Hcg hell! Help!

[LemonyChickpeas]

Hello everyone. Hoping Someone might be able to relate.

I had a 5 day frozen embryo transfer on 9 April. On my OTD (11dp5dt) the line on my frer was so faint - ghostly in fact. I could only see it if I held it to the light. Explained this to the clinic who told me to come in for bloods. The HCG level came back at 28! But my doctor told me I was ‘within the normal range’ of 5-70?!

I went for more bloods yesterday (13dp5dt) and the result today was 52. My doctor said he’s seen plenty of success with early low hcg levels, and booked me in for a scan at 7 weeks + 4 days. He said although not double the levels had gone up 1.5 x and that was fine!

Hope is wonderful, but every scientific article and pretty much all anecdotes I can lay my hands on have shown that such low levels are pretty much guaranteed to fail. I almost wish my doctor had been more honest about my chances as now I have no idea what to think.

Last IVF cycle I had a chemical pregnancy and my levels were 37 on OFT. This round it’s even lower at 28, so I’m so surprised my doctor is so... re-assuring?

My hubby is so hopeful but I’m so scared this will break our hearts again :(

Any of you ladies have/ heard of ridiculous low hcg levels? Is my doctor being overly optimistic here?

Thanks x

My clinic never offered a blood test and honestly I'm glad I didn't have it to obsess over. Sounds like hell, especially after your previous chemical

Are you still POAS testing? If so, are your lines getting darker? I guess that's all you can do for a better indication for the time being. If the lines get darker it might give you some reassurance.

Sorry I don't have any experience to help. I felt my lines were quite faint though compared to others I've seen. I guess there's a huge variety.

Hi @LemonyChickpeas I'm sorry you're in Hcg hell. It's an awful place to be and I've been there more than once. My clinic test regularly from OTD to 6 week scan and sometimes beyond. There are quite a lot of women on our FB page who talk about having low Hcg and having a successful pregnancy. And of having not-quite doubling Hcg and successful pregnancies. Of course there are also others for whom it doesn't work. The awful truth is that there is just no way to know other than time. I know I would also be worrying in your situation.

I think in your position I would want to keep testing every couple of days to see what happens. I would personally ask my Dr for this or get it done elsewhere. However if you are different to me and think you could switch off for a couple of weeks and just wait and see, this would be good too. Ultimately what will be will be and you just need to find the most bearable way to wait it out.

Sorry I can't say anything more reassuring but am rooting for you and your bean xxx

So sorry been here myself and that result is too low to end in a baby
take care and good luck for next time x

@Yokey thanks for replying regardless! I did tests earlier in the week but they never got darker, I imagine with such a slow rise in HCG it’s difficult to tell. I’ve asked for another blood test next week to see what’s happening. I’m glad you’ve not had to go through this - after going through this twice I can see why maybe it’s best just to leave any news until the scan!

@Janefx40
So sorry to hear you’ve been through this as well. It sucks I hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I’ll have another test next week and will update in case anyone else is going through this. Thanks for your lovely response and support - it helps

@shazzz1xx sorry to hear about your loss. Thank you for being honest about your experience- I’m bracing myself... xxx

Thankyou my second cycle worked and she’s 21month now so that’s me done with IVF
Hope you get your dream too one day x

@LemonyChickpeas I am in a similar boat. I had a FET on 7th April. Faint positive POAS since then, never getting darker. My HCG last week was low at 24.5. Results from the second blood test tomorrow but struggling with the wait and expecting a chemical pregnancy. Do you have many symptoms? I'm a bit achy and tired but otherwise ok, still on the IVF medication too. Fingers crossed for you.

@EROP sorry to hear this. It’s such a crappy situation isn’t it. I just heard my from a nurse just a few mins ago. She said at 5w2d which I’m at they expect a min level of 217. And I’m at 170. So things don’t look too good my side. I’m expecting a follow up call from the doctor to discuss, but tbh not holding up much hope. I had absolutely zero symptoms during my 2ww - not even a twinge. Have stated spotting last few days though :(

Hopefully your next results will be a more positive position. I have heard some women see their numbers shoot up between first and second blood tests and pray you fall in that camp. Hugs to you and I’m sending you all the luck in the world xxx

@LemonyChickpeas I'm so sorry to hear your update.. So cruel how it keeps going up but just not enough. And after your doctor tried to reassure you too

Good luck @erop

@LemonyT sorry the Hcg hasn't risen as much as you'd like. Hoping the Dr can give you some clarity at least

Xxx

Thanks guys. Another day another blood test. Feels never-ending! I’m thankful to have got this far (most pregnant I’ve ever been in 4 years ttc and 2 ivf rounds) but looking really forward to just knowing for sure now, even if it’s bad news

Hi, my hcg levels went down to 15 so sadly a chemical pregnancy for me. The worse part if waiting and at least now I know,. Wishing you the very best @lemonyt and directing all my good vibes and hope to you. x

@EROP I'm so sorry to hear that. I have had a chemical before from an IVF cycle and know how upsetting it was especially as I'd never been pregnant before. Take some time to be nice to yourself.

@LemonyT I'm sorry you are still going through this. As I said above I have had a chemical through IVF and also a miscarriage where my Hcg wasn't rising properly. It was such a difficult time. I remember feeling as though I would never be properly pregnant but it did eventually happen for me and I hope it will for you too.

Lots of love to you both

Xxx

@EROP so sorry. Hope you’re enjoying a massive drink/ soak/ lots of comfort food. That’s what I plan to do anyway!
My levels are still going up slow, so my doctors want to me to continue on meds just in case. But I’m bleeding steadily more and more each day sigh will see what the future holds.
@Janefx40 @shazzz1xx Amazing you guys got your earth side babies :) I hope to be there one day - fingers crossed x

So sorry @EROP

How much have your levels gone up @LemonyT?

Hi @LemonyT, I had a very low starting HCG level (can’t remember was it was exactly, but somewhere around 15). It increased very slowly for a couple of days and then started doubling. Unfortunately it ended up being an ectopic. Hopefully it won’t be the same for you, but if you get any pain in your abdomen, please go to EPU for a scan. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a positive outcome for you.

@Yokey i was 470 as of yesterday. But I’m bleeding bright red as I type so it’s all over unfortunately. I was expecting it so at least it’s not a shock.
Thanks for the heads up @lulahbelle. It did cross my mind and with endometriosis/ a blocked tube, apparently I may be at higher risk (according to google - so don’t quote me on that). Will be extra vigilant over next few days.

Thanks for the love guys. If anything miraculous happens I’ll be sure to update the thread for anyone living in hope. I’m sad this wasn’t a better outcome for us @EROP. Infertility can go do one.

Def be back on these boards next time we try as it has been really nice having supportive messages throughout :) Until then take care
Lemony x

Take care of yourself, @LemonyT Wishing you the very best for next time

Infertility can definitely do one - it’s utter misery. Thinking of you both @LemonyT and @EROP and hoping you have happier outcomes if you decide to do another round.

For the benefit of anyone reading this message in the future - unfortunately it turned out to be an ectopic!
Luckily I demanded an early scan at 6 weeks, and they caught it early enough for medicated treatment, despite my doctors still recommending surgery to remove my only good tube.

Blood tests now look like things are heading in the right direction so the medication is working thankfully.

This has definitely made me think. While I was originally thinking of not testing so early on, and feeling guilty by doubting my doctor, I’m so glad my paranoid mind made me test and re-test.

So I’d say never feel like an inconvenience- it could be life saving!

@LemonyT sorry to hear that. I'm glad you caught it early and things are heading in the right direction but I know how upsetting and frightening this can be. Sending lots of love xxx

So sorry to hear that @LemonyT, but very glad to hear you insisted on an early scan so it was caught early and you could keep your tube! Sending lots of luck for the next round if you decide to go again!