Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone generated by the placenta during pregnancy. It thickens a person's uterine lining to support a developing embryo and instructs the body to cease menstruating. HCG levels rise after fertilization and continue to climb until approximately 10 weeks of pregnancy.

What is human chorionic gonadotropin?

The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone generated by the placenta during pregnancy. It's also known as the pregnancy hormone due to its specific role in pregnancy support. HCG is detected in your urine or blood 10 to 11 days after conception (when a sperm fertilizes an egg). Your hCG levels peak at the end of the first trimester (10 weeks of pregnancy), then fall for the remainder of your pregnancy. Healthcare providers use hCG to confirm a pregnancy and provide information about how the pregnancy is progressing.

How is human chorionic gonadotropin produced?

After conception, a fertilized egg moves from your fallopian tubes to your uterus. The fertilized egg (known as an embryo) implants into the uterine wall. This causes the placenta to develop. Your placenta begins to produce and release hCG into your bloodstream and urine. HCG can be detected in a person's blood approximately 11 days after pregnancy. It takes slightly longer for hCG to appear on urine testing.

During the first eight to ten weeks of pregnancy, HCG levels rapidly rise (almost doubling every three days). Healthcare providers examine how quickly a person's hCG levels rise during early pregnancy to determine how the pregnancy and fetus are growing.

What does human chorionic gonadotropin do?

When your placenta starts producing hCG, it causes your body to produce more estrogen and progesterone. These hormones, along with hCG, help thicken your uterine lining and signal your body to cease menstruation (or producing eggs). The proper balance of these three hormones maintains and promotes the pregnancy.

What do low hCG levels mean?

A low or declining hCG level may mean several things:

• Blighted ovum.
• Miscarriage.
• Ectopic pregnancies.
• Miscalculation of the last menstrual period.

If your hCG level is low for your gestational age, your doctor will repeat it in two or three days or perform an ultrasound to obtain a better look at your uterus.

What do high levels of hCG mean?

High levels of hCG could indicate:

• You’re carrying multiples (twins, triplets or more).
• Molar pregnancy.
• Miscalculation of last menstrual period.

Abnormal growths on your uterus.

How is hCG used for fertility?

When used with IVF or IUI, HCG injections can boost your chances of getting pregnant. It works by causing ovulation (when the ovaries produce an egg).

If you have a history of infertility, monitoring hCG levels early in pregnancy can assist healthcare practitioners in determining whether a successful pregnancy occurred.

What is hCG used for in men?

HCG aids in the creation of testosterone and sperm in people assigned male at birth (AMAB). It has also been used to treat undescended testicles in male babies.

When should I see my doctor?

Except when using an at-home pregnancy test, you are usually unaware of your hCG levels. Your healthcare professional may inform you that your hCG levels are low due to the gestational age of the pregnancy. Obstetricians often assess hCG early in pregnancy but do not continue to do so until there are indicators of difficulties. If your healthcare practitioner is worried about the course of your pregnancy, they will recheck hCG levels and perform other diagnostic testing such as an ultrasound.

At New Concept Clinic, we have the top obstetrician in Dubai, who provides comprehensive HCG care, from first consultation and diagnosis to treatment.  Call now to schedule an appointment.