Know anything about HCG levels?

becky · Post by **becky** » Fri Nov 29, 2002 7:07 pm

I was just wandering if anyone knows how they measure HCG levels.. I got a level 5 - and they said it meant I had had implantation but things had stopped developing.. Anyone got any idea ..what level they look for in a successful pregnancy? love becky b

frances · Post by **frances** » Fri Nov 29, 2002 10:02 pm

Hi Becky Im so so sorry.I had a biochemical pregnancy in the begining of November.I had a level of 14 which dropped to 1 a few days later.At the clinic we were shown a graph of the normal ranges of HCG We were told that in a normal pregnancy the range is from 50 to 230 anything below this shows a problem ( ectopic or biochemical ) and above indicates the posibility of a multiple pregnancy.I know this is a horrible time for you both. We were told this shows there is not a problem with implantation and this has given me hope for our next attempt in Jan / Feb I just want to say again how sorry I am that you had this horrible result.Take some special time for yourselves . love Frances x

pru · Post by **pru** » Fri Nov 29, 2002 10:25 pm

Sorry to hear your news Becky. It is hard to say not too worry so do what feels best. If you feel like crying do so but you will recover from this, this is just one milestone in life and you will overcome it.

becky · Post by **becky** » Sat Nov 30, 2002 11:39 am

Thanks so much Frances for your advice and Pru for your kind words. It has really helped me to understand that perhaps it will happen for us if we have another go next year at some point. It is a horrible feeling to have ..to know that you were so close to getting what you want..and then failing at the last point..and also knowing that a period from hell is about to come at any point. How did you feel after finding out? Was November your first attempt at ICSI? What have you and your hubby been diagnosed with? I hope that you dont mind me asking these questions but it helps me to relate to someone else. thanks for being there becky b

Alison · Post by **Alison** » Sat Nov 30, 2002 12:26 pm

Hi Becky - glad to see you post again today. We were told the same as Frances about levels, although I think it depends on exactly when they test you as levels can change a lot. But it really is an encouraging sign that you got that far. We had a biochemical pg last time, so this time were given extra help to encourage the embies to hang in there (sadly this involves more injections, but we'll do anything won't we....?!) Unfortunately this time seems to have been a complete nothing, but I'm clinging to the fact that its just a case of chance and that at some point we'll all get there. Look after yourself, and don't overdo it on the wine - had my first "proper" drink (or several!) last night for weeks and am feeling really rough today!! Alison x