What Causes Elevated Free Beta HCG Levels During Pregnancy?

Posted on Thu, 2 Jun 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 2 Jun 2016 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi

I am 34 and currently 16 w 4 days pregnant. I have just had the results of my screening done on NHS in UK and my nuchal measurement was 1.7mm, my weight 63kg, pappa a 1.4 MoM and the free beta hcg was 5.5 MoM!! This gave me a combined risk result of 1/184 for DS. My son who is 20 months was a 1/14,000 with similar readings to the above but my hcg was normal with him - 1.4 MoM.

Now I have already had the Harmony screening done which gave me the all clear for Tri 21, 18 and 13 - so I should be celebrating!! but I can't get this high hcg reading out of my head. Can your Free beta hcg be naturally high and not mean anything at all???

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Free beta HCG can be high.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
The hormonal levels vary from person to person. It can be normal to have a high beta HCG level and have a normal baby. The results are to be read together and not alone. Since the Harmony screening has ruled out any fetal defects there is no need to worry.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (6 hours later)

Hi
Thank you.

Is there anything else scary that high beta Hcg can be linked to? Other chromosomal issues that Harmony hasn't looked at, or i read on google it can be linked to small birth weight and pre eclampsia. Is 5.5 MoM a really bad score?? It's seems so odd it's 5 times higher than what's deemed normal.

I M now 16.5 weeks do you think if I re test my blood now it could have come down? Would you worry if it hasn't?

Thanks again

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
If the harmony screening has come normal then there is nothing else about which you should be worried. It may be related to a decreased birth weight but there is no definite evidence for it. 5.5 MoM is not to be seen alone. The results are prepared after evaluating all the things. Even if you do a repeat blood test and the levels of HCG are raised even then there is no need to worry. It is just a normal variation.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (18 hours later)

Hi

Just one more question - I had a miscarriage January 5th then waited to have one normal cycle again and got pregnant late February around 20th. Could this high Hcg be linked to that miscarriage ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be.

Detailed Answer:
Yes it can be due to this reason .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad