By 
hCG/ beta-hCG is a hormone that is useful for detecting pregnancy. Its full form is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. This hormone is produced by the developing baby.
The hCG levels twins are starkly different when compared to single pregnancy. Basically, higher hCG levels is an indicator for multiple pregnancies in the expecting women.
For instance, the hCG levels singleton vs twin reads that the hCG level for a single baby is 70-750 ml. However, for twins, this reading gets doubled. Therefore, this rate helps detect a twin pregnancy.
High hCG levels for twins can be observed through blood tests readings during pregnancy by a doctor. The hCG levels with twins read somewhere between 200-1750 ml at the end of a month i.e. approx. 30 days from the last menstrual period (LMP).
Owing to this reading hCG levels twins chart reads 30-50% higher than a single baby’s hCG chart.
Initially, during pregnancy, the hCG readings doubles every two to three days. Therefore, an accurate reading is only possible with the help of blood tests. Doctors observe this progressive reading. Positively progressing hCG levels are an indicators of a healthy pregnancy. You should take the blood test after a week of your ovulation date.
Pregnancy home tests are usually able to identify a pregnancy only five days before your period.
What do hCG levels twins indicate?
A mother’s body does not produce hCG. The baby in the womb produces the hCG. Every baby emits this hormone. Therefore, it makes it easy for the doctor to detect the multiple pregnancy based on the amount of hormone secreted. The hCG levels for twins are double as compared to singleton and increases exponentially in case there are more than 2 kids.
The function of hCG is to thicken the lining of the mother’s uterus. This thick lining that hCG helps form, protects the baby during pregnancy.
The hCG balances the progesterone levels during pregnancy. hCG does this till the placenta develops in the mother’s body to produce progesterone. Progesterone prepares the uterus for a baby.
When is this hormone produced?
hCG starts developing in a mother’s placenta immediately after implantation takes place.
However it is recommended you conduct a home hCG test/ urine pregnancy test after a week from date of missed period to determine pregnancy accurately.
A beta-hCG blood test can determine pregnancy as early as 2 weeks before missed periods.
Other factors affecting increase in hCG levels
At times increase in hCG levels can also be indicative of a molar pregnancy. Here the sperm fuses with an empty egg leading to abnormal placenta growth. However, no baby is formed. This is a complete molar pregnancy.
Another reason for High hCG levels could be due to partial molar pregnancies. In particular molar pregnancies, a mass foetus contains the embryo and some abnormal cells that result in congenital disabilities. The healthy embryo here gets consumed by the abnormal cells.
An increase in hCG levels could also occur due to a gestational trophoblastic tumour. This is a type of cancer that is very rare to come across.
But it should be noted that molar pregnancies and gestational trophoblastic tumours are very rare. Hence don’t panic in case of high hCG levels. Speak to your doctor.
High hCG levels are also observed in ectopic pregnancies. The embryo in this type of pregnancy grows outside the uterus in the fallopian tube. This causes health risks as fallopian tubes are not designed to hold babies.
Reason for hCG levels not going up?
Be it single or multiple pregnancy, your hCG levels should increase progressively in the initial phase, especially in the first 8–10 weeks of your pregnancy.
If in case your hCG blood report results seem somewhat constant or you see a dip in the hCG levels, then it’s a sign that your pregnancy is not progressing right. However, to make sure, your doctor will ask you to do an ultra sound as well.
Final thoughts
hCG levels in twin pregnancies can be substantially high as compared to single pregnancy. You can check the levels of hCG produced blood tests. However, your doctor may recommend an ultra sound to confirm multiple pregnancy.
There are other reasons too for high hCG levels. Your doctor may also recommend you to do some important tests to rule out any genetic/ fetal abnormalities. ParentingNmore gives detailed information on first trimester screening which will help you understand this topic in depth.
Comments