High HCG but no heartbeat detected

[Aidansmommy3]

Hi! I am almost 6 weeks pregnant. Went in for an early US 2 days ago and a gestational sac and yolk sac were found but no heartbeat or fetal pole.  I measured right on track at almost 6 weeks. My HCG levels have been doubling, in fact they were 41,000 that same day. I'm confused. Shouldn't a heartbeat be detected with these high numbers or is it just because I'm not far enough along in my pregnancy. Any insight is appreciated. I have another scan schedule for Thursday

[adgal]

  Here is a chart of "normal" hcg levels in pregnancy.  At 6 weeks, the range is 1,080 to 56,500, so although high, you were still in the normal range. Yes, I did have my levels checked.  First number was 31, then it was 1400 or something like that (a week apart), and she never checked them again.  We just waited for ultrasound.  I wasn't anywhere near 6 weeks yet though.  And if you look at the chart, doesn't seem average really applies..lol.  


  3 weeks LMP: 5 - 50 mIU/ml
    4 weeks LMP: 5 - 426 mIU/ml
    5 weeks LMP: 18 - 7,340 mIU/ml
    6 weeks LMP: 1,080 - 56,500 mIU/ml
    7 - 8 weeks LMP: 7, 650 - 229,000 mIU/ml
    9 - 12 weeks LMP: 25,700 - 288,000 mIU/ml
    13 - 16 weeks LMP: 13,300 - 254,000 mIU/ml
    17 - 24 weeks LMP: 4,060 - 165,400 mIU/ml
    25 - 40 weeks LMP: 3,640 - 117,000 mIU/ml
    Non-pregnant females: <5.0 mIU/ml
    Postmenopausal females: <9.5 mIU/ml

[Aidansmommy3]

Thank you Adgal! I have definitely been able the think more positive after reading some the the threads on here. Of course there are some horror stories, but getting positive feedback on my particular situation really helps. Did you have your HCG checked early on with your previous pregnancy? If so, do you remember your numbers? I'm so happy to hear that your son was born healthy. Wishing you a happy, healthy pregnancy this time around too! Congrats and thanks for all your positivity!

[adgal]

I'm not sure if it's the same hcg or not.  But I can tell you (I have some personal experience with this issue) that with the two hormones they measure (hcg & free beta), it's not the number they look at, but rather the ratio between the two numbers. When I was pregnant with my son (I was 40), there was a large ratio between the two.  So that, accompanied by my age, gave me a risk factor of 1:13.  He is completely healthy and typical (he's almost 2 now).  I have never heard of high hcg levels being linked to ds though.  I need to check that out I guess.  Yes, yours are high, but they are not way out there.  And again, know that your Dr. will bring up any issues he or she has.  In my experience, they are pretty honest and want to do further investigating if there are any concerns.

Of course you are overthinking and worrying.  It's what we all do.  I'm 42 and just found out I was pregnant again...I'm a lunatic..lol.  Seriously, talk about overthinking.  It's natural.  Posting here saved my sanity the first pregnancy, and I know thats what will do it this time around as well.  So keep posting, and we will be here for you!

[Aidansmommy3]

Thanks! The first trimester seems to be very stressful, more because I am over thinking things. I read somewhere that higher levels of Hcg could be a sign of down syndrome. I know that it is part of the first trimester screening, but is it the same hcg that is measured to diagnose a pregnancy in the first 8 weeks?

[adgal]

Not at all.  In all honesty, Dr.'s don't put nearly the stock in HCG's as a diagnostic tool as they once did.  There is such a huge range of normal, and ultrasound is a far better way to diagnose a problem, or in your case, that all is well.  It sounds like you have a healthy fetus who is measuring correctly with a heartbeat.  Sounds great!  I know, we all worry about every little thing, it's so hard not to.  But trust me, your Dr. would have been up front had he/she been concerned.  Congrats, and wishing you a healthy and happy remainder!

[Aidansmommy3]

Thank you all for your responses. We had our second ultrasound and saw the heartbeat (only one)=) what a relief! I was only measuring 6 weeks 2 days when I thought I was 7 weeks. Now, I'm wondering why my hcg was so high so early. Is that a sign if something bad? I feel like I'm constantly worrying about something...

[LauraBerlin]

The extra high HCG levels could mean a couple things: 1. you are pregnant with multiples (yay!!), 2. the ultrasound just wasn't able to detect everything and you are fine (but just have high HCG), or 3. the bad news of a molar pregnancy (where the gestational sac and yolk sac are present, but there is no fetus) which happens when something goes wrong during fertilization. In this case the HCG levels are almost always higher than normal.  I hope it isn't the latter and everything will be ok for you!

[thosenewmans]

Try not to worry too much. Both ladies are right, may just be too small. Normally a heartbeat cannot be detected until the fetal pole is about 5mm. My first ultrasound was very similiar to yours and now I am 13 weeks with a healthy pregnancy, so try not to worry and best of luck!

[lorry02]

I had the same with my third child its sounds like the fetas was to small to be detected try not to stress to much till your next app best wishes

[adgal]

Even with high hcg levels, at 6 weeks it's very possible to not see a heartbeat and have everything turn out just fine.  Typically the heartbeat does not become visible until sometime between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 weeks.  With the sac measuring the way it should and strong levels, chances are good that everything is just fine.  It's good they have scheduled a follow up scan as that should give you a definitive answer.  Please update us and let us know how things are going.  I wish you well.