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Original poster

Low HCG levels and ongoing pregnancy

116 replies

GoldJules · 18/10/2022 16:52

Hello! I had my 5th embryo transfer in September, and got a faint positive test - did a few more - still quite faint, and decided to get a blood test to see what was going on. 14 days past a 5 day frozen embryo transfer, my hcg was 124. That was on a Thursday afternoon, and when I did another test on Saturday morning (around 42 hours later) it was 224. I did another urine test where the test line is much darker. My clinic advised me that as my hcg was low initially, the pregnancy is unlikely to continue. I guess I'm trying to prepare myself for a miscarriage - but wondered whether anyone had been in a similar position, and had an ongoing pregnancy? Thanks!

OP posts:
Rach247 · 23/04/2023 18:29

And how many embryos did you transfer? That looks like a great, strong line.

Original poster
GoldJules · 23/04/2023 21:43

Thanks @Rach247 that's really kind of you! Yes I'm feeling good! I mean I've got barely any symptoms apart from maybe slightly more frequent urination and I had three nosebleeds last week (which can apparently be a sign?) but other than that, completely normal! I'm trying to proceed with caution, but it's hard not to get your hopes up isn't it!!x

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Original poster
GoldJules · 23/04/2023 22:23

@Rach247 I transferred 3....

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Rach247 · 24/04/2023 09:24

So exciting! And yes it’s impossible not to get your hopes up so I think you should embrace it. When will you be due?

Releasethehoundss · 25/04/2023 01:47

Omg i am so excited for you two! Those lines look amazing!

Original poster
GoldJules · 25/04/2023 09:51

@Rach247 It's really hard not to get my hopes up - I'm generally trying to keep myself distracted! Feels like tempting fate to even think about this - but I'd be due in December....

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Original poster
GoldJules · 25/04/2023 09:52

@Releasethehoundss ah thanks!!!!!! It's an early response test, so it's got a high HCG sensitivity - but still - defo darker than last time!

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Rach247 · 01/05/2023 17:31

How’s it going, @GoldJules?

Releasethehoundss · 01/05/2023 17:34

Yes, hoping you have good news, still...

Original poster
GoldJules · 01/05/2023 17:39

Hi hi! Sorry in advance for neurotic message and I hope it’s okay to seek advice/reassurance. I did a clear blue digital test last Thursday (14 days post transfer) and got a 3 weeks + which was reassuring - plus a ravenous hunger! That has definitely dropped away today. I think my breasts were slightly sore and fuller (maybe it’s bananas to think that at 5 weeks) and now they’re not sore at all, and I’m spinning out that it’s stopped working. Did anyone else’s symptoms fluctuate in early pregnancy?!?! Or got themselves in a state when actually all was fine?! Sorry - after last time I’m feeling pretty fragile!

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Pip1402 · 01/05/2023 17:49

It's completely normal for symptoms to fluctuate or not to have many at all at 5 weeks. At that stage I did another test and told dp it was definitely all over because the line was fainter than the one a few days before. I was looking at the test line and not the pregnancy line 🤦‍♀️

It's also completely normal to worry about symptoms or lack of them, especially given what you've been through. I did a lot of googling about early pregnancy and boobs no longer being sore around 5-6 weeks. There were lots of other people asking the same question!

I'm nearly 13 weeks now and everything is fine so far, touch wood. Wishing you the very best of luck.

Releasethehoundss · 01/05/2023 17:49

@GoldJules , i had the craziest symptoms with my last pregnancy.
My hCg kept rising but with no baby detected on ultrasound. Didn't even see a pregnancy til 13 weeks on a transvaginal US. Hide and seek champ of the world... all my symptoms left at 6ish weeks, except my food aversion. That stayed for most of my pregnancy. No sore boobs, no cramps, no tiredness. I delivered three and a half weeks ago.
I totally understand you feeling so unsure after everything you've been through.
Be good to yourself and try not to stress because lots of women experience the coming and going of symptoms.

Rach247 · 01/05/2023 17:53

It sounds totally normal - I think early
pregnancy is designed to cause maximum stress and over analysis! Totally understandable that you’ll be feeling anxious.

Totally agree about everyone googling symptoms dropping away, I certainly did.

Do you have any beta tests that might set your mind at ease?

Original poster
GoldJules · 01/05/2023 23:02

@Pip1402 thanks for this! I know it lol to be true in theory but it’s much harder to accept it is true in my body. I guess I was really focusing on the extreme hunger I was feeling as a positive symptom and then now it’s stopped its making me feel nervous!!!

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Original poster
GoldJules · 01/05/2023 23:04

@Releasethehoundss you really had a rough time of it! Thanks for the reassurance too. I’m really trying not to stress, but it’s quite hard! I generally think of myself as a fairly grounded person but all of this is making me slightly spin out!

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Original poster
GoldJules · 01/05/2023 23:07

@Rach247 thanks for your kindness too. I had thought about beta tests, but doing it privately would cost around £120 (£60 per test) and I’m just not sure I want to spend that money! I was thinking of doing another clear blue digital test tomorrow (we’ve been away this bank holiday weekend) and hoping that it hasn’t dropped below 3 weeks +! Did you do betas in early pregnancy?

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Rach247 · 02/05/2023 06:31

Hi @GoldJules, my beta tests were just through the IVF clinic - have you passed that stage now?

Original poster
GoldJules · 02/05/2023 07:13

Hi @Rach247 thanks for this. My clinic doesn’t do them - just an ultrasound at 7 weeks - so mine would be on May 18th which seems like an age away. I might just suck it up and pay for the tests

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Rach247 · 02/05/2023 08:17

It’s hard to find the right balance, isn’t it? Would another 3+ digital result give you enough comfort to get you through to the scan?

Easy for me to say, I was entirely mad for months and would have paid anything for some clarity! The amount I spent on (useless/inconclusive) private scans was obscene…

Original poster
GoldJules · 02/05/2023 14:32

@Rach247 I caved and went for a hcg test! Just waiting for results

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Rach247 · 02/05/2023 15:15

Hope you don’t have to wait long!

Original poster
GoldJules · 02/05/2023 18:42

@Rach247 hello! I got the results back - 9888 which I think at week 5 is quite high, so that’s slightly reassuring but I know it’s all about the doubling so having a follow up on Thursday

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Rach247 · 02/05/2023 18:44

Sounds great! I hope that’s given you a bit of reassurance, at least for today!

Releasethehoundss · 02/05/2023 20:28

Sounds fantastic!
I was told with my last pregnancy that, as long as the levels are increasing by at least 30%, the levels are within range. The standard is no longer to completely double every 48 hours, but increase by at least 30%.

Original poster
GoldJules · 02/05/2023 23:19

@Rach247 yes it has - and indeed, probably only for today! Ha ha. @Releasethehoundss ah that's really good to know about the 30% - I'll definitely keep reminding myself of that. Thanks so much for your kind words and thoughts! xx

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