What Does A Decline In HCG Level During Early Pregnancy Suggest?

Posted on Tue, 23 Jun 2015

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

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 Answered on

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : ultrasound shows 4.4 mm embryo (6weeks approx) but hcg went from 27,000 to 14,000 in 4 days
the ultrasound was done the same day the 14,000 hcg showed...no heart beat yet.. could embryo still be growing inside me but is defective

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely it is a failed pregnancy, need details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Okay, decline in B HCG levels is not a good sign, it clearly indicates a missed miscarriage .
I need a few more details.
WHen was your last menstrual period ?
Do you have regular cycles ?
Is this your first pregnancy ?
Can you give me the dates when the scan was done, and the two HCG reports were done ?
That is when I would be able to comment better.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take care.

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