hCG levels three times higher than they should be at 12 week scan

[SallyMischievo]

I went for my 12 week scan and bloods yesterday and was told that, at 3.24 MoM, my hCG levels were three times higher than they should be. My other results were NT - 1.2mm and PAPP-A - 0.79 MoM. My adjusted risk is 1:183.
Can anyone kindly help with interpreting these results? I have not been able to find anything online that helpfully explains why my hCG levels could be high. I was taking Cyclogest, (progesterone pessaries), from weeks 4-12 due to low progesterone levels and wonder if this could have had any impact on my hCG levels? Foolishly I didn't think to ask this whilst we were there!
We must now wait two weeks for the results of the Harmony test, (very luckily, we are at King's College Hospital where they are currently carrying out a research study). In the meantime, any advice would be gratefully received x

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

I was in this position six months ago. Except mine was 4 something.

The answer is that they really don't seem to know why they could be high. There is some evidence early bleeds raise the level. There is some evidence that if the pregnancy was twins very, very early on but one didn't develop, then that might be a cause. Other than that, they don't really seem to know. I don't know if progesterone pessaries might be a factor I'm afraid.

I had amnio (for various reasons Harmony wasn't the best choice for us) and got the all clear. DS is now snoring on my chest as I type.

[SallyMischievo]

Thank you Penguins. This is reassuring to hear. I had a tiny bit of brown spotting at 10 weeks but nothing that you could really classify as a bleed. Certainly no evidence of twins on the scan we had then or the one yesterday but I imagine there wouldn't be anything to see if a twin had failed to develop very early on? Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Do you know what your adjusted risk came out as? Mine was 1/100 as other aspects were all normal. I found that comforting during the long wait for results (well, I think it was 2-3 days, but it felt long!).

Is this your first pregnancy? It was no. 3 for me (plus 2 miscarriages, early ones). I've never had it before to my knowledge (was only offered bloods with no. 2 and no.3, my area when I had my first just did the NT measurement). I felt waaaaaay more poorly this time too. Not sick, but just exhausted and utterly wiped out. put it down to being busy with older ones, but once I got the hCG result it seems they might be linked.

[SallyMischievo]

Yes, it was 1/183 and this is my first pregnancy. I'm 38 so I know that my age being factored in will have increased the risk. I have been feeling exactly as you describe - shattered and with barely enough energy to climb into my pyjamas when I get home from work and also very nauseous. The two weeks until our results will seem like a very long time! So glad to hear your DS was absolutely fine.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

It is hard, but 1/183 obviously means that you have something like a 99.5% chance that everything is fine. Put like that it sounds rather less scary. Try and focus on that statistic whilst you wait

Also, anecdotally, my antenatal testing midwife felt that where there was only a single marker from one of the hormones - e.g. raised hCG and nothing else - it was possible that the formula over-weighted it. She said she was always more concerned if there were lots of little pointers rather than one thing far out of whack on the hormones. Now, of course, that might be complete bollocks, but it helped me.

[SallyMischievo]

Thank you, that's very reassuring to hear. I will try not to worry as like you say, the chances are strong that everything is fine and none of the other markers seemed to present a cause for concern to the staff I saw. I really appreciate your advice x

[blamber]

I had low papp-a from the test, but the other markers were all fine. It gave me a higher chance than average for my age, 1 in 231. I discussed it with the obstetrician and she said it was that low level that raised the chance, but they do not get concerned unless it gets higher than 1 in 150. If the other markers are fine, then most likely everything is absolutely fine.

I'm not sure what could cause the high hcg on its own though, but I think that on its own it doesn't mean anything.

[LadyGoneGaga]

I was told that it was only really a concern if hcg was high AND pappA was low. Mine was doing exactly that - hcg 5x normal. Luckily all the nuchal markers were normal but still ended up coming out high risk due to the abnormal bloods. I was 35. I went to London and had the Harmony test done and all came out fine. Baby is due in a couple of weeks so hoping that all the tests were correct.

There doesn't seem to be much rhyme nor reason for it. I did feel that the first 20 weeks were the worst of my 4 pregnancies, exhausted, horrible nausea, horrendous headaches resulting in me needing to be off work for weeks. I really think it was as a result of the high hcg as didn't have that in previous pregnancies. After 18/20 weeks though things picked up and I am having the best third trimester of all my pregnancies - swings and roundabouts!

I hope your Harmony test goes well.

[mewkins]

My hgc was 4x more than normal so my results came back as 1:85 , despite all else being normal. I had the harmony test which came back fine. Yes, early bleeds (Ihad a huge one) are ooften given as a reason. Also weirdly if you are a vegetarian that sometimes increases the levels (it's on one of the research papers) . I have also heard that having a girl usually increases the levels....I have yet to fins out what I'm having but due in two weeks.
I hope your tests are absolutely fine. X

[SallyMischievo]

Thank you so much for the reassuring words. Not vegetarian although I haven't eaten a huge amount of meat in my first trimester due to going off it! Funnily enough, one of the Doctors did hint that she thought the baby was a girl but with me being only 12 weeks + 1, DP and I have decided not to pay too much attention for now as it must be tricky to get right so early on!
I feel so much happier! Thank you again x

[Lamos1]

Thanks for sharing this My risk is 1:22 second baby 12 weeks and 6 days HCG 5x all other parameters are normal though and my risk is 1:22 and my age is 30
May I ask what was the risk in you case as your HCG was 5X as mine ?
My NT is 2.9 they told me anything below 3.5 is normal and aPP is 1 MOM which seems normal. I am waiting for the NIPT but Iam very worried !!!! Can’t sleep even

[Mrslouu]

My 12 week showed as 1 in 24, first baby and forty but keep myself fit. My harmony tests came back as low risk 1 in 10,0000 but my levels were high each time. I have my 20 week scan next week and I can feel him kicking away.
Good luck for your results @SallyMischievo

[Lamos1]

@Mrslouu thank you . You gave me hope !
Do you mind asking if your HCG was very high ? Mine is 5 times higher the range.
Other NT is 1.6 MOM and APPA is 1.0 MoM
I hope all the best in your 20 scan

[Mrslouu]

@Lamos1 hi yes it was. My gp told me I was pregnant and my levels indicated that I was further on than I actually was. My measurements on the scan were normal.
Glad to get the harmony test done which checks babies blood and not mine. All the best.