HCG Levels in Early Pregnancy

[FreckledMouse]

Hi Everyone,
I'm currently 4 weeks and 4 Days Pregnant (18DPO)
And I'm absolutely terrified I'm having another ectopic I had one last July.
I've had very light spotting (some days nothing, some days when I wipe) light pink and sometimes brown since 11DPO - so a week now.
No pain at all.
And have been feeling pregnant (tired, sore boobs)
Today I had my HCG levels taken and the nurse on the phone said that they are "at the low end so she isn't sure it's a viable pregnancy" but didn't tell me the number, I've left a message with them to call me back and let me know.
But just looking to see if anyone else had either spotting for longer than a couple days early on ?
Or had low HCG and what the number was ? And if things went on to be okay ♥️

Thank you in advance.

I'm so sorry to hear about your ectopic pregnancy last year, I haven't experienced that myself only a chemical in October. But I am so scared of it happening too I am 4+4 the same as you and have had some spotting, some has been bright red. I'm terrified, I've booked a private scan for 6 weeks as I just can't get it out my head something bad is going to happen. Out of interest what are your pregnancy tests looking like? I've been doing them everyday and so far they do seem to be getting darker, do your lines seem dark/ getting darker day by day? Just wish I could be happy and not filled with anxiety at all times

@blondieee I'm exactly the same. Feel like I'm constantly on edge.
Yes my tests are getting darker daily, but they did when I had the ectopic too.
I did a Clearblue week indicator today and it showed 1-2 which made me worry too
Honestly just constant worry.

I'm glad I'm not the only one but sorry you are feeling the same way ♥️

I really feel for you, I've been there twice. Both IVF pregnancies. The first time my HCG was 5, and was not a viable pregnancy. The second time it was 48, so on the low end, but I'm now 14 weeks and everything seems fine!
My only advice is try not to worry until you know there is something to worry about. Easier said than done, and I know just how awful it can be. All the best to you xx

Thank you @forivfssake ♥️
I really want to hear what my numbers are - hopefully should in the morning.
It's nice to hear some success though !
Congratulations 🎉

@FreckledMouse I am really upset on your behalf that she even said that! The HCG test really should just be to prove that the number doubles, not that it is high vs low. I think I went in around your stage, and had 247 vs 503 2 days later. That was all they were looking for. I thought it was low and was scared for weeks. At 6-7 weeks they took bloods but didn't tell me the actual level, and i'm guessing it's to stop people obsessing. My friend had 2x MCs, and both times the levels stalled at 600, so even if your levels get up there, it is not entirely accurate that it can "predict a viable pregnancy". Everyone's levels are different, and as someone here has said, they can be low and completely ok. Please ask her for the count on each day to see if the doubling happens. Crossing everything for you x

@madeleine85 I think the nurse scared me more than anything, she just sounded really negative so it scared me more.
I've been doing a look on different forums and the hcg level varies so much that I'm not even sure what she means by "low" now.
Thank you for your replying ♥️

Update : just because I needed to tell someone ♥️
So this morning I got my 2-3 on the clear blue Digi (which lines up with my dates) meaning things seem to be progressing.
With my ectopic I didn't get a 2-3 until I was about 6 weeks along.
Test lines are darker, spotting is still very light / basically nothing most the time
And symptoms are strong (my boobs 😩)

Decided to try and stay positive and know that today I am pregnant and take each day as it comes.
If all is okay though I will be so upset with that nurse for causing so much stress and upset 😢

@blondieee how are you today ?

@FreckledMouse that all seems really positive! I'll keep everything crossed for us, I haven't done a digital since the day I found out I was pregnant (12 DPO) that said 1-2 weeks, I've been doing a FRER every morning and the line does seem to get darker every day, I think I might get a digital today to see if I get 2-3 weeks 🤞🏻 I don't have many symptoms as such, spotting seems to have slowed completely down just praying it stays that way 🙏🏻 I'm honestly checking my undies every half hour like a crazy women 😬

@blondieee let me know how you get on 🤞🏼
I'm keeping everything crossed for us ♥️
Girl, I check a million times a day so I'm right there with you !

@FreckledMouse just done the clear blue digital and got 2-3 weeks 🤞🏻

@blondieee YAAAAY amazing !
So happy for you !
How are you feeling today ? How's the spotting ?

I had no spotting yesterday at all and the tiniest bit of pink this morning so hoping that it's easing up now. I'm still anxious af but did this comparison this morning with my 20DPO tests from my ectopic and today which made me feel a bit better ! 🥰

@FreckledMouse wow! What a great comparison to your last test, hopefully that gives you some hope that this time everything seems to be going in the right direction 🙏🏻 I've been doing frer but have ran out now so I've done an IC test today. I'll show you mine it looks very similar xx

@blondieee that looks great 😍😍
Keeping everything crossed for us both 🤞🏼🤞🏼♥️✨

She shouldn't have told you that OP, it's not so much the number that's important, it's whether they're doubling in 48 hours or not. Until you'd had repeat bloods 2 days after the first, she wouldn't know one way or the other if it's progressing.

Sorry about your previous ectopic! It sounds like things are progressing nicely this time though with your CB tests! Fingers crossed this is your one! 🤞

[quote FreckledMouse]@blondieee that looks great 😍😍
Keeping everything crossed for us both 🤞🏼🤞🏼♥️✨[/quote]
@FreckledMouse did you find out what your hcg number was in the end? Xxx

@blondieee no she never rang back I've rung again today so waiting for a call back again !

@Lou98 yes I didn't realise this at the time but everyone has said that - including my GP ! It caused me so much stress 😩
She didn't invite me back in two days either - I have to wait till Monday :( which feels like so far away !

@FreckledMouse I wouldn't be happy about that at all! Especially given your history, it's natural you're worried, she should have known that. Even if it was "low" it could mean any number of things, one including the dates are just off slightly and you weren't quite as far on. She should never have just said that it could mean the pregnancy isn't viable and left it at that!

I'm not normally one for complaining but saying that then not following up when you've tried to ask questions and not bringing you back 48 hrs after to see if hcg has doubled - I would consider it

I had a low first number, 18. It did double but then it didn't and it was a really worrying time. Due to several previous losses. But i have my baby so it can work out xx

@Lou98 yes I've been thinking the same.
I'm going to go on Monday and ask to see a different nurse and file a complaint- especially if baby is fine. I didn't sleep, I've been signed off work with anxiety, I've reassured myself a little now but that's only thanks to you lovely people on here and my GP.

@cookielove that's really reassuring thank you. I still don't know what my number is but I'm assuming it's down there. Congratulations ♥️

@FreckledMouse good, I'm glad you're not just leaving it. Sounds like she needs more training!

Sorry about how worried you've been, glad you're a bit more reassured now and fingers crossed the rest of the pregnancy goes smoothly for you ❤️

Hey @FreckledMouse how are you? X

Hi @blondieee 😊
I'm good ! Tests still getting darker (no 3+ yet though)
Spotting has pretty much stopped bar the occasional tiny bit of light pink when I check my cervix.
Still no word on the hospital about numbers so I guess I'll wait till Monday 🤞🏼🙄

How are you doing ? ♥️

That's really good to hear, although how frustrating you still haven't heard back from them!
My spotting had returned unfortunately so I'm not holding out much hope that it's viable my tests look dark but not necessarily darker than a few days ago.. but not lighter either, kinda look the same. So feeling pretty rubbish, but nothing I can do I suppose just got to wait and see

Oh no !
Can you call the EPU and explain you're spotting and ask for bloods ?
I did that with my ectopic
Positive that they are dark and you got the 2-3 at the right time though.
What is the spotting like ?
Sending you all the love ❤️