Low HCG after FET but rising

[Blacktommer]

Good evening

I had FET on the 24th Oct and a positive pregnancy test 9 days later, however I also had some negative tests with some cheap brands.

I had bloods taken 12 days post transfer and the HCG was 30. 48 hours later I had another blood test (14 days post FET) and this was 60.

I’m due to go into EPU tomorrow for a scan.

I’ve had mixed opinions, the consultant who referred me to EPU wants to outrule ectopic etc but then another consultant told me they wouldn’t have referred me as was happy with my results and would of waited until my 6/7 week scan booked on 21st.

I also did another pregnancy test the morning of the second set of bloods and it was negative. Again just a cheapo brand. Consultant told me to ignore these but my local EPU (not who I have an apt with tomorrow) said it’s likely I’ve had a miscarriage if I’ve had a negative test following a positive.

I’m really confused and feel so deflated. Also I want to mention I have increased bmi (above 30) so had read this can impact HCG level readings, also if it’s a FET instead of fresh this can also attribute to slow riser at the beginning.

Some forums say if you have less than 100 HCG 14 days post FET then it’s likely it’s a failing pregnancy.

Wondered if anyone else had similar? Just to say I have braced myself for bad news tomorrow but I wondered if there was any small glimmer of hope?

[Endofitall]

I don’t have a positive story but I just wanted to say I hope all goes well and that I know HCG hell is hard. Everyone’s bodies and levels and pregnancies are so different.

4+ weeks is quite possibly going to be too early to see anything confirming 💯 either way on a scan. And fact there is doubling is positive. I think waiting to closer to 6 weeks to scan would make a lot of sense providing you keep a close eye on symtoms such as pain, bleeding, diarrhoea, vomiting and dizziness and seek help early if they happen.

[Blacktommer in reply to Endofitall]

Thanks for your reply. There’s so many doom and gloom stories on the internet and people giving advice like their consultants. I read a thread yesterday on mums net where someone told a lady that there has been no success stories for those with hcg under 100 on day 9 and this simply isn’t true! I saw on here a lady had a hcg of 9 on day 9 and went on to have a successful pregnancy.

I’ve had fresh and FET before and both were successful, no issues with either pregnancy and both were natural deliveries. I think I was naive thinking this one may be the same once we got a positive test. Also the infertility issue is on my husbands side but I am 36 now and fatter so I know I have increased risks in that respect.

Only time will tell but the wait is awful. I’m just hoping they see a sac and yolk today.

[Diana1981]

hello, I have been in a similar situation recently and unfortunately it ended with pregnancy not developing. I started doing blood tests on 10 days after FET and HCG was doubling every 48 hours for 3 weeks reaching 2700 and then started to slow down and the growth was only 21% during 48 hours, then only 18% during 48 hours… the last test I did just now and my appointment in the clinic is scheduled on Thursday to decide what to do next. But the doctor already confirmed that the pregnancy stoped developing.

You mentioned you BMI is 30. I do not know whether it has impact or not, but if you under 40 yo I would say do not worry too much,but carry on attempts. I’m 43 yo, so my next attempt is going to be when I turn already 44, so not sure if any of them will be successful.

Did you do PGT on your embryo?

My embryo was PGTed, so I really don’t get why my pregnancy failed as there are no other underlying health issues and the only reason I wanted to do IVF is because I have no partner, but found somebody who gave the sperm for my attempts .

[Blacktommer in reply to Diana1981]

Thanks for the reply. I had read HCG level can be lower for those with increased bmi which makes sense as more blood volume so essentially hormone is diluted. I’m also 6ft1 so I’m not in any way small.

I didn’t have it tested. My first two were 4BBs and this one is 3BC. To be honest this embryo was always going to be the bonus round. I only had three and two others were successful and I’m already blessed with a son and daughter. I just couldn’t leave this final one behind and couldn’t face it being destroyed or used for research. I didn’t want to live with the what ifs or have any regrets.

That said it would have just been so much easier to have a straight negative instead of being in this state of limbo…

[Diana1981 in reply to Blacktommer]

Oh, I see! That’s amazing that the first two rounds were so successful! Agree with your intentions re the third one. My first embryo was also 4bb.

[Blacktommer in reply to Diana1981]

Definitely! I know I have been very fortunate with the both of them.

Went for my scan today but they couldn’t see anything but did say they saw some thickening in a particular area of my lining so think this is where implantation has happened.

Bloods were taken again and HCG is now 360 which means it has quadrupled since last bloods four days ago, but still I feel it’s low. Consultant called me just now to say this means pregnancy is in right place and seems to be progressing.

Have to now go back either Wednesday or Thursday for a follow up scan and more bloods so still a waiting game at the moment.

[Diana1981 in reply to Blacktommer]

I always find the criterias they use are so uncertain and medicine is clearly not a precise science. Lots of things are simply unknown.

[Blacktommer]

Just wanted to update in case anyone else is going through hcg beta hell.

Had bloods done again yesterday (20 days post transfer) and these are now 708. Things seem like they’re going the right way but mindful I could have the rug pulled from under my feet also.

I also found a ivf website which gave some interesting but reassuring figures for hcg following transfer.

Day 13 Post-Transfer:

At this point, hCG levels provide us with the first meaningful information. A good start is indicated by levels over or equal to 25 mIU/ml, whereas levels below 5 mIU/ml often suggest no pregnancy. Also, we might begin to weigh the happiness of a successful implantation against the possibility of miscarriage. For example, at this stage, values less than 85 mIU/ml may indicate an increased chance of miscarriage. On the other hand, values higher than 386 mIU/ml may indicate a robust, healthy progression.

Furthermore, Day 13 can provide us with early indicators as to whether you might be expecting one or more children. 339 mIU/mL or less is suggestive of a singleton pregnancy, but 544 mIU/mL or more is indicative of multiples.

Day 15-17 Post-Transfer:

It is important to monitor the doubling of hCG levels at this time, as this is a normal indicator of embryo development. Two days following your first positive test, the hCG level should ideally reach at least 50 mIU/ml, indicating a promising development for your pregnancy.

Day 17:

An hCG value above 200 mIU/mL is another positive indicator, suggesting the pregnancy is developing well.

Remember, every woman’s journey through IVF and pregnancy is unique. The rate at which hCG levels rise and the absolute values can vary widely. That’s why it’s essential to have ongoing monitoring by your fertility specialist to understand what these levels mean for you specifically.

birlafertility.com/blogs/hc...

Going by these numbers I’m actually in range for my previous hcg numbers.

Day 12 - 35

Day 14 - 61

Day 18 - 360

Day 20 - 708

Praying things are now on the up and feeling I can breathe a little easier now until my scan next week..

[Blacktommer]

Quick update - scan completed on Monday by EPU and gestational sac seen with beginning of embryo. Bloods not taken.

Went for further scan with ivf clinic yesterday and they confirmed I’m 6 weeks and 5 days. Embryo was there and heart beat seen. My husband said he could see it had grown since Monday also. Consultant said she was happy and felt positive about pregnancy even though I’m measuring slightly behind at 6 weeks and 1 day.

I have a follow up in EPU in two weeks time. IVF consultant said she isn’t concerned that I need to attend but given it’s already booked then just to attend. IVF clinic have given me my letter of confirmed pregnancy and discharged..

[Blacktommer]

A final update from me - have been seen now by EPU, two weeks ago and today.. I’m now 10 weeks pregnant and there’s definitely a baby in there, now with little arm and leg buds and bouncing about. I’ve been discharged from EPU now and due to be seen by community midwife this week.

I guess I just wanted to be that bit of hope for others amongst the much doom and gloom on some of the forums, and that you can have low hcg levels at the beginning following a positive pregnancy test and still go on to have a developing pregnancy..