Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced by women during pregnancy. It helps to support the fetus. Doctors test the hormone levels in the urine and blood to confirm pregnancy. They also use HCG blood tests to help determine if an individual could be experiencing a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
What is HCG?
HCG is a hormone present in both males and females. But it is usually linked to pregnancy because it plays a crucial role. HCG stimulates the body to produce another hormone, progesterone, which helps promote the development of new blood vessels in the uterus. It also smooths the muscle cells in the middle layer of the uterine wall, which helps maintain pregnancy. You may be familiar with the term HCG, as it is the hormone that pregnancy tests check for in the urine. A pregnancy test at home can first detect Human chorionic gonadotropin levels, indicating pregnancy about 12 to 14 days after conception. Your health care professional can also check for pregnancy by ordering a blood test to measure HCG levels. Testing HCG levels in the blood can also help a doctor identify underlying health conditions, including certain types of cancer, and assess the efficacy of cancer treatment.
Low HCG in pregnancy
HCG levels during pregnancy can vary widely from one pregnant woman to another. During the first 8 weeks, levels of HCG in blood and urine usually double every 24 hours. Hormone levels typically peak around 10 weeks, decline through 16 weeks, and remain constant thereafter.
A low concentration of HCG in the blood is not always a cause for concern during pregnancy. This could only indicate a health problem to investigate. Other times decline in HCG levels can point to a more serious health complication. According to some research studies, HCG levels were significantly decreased in pregnant women who went on to experience pregnancy loss.
In some cases, low HCG could indicate that the fetus is not growing appropriately. According to research reports, HCG is often associated with decreased fetal growth and lower birth weight.
High concentration of HCG in pregnancy
Like the low levels, high levels of HCG do not necessarily indicate a pregnancy complication. Some women have simply elevated HCG levels in their blood. If a woman has elevated HCG levels, it could point to twins or triplets, though only an ultrasound can confirm this. Sometimes, levels above average could indicate Down syndrome in a baby. Your health care provider performs blood tests and ultrasounds to check.
Levels unrelated to pregnancy
Normal HCG levels are typically undetectable in females who are not pregnant. Elevated levels can sometimes point to an underlying disease, such as:
- Stomach ulcers
- Cirrhosis
- Certain types of cancer, including stomach, liver, lung, breast,
pancreas, or skin - Germ cell tumours of the ovary, which may be benign or malignant
- Inflammatory bowel disease
In males, health care experts recommend reducing the symptoms of a condition such as hypogonadism, in which the testicles in men do not produce enough sperm, testosterone hormone or both.
When to talk to a doctor
Pregnant women experiencing vaginal bleeding or mild to moderate abdominal cramps should receive immediate medical attention.
Everyone should consult a doctor if they:
- are facing trouble conceiving
- Have blood in the urine or stool
- Notice changes in bowel movements
- The appearance of a lump in their breasts or testicles
- Have unexplained weight loss
- Have a cough that does not resolve, chest pain, or breathlessness
- Notice skin changes such as moles that bleed.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of possible diagnoses for increased HCG levels in the absence of intrauterine or ectopic pregnancy. Women with ovarian carcinoma may have elevated levels of HCG. Only a clinical diagnosis can determine the real cause of a high HCG concentration. Elevated HCG levels could also indicate other serious health conditions like inflammatory bowel syndrome or liver cirrhosis.
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