Should I be worried about my high beta number?

[shammy678]

Hi everyone! Today, I got my first beta results back...1228! I'm shocked and a little worried. Just for background. I'm 13dp6dt (I'm a relative newbie at these terms but I did a FET on 12/23 with a SINGLE 6 day blastocyst). The nurse said that was a strong number and I should be very happy. The RE had said the blastocyst was 'perfect' so he was confident we would get pregnant even though I'm 39 years old. In September, for my first round of IVF, we also transferred a single blastocyst (6 day transfer) and got a BFP but miscarried at 7 weeks. My beta was 188 so this go round, I'm not sure what to think about a beta that's 10 times higher! I suppose it could be identical twins but my OB says that would be highly unlikely with a single embryo. I'm going back for a second beta on Monday. I'd love to hear what others think because I'm not sure if I should be happy or not!! Thanks! And good luck to everyone trying...

[Ghost]

I'm not sure what to think about a beta that's 10 times higher!

Congratulations on an excellent beta. A beta like that suggests you have an excellent chance of having a baby.

Yes, there is a very small risk when betas rise very quickly, called a molar pregnancy. As many times as patients have posted their worries about it here over the years, it's never actually happened for any of them that I recall. I've seen betas higher than yours that were not molar pregnancies. Yours is high for a single, though.

[shammy678]

Thanks, Ghost! I just googled molar pregnancy (can't help myself) and thankfully, I don't have any of those symptoms so I'm not going to stress about that just yet. Just wondering, since I had a 6 day blastocyst, could I have implanted early? Or could I be carrying identical twins? I've also heard some people say it could indicate a higher likelihood of down syndrome. I should just wait until my next beta on Monday but I can't help but obsess about this! Thanks Ghost and anyone else who wants to chime in!

[annashope]

Shammy if I understand correctly you said your beta was at 13 days past a 6dt so in actuality you are at 19 days and when I look at betabase (http://www.betabase.info/showDailyData. ... gle&dpo=19) it looks like your beta is average for 19 days. I think when you hear of lower betas it is usually at 14 days and since beta rises very quickly it is very normal that by 19 days yours would be pretty high. My beta with a single baby was 725 at 16 days and doubling every 30 hours so I guess if I had a beta drawn at 19 days it would be like yours and I have a healthy wonderful 5 month old now. Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations

[Ghost]

Thanks, Ghost! I just googled molar pregnancy (can't help myself) and thankfully, I don't have any of those symptoms so I'm not going to stress about that just yet. Just wondering, since I had a 6 day blastocyst, could I have implanted early? Or could I be carrying identical twins? I've also heard some people say it could indicate a higher likelihood of down syndrome. I should just wait until my next beta on Monday but I can't help but obsess about this! Thanks Ghost and anyone else who wants to chime in!

Identical twins are possible, but rare and therefore unlikely. You probably just have one nicely implanted embryo.

I don't know what "implanted early" means. Perhaps you mean your embryo may have been hatched or hatching and ready to implant sooner than most? If so, then yes, that would give your hCG a little boost.

[shammy678]

Annashope and Ghost,
Thank you for your replies! I finally feel relieved that maybe this is a viable pregnancy! It's so hard to get excited when you've miscarried before. Annashope, I think you're totally right...I was miscalculating. I'm actually 19 days past ovulation so my level is actually right on the mark! That chart made me feel so much better! Thank you SO much for taking the time to weigh in. And congratulations on your bundle of joy! And Ghost, thanks for your insight and expertise. I am a total newbie on this board but it's been immensely helpful to read other people's experiences and get your feedback as well. Keep up the good work!

[brit1612]

High betas are great! When I hear about low betas, that is when I worry. We had a very high beta, very similar to yours at only 11dp5dt, so it would have been even higher on the day yours was tested. The nurses and everyone were convinced it was twins, but it was just one healthy little boy.

I have also heard that identical twins do not yield the high betas that are seen when two embryos implant. But I could be wrong about this one??.

Congrats!

[shammy678]

Thanks for the reassurance, Brit1612! It's just hard to believe this one might stick after having a miscarriage the first go round! Congrats on your little boy. Aren't they wonderful? I have a four year old boy that I love to pieces and am hoping to give him a lil' brother or sister. I have my next beta on Monday so I'm praying for a good outcome.

[brit1612]

We are trying for a sibling as well! I am so blessed to have my little boy, but I would love him to know what it was like to have a sibling. We were supposed to be cycling now....but got cancelled at baseline due to a thick lining and large cyst. So now I am just waiting for another AF to start and praying that I will be "normal" at that cycle! Good luck, hope you have a great pregnancy!

[shammy678]

Good luck, Brit1612!! I really enjoyed your blog-it gives IVF'ers so much hope! I have my first sono tomorrow so I'm quite nervous. But my beta numbers are still rising nicely...my second beta was 4712! Isn't it funny how you stress so much about getting pregnant....and then once you get pregnant, you have so many new worries! I will pray for your success!!

[brit1612]

Congrats on the high beta numbers!!! Hope to be hearing a great ultrasound report soon . I totally understand what you are saying about the stress of pregnancy. We were so worried we would miscarry that the whole first trimester we did not really even acknowledge that we were pregnant. After the 12 week mark we finally felt better, then we found out we had a very large hematoma. So, the worrying started all over again. I really regret not enjoying my pregnancy more and not worrying soooo much. Don't be like me and have that regret!

Thanks for the kind words about my blog. I really hope it can give encouragment to everyone having to go through this horrible experience of infertility. I am always looking for success stories to share, if you would like to share yours I would be glad to have it!! Just let me know if you are interested.

[shammy678]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Brit1612! I would be honored to share our story if this pregnancy sticks! (hoping, praying, and crossing fingers. Repeat three times...and repeat again). I'm 39 and we did a single embryo transfer so it might give "older" moms some hope! Today, we had our first sono and I was elated to find out we're having a singleton (no twins as some suspected because of my high beta numbers)! Also, the gestational sac is measuring perfectly at 5 and a half weeks so I couldn't be more relieved. I hope we can stay in touch so I can hear how your next cycle goes! And thanks for your advice about not worrying so much and enjoying just being pregnant. I told my husband, let's be happy and hopeful until we have reason not to be. It's easier said than done. I'm having a hard time sleeping at night because a lot of 'what ifs' creep into my head. But I'm going to try to relax and enjoy the ride...

[brit1612]

So happy to hear about your ultrasound being right on track!! The first ultrasound is so revealing to me. With two out of our three miscarriages we made it to the ultrasound and things were not right on track. Slow hearbeat, measuring small, etc. So to me, getting that first good ultrasound means the world!

I would love to share with you about my journey, we can continue talking here or you can stop in to my blog . I am just praying I get to start the journey again soon, but I know that God has a plan for me. Hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and I hope you are able to enjoy it and try to learn to relax. I know it is a lot harder said than done . Whenever you feel comfortable sharing your story, I would love to have it! Here is my email address..... brit16@suddenlink.net....when you are ready to share just shoot me an email or you can contact me through my blog.

Hope to continue hearing great updates from you!!! Try to get some sleep.

[pakiza]

Shammy i want to hear from you dear...My prayers are with you...
pakiza