hCG used for?

When determining HCGb levels, you need to understand what human gonadotropin is needed for. Wikipedia states the following:

this hormone at the beginning of pregnancy stimulates the process of synthesis and;
prevents disappearance corpus luteum ;
prevents aggression maternal body against fetal cells;
initiates physiological and anatomical changes in the pregnant woman’s body;
stimulates the adrenal glands and gonads of the fetus;
participates in the process of sexual differentiation in male fetuses.

Why is this test prescribed?

The analysis is prescribed to women for the purpose of:

early diagnosis of pregnancy;
monitoring the dynamics of how pregnancy progresses;
determination of developmental defects (fetal anatomy);
development exceptions ectopic pregnancy ;
the need to assess whether the artificial one was completely carried out;
establishing that there is a threat;
diagnostics And tumors .

For male patients, such analysis is necessary to diagnose testicular tumors .

HCG levels during pregnancy

The function of human chorionic gonadotropin in the body is very important. Its indicators begin to increase in the early stages, as it is produced by a fertilized egg. It is hCG that makes it possible for pregnancy to develop, since it triggers all the processes necessary for bearing a baby.

Already 9 days after ovulation, hCG can be detected in the blood plasma. That is, already when the fertilized egg has penetrated the endometrium, there is a slow increase in the levels of this hormone. And if its low level is determined in the early stages, then the concentration doubles every two days. What exactly should its level be in a certain week, how should hCG rise, slow or fast growth noted, can be found in the corresponding tables.

The increase in hCG during pregnancy occurs until 8-10 weeks from the last menstruation, when its peak is noted - 50,000-10,000 IU/l. Then the hormone level begins to decrease, by 18-20 weeks it is already reduced by half. Then the hCG level remains stable throughout the entire pregnancy.

During pregnancy, gonadotropin is excreted from the body by the kidneys, and therefore is excreted in the urine. It can be determined by performing a urine test in the range of 30-60 days after the last menstruation. The highest rates are observed on days 60-70. This is why, when hCG begins to be produced, you can do a pregnancy test strip or other urine tests.

HCG levels during pregnancy later may reach repeated peak levels. Previously, doctors considered this to be normal. However, it has now been proven that elevated hCG in later stages may indicate developmental pathology. In particular, a high level of the hormone in the last weeks of gestation sometimes means that there is a reaction of the placenta to placental insufficiency when Rhesus conflict .

Therefore, it is necessary to promptly identify this disease and carry out treatment.

The main signs of hydatidiform mole are:

Constant, indomitable vomit , much more painful than with normal.
Uterine bleeding (severe spotting) in the early stages.
The size of the uterus is larger than normal at this stage.
Symptoms preeclampsia (Sometimes).
Trembling fingers, palpitations, weight loss (rare).

When the signs described above are noted, it is important to consult a gynecologist, undergo an ultrasound and be tested for hCG.

If pregnancy develops normally, then the level of this hormone rarely increases above 500,000 IU/l. There is an approximate calculation of hormone norms for each period. But if a hydatidiform mole develops, the hCG level is different, several times higher than these norms.

To cure a hydatidiform mole, all trophoblast must be removed from the uterus. To do this, curettage or other surgical interventions are performed.

It may happen that a benign hydatidiform mole turns into malignant chorionic carcinoma . As a rule, metastases appear very quickly with this tumor. But it responds well to treatment with chemotherapy .

There are the following indications for chemotherapy:

HCG level is above 20,000 IU/L one month after the hydatidiform mole was removed.
An increase in the level of this hormone after a hydatidiform mole has been removed.
Metastases to other organs.

Chorionic carcinoma

Chorionic carcinoma may appear both after a hydatidiform mole and after childbirth or abortion. If a woman develops this disease, then 40 days after the pregnancy ends, the hCG level has not fallen, but has increased. Uterine bleeding may also be observed, signs that indicate metastases. In such a situation, there are indications for chemotherapy and surgery. In the future, the patient should remain under observation. The doctor decides how long it should last.

Use of drugs containing human chorionic gonadotropin

Like all human hormones, human chorionic gonadotropin levels can depend on various factors. Thus, the test result is influenced by whether the woman takes medications containing human gonadotropin orally.

As a rule, such drugs are prescribed to women with, as well as during the period when preparations are underway for IVF, in order to increase hormone levels.

In rare cases, such medications are taken if there is a threat of miscarriage. In any case, if a woman uses such medications, then before carrying out any measurements and tests, you need to warn the doctor about this.

Taking a variety of medications, many women are interested in whether they can affect the levels of this hormone. For example, it is often asked whether to the hCG level. According to experts, Duphaston may slightly affect the level of this hormone, since this drug controls the level progesterone . However, if hCG does not meet the norm, this cannot be attributed to the influence of the drug, since it may be a pathological condition.

The level of this hormone is not affected.

Hormonal medications active component of which human chorionic gonadotropin is, these are means Profasi , Humegon , Horagon , Khoriogonin , Menogon . They restore the ovulatory process and activate the hormonal activity of the corpus luteum. At what size of the follicle the injection is given is determined by the doctor.

Initially, studies are carried out on hormones, their norm in women and deviations. If certain abnormalities occur, in particular, progesterone is below normal, what this means, the doctor will explain during the consultation and prescribe specific treatment.

If necessary, to stimulate ovulation, hCG injections from 5000 to 10000 IU are prescribed, in order to maintain pregnancy - from 1000 to 3000 IU. Individual dose selection is important. Therefore, if the 10,000 injection was given, when is ovulation, if the 5,000 injection was given, how long after ovulation, the specialist will explain.

Currently, human chorionic gonadotropin is also used by athletes, since under its influence it increases in the male body.

False positive test result

Those who are interested in what stage of pregnancy a test for this hormone shows, should take into account that in some situations the tests can be false positive.

This happens in the following cases:

Some experts claim that when taken oral contraceptives Hormone levels may increase. However, there is no proven evidence that taking contraception affects hCG.
As a rule, after childbirth or abortion, hormone levels decrease for seven days. In some cases, the doctor waits 42 days, after which tests are taken and he can make a diagnosis. If the analysis shows that hCG has not decreased or has increased, then we may be talking about a trophoblastic tumor.
Levels may remain elevated when metastases occur chorionic carcinoma , hydatidiform mole .
Other tumors can also develop from germinal tissues, but they rarely produce an increase in hormone levels. Therefore, if there is a formation in the brain, stomach, lungs and high level human chorionic gonadotropin, first of all, there is a suspicion of trophoblastic tumors with metastases.

Thus, the hCG level in non-pregnant women should not be higher than those that are normal. HCG norm in non-pregnant women - from 0 to 5. The level of this hormone in a non-pregnant woman may be higher in the first days after an abortion, when taking certain medications, as well as with the development of certain pathological conditions.

Immunity against hCG

In rare cases (units) female body are being developed to chorionic hormone. They are an obstacle to the normal attachment of a fertilized egg in the uterus and its subsequent development.

Therefore, if in two or more cases the pregnancy ended in spontaneous miscarriage, it is important to take a test to determine antibodies to hCG and find out if there are any certain abnormalities. If the result is positive, treatment is carried out during the first trimester.

The woman is prescribed glucocorticoids And low molecular weight heparins . However, it is important to consider that organisms producing antibodies to hCG are rare. Therefore, in the absence of pregnancy, you must initially undergo all tests and exclude the influence of other factors on women’s and men’s health.

conclusions

Thus, an analysis for hCG is a very important study during the period of bearing a baby. It is understandable that after receiving research results, patients have many questions. For example, why hCG increases but does not double, how to correctly decipher hCG by DPO, etc., does fibroids affect the level of the hormone, etc. You need to ask a gynecologist about everything, who will help decipher the tests and give comprehensive answers to all questions.

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