What are Normal Beta hCG Levels in Pregnancy?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone the placenta produces during pregnancy. Because of its crucial role in supporting fetal development, it is often referred to as the "pregnancy hormone." A key component of hCG is beta-hCG, which helps confirm pregnancy and track its progression.

Beyond pregnancy, beta-hCG testing is also used for diagnosing certain medical conditions, including specific types of cancer. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about beta-hCG levels in pregnancy, their significance, and what they reveal about maternal and fetal health. 

What is beta-hCG? 

 Beta-hCG is a subunit of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone. It is found in the blood or urine during pregnancy. People with certain types of cancer may also have it. 

A doctor may recommend a pregnancy test to measure beta-hCG levels as early as 10–11 days after conception. This test can be categorized into two types: 

• Qualitative Beta hCG Blood Test- It can confirm pregnancy as early as 10 days after conception. 
• Quantitative Beta hCG Blood Test- It can provide exact hCG levels in the blood, diagnose abnormalities, and the possibility of miscarriages. 

Note: 

A beta-hCG test has minimal risk, including slight pain, lightheadedness, or dizziness. Redcliffe Labs offers a beta-hCG test at affordable rates, with the convenience of home sample collection. The test can help confirm pregnancy, detect signs of multiples (twins or triplets), and check for certain cancers. 

Understanding the Beta hCG Normal Levels 

Before understanding the beta hCG levels, let’s know how our body makes hCG. 

All people have some or an undetectable amount of hCG in their bodies. HCG levels peak around 10 weeks of pregnancy and gradually fall until childbirth. 

In some cases, cancer or germ cell tumors may cause your body to produce hCG. 

The beta hcg levels in ectopic pregnancy may vary from less than 100 mIU/mL to more than 50,000 mIU/mL. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. Meanwhile, the levels of non-pregnant women and men are less than 5 and 2 mIU/mL, respectively. 

A beta hcg levels chart shows the beta hCG levels by week. 

Week	Normal Range (mIU/mL)
3 weeks	5-72
4 weeks	708
5 weeks	8,245
6 weeks	32,177
7 weeks	153,767
8 weeks	149,094
9 weeks	135,901
10 weeks	170,409
12 weeks	201,165
14 weeks	93,646
15 weeks	69,747
16 weeks	55,332
17 weeks	51,793
18 weeks	55,271

Factors Affecting the beta-hCG Levels 

If you get a positive result, you are most likely pregnant. False test results are very rare. However, some factors may interfere with the beta-hCG levels. 

• Certain antibodies may affect your level. 
• Some types of cancer and early miscarriage. 
• Some medications that your healthcare professional usually recommends for infertility treatments. 

6 Causes of Low Beta-hCG Levels 

The following are the causes of low hCG levels in pregnancy. 

1. Possible miscarriage
2. Ectopic pregnancy (the beta hCG levels in ectopic pregnancy may be low or falling).
3. Threatened abortion (miscarriage) 
4. Miscalculation of pregnancy dates 
5. Stillbirth (when a baby dies after 20 weeks of pregnancy or more, but before or during birth) 
6. Blighted ovum 

7 Causes of High Beta-hCG Levels 

The following are the reasons for high hCG levels in pregnancy. 

1. Ovarian cancer 
2. Miscalculation of pregnancy dates 
3. Molar pregnancy 
4. Multiple pregnancies 
5. Choriocarcinoma of the uterus 
6. More than one fetus, i.e., twins or triplets 
7. Hydatidiform mole of the uterus 

7 Tips for Maintaining Normal Beta hCG Levels 

The beta hCG is an important hormone detected in the blood or urine during pregnancy. It can also be found in people with certain types of cancer. The following are some useful tips for maintaining beta hCG levels. 

1. Staying hydrated is important for overall health. 
2. Perform mild exercises to boost your health and mood. 
3. Take necessary and prescribed vitamins. 
4. Rest should be your top priority. 
5. Limit the intake of caffeinated beverages. 
6. Incorporate stress management practices (yoga and deep breathing exercises) in your daily life to handle stress. 
7. Take regular check-ups to stay updated with your health. 

What is Beta-hCG used for in Men? 

A beta-hCG helps with the production of sperm and testosterone in people assigned male at birth (AMAB). It is also used to treat undescended testicles in male infants. A high beta hCG level in men showcases some signs of testicular cancer.

When will the Beta hCG levels return to normal? 

Beta-hCG levels typically return to baseline within 4–6 weeks, depending on initial levels and individual health factors. The time depends on the reason for the miscarriage (spontaneous miscarriage and abortion). 

After a natural delivery and a D- and C-section procedure, the time it took for the beta hCG levels to return depended on how high they were. 

When can a doctor prescribe the hCG test? 

Beta hCG is an important component of pregnancy. Therefore, a doctor may prescribe the beta-hCG test to screen for pregnancy. There are various other reasons a doctor may recommend the beta-hCG test. These include: 

• To check for the beta-hCG levels in your blood. 
• To check for pregnancy progression, screen the fetus and even check its age in the early stage of pregnancy. 
• To monitor a pregnancy with a higher risk of miscarriage. 
• To diagnose ovarian cancer. 
• To rule out ectopic pregnancy. 
• To screen for prenatal Down syndrome. 
• To check for the effectiveness of a fertility treatment. 
• To diagnose pregnancy-related tumors. 

If you experience the following symptoms, you should take the hCG test. 

• Mood swings 
• Indigestion or constipation 
• Elevated vaginal fluid discharge 
• Mood swings 
• Frequent urination
• Sensitive or enlarged breasts
• Exhaustion 
• Morning sickness 
• Cramps or light spotting 
• Sudden cravings 

Is There Anything Else You Should Know About Your Beta hCG Levels? 

You should know a few things about the beta hCG levels. 

• Doctors measure beta hCG levels in pregnancy in milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL). 
• As you progress towards pregnancy, your beta hCG levels increase. The time it takes to double can increase to about 96 hours. 
• Your doctor may recommend additional tests to confirm the beta hCG test results. 

The Bottom Line 

Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels are components of hCG in your blood. The amount varies for every individual based on their pregnancy week. The beta hCG levels in early pregnancy are considerate, which increases with time. Moreover, the level may differ in non-pregnant women, men, and people with certain cancers. 

So, if your doctor prescribes the test or you have symptoms, check your beta hCG levels immediately. 

Steps to Book a Test from Redcliffe Labs! 

• Visit www.redcliffelabs.com 
• Search for the test you need. 
• Click on ‘book now’ and fill out the required information: name, phone number, and address. 
• Make the payment. 
• A phlebotomist will visit your home for sample collection.