HCG: concept, functions, level and norm in the blood, deviations - increase and decrease. What does a hCG blood test show and how to prepare for the test? What is this indicator and when is the test prescribed?

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Norms

Statistical indicators of the norm are the basis for establishing the presence of abnormalities in pregnancy or its normal course. For each stage of pregnancy, certain values ​​are normal.

In the first trimester, when the membranes of the fertilized egg begin to actively produce the hormone, the following values ​​are the norm.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is far from the most well-known component of the human body. Moreover, even every hundredth man hardly knows this term, and among girls who have not yet been pregnant, knowledge about this hormone is not much wider. But despite this, hCG is one of the most important factors in the existence of the human race. No wonder it is called the “pregnancy hormone”. We will talk about it, as well as the functions of this hormone, in as much detail as possible.

Let's start with the fact that without certain pathologies, human chorionic gonadotropin is found only in the female body during a nine-month period, which is called pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotropin is synthesized at different stages of pregnancy by two different organs: in the first part of the nine-month period, synthesis is carried out by the fertilized egg, and in the second by the trophoblast (the outer ball of the blastocyst cells, which later serve as the basis of the outer shell of the embryo). Moreover, these stages are distinguished by the formation of the trophoblast, which, in fact, is the precursor of the placenta.

In its structure, hCG is a glycoprotein, which consists of 237 amino acids. The basis of human chorionic gonadotropin is two subunits - “α” and “β”. This nuance is the most important in terms of the characteristics of this hormone. The alpha subunit of hCG is a component that completely replicates similar subunits of a number of other hormones. The specific element of the human hormone is the beta subunit. It is this that is used to diagnose the level of the substance, and it is this that shows the normal course of pregnancy, or the presence of some pathologies.

Functions of human chorionic gonadotropin

The most significant hCG function is the diagnosis of pregnancy. This hormone is the basis for constructing pharmacy tests to determine pregnancy. The effectiveness of the testing method is determined by the fact that the level of the hormone in the female body changes dramatically almost immediately after fertilization of the egg has occurred.

If a woman without certain pathologies and is not pregnant, the level of hCG in the blood is zero and only in rare cases can reach four international units per liter (IU/l) with individual characteristics, then already seven days after fertilization it grows to 50 IU/l. Moreover, this diagnostic method is specific - it detects only pregnancy, and is very sensitive, demonstrating high rates of accuracy in determining pregnancy.

As for the functions of human chorionic gonadotropin in the human body, there are three of them:

• 1. Stimulating the synthesis of glucocorticoids - hormones that contribute to the adaptation of the female body to pregnancy, which is a chronic immune stress.
• 2. In the first six weeks of gestation, the “pregnancy hormone” is the key to the normal functioning of the corpus luteum. It also synthesizes progesterone, another important hormone in a pregnant woman’s body.
• 3. Assistance in the normal functioning of the placenta. In particular, a sufficient level of hCG has a positive effect on the chorionic villi.

Laboratory measurements of hCG levels in the body

Modern medicine offers several methods for determining the amount of hCG, among which the most popular are the so-called “rapid tests” for pregnancy. Their action is based on measuring the level of hCG in the urine. At the same time, studying urine to determine the level of this hormone is considered not the most sensitive method, but sufficient to confirm or deny the fact of pregnancy.

Human chorionic gonadotropin is measured in urine and in laboratory conditions, but even in this case the accuracy is not high enough. The most sensitive method is a laboratory blood test. In addition to the fact that the result obtained will be closest to the truth, the laboratory will also provide data on hCG norms at certain stages of pregnancy and will be able to guarantee the quality of the study due to the control schemes used.

The nuances of laboratory tests of hCG levels in the body

Quite interesting is the fact that apart from determining the fact of pregnancy, the analysis of hCG in the blood is practically useless for anything else. And this, even despite the fact that in medicine there is an official table that indicates the level of hCG by week of pregnancy and by the first days after fertilization of the egg.
Why, for example, is it impossible to determine the duration of pregnancy by the level of hCG? The fact is that in the normative tables, which we will give below, fairly wide ranges of values ​​are given for each period. But even these are not the numbers from which deviations indicate the development of pathologies. Regarding hCG, only two facts are certain:

• it appears after the fertilization of the egg,
• its level rises and falls according to a certain pattern.

But the indicators of changes in hormone levels in absolute terms are individual for each woman. Moreover, they can differ significantly during the normal course of pregnancy. And hCG 1000 IU/l, for example, even at a certain period, one woman will have normal indicator, the second one is overestimated, and the third one is low.
Therefore, regarding studies of the amount of hCG, two theses are the most important:

By adhering to these rules, you will, firstly, avoid unnecessary negative emotions when you see numbers in the analysis that fall outside the normal ranges. And, secondly, do not make mistakes when determining the duration of pregnancy. Ultrasound diagnostics and counting from the date of the last menstruation are best suited for this task.

Another interesting nuance in diagnosing the volume of a hormone in a pregnant woman is the units of its measurement. In particular, two options can be found in laboratory results: IU/L and mIU/ml. The first of them means, as already indicated above, “international units per liter”, the second “milliinternational units per milliliter”. In this case, in principle, there is no confusion. These concepts are compared one to one. That is, regardless of what unit of measurement a particular laboratory uses, the numbers in the results will be exactly the same. For convenience, in this material we will use the abbreviation “IU/l”.

Norms of human chorionic gonadotropin

As we have already noted, hCG is a “pregnancy hormone”; it practically does not occur in men and women who are not carrying a child, so we will consider the norms for the period of bearing a child. In medicine there are two tables of values ​​for this component:

• hCG table by week of pregnancy;
• hCG table for days from the second to the sixth week after ovulation.

By day, in the first 42 days after ovulation, hCG norms look like this:

Regarding the trend of changes in hCG levels during pregnancy, three patterns should be noted:

• It makes sense to determine the hormone level from 6-9 days after ovulation. Before this, its concentration is insufficient for qualitative analysis;
• from the beginning of pregnancy until the ten-week period, during normal course, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin doubles every two to three days;
• during the peak period, which occurs in the tenth week of pregnancy and until the 20th week, the level of this hormonal component decreases approximately by half and the resulting indicator remains practically unchanged until the time of birth.

Deviations from these three points are a reason for in-depth research and consultation with a doctor. Absolute standards - the numbers are not very indicative and should not be taken as an axiom.

Reasons for deviations of hCG levels from standard values

It has already been noted that the norms of human chorionic gonadotropin in the body of a pregnant woman are not a paradigm. Deviation from them can be not only pathological, but also natural. Only a doctor should draw any conclusions regarding the hCG level at a certain stage of pregnancy.
At the same time, there are well-defined lists of pathological reasons that cause a deviation in the level of “pregnancy hormone” in one direction or another. Let's look at them in separate groups.

Prerequisites for low hCG levels

• ectopic pregnancy development,
• risk of miscarriage,
• increased gestational age,
• frozen fruit
• delays in fetal development.

In addition to these reasons, a decreased (as well as an increased) level of human chorionic gonadotropin can be recorded due to an incorrect determination of the gestational age by a doctor. This situation is dangerous because during the normal course of the process of bearing a child, the woman is prescribed additional diagnostics, and sometimes treatment, which she absolutely does not need. Such situations are quite rare, but they cannot be ignored. In addition, incorrect determination of the gestational age and, consequently, incorrect diagnosis of a reduced level of hCG, can cause not the most pleasant emotional stress for the expectant mother. The above reasons for insufficient hormone concentration will not benefit anyone positive emotions, which are extremely important during gestation.

Prerequisites for high hCG levels

• toxicosis and late toxicosis (gestosis),
• hydatidiform mole (conception without normal embryo development),
• multiple pregnancy (hGH level increases in proportion to the number of fetuses),
• diabetes,
• taking hCG-containing medications.

In addition, it is necessary to separately highlight the reasons for high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in men and women who are not carrying a child. In principle, any indicator other than zero is considered elevated. The following reasons may lead to this:

• tumor formations of the gastrointestinal tract and testicles,
• malignant and benign formations of a number of organs (kidneys, lungs, uterus),
• chorionic carcinoma is a malignant oncological disease, the development of which begins from embryonic structures.

Concluding the consideration of the characteristics of human chorionic gonadotropin, one cannot fail to mention a number of features of this hormone and its functioning in the body.
Firstly, medicine knows of cases where women developed immunological resistance to hCG. Natural antibodies inhibited the process of hormone synthesis, leading to spontaneous early abortions. The nature of this phenomenon remains unknown (it is assumed that intracellular infections, hormonal imbalances or weak immunity lead to this), but it is not insoluble. If the presence of antibodies to human chorionic gonadotropin is confirmed, the woman is prescribed drug therapy based on low molecular weight heparins and glucocorticoids. The action of these drugs is quite effective in stopping the work of the immune system aimed at suppressing hCG.

Secondly, there are two options in which pregnancy will not be confirmed by the presence of hCG. This can happen when a pregnancy test is taken before the ninth day after ovulation, and also when the pregnancy is ectopic. Therefore, compliance with the rules for analyzing hCG levels, as well as consultation with a specialist in all problematic cases, is extremely important.

Thirdly, sometimes human chorionic gonadotropin in the form of a medication is used in the treatment of a number of pathologies. There are three prerequisites for this:

• threatened abortion in the early stages,
• preparation for artificial insemination,
• infertility treatment.

It is impossible to talk about the stable effectiveness of the use of exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin. However, the practice of using it even in these cases is not widespread enough and there is simply no reliable sample of the results of statistical analysis of its use.

Fourthly, recently a number of medical and paramedical resources, as well as a number of specialized specialists, claim that in men and women outside the period of gestation, the hCG level ranges from zero to five international units per liter. However, no research works or statistical samples are provided that confirm this statement, which does not allow us to accept this thesis as reliable. So official medicine continues to believe that, with the exception of pregnant women, the level of hCG in people is zero.

And lastly: human chorionic gonadotropin of exogenous origin is quite common in the form of a doping drug in sports. Its alpha subunits are identical to similar components of luteinizing hormone, which is produced by the pituitary gland in the human body. By stimulating germ cells in the ovaries, hCG in the body of a male athlete promotes the production of testosterone, increasing the body’s resource in terms of maintaining strength and mass.

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Human chorionic gonadotropin (abbreviated as hCG, hGT, HCG in English language, HGL in Ukrainian) is a hormone that, in the normal state of the body, is produced exclusively during pregnancy. The hCG hormone is produced after conception - it is synthesized by the fertilized egg, and after it is formed trophoblast (this is the precursor of the placenta), this hormone is produced by its tissues. That is why the level of hCG is determined only after conception.

Human chorionic gonadotropin consists of two different subunits - alpha And beta . Moreover, alpha is identical to the subunits of alpha hormones. When we talk about hCG - what it is, its B-subunit is considered. It is important to understand when considering what beta hCG is that it is a unique subunit, so it cannot be confused with other hormones. When talking about testing for human chorionic gonadotropin, we mean that there is no difference between hCG and beta-hCG.

What is hCG during pregnancy? Its definition and decoding is very important stage diagnosis of a number of pathologies of both the fetus and the woman. In some conditions that will be described in this article, hCG values ​​are either greatly reduced or increased. When considering what kind of analysis this is, you need to take into account that with small deviations from the norm, this study has no diagnostic value. Therefore, some diseases and conditions of the expectant mother ( post-term pregnancy , intrauterine infection, chronic fetoplacental insufficiency ) determined by other methods.

After the hCG results have been received, they are interpreted over time, since each woman’s hCG level changes differently during pregnancy. Therefore, one result cannot judge the situation as a whole.

It is important that the result of the hCG pregnancy test be reviewed by a qualified specialist. After all, decoding the hCG test is very important, as it allows you to correct some problems in fetal development.

Since the free beta subunit of gonadotropin is unique, the test that determines the norm of hCG during pregnancy is also called beta-hCG. The norm is if during pregnancy HCGb appears in the blood a few days after conception. But, nevertheless, if, for example, hCG is 8, what does this mean cannot be definitely said after the first analysis. A repeat test will be needed to confirm pregnancy. In general, the fb-HCG norm is a very important indicator of fetal development.

When taking hCG at Invitro, Hemotest, Helix and other clinics, a woman needs to understand what this indicator is, when such a test will show pregnancy, etc. This will be discussed in the article below.

What is hCG used for?

When determining HCGb levels, you need to understand what human gonadotropin is needed for. Wikipedia states the following:

• this hormone at the beginning of pregnancy stimulates the process of synthesis and;
• prevents disappearance corpus luteum ;
• prevents aggression maternal body against fetal cells;
• initiates physiological and anatomical changes in the pregnant woman’s body;
• stimulates the adrenal glands and gonads of the fetus;
• participates in the process of sexual differentiation in male fetuses.

Why is this test prescribed?

The analysis is prescribed to women for the purpose of:

• early diagnosis of pregnancy;
• monitoring the dynamics of how pregnancy progresses;
• determination of developmental defects (fetal anatomy);
• development exceptions ectopic pregnancy ;
• the need to assess whether the artificial one was completely carried out;
• establishing that there is a threat;
• diagnostics And tumors .

For male patients, such analysis is necessary to diagnose testicular tumors .

HCG levels during pregnancy

The function of human chorionic gonadotropin in the body is very important. Its indicators begin to increase in the early stages, as it is produced by a fertilized egg. It is hCG that makes it possible for pregnancy to develop, since it triggers all the processes necessary for bearing a baby.

Already 9 days after ovulation, hCG can be detected in the blood plasma. That is, already when the fertilized egg has penetrated the endometrium, there is a slow increase in the levels of this hormone. And if its low level is determined in the early stages, then the concentration doubles every two days. What exactly its level should be in a certain week, how hCG should grow, whether slow or fast growth is noted, can be found out from the corresponding tables.

The increase in hCG during pregnancy occurs until 8-10 weeks from the last menstruation, when its peak is noted - 50,000-10,000 IU/l. Then the hormone level begins to decrease, by 18-20 weeks it is already reduced by half. Then the hCG level remains stable throughout the entire pregnancy.

During pregnancy, gonadotropin is excreted from the body by the kidneys, and therefore is excreted in the urine. It can be determined by performing a urine test in the range of 30-60 days after the last menstruation. The highest rates are observed on days 60-70. This is why, when hCG begins to be produced, you can do a pregnancy test strip or other urine tests.

HCG levels during pregnancy later may reach repeated peak levels. Previously, doctors considered this to be normal. However, it has now been proven that elevated hCG in later stages may indicate developmental pathology. In particular, a high level of the hormone in last weeks gestation sometimes means that there is a reaction of the placenta to placental insufficiency in the case of Rhesus conflict .

Therefore, it is necessary to promptly identify this disease and carry out treatment.

The main signs of hydatidiform mole are:

• Constant, indomitable vomit , much more painful than with normal.
• Uterine bleeding (severe spotting) in the early stages.
• The size of the uterus is larger than normal at this stage.
• Symptoms preeclampsia (Sometimes).
• Trembling fingers, palpitations, weight loss (rare).

When the signs described above are noted, it is important to consult a gynecologist, undergo an ultrasound and be tested for hCG.

If pregnancy develops normally, then the level of this hormone rarely increases above 500,000 IU/l. There is an approximate calculation of hormone norms for each period. But if a hydatidiform mole develops, the hCG level is different, several times higher than these norms.

To cure a hydatidiform mole, all trophoblast must be removed from the uterus. To do this, curettage or other surgical interventions are performed.

It may happen that a benign hydatidiform mole turns into malignant chorionic carcinoma . As a rule, metastases appear very quickly with this tumor. But it responds well to treatment with chemotherapy .

There are the following indications for chemotherapy:

• HCG level is above 20,000 IU/L one month after the hydatidiform mole was removed.
• An increase in the level of this hormone after a hydatidiform mole has been removed.
• Metastases to other organs.

Chorionic carcinoma

Chorionic carcinoma may appear both after a hydatidiform mole and after childbirth or abortion. If a woman develops this disease, then 40 days after the pregnancy ends, the hCG level has not fallen, but has increased. Uterine bleeding may also be observed, signs that indicate metastases. In such a situation, there are indications for chemotherapy and surgery. In the future, the patient should remain under observation. The doctor decides how long it should last.

Use of drugs containing human chorionic gonadotropin

Like all human hormones, human chorionic gonadotropin levels can depend on various factors. Thus, the test result is influenced by whether the woman takes medications containing human gonadotropin orally.

As a rule, such drugs are prescribed to women with, as well as during the period when preparations are underway for IVF, in order to increase hormone levels.

In rare cases, such medications are taken if there is a threat of miscarriage. In any case, if a woman uses such medications, then before carrying out any measurements and tests, you need to warn the doctor about this.

Taking a variety of medications, many women are interested in whether they can affect the levels of this hormone. For example, it is often asked whether to the hCG level. According to experts, Duphaston may slightly affect the level of this hormone, since this drug controls the level progesterone . However, if hCG does not meet the norm, this cannot be attributed to the influence of the drug, since it may be a pathological condition.

The level of this hormone is not affected.

Hormonal medications, the active component of which is human chorionic gonadotropin, are drugs Profasi , Humegon , Horagon , Khoriogonin , Menogon . They restore the ovulatory process and activate the hormonal activity of the corpus luteum. At what size of the follicle the injection is given is determined by the doctor.

Initially, studies are carried out on hormones, their norm in women and deviations. If certain abnormalities occur, in particular, progesterone is below normal, what this means, the doctor will explain during the consultation and prescribe specific treatment.

If necessary, to stimulate ovulation, hCG injections from 5000 to 10000 IU are prescribed, in order to maintain pregnancy - from 1000 to 3000 IU. Individual dose selection is important. Therefore, if the 10,000 injection was given, when is ovulation, if the 5,000 injection was given, how long after ovulation, the specialist will explain.

Currently, human chorionic gonadotropin is also used by athletes, since under its influence it increases in the male body.

False positive test result

Those who are interested in what stage of pregnancy a test for this hormone shows, should take into account that in some situations the tests can be false positive.

This happens in the following cases:

• Some experts say that when taking oral contraceptives, hormone levels may increase. However, there is no proven evidence that taking contraception affects hCG.
• As a rule, after childbirth or abortion, hormone levels decrease for seven days. In some cases, the doctor waits 42 days, after which tests are taken and he can make a diagnosis. If the analysis shows that hCG has not decreased or has increased, then we may be talking about a trophoblastic tumor.
• Levels may remain elevated when metastases occur chorionic carcinoma , hydatidiform mole .
• Other tumors can also develop from germinal tissues, but they rarely produce an increase in hormone levels. Therefore, if there is a formation in the brain, stomach, lungs and a high level of human chorionic gonadotropin, first of all, a suspicion of trophoblastic tumors with metastases arises.

Thus, the hCG level in non-pregnant women should not be higher than those that are normal. The normal level of hCG in non-pregnant women is from 0 to 5. The level of this hormone in a non-pregnant woman may be higher in the first days after an abortion, when taking certain medications, as well as with the development of certain pathological conditions.

Immunity against hCG

In rare cases (units) the female body produces to chorionic hormone. They are an obstacle to the normal attachment of a fertilized egg in the uterus and its subsequent development.

Therefore, if in two or more cases the pregnancy ended in spontaneous miscarriage, it is important to take a test to determine antibodies to hCG and find out if there are any certain abnormalities. If the result is positive, treatment is carried out during the first trimester.

The woman is prescribed glucocorticoids And low molecular weight heparins . However, it is important to consider that organisms producing antibodies to hCG are rare. Therefore, in the absence of pregnancy, you must initially undergo all tests and exclude the influence of other factors on women’s and men’s health.

conclusions

Thus, an analysis for hCG is a very important study during the period of bearing a baby. It is understandable that after receiving research results, patients have many questions. For example, why hCG increases but does not double, how to correctly decipher hCG by DPO, etc., does fibroids affect the level of the hormone, etc. You need to ask a gynecologist about everything, who will help decipher the tests and give comprehensive answers to all questions.

With the onset of pregnancy, the expectant mother will have to undergo a lot of research and undergo many tests. Most often, women are prescribed a general examination of urine and blood. However, the results of such diagnostics cannot confirm or refute a new interesting position. This article will focus on beta-hCG. You will find out what this substance is and why it is formed. It is also worth mentioning at what time you need to take a beta-hCG test. In medicine, there are generally accepted norms for this substance in a woman’s blood during different periods of pregnancy.

Beta HCG

This substance is secreted by the fertilized egg and placenta. It appears in the blood of the expectant mother the very next day after implantation. At the same time, conventional pregnancy tests still show a negative result. This is due to the fact that the amount of beta-hCG in the urine is much less than in the blood. That is why, if you want to quickly find out about your pregnancy, you should take a blood test.

During the period from the thirteenth to the eighteenth week, a range of this hormone can be observed in the blood of the expectant mother ranging from 6140 to 103,000 units. After this (up to approximately the 24th week of embryo development), the level of human chorionic gonadotropin is 4720-80 100 IU/ml.

Third trimester

At this stage, hormone levels are very rarely measured. However, there are generally accepted standards that are oriented towards when it is necessary to conduct research. So, in the period from the 23rd to the 40th week, 2700-78,100 units of the substance are found in the blood of the expectant mother.

Remember that when multiple pregnancy the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin may be slightly higher.

Possible pathologies

Is there a certain norm for beta-hCG for possible pathologies? Unfortunately, medicine has not yet established certain data. This is due to the fact that pathology can begin at different times and under different conditions. Also, the body of each expectant mother is individual and cannot react to possible difficulties in the same way.

• When the hormone level reaches its norm before a certain week (usually the 5th-6th). After this, a sharp decline in the substance occurs, and the analysis shows negative values.
• An ectopic pregnancy is characterized by the fact that the norm of beta-hCG is not achieved. The hormone level is growing, but very slowly and significantly lags behind the established values.
• HCG levels are much higher than normal during hydatidiform mole. However, during an ultrasound, an embryo with a heartbeat is not detected.
• If future mom suffers diabetes mellitus, then the amount of beta-hCG may also exceed normal values.

Can a normal pregnancy not meet the established hCG standards?

It also happens that the fetus develops absolutely normally, but the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in the woman’s blood is significantly higher or lower than normal. Why is this happening?

Most often, this situation arises in the very early stages. At the same time, the woman cannot accurately name the date of conception. If the gestational age is set incorrectly, then the hormone level values ​​may diverge from the established standards. Most often, ultrasound diagnostics helps clarify the situation. During an ultrasound, the doctor can accurately determine the duration of pregnancy (up to one day).

Summing up and concluding the article

So, you now know what levels of human chorionic gonadotropin are allowed during pregnancy. Remember not to rely too much on established numbers. Each woman's body is individual and can react differently to a new position. Do not take into account the numbers that your friends had at one time or another. Some doctors say that the normal level of beta-hCG may vary depending on the gender of the unborn child.

If you get a bad result, you should repeat the analysis. Often there is a laboratory error or incorrect comparison with standards. When decoding data, always pay attention to the established study center values. They may be very different from other laboratories. The result can also be displayed in different units of measurement. All this greatly influences the obtained values. To clarify the situation, contact your gynecologist and follow all instructions given. Have an easy pregnancy!