What Do Lowering Of HCG Levels During Pregnancy Suggest?

Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015

Question: I am exactly 5 weeks pregnant. I had 3 donor embryos transferred through IVF. Two days ago they saw on ultrasound 3 gestational sacs. My HCG levels have been high and doubling until today. On 11 dpo hcg 40, 13 dpo 90,17 dpo 1035,18 dpo 1769,19 dpo 2582,21 dpo 4783. Why didn't it double from day 19 to day 21? Does that mean I might have a vanishing triplet? Does the hcg have to completely double? Does this mean I am going to miscarry? What if my levels doesn't double again in 2 days and it goes lower?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Vanishing triplet is possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
IT is possible that you might have a vanishing triplet.
The B HCG generally has to double every 48 hours, and with triplet pregnancy, it can actually more than double.
If the levels fall, yes there are chances of a miscarriage, but do not worry about that right now.
If the levels do not double again, there is again a risk of impending miscarriage.
You would know for sure only when the cardiac activity is seen in the sacs at 6 - 7 weeks of pregnancy.
Do not read much into your B HCG levels, as they can fluctuate from woman to woman.
Stress /negative thinking is not going to help you much.
I wish you so much of luck this time.
My prayers for you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take care.

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