HCG Levels During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced during pregnancy. It begins to rise in early pregnancy and is detected by urine and blood pregnancy tests. 

What Does hCG Do?
hCG supports the early pregnancy and rises rapidly during the first few weeks. Levels generally reach their highest point around the end of the first trimester and then decrease. 

How Is hCG Tested?
hCG can be detected through:

Urine pregnancy tests — commonly used at home.
Blood tests — can measure the amount of hCG in the blood and may be used when your doctor needs more detailed information.
A home pregnancy test is generally most reliable from the first day of a missed period. 

Do hCG Levels Have to Double?
Not necessarily. hCG levels vary considerably between pregnancies, so one hCG number cannot by itself determine whether a pregnancy is progressing normally.

When your doctor needs to assess early pregnancy, they may look at hCG levels over time along with symptoms and ultrasound findings.

What If Your hCG Level Is Higher or Lower Than Expected?
An hCG result outside a particular reference range does not automatically mean something is wrong. The timing of the pregnancy, individual variation and other factors can affect the result.

If your doctor is concerned about your hCG levels, they may recommend repeat blood tests or an ultrasound to understand what is happening.

Try not to compare your hCG number with someone else's. Your healthcare provider is the best person to interpret your results in the context of your pregnancy.

*This article is for general information and does not replace individual medical advice.