Beta levels in early pregnancy also known as beta hCG levels in early pregnancy can vary greatly – see beta hCG chart below. It’s the presence of this hormone human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG that will determine a positive on a home pregnancy test. A “beta level” is the amount of hCG in the body. If pregnant it’s present and rises in the first trimester. Often a physician will perform a “beta hCG” to check the amount of hCG present. Sometimes repeating the test will show normal or not normal growth of an embryo. This is a more sensitive test than the ones that just say YES or NO to the presence of hCG.
| Beta Levels in Early Pregnancy and Beyond |
| Weeks after LMP | Days after conception | HCG level for single baby (mIU/hCG) |
| 3 Weeks | 7 | 0 to 5 |
| 4 Weeks | 14 | 5 to 426 |
| 5 Weeks | 21 | 18 to 7340 |
| 6 Weeks | 28 | 1,080 to 56,500 |
| 7 to 8 Weeks | 35 to 42 | 7,650 to 229,000 |
| 9 to 12 Weeks | 49 to 70 | 25,700 to 288,000 |
| 13 to 16 Weeks | 77 to 100 | 13,300 to 254,000 |
| 17 to 24 Weeks | 4,060 to 165,400 |
| 25 Weeks to Birth | 3,640 to 117,000 | |
| 4 to 6 Weeks Post Birth | Less than 5 |
Hormones actually run the show when pregnancy happens.
It’s hormones that prompt the ovary to release an egg – it’s hormones that keep the fertilized egg growing and becoming a tiny baby. Conception is a remarkable time of change. Fluctuations in the hormones can cause an array of symptoms such as morning sickness, Braxton hicks contractions and so on. Understanding these hormones help to prepare for what may occur over the nine months of pregnancy.
The increase in the levels of hCG (see chart above on beta levels in early pregnancy), estrogen and progesterone will cause some major changes in the body. The uterus and abdomen muscles will expand to take on the growing fetus. The breast changes to nourish the baby after birth.
The breasts are one of the first things you notice changing during pregnancy. They enlarge as the milk-producing glands swell in size. The rising levels of estrogen and progesterone are the hormones responsible for the changes in the breasts.
Progesterone is first produced by the corpus luteum (the cyst that was formed from the egg at ovulation).
This keeps the uterine lining from shedding. A few weeks later the placenta will take over the production of progesterone. Progesterone levels are about ten time higher in a pregnant woman than in a non-pregnant woman.
Low levels of progesterone can cause miscarriages and preterm labor or premature birth. It’s progesterone that keeps the uterus from contracting. It promotes the growth of blood vessels in the walls of the uterus where the baby will receive her nourishment.
Estrogen is key in conception, prompting the ovary to release a mature egg to be fertilized.
Estrogen is responsible for changes in the cervix, vagina, breasts and uterus. Estrogen also influences the production of insulin. The levels of estrogen and progesterone are supposed to rise and maintain the pregnancy.
The levels may fluctuate causing an array of problems ranging from morning sickness to gestational diabetes and premature birth. The levels peak out right before birth then drop dramatically. It’s the drop that can cause post partum depression, night sweats and mood swings.
Let’s get back to hCG and the beta levels in early pregnancy. It’s produced by the placenta in small amounts at first, then increases as the pregnancy progresses. It can be detected in both urine and blood. hCG is responsible for helping your body to keep from rejecting the baby. If hCG levels start to fall off in early pregnancy, it could be a sign of impending miscarriage.
Comments
After removing my final Fallopian tube Nov 7 and was told I would need ivf to conceive, Jan 9 I found out I was pregnant. My dr is stunned with no explanation but I’m 7 wks today and my beta as of Mon was 50k that seems kinda high don’t it?
I am 5-6 weeks pregnant (dec 21 2011) I found out Dec 6 2011 when I was around 3 weeks pregnant. My HCG level was 20 and now its 75 (a 15 day difference from dec 6-19) Is that normal? I looked up online and it seems awfully low!
i think you sould have ur gynae check it out….
I was given an HCG beta count test on the 17th of November and was given a number of 7000 and was told that I was between 5-6 weeks pregnant, I am curious as to how accurate these tests are?
I am 6 weeks and a few days, right at 6 weeks, my HGC was showing 5000. I think yours is normal.
Hi,
We have been asked to monitor regularly the beta levels since 12th day of Conciving. It seems its growing at a faster pace
Day 12 – 86+
Day 14 – 200+
Day 16 – 500+
Day 18 – 1300+
Is there any thing to worry about. Doctor says its normal i am just thinking we might have twins
dear, sir my wife done ivf and after 20 days beta hcg result is 168.66 mIU/ML. AND 2ND TEST REPORT IS 244.93 mIU/ml. I WANT TO KNOW its positive result or not