What Is the Connection Between HCG Levels and Ectopic Pregnancy?
There is some connection between human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels and ectopic pregnancy. One of the ways a doctor may detect an ectopic pregnancy is by analyzing the levels of HCG, a hormone produced during pregnancy, in a woman’s blood. When blood tests are done and HCG levels seem lower than normal or are declining, this can sometimes be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. HCG levels can even be used to assess whether or not a pregnancy may be ectopic via an ultrasound; if HCG levels reach a certain minimum threshold and an ultrasound does not reveal the expected signs of a uterine pregnancy, this is a sign that the pregnancy may be ectopic. In an early, normal, healthy pregnancy, HCG levels usually rise steadily; in most cases, they double every two to three days. To determine if a pregnancy is healthy and viable, doctors typically take blood tests to assess HCG levels. If HCG levels are not as high as expected for the stage of pregnancy, doctors may order repeat blood tests. T
