HCG level is 27 at 11dpo - I thought OK but been told to prepare for a chemical pregnancy?

[LemonadeJelly24]

I thought the important thing about HCG is that it doubles every 48 hours, regardless of the base line.

I had a blood test yesterday at 11dpo and the doctor has told me 27 is a very low level and to prepare for a chemical pregnancy. I explained I was only 11dpo so I was expecting it to be a low number, but she still said it's likely to be chemical.

I'm just wondering if anyone else had a level similar to this at 11dpo?

The thing is, she doesn’t know your cycle, hasn’t personally confirmed ovulation so 27

HCG is very low and she can only base her judgement on the information she has at hand and what she knows for certain.

For example, if you said your LMP was 29 days ago- that’s the only thing solid the doctor has to go on. You may believe and have the temps to confirm that you ovulated on CD 18- but she can’t take your FertilityFriend app and what your cervical mucus looked like at gospel.

If you are that early, why are you going to get a blood draw?

If you know you ovulated when you say you did, it’s fine and sit tight. That would be normal for so early.

Thank you for replying.

If you are that early, why are you going to get a blood draw?

Very complex gynaecological history which means I will need high levels of consultant-led care and a caesarean.

For a similar reason, I am sure about ovulation date - so I know I am 11dpo.

Then it’s fine.

GPs don’t take much stock in OPKs and mucus and temperatures. She will be basing her decision based on your cycle length.

27 at 11dpo is well in the normal range a GP should not be saying to prepare for a chemical. Is it being repeated in 48 hours?

Mine was 48 at roughly 14dpo (IVF) and I now have a healthy 18 month old x

Yes, it is being repeated tomorrow when I will be 13dpo.

Thinking about it @GavinHendersonsChipPan, she didn't ask me when my cycle started. She called me, and first of all asked me why I had had the test done.

I explained my history, and she went straight into saying the level was 27 and very low so to prepare for the chemical. She didn't actually know at that point where I was in my cycle. It was only because I was surprised to hear that she was concerned that I said, actually I am only 11dpo so surely it is still early days. I also said I thought it was the doubling that mattered. She then said yes, it is still early, but still very low. And said to get it tested again "in a week" as it is likely to be a chemical.

Level sounds perfect, it sounds like she's not acknowledging you're only 11dpo.

So did someone else (a specialist?) tell you to get the hcg test but then the results have been sent to the GP and that's why you're discussing it? If so, I had similar - I was under the care of the recurrent miscarriage clinic but some of it had to go through the GP, including blood tests and also some prescriptions needed. The GP didn't know much about it (which obviously you wouldn't expect them to have specific expertise, but they did seem weirdly distrustful of the recurrent miscarriage clinic, which was also an NHS service), clearly thought it was all a bit silly and overdramatic and gave advice that actively contradicted the specialist (including 'you'd be better off just not testing until you've missed two periods' - as I only ever had successful pregnancies with medication from early in the first trimester I suspect I'd still be childless if I'd followed that). I remember how upsetting it was at the time, and I'm sorry that this has upset and worried you, I completely understand why. If there is another, specialist clinician involved I would listen to them and only them.

So did someone else (a specialist?) tell you to get the hcg test but then the results have been sent to the GP and that's why you're discussing it?

Yes! I will try to get hold of my specialist. I can’t believe the ‘advice’ you were given!

My GP surgery is great but I do remember at the start of all this, a few years ago, they sent me for bloods on the wrong day of my cycle. I was sure they had to be done on cycle day 3, but the GP was adamant any day was ok. Of course - they later had to be redone on day 3.

I am now googling HCG research studies instead of doing my work… 😕

Sounds like a GP who is used to interpreting HCG bloods of people who are further along in their pregnancy. It makes sense as most NHS users wouldn't be getting pregnancy bloods at 11dpo.

If non pregnant HCG is less than 5, HCG roughly doubles every 48 hours and most pregnancies implant between days 6 and 10 DPO then your level is ideal.

Congratulations OP! Early pregnancy is such a worrying time but try to enjoy it(easier said than done of course).

27 at 11dpo is bang on where it should be.
A fertilised egg begins implanting around 5 or 6 dpo. Only once implanted can your body start producing HCG and it then needs to double every 2-3 days. Your wee little egg has only been snuggled in tight for 5 days max so give it time.

When you do IVF, so are sure of dates, they look for at least 70 or 80 ish HCG on 14DPO. Mine was 25 so I was told it would most likely be chemical. 48 hours later it had just about doubled to 54 I think, so still really low. It then doubled again so I was sent away and told to have a scan at 6 weeks. I had a full term healthy baby from that pregnancy.

Thank you so much. Hopefully it will be good news tomorrow.

It went has gone up to 78 on 13dpo, so completely in line with the median levels on this research!

They have advised I do another one so just on hold to the GP now, as today is 15dpo so it has been 48 hours. Hopefully they can squeeze me in today.

Fab news. Hope it all goes well for you.

Thank you. Updating the thread in case anyone searches in the future - my 15dpo HCG was 226 so again perfectly in line with that table! Think I will just try to relax now!

at 15 days dpo mine was 81 (which if you work out its meant to double every two days meant that at 11dpo i was probably in the 20 region. Four days later it 600 and currently 11 weeks and going strong so far. so fingers crossed for you. the first number is irrelevant. it's what it does next that's important