What Does Low HCG Levels During Pregnancy Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 29 Jan 2015

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

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 Answered on

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : So I found out I was pregnant last week. Had all the normal signs of pregnancy tired, breast tenderness, amenrrhea. The test turn positive right away. LMP 12/22/2014 should be 5w3days. I didn't get a positive ovulation till about 9 days before my expected period. So I ovulated later then XXXXXXX My HCG level was 362 and 48 hours later it was 500. It didn't double. No cramping or bleeding. I'm scared and worried. Should I be scraed and worried? Can this be normal? And why?

Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
possibly a non viable pregnancy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank for contacting HCM.
If you have become pregnant which is confirmed by the raised HCG level of 362 , but as it is only 5 weeks and 3 days as per LMP, the value of hcg is anyways lower compare to the gestational age. Also the doubling of levels didn't take place in 48 hrs. These values may indicate towards an unviable pregnancy or improperly growing pregnancy.
The pregnancy has to be followed with an ultrasound pelvis at 6 weeks to look for metal cardiac activity and the serum hcg levels re to be repeated again after a week for 2 reading 48 hrs apart to check again for doubling and viability .
If there occurs any bleeding prior, then there are chances that the pregnancy is non viable and the nature is likely to abort it , but a confirmation for the same would be required with an ultrasound pelvis.
I hoep i have answered your query,
regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D