HCG?????

Hello Imaan,

On August 24, you posted a question regarding the possibility of being pregnant. In that ASK, you referred to a sexual assault in which the attacker was wearing pants. I told you that there was no risk for pregnancy.

When you say that you think you are 10 weeks pregnant, are you referring to a different situation?

Here are the facts.

The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (better known as hCG) is produced during pregnancy. It is made by cells formed in the placenta, which nourishes the egg after it has been fertilized and becomes attached to the uterine wall.

Levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 12 – 14 days after conception by a urine test. Typically, the hCG levels will double every 72 hours. The level will reach its peak in the first 8 – 11 weeks of pregnancy and then will decline and level off for the remainder of the pregnancy.

An hCG level of less than 5mIU/ml is considered negative for pregnancy, and anything above 25mIU/ml is considered positive for pregnancy.

A transvaginal ultrasound should be able to show at least a gestational sac once the hCG levels have reached between 1,000 – 2,000mIU/ml.

Imaan, a hCG level of 0.5 confirms that you are not pregnant. Be careful who you believe.
If you do not believe the test results, ask to have a transvaginal ultrasound done.

Regards,
Maryann