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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Extremely high HCG and empty sac

33 replies

ArcticSky · 04/03/2021 20:09

Hi all,

Really hoping for some advice/similar experiences. Was treated for a PUL in October and am now pregnant again (5 weeks 3 days). Due to the PUL and some cramps I was sent for an early scan and some bloods today and am very confused by the results.

Scan showed an empty gestational sac which the sonographer said was fine for this stage (& not ectopic - yay), but my HCG level came back at 12,650. This is way above anything I have read about at 5 weeks and after researching I am now terrified it is a molar pregnancy.

Other info: I got a good positive PG test at 10dpo and the lines on my internet cheapies have been getting progressively darker so I knew I would have had a decent amount of HCG in there but that level is ridiculous!

Only 1 gestational sac seen and she had a really good look so not twins.

The nurse seemed surprised at the results and I am going back in 48hrs for repeat bloods with a scan in 2 weeks.

Anyone with any experience? All comments appreciated Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
ArcticSky · 05/03/2021 07:06

Anyone??

OP posts:
Upupupintheair · 05/03/2021 07:31

No advice. But I had a scan yesterday and I should have been 5+3 but all they could see was an empty sac (they thought that I was probably early than my LMP). What were your measurements? My Ob consultant didn’t seem worried. I’ve got a rescan in 2 weeks.

Didn’t have my HCG taken though.

BunnyRuddington · 05/03/2021 07:50

I've had a partial molar. I did the same thing with googling and making myself worried. I think for me, as soon as I read the description of molars I just knew I had one.

Have they said when you are to go back? Are you under the early PG team?

After the MMC I had regular testing and was told not to TTC for 12 months but as I was older and my levels had always been so good they let me TTC after 6 months and I now have DC2.

If you want to talk about how you feel about the Molar off the board, feel free to message me Thanks

Original poster
ArcticSky · 05/03/2021 08:19

@Upupupintheair She didn't give measurements just said it looked normal for 5 weeks. She even said beforehand before 6 weeks it was normal to not really see anything so I left happy that there was at least something there. I also have a rescan in 2 weeks. Wouldn't have been worried if it hadn't have been for the HCG!

@BunnyRuddington They haven't confirmed a molar but my gut is telling me it is one. I'm back in tomorrow as am under the early PG team so will have a good chat to them then. My heart is saying I could just be someone with naturally very high HCG levels but my head is saying those numbers are ridiculous and this is unlikely to end well Sad

OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 05/03/2021 08:32

My heart is saying I could just be someone with naturally very high HCG levels but my head is saying those numbers are ridiculous and this is unlikely to end well.

If I remember rightly, it was about 15 years ago, I had to push the EPU. They tried to just keep on taking my HCG levels, that were becoming increasingly crazy, and do very little else. On the third visit I'd packed an overnight bag, told the nurse that I wasn't leaving until I'd seen the consultant. The consultant was really very nice and confirmed that it was a partial molar and booked me in for my MMC straightaway.

Yours could just be normal for you but at least you've read up on it and and know what to expect if things do go down that route.

Original poster
ArcticSky · 05/03/2021 11:36

Thank you for your replies and really sorry you went through that. I guess it's a waiting game. They are scanning me as well as bloods so hopefully if it is molar it will be caught quickly Sad

OP posts:
Noble89 · 05/03/2021 13:22

I've also had a molar pregnancy and just wanted to offer some reassurance. Even if it is molar it's been caught super early which is good and you'll be absolutely fine. I terrified myself googling after my diagnosis. I was sure I'd get cancer or need chemo but that's actually very unusual and especially if it's picked up and dealt with early. Fingers crossed you just have naturally high HCG but even if it's molar you'll be fine xxx

Original poster
ArcticSky · 05/03/2021 13:23

Thank you @Noble89 Smile Fingers crossed!

OP posts:
Skymum82 · 05/03/2021 13:31

I'm sorry I can't help, however I'm worried I'm having a molar, have my twelve week scan in a week and a half.
I just have this feeling.
Here they are not doing and blood tests until the scan.
However my pregnancy test stole all the dye from the control line, clear blue said 3+ really early on too. With my other 3 I have always had slow hcg. Never got a dye stealing even though I took tests at 5 weeks 🤦🏼‍♀️. So I have no idea.
I have also been so so so sick and tired. I have never felt this awful.

Twizzle8 · 05/03/2021 16:51

Hi @ArcticSky so this happened to me too. I had a missed miscarriage last year with twins. So when I fell pregnant in December I panicked over some pain on my left side. Went to the EPU where they saw an empty gestational sac and something that looked similar to a molar. I had bloods at it came back at 15,300. I was also about 5,3 weeks at this time too.
They took me into room, told me I’m having a molar pregnancy, my bloods were high (they in-fact aren’t for that many weeks) and sent me home to return a week later.
As you can imagine, it was the week from hell. When I returned the “molar” was in fact a cyst and had disappeared. But still they could only see the yolk sac and no baby. Again, I had to go back a week later and they finally saw a little bean and heartbeat. I’m now 14 weeks pregnant and everything is fine.
Your HCG level is totally normal and if you look at the charts you are sitting almost in the middle of where HCG levels are at that far along.
I have a retroverted uterus, so that also sometimes makes it harder to spot baby so early on.
Just be patient and try to relax and I’m sure your little bean will show for you next scan. Xx

Twizzle8 · 05/03/2021 16:56

You may be further along then you think .....

Weeks from LMP (Last Menstrual Period)
Approximate amount of hCG (in mIU/ml or IU/l)

3 weeks
5 to 50

4 weeks
5 to 426

5 weeks
19 to 7,340

6 weeks
1,080 to 56,500

7 to 8 weeks
7,650 to 229,000

9 to 12 weeks
25,700 to 288,000

13 to 16 weeks
3,300 to 253,000

17 to 24 weeks (second trimester)
4,060 to 165,400

BunnyRuddington · 06/03/2021 08:48

@Skymum82 I actually felt really well so we suspected something was wrong as I'm usually a sack as can be when pg. How long is it till you go for your scan?

Enwi · 06/03/2021 08:54

I’m really sorry you’re having all this worry. I agree with others though that you could just be further along than you think you are, or have naturally high HCG levels. I’ve had 6 week scans and seen a yolk and no baby, so that in itself isn’t concerning at all especially at 5 weeks.

Also, 5 weeks is definitely too early to rule out that it isn’t twins! It certaintly could be Smile

Skymum82 · 06/03/2021 08:57

[quote BunnyRuddington]@Skymum82 I actually felt really well so we suspected something was wrong as I'm usually a sack as can be when pg. How long is it till you go for your scan?[/quote]
Hello, when I googled feeling extra sick seemed to be a symptom 🤦🏼‍♀️. One more week. I'm so anxious.
It doesn't help we were not ttc, using condoms and I have pcos my first was a clomid baby and the next 2 were metformin.
Last year had a scan and had very bulky ovaries and lots of cysts.
So to have fell pregnant natural while using contraception seems unbelievable 🤦🏼‍♀️. I know that doenst point to a molar pregnancy either. But I will be very suprised if there is a baby 🤦🏼‍♀️

lavenderlou · 06/03/2021 08:58

I had exactly this with DC2. Some bleeding early on so they did blood tests and a scan and all it showed was an empty sac. The midwife was very surprised and said with my levels of HCG she would have expected to see more. This was at 5.5 weeks. I went back at 7 weeks and all was well.

It's interesting that when my blood tests were done at 12 weeks the high level of HCG was flagged up in both my pregnancies. With DC2, in combination with my age at the time the HCG levels, in combination with my age (mid-30s) actually blushed me into the high risk category for Downs Syndrome. High HCG levels can be one of the markers. Again all was fine. I am obviously just someone that naturally produces a lot of HCG.

Hope you have a good outcome.

BunnyRuddington · 06/03/2021 09:06

@Skymum82 sounds like it could all be well. Fingers crossed fir you Thanks

Original poster
ArcticSky · 06/03/2021 10:14

Thank you all so much for your responses. 2nd blood test today so will see what they say then. @Skymum82 Hope you are ok and fingers crossed for you too!

OP posts:
Twizzle8 · 09/03/2021 08:22

Hi @ArcticSky how you getting on? X

Original poster
ArcticSky · 09/03/2021 10:49

I'm doing better thanks. HCG had risen by 71% over the 48hrs which they said was great and I've been booked in for a scan when I will be 7w 3d. Still concerned about the high numbers but the nurse said not to worry as every pregnancy is different and they are rising in line with a normal pregnancy. Still not sure this is going to end well but happy I don't have to keep going in for bloods. Trying to carry on as normal until the scan which is very hard given that the nausea & tiredness have kicked in! Feel the same as when I was PG with DS2 which I'm taking to be a good thing. Thank you for checking!

OP posts:
anniebu · 09/03/2021 19:14

Good news! This is exactly the rate it should double at after ten thousand. Hope it all turns out fine for you OP!

Ifonlyidknownthen · 09/03/2021 19:25

I had exactly this, early pregnancy scan done where they only saw the sac, but I had very high HCG levels, they talked about twins as a possibility, and I'd had a bleed, hence the scan, and said I could have miscarried one. I went back for scan @ 7 weeks and the baby was very healthy, she's now 14. Good luck

Original poster
ArcticSky · 18/03/2021 13:12

Update for anyone reading this: have has a scan today at 7+3 & there was a little baby with a healthy heartbeat measuring 7+5. Obviously still early but I always love reading happy outcomes on other people's threads. There is a bleed next to the baby but I've been told it will either 'pop' or be absorbed & not to worry. Now for a nerve wracking wait until the 12 week scan. It never ends!

OP posts:
Twizzle8 · 18/03/2021 14:34

@ArcticSky yay congratulations. That’s exactly what happened to me. Now you must relax and just enjoy your pregnancy. So happy for you 😀

MollySxx · 18/03/2021 14:38

@Upupupintheair how did you get on? Currently ending my 2 week limbo tomorrow to see if I've progressed since my last scan saw a yolk sac x

justanotherneighinparadise · 18/03/2021 14:41

I can remember having really high HCG levels with DC2 and convincing myself it was bad news. The pregnancy was absolutely fine and my consultant said the high HCG numbers were a great sign.