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Are hCG Blood Tests Reliable?
Dear Anai,
I was wondering if you could provide some information to corroborate what
our OB/Gyn is telling us.
My wife is 5 1/2 weeks pregnant and her hCG level was measured at 5,300. Our
OB is telling us that 5,300 is high, but that everything visually (ultrasound)
looks good. She added that the hCG test is typically an error-prone test and
that she looks at trends more than absolute numbers. I asked if the error
in the test could be plus or minus some percentage and she said yes.
She suggested that my wife have another blood test three days after the first
one to see how much change there has been in hCG levels. Bottom line: she says
that it should be doubling every 66 hrs, so she's expecting to see 10,000+ this
next time. I am left wondering what happens if the error is on the negative side
next time? Seems odd to me that this type of test is so low in precision, yet
it's one of the first tests they run.
Lastly, she suggested we have a
progesterone test run also. We are supposed to hear the results of the 2nd test
tomorrow. My wife and I are on pins and needles because we really want this baby
to be healthy. It is our first and we are both very excited!
Thanks in
advance for any advice you can give!
Michael
Dear Michael,
5,000 is normally
the least level one can have in the 5th week of pregnancy, hCG doubles every one
to three days (three days being the very most), and a beta hCG blood test has a
1-2 percent failure rate - of detecting hCG at all - not relating to actual
levels. And the error is human error, not actual test error.
As far as
the progesterone level, that needs to be checked. Too low, and your partner can
have uterine contractions which may lead to a miscarriage.
Getting
another hCG is required if the levels are low or questionable. However, most
couples ask for a second blood test 7 to 10 days after the initial one, solely
for peace of mind.
Congratulations on the new pregnancy. I wish you and
your wife a healthy pregnancy ahead.
Thank you for writing,
Anai
Rhoads
© Copyright 2004
Anai Rhoads.
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