| HCG -
Human Chorionic Gonada-what? |
By:
Susan Tanner |
|
…Tropin.
Human chorionic gonadotropin. Sound Familiar? You may
or may have heard of hCG, but if you have, it may be
because you read it on the box of your home pregnancy
test. And that's because hCG is the basis of home
pregnancy tests. It's also the basis for the blood and
urine pregnancy tests that your doctor performs. But
there is much more to hCG than simply being an
indicator of pregnancy.
HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta during
pregnancy. It begins being produced and released into
the blood almost immediately after the egg attaches to
the uterine wall. Since hCG is released into the blood
so soon after conception, it can be detected there
even before your first missed menstrual period, as
early as six days after implantation. Its function is
to prevent the disintegration of the corpus luteum of
the ovary and thereby maintain production of one of
the main pregnancy hormones, progesterone.
HCG Levels
HCG levels rise steadily for the first 14 to 16 weeks
after your last menstrual period, doubling every 48-72
hours in about 85% of normal pregnancies. After this
time, the levels will slowly decrease. The increases
in the hCG levels in early pregnancy can provide
invaluable information about your pregnancy and the
health of your baby. HCG levels return to zero shortly
after pregnancy.
HCG levels are often measured as part of a maternal
serum triple or quadruple screening test. These tests
are done by measuring three or four substances in a
woman's blood and are used to estimate the baby's risk
of certain problems or congenital birth defects. The
triple screen measures beta human chorionic
gonadotropin (beta-hCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and
a type of estrogen (unconjugated estriol or uE3). The
quad screen measures the hormone inhibin-A in addition
to the other three.
Abnormal hCG levels do not necessarily mean that there
is a problem. It could simply be due to a
miscalculation of pregnancy dating. Unfortunately
though, abnormal hCG levels could also indicate a more
serious issue. There are several things that could
cause a high or low hCG level, so you should be
retested within a few days to see how the levels are
changing.
A high hCG level could be an indicator of a multiple
pregnancy, in which there is more than one fetus
present, or a molar pregnancy. A low hCG level could
be an indicator of a possible miscarriage or blighted
ovum, or an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized
egg implants itself somewhere other than the uterus.
By now it should be apparent that you will be hearing
quite a bit about hCG during your pregnancy, and now
you will know what you are hearing.
Susan Tanner is a wife and mother of three. She is
also the editor of pregnancy-guide.net.
Pregnancy-Guide is an online community for mothers to
find support and valuable information. Please visit
Pregnancy-Guide at http://www.pregnancy-guide.net |
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