beta increased but didn't double - ghost, any ideas?

[mellowyellow]

Hi Ghost, or anyone else who's gone thru this - I had my first beta test on wednesday, the level was 194. Today, 2 days later, I had the second test and the level was only 300. BUT I went to a different lab, an outside lab rather than the one at my fertility clinic, because the second blood test isn't included in the IVF cycle fee, and my insurance wouldn't cover it unless I went to one of THEIR labs. So my doctor thinks that maybe the levels didn't double because of a difference in the labs testing procedure... What do you think? The numbers are pretty high, this is my fourth cycle, and the last three have all been chemical pregnancies, and in each one the levels started around 100 and then dropped, so it doesn't seem like a chemical. Any chance this is just due to different labs? Or should I be preparing for the worst again?

[Ghost]

Hi Ghost, or anyone else who's gone thru this - I had my first beta test on wednesday, the level was 194. Today, 2 days later, I had the second test and the level was only 300. BUT I went to a different lab, an outside lab rather than the one at my fertility clinic, because the second blood test isn't included in the IVF cycle fee, and my insurance wouldn't cover it unless I went to one of THEIR labs. So my doctor thinks that maybe the levels didn't double because of a difference in the labs testing procedure... What do you think? The numbers are pretty high, this is my fourth cycle, and the last three have all been chemical pregnancies, and in each one the levels started around 100 and then dropped, so it doesn't seem like a chemical. Any chance this is just due to different labs? Or should I be preparing for the worst again?

I would not worry about those numbers since they are from different labs. Our lab has two different instruments, and I assure you they can and do differ a lot.

But it's not time to get your hopes way up. Many pregnancies are lost at this point. When they see the heartbeat, then your chances rise above 90% for having a baby.

[mellowyellow]

thanks ghost - you were absolutely right, I went back for another test today and my beta had gone up to 560 so that was a relief! I know I'm not out of the woods just yet, but at least we're heading in the right direction. Thanks for your help!