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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

PCOS and hCG Levels

81 replies

Clwc · 23/04/2009 16:11

Hello all,

Apologies if this has been discussed previously.

I have been reading more and more about a link between PCOS and difficult to detect hCG levels during early pregnancy, making HPTs almost useless for many weeks.

Having been diagnosed with PCOS and hypothyroidism, I was once told, by a doctor, that different hormone disorders often go hand in hand. If that is the case, could it be that, even if a PCOS 'sufferer' were to become pregnant, not enough hCG would be produced to keep the pregnancy? Or has my thinking/knowledge gone to pot?

Does anyone have any thoughts on (1) the use of HPTs with PCOS and (2) the production of hCG when affected by PCOS?

That was long and my head's spinning. Hope I didn't just cure your insomnia!

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Original poster

Clwc · 30/04/2009 13:21

I am TTC and started this thread during the 2ww. I am just as guilty as everyone else with symptom-spotting, but the meds (Clomid) also cause a wide range of confusing side-effects. AF arrived a few days ago.

I believe a blood test is more likely to detect even minimal amounts of hCG, but don't quote me on that. I'm no physician. When did you expect AF, SockThing? If it has been a while, I'd get your surgery nurse/GP or consultant to do a blood test. Epecially if you've had a lot of BFNs with HPTs. Explain to him/her what happened last time.

There was a poll done on soulcysters.com that asked how many DPO people had their BFP. Some were early and some were later. Perhaps it differs from PCOSer to PCOSer.

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SockThing · 30/04/2009 12:56

I didn't find anything interesting on the internet, can't be much research into it but I am convinced of it. Someone with PCOS I know from another website has found out she is 12 weeks pg despite numerous -ve tests over the last few months, she had tons of pg symptoms too.

I worry that as I didn't get ANY symptoms last time that I may be pg now and not know

Would a blood test show up pregnancy rather than a urine test?

Are you TTC clwc?

Original poster

Clwc · 30/04/2009 12:44

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Original poster

Clwc · 28/04/2009 18:00

Anyone else?

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Original poster

Clwc · 27/04/2009 00:30

Hello SockThing

Did you find anything interesting? Perhaps they need to try to detect a different substance in pregnant women with PCOS. Something not quite so hormone-related, perhaps?

Congrats for your perfect DS too

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Original poster

Clwc · 27/04/2009 00:27

Thanks, TattyCatty,

It is reassuring to hear stories of full-term PG with PCOS...and belated congrats on the birth of your DD

It started as a hunch, but the more I read, the more I see a correlation. I haven't found many medical sites that have put two and two together with this though. I hope more women come to this thread with their views, and hopefully a mid-wife and/or reproductive endocrinologist included!

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SockThing · 26/04/2009 21:50

Hi
I had never heard of a link between HCG levels and PCOS but 5 years ago I got -ve HPTs for weeks and eventually got a very faint +ve, went for an "early" scan and was 15 weeks pg!

It has always bothered me that I never knew I was pg for weeks and weeks (I had no pg symptoms except no AF!). I always wondered why all the tests were -ve. I only kept taking them each week as it was such a long cycle and I wanted to get AF so I could take Clomid!

I had a dream pregnancy - until 26 weeks when my waters broke and I gave birth at 27 weeks! Nothing to do with PCOS though, I had an infection in my water I think?! DS is nearly 5 and absolutely perfect.

I am off to google this now as it has intrigued me!

TattyCatty · 26/04/2009 13:05

I have never done any research into this but I have PCOS and my HcG levels were very slow to rise when I fell pregnant (after IUI). Got a positive HPT on day 14 after my treatment (which I guess is the equivalent of 14dpo - I don't ovulate naturally so don't have an idea of cycle length), but my first Beta HcG blood test was only 89 which my clinic thought was very low. My levels were then very slow to rise, barely doubling every 72 hours (most clinics look for them to double every 48 hours) so we were told to expect the worst and that the pregnancy wouldn't be viable. My slow to rise HcG levels are now 3 years old and playing with her Barbie dolls

There may be a link between slow rising HcG levels and PCOS (tempted to go and look myself now!), but there are lots of ladies on here with PCOS who like me have carried a baby to term, so please be reassured by that.

Original poster

Clwc · 26/04/2009 12:59

No worries, dancingqueeen

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dancingqueeen · 25/04/2009 08:32

just wanted to apologise for sending a message so many times! didn't mean to!

Original poster

Clwc · 25/04/2009 01:30

Bump

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Original poster

Clwc · 24/04/2009 10:01

Hello Catrin,

You may have.

On a couple of occasions before, I have felt as though I was pregnant, but it just ended up being another visit from AF. This time, I feel a bit different again, with nausea, headaches and a stronger cramping feeling. It was my first month of taking Clomid, and I'm now CD26. I had a negative HPT yesterday and now realise it was way too early for me to test.

Thank-you for your reply. Why did you keep testing? Missed AF? Let's see if anyone else had the same problem.

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catrin · 24/04/2009 08:49

Have no medical knowledge on this, but I had 7 negative HPTs from 5 weeks on and eventually got a positive at 7 1/2 weeks. Have PCOS.
Have I just confirmed your theory?

Original poster

Clwc · 23/04/2009 23:53

Gosh. Thanks dancingqueeen. lol
Are you interested to know too?

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