Causes of elevated hCG during pregnancy at different stages, treatment of the condition

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that is produced by the membranes of the embryo after it attaches to the wall of the uterus. Its presence in a woman’s blood is the most sure sign completed fertilization, as well as the normal course of pregnancy.

Normally, hCG increases gradually, doubles every two days. This growth will be appropriate for the first 10 pregnancies. Then, when the membrane of the embryo degenerates into the placenta, its level begins to fall. This is the norm.

There are certain values ​​according to which doctor assesses woman's condition and well-being of pregnancy. They are the same for everyone, and deviations can be very minor.

But it often happens that hCG level increased in a pregnant woman. To figure out whether this is a cause for concern or physiological norm, let's get acquainted with The most common causes of increased hormone levels are:

1. Multiple pregnancy– if more than one egg has attached to the wall of the uterus, then the level of hCG released will double or triple, depending on the number of embryos. This is a physiological norm and is not a cause for concern.
2. Reception hormonal drugs - any drugs that affect hormonal background, can provoke an increase in hCG by early stages.
3. Hydatidiform mole(tumor of the fetal septum) is a dangerous condition for a woman. Embryo in in this case is not viable and requires immediate cleaning of the uterus and therapy with antitumor agents.
4. Genetic diseases of the fetus– with severe chromosomal abnormalities, the level will increase significantly (up to an increase of 2 or even 3 times).
5. Other abnormalities in the embryo.
6. Sugar Mom's diabetes.

IMPORTANT! In order to timely diagnose the presence or absence of abnormalities in fetal development, need to register during pregnancy as soon as possible. It is not recommended to skip the first screening.

Values ​​in early pregnancy

As already mentioned, hCG begins to be produced after the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus, and then increases, gradually increasing: doubling every two days. Here is an approximate diagram of the content in the blood of a pregnant woman by week:

PECULIARITY! Any deviation in concentration will be a serious reason for conducting a number of studies. If the doctor does not take any action, and you are informed that the indicator is increasing or decreasing, ask him to prescribe additional diagnostics for you.

Indicators at the first screening

Screening is a series of studies that are carried out comprehensively in several stages.

The first screening is carried out at the very beginning of pregnancy, it includes:

• blood tests (general and some specific);
• analysis for hCG and other hormones;
• any other research methods are at the discretion of the doctor.

The task of the first screening is timely detection of genetic and other irreversible pathologies in the embryo, as well as assessment of the general course of pregnancy. Another main task would be to exclude ectopic pregnancy, frozen pregnancy, etc.

Values ​​for the first screening may be:

1. Understated.
2. Overpriced.
3. Normal.

Consider overestimated values. First of all, an additional ultrasound is prescribed - this will help to recognize the presence or absence of a hydatidiform mole, as well as to assess the condition of the uterus as a whole.

To exclude the possibility of severe gene abnormalities include genetic tests. Modern medicine can detect them at an early stage.

For example, hCG increases significantly with the following fetal diseases:

1. Dyne's syndrome.
2. Klinefelter–Turner syndrome.
3. Anomalies in the structure of the neural tube.
4. Patau syndrome and others.

All these diseases are not compatible with normal life and usually when they are diagnosed, a decision is made to terminate the pregnancy.

ATTENTION! Before making such an important decision, make sure all the research has been done. After all, abortion has an extremely negative impact on a woman’s future reproductive ability.

If it is elevated in a non-pregnant woman?

In minimal quantities always present in a woman’s body (and in a man too). This is due to the work of the pituitary gland and is not a deviation. It’s another matter if the hormone level is high and there is no pregnancy.

First of all, this will indicate the presence of cancer, but there are other reasons:

1. Recurrence of hydatidiform mole.
2. A recent abortion (the body has not yet adjusted, and hCG production has not decreased to normal levels).
3. Recent miscarriage.
4. Diabetes.

In any case, there is no need to panic. The doctor will prescribe several more diagnostic methods to obtain an accurate result, and then begin treatment, if necessary. Timely detection of a disease is always good. This is a guarantee of successful treatment.

Consequences and complications

For a pregnant woman, the consequences may be as follows:

1. Severe pregnancy, constant threat of miscarriage (if we are talking about fetal malformations).
2. The birth of a disabled child.
3. In diabetes mellitus, the third trimester is difficult and diabetic polyneuropathy may progress with severe complications.
4. With diabetes, the consequences will be severe for the child himself - he will receive insufficient nutrition and oxygen.
5. If a hydatidiform mole is diagnosed, then its removal may not be a solution to the problem - tumor cells in some cases spread throughout the body, to any organs.
6. If a medical abortion is necessary, the walls of the uterus may be deeply damaged, which will make it difficult to attach to them in the future. ovum.

INTERESTING! The female body is designed very wisely. If an embryo has pathologies that are incompatible with normal life, then it signals this in every possible way. For example, in the early stages there is a threat of miscarriage, and if the pregnancy is maintained, the next marker of deviation will be a significant jump in hCG production.

Treatment

First of all the doctor finds out the reasons this phenomenon. If a number of abnormalities in the structure of the embryo are noticed, then together with the patient, he decides to terminate the pregnancy.

If the choice falls in favor of preserving the life of the fetus, then The pregnant woman is placed in storage and prescribe hormonal drugs and in every possible way maintain the normal state of the body.

If the reason for the jump is in the formation of a hydatidiform mole, then first of all, curettage of the uterus is prescribed (because the embryo is not viable in any case), and after that the woman undergoes a course of chemotherapy.

When the cause is diabetes mellitus, then a pregnant woman is admitted to hospital and treat everyone possible ways, while trying to preserve the life and health of the baby, as well as the normal condition of the mother - to protect her from serious complications.

The doctor's approach may vary, and it completely depends on the cause of the increase in hormonal concentrations. And, no matter how difficult it is, in some cases a medical abortion is still necessary.

Once pregnant, a woman undergoes many tests, some even several times. This can be a cause for concern: maybe something is wrong? One such test that may need to be taken more than once is the hCG test during pregnancy.

What is hCG

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone secreted by the chorion after the attachment of a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. This happens almost from the moment of conception, so hCG is a reliable indicator for early diagnosis pregnancy, provided that the test result is reliable.

Then why is the hCG level measured during pregnancy, not only in the 1st, but also in the 2nd and even 3rd trimester? The fact is that there are certain norms for hCG levels during different periods of pregnancy, which make it possible to find out whether it is progressing normally and whether the fetus has any pathologies.

HCG contains alpha and beta particles. It is the beta unit that has a unique structure, so it is precisely the b-hCG during pregnancy. This laboratory test can be carried out already on the 2-3rd day of missed menstruation, if conception has occurred and 6-10 days have passed since then, the hCG level will certainly be elevated. If higher accuracy is needed, repeat analysis and ultravaginal ultrasound are recommended.

By the way, home rapid pregnancy tests (what would we do without them?) are also based on detecting hCG during pregnancy, however, for a hormone contained not in the blood, but in the urine, where its concentration is half lower, which is why the accuracy of this method inferior to laboratory examination, but still quite reliable.

HCG levels during pregnancy

After fertilization of the egg, its outer membrane (chorion) begins to actively secrete gonadotropin, and at a very fast pace: in the 1st trimester, the level of hCG during pregnancy doubles every 2 days. At 7-10 weeks, this indicator reaches its peak, and then gradually decreases, without changing significantly in the 2nd half of pregnancy. That is why, by the rate of growth of hCG during pregnancy, doctors can judge its normal development or lag. At weeks 14-18, this indicator may signal the development of pathology. Therefore, by prescribing this test again, your doctor is simply playing it safe, so don’t be alarmed.

As for hCG norms, this is a very relative concept. The fact is that almost every laboratory has its own standards. For example, here is a table of hCG norms; it will help you roughly navigate this issue. However, remember that only a qualified specialist can say the final word about the conformity or deviations from the norm of your tests.

Normal hCG levels by day after ovulation

Deviations from the norm of hCG during pregnancy

What if the hCG analysis during pregnancy showed some deviation from the norm in one direction or another? Of course, this is not very good - both an increased and a decreased indicator should alert you, because all this indicates some problems and complications in the woman’s body. The main thing is to make sure that the gestational age is set correctly, otherwise comparison with the norm will lose all meaning.

Too much high level HCG during pregnancy- this is, in best case scenario, index multiple pregnancy: Usually the level of the hormone in the blood increases in proportion to the number of embryos.

In addition, hCG levels above normal may indicate the following pathologies:

• fetal developmental abnormalities, such as Down syndrome;
• post-term pregnancy.

HCG levels may increase if the expectant mother is suffering diabetes mellitus and takes synthetic gestagens.

False positive hCG test result

If you find that you are not pregnant and your hCG level is high (false positive), it may be due to one of the following:

• taking certain hormonal medications, including oral contraceptives;
• residual phenomenon after a previous pregnancy or abortion;
• chorionic carcinoma;
• hydatidiform mole or its relapse;
• tumor of the ovaries, uterus, kidneys, lungs.

In any case, this is a reason to see a doctor.

Reduced hCG during pregnancy may indicate an ectopic pregnancy, a threatened miscarriage, or post-term pregnancy. This may also be a symptom of such an unpleasant phenomenon as chronic placental insufficiency.

HCG during frozen pregnancy

Also, the level of hCG drops during a frozen pregnancy. A frozen or regressing pregnancy is a case when the fetus died for one reason or another. The hormone stops being produced, and the analysis shows a drop in hCG levels. Usually, if a frozen pregnancy is suspected, dynamic studies are carried out, that is, tests are taken several times, and the doctor can clearly determine how the level of the hormone in the blood changes.

However, do not rush to panic - perhaps the hCG levels are outside the normal range for your gestational age only because it was set incorrectly. This happens, therefore, to determine a regressing pregnancy, an ultrasound is prescribed, but it is not on its basis that the final conclusion is made. In addition, there are cases when, when frozen pregnancy hCG is growing, although other signs have already faded.

Sometimes the analysis results show HCG 0 (negative) during pregnancy, most likely, this is also an error and you will need to do the analysis again.

How to get tested for hCG

In order for the analysis to be as accurate and reliable as possible, it must be completed correctly. Your doctor will tell you how to prepare for this, but know that the blood test for b-hCG during pregnancy is taken on an empty stomach.

Blood is donated from a vein. The day before, eliminate physical activity - this way the result will be more reliable.

HCG is a unique hormone. It not only allows you to determine successful conception when other methods are still uninformative, but also helps track the progress of pregnancy. Each stage of gestation has its own hormone norm, but the indicator may deviate. Often deviations occur in a larger direction. What does elevated hCG indicate during pregnancy? Why is it important not to ignore test results that are outside the normal range? A woman expecting a baby needs to know everything about the “pregnancy hormone”. This will help you not to miss alarm bells and at the same time drive away empty fears.

A healthy diet is the key to good health

HCG is a specific hormone familiar to all women who are in an “interesting position.” Analysis of the concentration of the substance is mandatory for pregnant women. By chemical composition the hormone is a glycoprotein. It consists of alpha and beta subunits. Beta-hCG allows you to determine pregnancy and monitor its progress.

The production of human chorionic gonadotropin begins only after successful conception. The exception is cases of cancer, when hCG is found in the blood non-pregnant women and even in the blood of men. However, this is a pathological phenomenon, while the presence of the hormone in pregnant women is the norm.

HCG is produced by the fetal membrane. Hormone production begins immediately after implantation of the fertilized egg. By the presence of hCG, you can determine whether conception occurred in this cycle. Detection of the hormone in the blood indicates " interesting situation"when other methods of determination are still unable to say anything. Test strips also react to hCG. However, the informative amount of the hormone in the urine appears later than in the blood.

Functional significance of the hormone

The “pregnancy hormone” plays a key role in the successful gestation and development of the fetus. At the beginning of the period, it is important that the concentration of hCG increases. This is necessary to preserve and normal development pregnancy. Gonadotropin is responsible for:

• functioning of the corpus luteum;
• production of important hormones - progesterone, estrogens;
• absence of menstruation;
• protection of embryonic cells from attacks by the female immune system (decreased immune functions prevents fetal rejection).

Young mother and newborn baby

After the laying of the organs, the hormone ensures the proper functioning of the baby’s gonads and adrenal glands in the prenatal period. If the egg was fertilized by a Y-sperm, then hCG promotes the synthesis of testosterone. Thanks to this, the fetus is formed according to the male type.

Although hCG should increase until the 11th week, its excessive concentration in the blood is not a good sign. The hormone is a marker genetic diseases fetus: significant growth increases the likelihood of detecting chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. High levels may indicate pregnancy complications.

If you first take an hCG test to confirm guesses about successful conception, then it later becomes an integral part of trimester screenings.

How to pass the test correctly

So that the hCG test shows reliable result, you need to know some nuances. How to take the test correctly? To determine pregnancy, you can visit the laboratory starting from the third day of a missed period or on the tenth to fourteenth day from the day of expected conception. If the analysis is done earlier, its accuracy remains in doubt and a control test will be required. It is possible to identify the pathology of pregnancy or confirm its normal course only by tracking hCG over time. If the initial analysis shows any deviations from the norm, then venous blood will have to be donated again.

Hormone analysis is part of the screening: it is done at 10–14 weeks, and then at 16–17 weeks. It may be necessary to repeat the analysis several times: it all depends on the individual case and the specific results.

The expectant mother needs to remember the following rules:

• The hCG test is taken on an empty stomach. Optimal time- morning. If you can only get to the laboratory during the day, then you cannot eat six hours before the appointed time.
• The day before the blood test, you should avoid physical activity.
• It is difficult to get normal results when taking hormonal drugs. Medicines shift hormone levels to one side, often to the greater side. You should inform your doctor in advance about taking such medications.

Compliance with all the nuances allows us to talk about the information content of the analysis and the reliability of the results obtained. However, the possibility of error cannot be completely excluded, especially if the analysis is primary. Sometimes wrong result due to untimely diagnosis: this happens if an error was made in determining the period and the wrong values ​​were taken as a basis.

Norms

The first weeks after implantation are characterized by a rapid increase in the “pregnancy hormone”. Its level doubles every two days. The presence of such an indicator allows you to determine pregnancy at an extremely early stage. By the 11th week, the concentration of the hormone reaches its peak. After which a decline occurs. By the 20th week, the peak value may decrease by half. From this moment the level stabilizes.

The standards for each period are presented in the table:

When comparing the results of your own analysis with the table values, it is important not to draw hasty conclusions. Your specific laboratory may use different units of measurement. Typically, in laboratory diagnostics, the week is determined from conception, and not from the last menstruation. Confusion about these concepts can lead to future mom will panic when he sees his results. Transcription must take place where the analysis was carried out. Only a doctor can give the correct interpretation of the results.

Sometimes values ​​that do not fall within the normal limits are considered acceptable. It depends on the individual characteristics the body, the nuances of pregnancy.

Hormone levels during IVF

During artificial insemination, hormone levels are similar to those during conception. naturally. After IVF, monitoring the rise of hCG is extremely important. This way, successful implantation can be determined, which will allow continued pregnancy support. If growth of the hormone is not observed, then the support is canceled, and after the body is restored, a new protocol is started.

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During IVF, the natural mechanisms of conception are disrupted. Because of this, the results of hCG analysis are often outside the normal range. In each specific case, a doctor should determine the risks. Elevated hormone levels after IVF are not uncommon. The procedure involves the transfer of several embryos. Often two take root, with the result that the analysis results show a doubling of the norm. With such values, the probability of multiple pregnancy is checked. If multiple pregnancy is not confirmed, they look for a reason related to the woman’s health.

HCG analysis can be done on the tenth to fourteenth day after embryo transfer. The exact time of the test is determined by the doctor. It depends on many factors. For example, it is important to consider how many days the embryo spent in vitro.

It is necessary to monitor hCG dynamics after IVF until delivery. After the procedure, there is a high probability of self-abortion (this will be indicated by low levels of the hormone) and the development of fetal pathologies (high levels).

Inflated indicators: reasons

Elevated levels of the hormone require additional research to help understand why the deviation from the norm occurred. The reasons for high hCG during pregnancy can be different. The most harmless is multiple pregnancy. When several embryos are implanted, the level of the hormone increases many times compared to the norm. The increase occurs in proportion to the number of fruits. If results are twice as high, the pregnancy is checked for multiple births. If the guesses are not confirmed, they look for other reasons for the deviation from the norm. HCG may increase when:

• early and late toxicosis;
• gestational diabetes mellitus;
• trophoblastic tumors in a pregnant woman;
• developmental defects of the baby;
• chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus;
• taking gestagens.

Sometimes elevated levels of the hormone are classified as pathological, although in reality it falls within normal limits. The reason for this may lie in the incorrect definition of the deadline.

HCG as a marker of fetal abnormalities

Prenatal screening is an important component of pregnancy management. It can be used to detect a number of anomalies in utero. Screening methods also include hCG analysis. The hormone is a marker of fetal abnormalities. Focused on results laboratory research, it is possible to diagnose serious abnormalities in the fetus before mid-term.

An elevated level of hCG often indicates that the baby has genetic abnormalities. Chromosome abnormalities are indicated by a twofold increase in the concentration of the hormone compared to the norm. A high level is observed when:

• Down syndrome;
• Edwards syndrome;
• Patau syndrome;
• Turner syndrome;
• serious heart defects;
• severe neural tube anomalies.

A high level of hCG detected during the first screening indicates the likelihood of fetal pathologies. The doctor assesses the risks and prescribes additional examinations. Only after this can an accurate diagnosis be made. To eliminate errors, geneticists are involved.

In utero gene mutations can only be identified using invasive diagnostic methods. This is associated with certain risks, but if there is a high probability of chromosomal abnormalities, then the chance to make a correct diagnosis should not be missed. This way the family will be able to objectively assess the situation and make decisions regarding pregnancy.

When there is a multiple pregnancy, screening is difficult. The hormone level is elevated due to the development of several fetuses. It is problematic to calculate by what coefficient gonadotropin should increase in case of multiple pregnancy, and in what rate in case of anomaly.

Trophoblast pathologies

An increased concentration of hCG in the blood may indicate the development of trophoblastic pathologies - tumors, hydatidiform mole. Trophoblast is the tissue that forms the septum-separator on the side of the fetus. The septum is important for separating the mother's body from developing organism. It provides nutrition to the embryo. If the trophoblast develops into tumor formations, this is fraught with termination of pregnancy and the occurrence of problems in the female body.

Blood fluid analysis will help detect pathology in time

Pathologies of trophoblast include hydatidiform mole. With this anomaly, the tissue takes on the appearance of many bubbles. They are located in the uterus, occupying its entire cavity. Blistering formations grow rapidly and have a tendency to metastasize. Hydatidiform mole leads to the death of the embryo. It is important to identify the pathology in time, otherwise it can provoke the growth of a malignant tumor.

A pregnancy hormone test will help diagnose hydatidiform mole. In case of pathology, hCG is 2–3 or more times higher than normal. Hydatidiform mole requires termination of pregnancy and surgical treatment. If this is not done in a timely manner, a number of serious complications may arise and several courses of chemotherapy will be required. During the treatment period and in the next six months, the patient will have to frequently donate blood for hCG. By tracking this indicator, the doctor can make sure that there are no hydatidiform mole cells in the body, which can “hide” in any organ. The presence of a hormone in the blood can “give them away”.

Timely diagnosis of trophoblast pathologies and subsequent thoughtful therapy help preserve reproductive function. This is a guarantee that the next pregnancy will end in a successful delivery.

False positive result in the absence of pregnancy

Sometimes the fixation of the “pregnancy hormone” and its subsequent growth occurs when there has been no conception. This test result is called a false positive. The following factors can contribute to the production of hCG and increase its level in the absence of pregnancy:

• relapse of hydatidiform mole;
• tumor-like neoplasms (on the organs of the reproductive system, in the lungs, kidneys);
• taking hormonal drugs.

The hormone concentration may be a residual phenomenon. The indicator does not immediately return to normal after spontaneous termination of pregnancy or abortion.

The presence of the hormone in the blood, and especially its high concentration in the absence of pregnancy, indicates a malfunction in the body. It is important to identify the exact cause of this phenomenon as soon as possible, so you should not delay going to the doctor.

High hCG: what to do

An elevated level of hCG during pregnancy is a reason to be wary, but not a reason to panic. Determining what leads to excessive production of the hormone is the doctor’s task. A pregnant woman needs to undergo tests in a timely manner and listen to the doctor’s recommendations. If the hormone concentration is elevated, you cannot refuse additional tests prescribed by your doctor. Only comprehensive diagnostics will help identify the problem and solve it.

Some conditions that are characterized by increase in hCG, do not require medical intervention. These include toxicosis and multiple births. The only measure the doctor takes is to develop individual plan management of pregnancy. Multiple pregnancy and toxicosis require careful monitoring of the mother’s health and the condition of the embryo/s throughout the gestation period.

If excessive hormone levels indicate a genetic pathology of the fetus, then the only thing parents can do is take correct solution. However, this must be preceded by a thorough diagnosis, eliminating the possibility of an erroneous diagnosis. If you suspect chromosomal abnormalities It is recommended to carry out screening in several laboratories, contact not only a qualified gynecologist, but also a professional geneticist. The opinions of several genetic disease specialists may be required.

When the concentration of the hormone is due to serious problems with women's health, it is important to quickly take measures that will help preserve reproductive function. If this is possible, then timely therapy allows you to maintain the pregnancy. You need to trust your doctor and follow the treatment plan he has developed.

High hCG in early pregnancy can make a woman happy, sad, and very surprising - after all, the reasons for the increase in this indicator may be different, but they are all extremely important for health.

What does hCG show?

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone that allows doctors to detect a number of changes occurring in a patient's body. Some of these changes are natural and should not cause distress or concern, while others indicate pathologies. To determine the level of hCG, you need to donate blood from a vein for analysis; this can be done in any modern medical laboratory. Like any other test for hormones, it is advisable to take this test in the morning on an empty stomach, in a calm, non-nervous state, after having slept well. The result usually becomes known the next day, and in large cities you can find out even on the day of delivery, in the evening. The cost of such medical services ranges from 450 to 1100 rubles. Most often, women are interested in hCG levels, although for men in some cases this analysis is necessary (for example, if cancer is suspected). Patients are concerned about this indicator, first of all, as confirmation of pregnancy.

An increase in hCG indicates that the woman is pregnant.

Norms of human chorionic gonadotropin for women

To diagnose pregnancy, a gynecologist needs to see in the test results not just any high numbers, but very specific data that fits into the standards established by modern laboratories. These may vary depending on the reagents used, but most often laboratory standards are as follows:

• 1-2 weeks - 20-155;
• 2-3 weeks - 100-4880;
• 3-4 weeks - 1120-31400;
• 4-5 weeks - 2460-82400;
• 5-6 weeks - 23000-152000;
• 6-7 weeks - 27200-233100.

Weeks are counted from conception, not from the end of menstruation. Women need to remember that in early pregnancy the level of hCG is difficult to determine, and before the delay menstrual cycle A blood test cannot be considered reliable, because the hormone may increase a little later than the day the test is taken.

HCG can also be detected in urine. Any woman can purchase the appropriate test at a pharmacy and independently determine the level of this hormone in her body. However, such tests are not always reliable and produce both false positive and false negative results. In addition, when determining the level of this indicator in urine, it is impossible to know its exact amount, therefore, it is impossible to understand whether there is an abnormally high level of hCG.

Abnormally high hCG

If the level of this hormone turns out to be so high that it does not coincide with the duration of pregnancy, and an ultrasound confirms this, then the reasons must be looked for elsewhere. HCG can become too high with the development of tumors, in particular tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs and genitourinary system, with impaired fetal development (for example, with Down's symptom), as well as with multiple pregnancies. In some rare cases, very high levels of this hormone may indicate the presence of some kind of endocrine disease. In any case, if the norm is exceeded, it is advisable to retake the test so that neither the patient nor the doctors have any doubts about its reliability.

An abnormally high rate, if confirmed by repeated analysis, requires serious attention. If the cause of unhealthy hormone growth is the appearance of tumors, then the woman urgently needs consultation with oncologists. If the cause is chromosomal abnormalities of the fetus, then this diagnosis must be confirmed as quickly as possible so that the patient can quickly make a decision - to keep the fetus or have an abortion. Time plays a key role in any of the options, so you can’t delay visiting a doctor. If hCG is elevated due to multiple pregnancy, the gynecologist should perform an ultrasound and make sure that the pregnancy is uterine, that is, the embryo is attached to the walls of the uterus and is not in fallopian tubes. Multiple pregnancy requires special care from both the expectant mother and doctors.

An increase in human chorionic gonadotropin during pregnancy is a diagnostic indicator that has a physiological or pathological cause. It is used for rapid determination of pregnancy a few days after a delay, using chemical test strips that show the presence of the hormone in the urine. In another case, the study is carried out in a laboratory where venous blood is taken for analysis. An increased content of hCG in the blood plasma often reflects the genetic pathology of the fetus.

What is hCG?

HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone produced by chorion tissue upon completion of embryo implantation, that is, 6-8 days after fertilization, which is a marker of pregnancy. Rapid growth is characterized by an increase of several thousand times by 7-11 weeks of pregnancy; then its level gradually decreases, which is the physiological norm.

Human chorionic gonadotropin performs a number of vital functions, including:

• Increasing the production of glucocorticosteroids, which adapt the female body to pregnancy.
• Ensuring natural childbearing; otherwise it is called the “pregnancy hormone”. Its presence in the blood indicates the proper development of the corpus luteum of pregnancy, which produces progesterone.
• Influence on the chorionic villi, thereby promoting the normal functioning of the placenta - the most important organ for the fetus.

Without chorionic gonadotropin, reproductive function is impossible. It is on this that multiple tests for determining pregnancy are based, including in the early stages.

Patterns of changes in hCG levels in pregnant women

From the beginning of embryo implantation until 12 weeks after conception, the hormone content doubles every two days. From 13 weeks to 20, the hCG level drops just as rapidly, and in the final concentration it becomes 2 times less relative to the maximum value. This amount is present in the blood until the birth itself, and after it it gradually decreases.

Doctors perform two tests to determine the level of human chorionic gonadotropin in a woman’s body after conception. Total hCG and beta human chorionic gonadotropin are different fractions that have their direct diagnostic value. In early pregnancy general analysis is found in large quantities in the urine, which indicates fetal development. In the second trimester, total hCG is determined in the blood serum; the procedure is mandatory prenatal diagnosis. The study is carried out using triple and quarter tests.

Content free beta-hCG indicates the development of pathology. This analysis indicates the presence of trophoblastic (hydatidiform mole) and ovarian tumors. Also, hCG analysis is used during the first and second trimester to identify risk groups for chromosomal aberrations of the fetus. When determining them, the woman is recommended to terminate the pregnancy, since the condition is dangerous for the fetus and is fraught with disability for the unborn child.

If human chorionic gonadotropin is higher than normal in girls in the absence of pregnancy, adult women during menopause or men, then this indicates the presence of a neoplasm in the body, which produces this hormone.

The accuracy of the test for human β-choriongonadotropin is true, but you need to remember the human factor, so if abnormally high levels are detected, you must re-test. According to statistics, approximately 2% of pregnant women have false positive results.

Individual conditions and their causes

The increase in chorionic gonadotropin during pregnancy is due to many factors. Depending on them will differ and clinical picture condition, and the possibility of a favorable outcome.

The growth of the pregnancy hormone is especially intense in the initial stages, so errors in determining the time of fertilization by several days can significantly influence the discrepancy between the level of the substance and the term. High concentrations of hCG also appear after spontaneous miscarriage or abortive termination of pregnancy.

Genetic abnormalities in a child

Fetal chromosomal diseases are a serious pathology that currently has no cure, so prenatal detection of such diseases is very important. It is hCG that can be used as their marker. The level of this hormone can reveal serious abnormalities in the development of the fetus until the middle of pregnancy. An increase in the concentration of hCG by 2 times is the reason for ordering a full examination of the embryo for the presence of genetic abnormalities. Most often identified:

• Down syndrome;
• Edwards syndrome;
• Patau syndrome;
• Turner syndrome;
• developmental defects of cardio-vascular system fetus;
• abnormalities in the development of the neural tube.

The first pregnancy screening at 12-13 weeks is very important and responsible. During its course, the presence of a genetic pathology is determined, which is sometimes incompatible with life.

Diagnostic features

If a high level of chorionic hormone is detected, contact a specialist as soon as possible to clarify the cause of the pathology. To calculate the degree of risk of pathology of pregnancy or fetal development, they do not use exact data, but the IOM. This is a numerical equivalent that indicates the degree of deviation of the 1st trimester screening indicator value from the median (average value) for a particular pregnancy case. Normally, the value of the PTO coefficient should be close to unity.

Based on the results of IOM calculations made using a blood test, it is possible to find out whether the expectant mother is at risk for genetic pathologies of the fetus or not.

The hCG content during in vitro fertilization (IVF) increases in the same way as during any pregnancy. After IVF, it is especially necessary to monitor the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin, because this allows you to monitor normal implantation and gestation of the fetus. With IVF, the processes of conception are unnatural, so the level of hCG is higher than normal. A high level is associated with multiple pregnancies: to successfully complete the in vitro fertilization procedure, 2, 3 or more embryos are always implanted.

IOM indicators for genetic pathology

What to do if the hCG level deviates from the norm

If a high level of hCG is detected, do not panic. First, it is not necessarily pathological; the matter may be toxicosis, gestosis or multiple pregnancy. Secondly, by following additional examinations and doctor’s recommendations, serious consequences can be prevented and a woman’s reproductive function can be preserved.

The level and scope of therapeutic and diagnostic measures largely depend on the cause. In most cases, there is no need to adjust the indicator: it returns to normal on its own. In the presence of genetic diseases of the fetus, it is recommended artificial interruption pregnancy, since congenital syndromes are not treated, and such children are not able to live a full and long life.

A high level of human chorionic gonadotropin during pregnancy, which increases due to toxicosis, is not dangerous in itself, but the changes that occur (nausea, vomiting, headaches, etc.) cause significant discomfort to the woman and also pose a threat to the physiological course of this disease. condition. They require correction by a specialist.