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Is Hcg Level Detectable After First Trimister In Pregnancy?

Posted on Wed, 25 Jun 2014

Question: This question is about hcg levels In pregnsncy. If a woman who is already pregnant retakes a pregnancy at around 4,5,6 months into her pregnsncy, would the pregnsncy test still remain positive? As I'm aware that hcg levels start to drop around 16 weeks into the pregnancy. Hcg is produced throughout the whole pregnsncy but will it still be detectable on a pregnsncy after 16+ weeks ??

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
hCG hormone can be positive throughout pregnancy.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Thanks for writing to HCM

As we discussed earlier,hCG hormone can be detectable throughout the pregnancy.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a pregnancy specific hormone produced by placenta.

You are rightly said that hCG level rises in first trimester of pregnancy.It rises consistently up to 10-12 weeks of gestation and then they tend to becomes static ,or it may even drop off.So,it can be detectable throughout the pregnancy.

Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (6 minutes later)

But will a pregnancy test show positive throughout the whole pregnsncy even after hcg levels slightly decline after 16 weeks ?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detail answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Thanks for writing back

Urine pregnancy tests are hCG based kits.Generally hCG becomes static after 20 weeks and in these cases it will be positive.
However in some cases it either declines or taper off then in these cases pregnancy test will be either faintly positive or negative.

Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar