What Causes Delayed Periods And HcG Level Less Than 1?

Posted on Tue, 8 Jul 2014

Question: I missed my period by 2 days now and I have every symptom in the book, my stomach is bloated, pee every 5 mins and it's full stream no burning nothing like I feel pregnant... I did hpt all negative and today I had blood test done came back HcG level less than 1 could it mean that my levels will rise and it could be to early to detect anything yet?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not due to pregnancy.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Serum levels of HCG start rising 10 days after conception or ovulation. Since your periods are already overdue by 2 days the HCG levels should have started rising by now.
A levels at 1 is too low to be suggestive of pregnancy. A pregnancy is not likely under these circumstances. The symptoms that you are having are all non specific and are not confirmatory of pregnancy. It is best to wait for a week and if the periods are late then get the tests done again.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (4 minutes later)

OK so if I wait till next Friday which will be over week late if it is negative what could possibly be wrong? I thought HcG was a pregnancy hormone? If I have less than 1 it detected it from where? I will retest in few days, could it be maybe I just conceived and it isn't detecting anything yet?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to stress.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Yes. If the test is still negative and periods do not come then a mild hormonal imbalance or stress can cause the delay in periods. You can get hormonal pills prescribed to have a withdrawal bleeding in that case.
HCG is a pregnancy hormone but can be mildly raised in case of chemical pregnancy.
The chances of late conception are there. It is best to wait and then repeat the test.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (5 minutes later)

OK thanks so much, so in normal non pregnant women is there any level of HcG in the blood? they can give me pill to bring my period on? about 6 months ago I had an ovarian cyst they said it was small and it would go away on its own could it be that making my stomach hard and bloated?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Less than 5.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
In non pregnant women a level less than 5 of HCG can be detectable.
Yes you can get the pills prescribed to get your period.
The ovarian cyst can be associated with the hormonal disturbance causing a delay in periods.
Regards.

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