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Original poster

Advice needed on low HCG level- possible ectopic?

26 replies

Firerise · 12/11/2009 15:58

Hello,

I would really appreciate any advice as I am currently worried sick.

I tested positive last Friday and went to gp yesterday who when I told her I had suddenly had unexplained really bad pain in my left shoulder an cramping under my rib cage. I promptly got sent straight to the EPAU where the first doctor we saw told us it was probably fine and at 4 -5 weeks would be to early to see anything.

I then had an internal scan which they said they couldn't see the embryo either in the uterus or out.

Finally they took blood for a hcg test which came back last night with what they described as very low (93).

I am due to go back tomorrow for another hcg test to compare.

I just want to know what's going on and what the chances are that it may just be too early to see? Any idea about when it should show on a tv scan and what a worringly low hcg level is at this point?

Don't know whether I should be keeping a glimmer of hope or preparing myself for the worst?

OP posts:
mumtoo3 · 12/11/2009 16:38

i had this with ds, at 6 weeks bleed and pain, no heartbeat, so hcg was 20000, it doubles roughly every 48hours, so please remember i was slightly further on!

thur 20,000
sun 23,000 (could not go on the sat as it was our wedding day!)
tues 25,000

everything pointed to an ectopic and then at 7 weeks 5 days they detected a heartbeat

i was told i beat all medical belief and should not have been preg! so there is always hope, i really am not trying to get your hopes up, but just explaining what happened to me just remember the hormones double roughly every 48hours, in a normal women, and if they dont you may be like me

hth mt3 x

sh77 · 12/11/2009 18:37

Hi

Please see link for HCG levels: www.pregnancyloss.info/hcg_levels.htm

You are within range for your weeks. Also, please note how massive the ranges are for each time point. A single HCG doesn't tell you anything without the second. I really hope all is fine for you.

I would say 4-5 weeks is too early to see a heartbeat. A sac will be visible
and so don't expect to see much.

I am having a missed MC at the mo - at 9 weeks, they could see a baby measuring 5-6 weeks. I also had HCG tests which showed a fall and so it was conclusive for me.

mumto3 - amazing story!

All the best.

Original poster
Firerise · 12/11/2009 22:04

Thank you both for your messages, I really appreciate it.

MT3, that's so good to hear- thank you for giving me some hope. After everything they told us I was losing it abit but not going to give up yet!

Sh77, thanks for the link, really useful and shows what a massive range there is...having more bloods tomorrow so fingers crossed.

I think they were worried that they should be able to see the sac by now but can't see anything but I have heard that sometimes you can't see anything until hcg hits 1000.

I am really sorry to hear you sad news Sh, are you doing ok (as well as can be hoped)? Thinking of you x

OP posts:
sh77 · 12/11/2009 23:06

Thanks. I have had 2 weeks to come to terms with it. It is a tragic thing to experience but I just want to move on, which is a bit tricky as the natural loss is taking a while. I don't want any surgical intervention and hope that nature will be kind to me in just getting in with it.

I really hope all goes well for you. Please let us know. xx

mumtoo3 · 13/11/2009 06:38

sh77 - i am so sorry to hear will keep my fingers crossed that you are okay

please let us know how you both get on

Original poster
Firerise · 14/11/2009 14:12

Hello,

after a sleepless night the hospital called this morning to confirm my hcg has risen to 153 so not doubled but going in the right direction so more blood tests tomorrow. Feel ok about it not doubling given your experience mt3 as long as it is on the up.

I haven't had any more pain just a few cramps so I am hoping and praying that we maybe just maybe be blessed.

How are you today Sh? X

OP posts:
sh77 · 14/11/2009 15:27

That is encouraging news. Not everyone will have text book doubling. Fingers crossed for you.

I am a bag of misery. Bleeding is still stop start but each time is getting a little heavier. I just want things to get moving faster otherwise I am going to have to consider alternatives on Monday.

Original poster
Firerise · 15/11/2009 00:35

Sh, sorry your feeling so down. It must be so hard to deal with not knowing how long it will physically take.

Is there anything natural you can eat or drink to help at all or something that your gp can help with?

I hope you're ok and you have someone looking after you? X

OP posts:
stephie101 · 15/11/2009 07:42

hey guys I'm really feeling for you right now, just gone through an ectopic for over a month now,I really hope things are both ok for you, I'm going to send positive vibes your way...good luck..xxxxx

mumtoo3 · 15/11/2009 14:43

thats good news that they ar rising they said to me ideally it should double but going up by 60% is okay aw well hth

sh - hope your feeling better x

Original poster
Firerise · 16/11/2009 20:20

Still don't know what is happening.

I had more blood taken on Sunday and the nurse advised that if the levels were ok they would book me in for another scan in 10 days but dr called today to say they had risen again but only to 248 and that they are very concerned that it is ectopic so want me to get another scan on Wednesday.

I will be 6 weeks on Thursday so levels should be a lot higher by now.

Gone from feeling increasingly positive to worried sick again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Firerise · 16/11/2009 20:21

Sh, how are you today? X

OP posts:
sh77 · 16/11/2009 22:57

Hey firerise

Will be thinking of you on Wednesday. The wait is the worst part of this. Are you having more pain?

My bleeding, backache and cramping is picking up but I have decided to have surgical removal. I am 11 weeks and baby stopped growing 5-6 weeks ago. That can't be good for me. I will know tomorrow about my date but hope it is this week. As I have known for 2 weeks for sure that I have MCd, I have had time to deal with fact that the pregnancy is over but it has been hard waiting for my body to expel everything.

I hope you get clarity on Weds. xx

stephie101 · 18/11/2009 07:27

Just want to say good luck today firerise, I really hope all goe's well, let us know the outcome....best wishes..x

stephie101 · 18/11/2009 07:28

sh77 hows it all going chick...?, did you get a date this week?x

mumtoo3 · 18/11/2009 08:23

how are you both today? any more news?

x

Original poster
Firerise · 18/11/2009 09:04

Going in to the EPAU this morning so hopefully will find out more today one way or another. I just feel so flipping helpless and have hardly slept for the last few nights. I just feel like I am in limbo.

I'm not getting anymore pain just cramping and bachache.

Sh, have you had a date yet? I hope it soon like you were hoping. X

OP posts:
Original poster
Firerise · 18/11/2009 09:08

Just want to say thank you all for your kind messages. It really means so much to me x

OP posts:
sh77 · 18/11/2009 12:41

Hi
Wishing you the best of luck. Really hope it is good news for you.

I am booked for my erpc tomorrow morning. I am bleeding quite a bit now though (typical after waiting 3 weeks eh?). I haven't passed any major clots and am not cramping very much at all. Just looks like a normal period. I don't even know if I should have an erpc now that things are moving. A couple of benefits of having the erps is that the conusulatn will send off the tissues for testing and will also do some blood clotting tests.

Thank you for asking about me. xx

stephie101 · 18/11/2009 15:42

oh sh77 I'm really feeling for you right now, I was quite surprised after my salpingectomy ( i think thats what it's called!!!) and all blood loss has stopped, very weird, just waiting on news from firerise I hope she's ok..x

sh77 · 18/11/2009 16:03

stephie - thanks for your lovely message. What is a salpingectomy - never head of it...

Original poster
Firerise · 18/11/2009 19:45

I have had some good news at todays appointment. They scanned me again and this time they could see the sac and yolk in the right place so have ruled out ectopic. Was such a huge relief as I had been bracing myself for the worst.

They have said that they are still concerned that there could be something wrong because of the low hcg and rise has only been about 62% but there is at least a better outlook than originally thought!

I have another scan in 10 days so keeping fingers crossed for that.

Sh, I hope it goes ok tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you x

OP posts:
stephie101 · 18/11/2009 20:07

firerise thats brilliant news, i'm so pleased, iv'e been thinking of you all day, the waiting is just a nightmare, I really hope that the scan goes well in 10 days time, HCG levels are different for everyone and the docs just use the guidelines they have from text books......keep positive and take lots of rest, i know it must of tired youout this last week or so.....xxx

mumtoo3 · 18/11/2009 20:20

firerise - wow fab news i was told over 60% is okay for a normal pregnancy! so will keep fingers crossed for you, let us know how its all going x

sh - its always the way you start to bleed just before! will be thinking of you x at least they will be doing some tests x

stephie101 · 19/11/2009 07:36

salpingectomy, or whatever it's called, removal of the fallopian tube, why they had to put 4 holes in me I don't know?!!

Got a check up on Friday...

sh77 Lot's of luck and love wending it's way to you today, thinking of you, take it easy..xx