HCG levels & faint lines

[KiiJa]

Hi!
Help needed and much appreciated
I got a few days of very faint positives (squint under the light faint) on cheap tests that are 20mIU/ml, so I brought the first response that are 6.3mIU/ml and got a strong positive. Am I correct in thinking that means that my hcg levels are less than 20? Or are they completely unrelated numbers? I’ve tested with the cheapies since and it’s got ever so slightly darker over the last 3 days but no where near as dark as I would expect. Midwife won’t see me until 8 weeks. I’m roughly 5 give or take a week as my cycle can be between 27-32 days and not tracking ovulation as I was told I couldn’t conceive naturally.
After 7 years TTC and an ectopic and tube removal, I was told my only tube was blocked. I have read about women who’s tubes were not blocked after all but that the ‘dye’ they flush you with can cause the tube to spasm. What’s the chances this is ectopic? I ‘feel’ pregnant, I’m constantly hungry and/or nauseated, sore boobs and everything else exciting lol, I have no bleeding since what I suspect was implantation bleed (tiny bleed) 2 weeks ago and only the mildest of cramps when I’m walking etc. Is it still possible I could have a healthy pregnancy? Unfortunately I blocked out most of my previous experience, it was quite horrific and a long time ago, I don’t remember if I had any symptoms other than bloating and bleeding, do you still have the same symptoms with healthy pregnancy and ectopic? And can I tell an ectopic from the tests? Is there any connection between home tests and blood test levels?
Any help ideas or experiences very welcome thanks

[Welliedays]

@kiija if you have faint positives on 20s and a strong positive on 6.3 then it sounds like your probably sitting somewhere just under 20 as they will likely pick up a little less. For being 4/5 weeks I'd say that's probably about right test again in another week if you want to see line progression.. But congratulations!!

[Welliedays]

@kiija and it sounds like normal pregnancy symptoms to me... Ectopic symptoms tend to be severe cramping mainly on one side and alot of blood loss. Blood tests can pick up lower levels and also give more accurate results, but you tend not to need accurate results if you have a positive home test and no reason to believe the pregnancy is failing (ie. If you were bleeding alot you could get tested 48 hours apart to see if your hcg hormone was still doubling as that would show the pregnancy was stl viable)

[KiiJa]

Thank you so much for your replies. I read your messages and instantly felt calmer. When I went to the toilet I thought seeing as I won’t be testing for a week I thought I may as well use the last cheapy test I had thinking it probably wouldn’t show at all without FMU and.. it already has got stronger since the one from earlier today! Defo no more squinting! I’ve been so worried and stressing about it, I’m so relieved. I instantly broke down in tears I’m so overwhelmed! Feels like a miracle just happened. I’m in shock and nervous but I can finally let myself be excited lol

[TenThousandSpoons0]

Sounds all normal - FWIW, any line on a 20miu test means that the level is over 20 (as it is only sensitive enough to show positive when HCG over 20 and any line is a positive).
BUT with a previous ectopic and having been told you’ve got a blocked remaining tube, there is a higher chance of ectopic than someone without that history (but I stress it’s still a higher chance this is normal than an ectopic). It would be a good idea to make an appointment with your GP and arrange some blood tests to check the HCG is rising normally, as well as an early scan at 6-7 weeks. You shouldn’t have to pay privately for that scan - although I don’t know the exact protocols where you are, your history should be a good reason for an early scan through the NHS. If your GP isn’t helpful perhaps try calling your EPU.
Congratulations - all sounds normal, just worth arranging the extra checks :)

[calimommy]

As PP mentioned, if you are getting a positive on a 20 then you have at least that level in your system, not less.
Absolutely insist on investigations to ensure that this is not ectopic.
Good luck! X

[STEF1986]

Hi I'm the same 3days late took a cheap test today and line is very faint this happened 6yrs ago ended up being a pregnancy of unknown location so I'm very anxious it's happening again 😢going to purchase a 1st response later to test again

[RefuseTheLies]

I’ve had a previous ectopic. When I got pregnant with my now 4 year old, my EPU saw me straight away for blood tests to make sure hcg was rising appropriately, then booked me in for an early scan (5/6 weeks). Call your EPU and explain about your previous ectopic and they will likely be more helpful than your midwife.

[STEF1986]

Will the EPU see me though if iv not seen my own GP first??

[KiiJa]

I actually bypassed doctors straight to EPU she said regardless of history its still 8 weeks which I know is crap because I got scanned at 6 weeks with my ectopic because I also have a blood disorder that needs meds when pregnant. I’m shocked by the lack of care I assumed COVID is messing with everything. I’m not supposed to be able to get pregnant and now I am no one is interested? I find it weird. I’m going to try again tomorrow I’ll ask docs too. I might even call 111 see what they say. And yes it’s worth a try, my EPU you can self refer.

[TenThousandSpoons0]

Agree try again, ask to speak to a doctor. 8 weeks is late with that previous history. Not sure if it’s Covid related or not - from these threads it seems that it’s harder to get early pregnancy care in UK than where I am, Even pre Covid, I often feel a bit sad for you guys :(

[KiiJa]

I spoke to an out of hours doctor and he asked why am I calling, your not in pain and your not bleeding. When I told him about the infertility he said docs are wrong all the time. I feel to make up some pain at this point just so they pull their fingers out! I need to know, I’m going crazy lol. I really don’t want to risk losing my only tube as I had an appointment in November to discuss surgery to try to ‘clean it’

[TenThousandSpoons0]

Yikes I’m sorry he sounds like a .
Again - this is way more likely to be normal than ectopic though. If it makes you feel better though, this delay wouldn’t make the difference between losing your tube or not. I’m just thinking it will make all the difference to your anxiety levels!! If you have a good GP, do try to talk to them - they could at least arrange blood tests or perhaps chat to EPU on your behalf.
You may have more luck on weekdays - perhaps the doctor was just stressed on call and meant to say to you that if you’re not in pain/bleeding it could wait until usual hours...

[TenThousandSpoons0]

Oh perhaps I misunderstood - did you mean you spoke to a doctor who works with the EPU? Anyway, try again on a weekday in hours.

[ivfdreaming]

I've had 2 ectopics both ruptured and both times had textbook hcg rises - so blood tests really can't tell you for certain if it's going to be an ectopic or not. I was scanned at 6 weeks in this pregnancy though due to history of ectopic

[KiiJa]

Sorry I was typing quick lol, this morning I called 111, who called out of hours doctors as everything is closed. It was an out of hours doc that I spoke to today. The midwife I spoke to previously was from EPU. The out of hours doctor literally just spoke to me like I’m crazy. Telling me they only test ‘at risk’ pregnancies. What am I then lol when my blood disorder alone should have me seen by now. But anyway this afternoon I found a different brand of test still 20mui/ml And got a strong positive and that has calmed my heart a bit. Maybe the tests I was using were just rubbish? I’m going to call my GP in the morning to ask for bloods. I’m just so desperate to know for sure it’s in the right place. That’s so reassuring to know the wait won’t risk my tube thank you all for all your reply’s it’s helped stop me from going completely crazy lol and because everyone in my life knows my history we’ve decided not to tell anyone in case. So it’s nice to be able to ask questions and vent online 😁

[TenThousandSpoons0]

I see - general after hours doctors sometimes don’t really have any Gynae/pregnancy experience really. You should hopefully have better luck with either GP or a doctor through EPU. X

[KiiJa]

Just wanted to update for people in the future as I hate reading through forums and people don’t come back lol. I had my scan, it IS in the right place! Could only see gestational sac with a mean diameter of 11mm.. so they’re guessing my dates are off so back in 10 days for another. Could just be due to the angles they can’t see with my tilted uterus. They said I ovulated from the side with no tube. They said they won’t do bloods or anything they don’t seem concerned at all. I know it could still be unviable but I just want to spread the hope, being told ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ is pure garbage! According to ‘professionals’ I shouldn’t of even be able to get this far. There is always hope! Good luck everyone! I’ll be back to update lol x

[asabee]

Wow amazing! Would love an update. Keeping fingers crossed 🤞for you

[calimommy]

Good luck! And thanks for updating.

[KiiJa]

Saw a yolk sac 😁 midwife said I’m more around 6 weeks which is insane because I got my positive 4 and a half weeks ago lol.
At first they told me sac had grown but was empty and my heart sunk, but when they showed me the screen to prove it (so glad they did!!) I said no, I defo see a yolk, they had a closer look and there it was. Starting to wonder if I’d have more luck scanning myself lol. Another scan next Friday 🤞

[meemooxxx]

Hi everyone I have recently had a positive test making me 4 weeks pregnant according to dates. Has anyone had faint lines like this? Also clear blue digital marking as 1-2?

[mrsmummy1111]

Hi @meemooxxx - Congrats!! Do you mean 4 weeks based on the first day of your last period? In which case yes, that first response looks correct as it's based on your actual ovulation date, not the date of your LMP. You are "4 weeks" pregnant based on how the midwives will date your pregnancy, but only actually 1-2 weeks pregnant based on when you actually conceived. Do you know when you ovulated?

[meemooxxx]

Thank you yes my last period was 20th August so it makes me 4 weeks 3 days! Just not sure if the lines are supposed to be darker then that? I had a MC back in 2009 and this is my first pregnancy since. So I’m just waiting for it to happen again 😞 xxx

[mrsmummy1111]

@meemooxxx In that case as I said, you're not actually 4 weeks pregnant, as in, you didn't conceive the baby 4 weeks ago, presumably you conceived the baby between 1-2 weeks ago depending on when you ovulated so i wouldn't worry about those lines at all. You're actually only 1-2 weeks pregnant hence the clear blue. You obviously have quite strong hcg levels in order to get a positive on a clearblue digital so all seems normal to me. Congrats and best of luck with your pregnancy x

[meemooxxx]

Yes that is right. Thanks very much xxx