HCG Level Chart – Reference Values by Week of Pregnancy
The HCG level chart shows how the pregnancy hormone hCG develops during early pregnancy. It helps assess the progress of a pregnancy week by week.
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The HCG level chart shows how the pregnancy hormone hCG develops during early pregnancy. It helps assess the progress of a pregnancy week by week.
What is the HCG Level Chart?
The HCG level chart is a reference table showing the expected blood levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during pregnancy. It is used by healthcare providers and patients as a guide to evaluate the progress of an early pregnancy. The hormone hCG is produced by the placenta shortly after the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining and rises rapidly in the first weeks of pregnancy.
HCG Levels by Week of Pregnancy
The following reference values refer to hCG levels in the blood (measured in mIU/ml) and are intended as general guidance. Individual variation is normal.
- Week 3: approx. 5 – 50 mIU/ml
- Week 4: approx. 10 – 426 mIU/ml
- Week 5: approx. 19 – 7,340 mIU/ml
- Week 6: approx. 1,080 – 56,500 mIU/ml
- Weeks 7 – 8: approx. 7,650 – 229,000 mIU/ml
- Weeks 9 – 12: approx. 25,700 – 288,000 mIU/ml
- Weeks 13 – 16: approx. 13,300 – 254,000 mIU/ml
- Weeks 17 – 24: approx. 4,060 – 165,400 mIU/ml
- Weeks 25 – 40: approx. 3,640 – 117,000 mIU/ml
In the first weeks of pregnancy, hCG levels typically double every 48 to 72 hours. This doubling pattern is an important indicator of a normally developing pregnancy.
Why is the HCG Level Measured?
Measuring hCG levels in the blood serves several medical purposes:
- Confirming a pregnancy
- Monitoring the progression of an early pregnancy
- Evaluating a suspected ectopic pregnancy
- Assessing the risk of a miscarriage
- Follow-up after a miscarriage or pregnancy loss
- As part of first-trimester screening
How is the HCG Level Measured?
The hCG level can be detected both in the blood (quantitative measurement, highly accurate) and in the urine (qualitative measurement, as in a home pregnancy test). A blood test performed by a doctor provides more precise and earlier results than a urine test.
What Do Abnormal HCG Levels Mean?
Low HCG Levels
An hCG level that falls below the normal range or rises more slowly than expected may indicate:
- Threatened miscarriage
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Incorrect calculation of gestational age
High HCG Levels
Unusually high hCG levels may suggest:
- Multiple pregnancy (e.g., twins)
- Molar pregnancy (a rare condition of the placenta)
- Incorrect calculation of gestational age
Important Note
The HCG level chart is intended solely as a reference guide. A single measurement alone is not very meaningful. A proper medical assessment always requires monitoring multiple measurements over time as well as a clinical evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional. If you have any concerns or notice unusual values, always consult your doctor.
References
- Gnoth, C. & Johnson, S. (2014): Strips of Hope: Accuracy of Home Pregnancy Tests and New Developments. Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde, 74(07), 661–669. PubMed PMID: 25100881.
- Cole, L.A. (2012): Biological functions of hCG and hCG-related molecules. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 8:102. PubMed PMID: 21195011.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): FAQ on Ectopic Pregnancy and Early Pregnancy Loss. acog.org.
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