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Q: Beta HCG

asked by: DoctorQuestion on August 14th, 2009

I was wondering why some women don't receive a positive hpt until their about 10-12 weeks along? I've read that HCG levels vary from person to person; that some woman just have low HCG levels throughout their pregnancy and actually deliver healthy babies, but I haven't found anything on why this happens. Does it have to do with the Thyroid Gland? I also read about one girl who said her hpts and blood tests remained negative do to anemia and only found out she was pregnant via ultra sound. How can anemia cause a negative pregnancy test? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Replies(1)

Dr. Andrijana Shterjovska , MD

replied on August 21st, 2009

Pregnancy Q and A Answer A7091

Beta HCG (human choriogonadotropin) is a hormone that is produced by the placental cells. It starts to produce when the egg implants. The levels of Beta HCG might vary a lot in different women. The exact reason for this is not established yet. However, it is known that the low or high levels of beta HCG do not always correlate with pregnancy problems. The pregnancy might be completely ok and healthy baby might be delivered despite the changes in the levels of Beta HCG.
The only known substances that might affect the results of quantitative beta HCG are prodicts that contain beta HCG themselves. No other substance or condition (including thyroid gland issues and anemia) are reported to have any effect on the blood levels of beta HCG.
You might want to visit a gynecologist for additional information about this issue.

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