low hcg levels at 5 1/2 weeks into pregnancy

[Anonymous]

I went to the ER on Sunday because I had severe cramping and was worried. I was about 5 1/2 weeks. However, the sono showed nothing and my HCG level was only 138. I tested positive that prior wednesday.

isn't this extremely low? I am supposed to follow up with an OB (of course to find out if the levels doubled) I haven't done it yet because I am still cramping and I keep thinking this pregnancy is not viable.

has anyone else experienced this? Btw I know the date of conception, so I can't really be any "less pregnant"

[Anonymous]

Did they do a transvaginal sono? Hard to see properly this early with a regular sono.

Yes, your HCG sounds very low for 5 1/2 weeks.

What do you mean by the sono showed nothing, was there an empty gestational sack? It's early, but for me when you could only see an empty sack and no fetal pole I was diagnosed with a blighted ovum...

I'm sorry

[Anonymous]

They did a transvaginal sono. And there was absolutely nothing in the uterus. The OB then just said it was because of my low HCG level. I am just so confused. I guess the only way to find out for sure is to do a follow up blood test or another sono. I have 2 children and I never had such strong cramps when I was pregnant with them that's why I keep thinking this may not work out.

[Anonymous]

That number is bit low. You can check out betabase.info for stats on average hcg levels based on days past ovulation. You probably wouldn't see anything in a sono with such low betas. Your OB is probably assuming your dates are off. You should go in for follow-up blood work. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

[Anonymous]

You should read the hcg info on the American Pregnancy Association's website--it appears there is a great range of what is considered normal:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/hcglevels.html

I also had low hcg levels for my first pregnancy. The numbers quickly increased and everything turned out to be perfect. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that the same happens for you.

[Anonymous]

Strange, I would definitely go in to your OB again.

But if you're sure of your dates then it's not looking good I think. Even if you can't see a fetus, there has to be something (a gestational sack) visible at the very least regardless of the HCG level.

Big hug to you!

[Anonymous]

Please go back to the obgyn. They need to rule out ectopic pregancy and it can be very dangerous!

[Anonymous]

thanks everyone. I am going back to the doctor's tomorrow. I am aware of the risks of an ectopic pregnancy, but given that the symptoms have neither worsened nor improved over the past week, I put myself on the "watchful waiting" list.

Maybe there is a slight chance that I may have conceived later, but I highly doubt it. I am feeling very sober about this pregnancy just because it doesn't feel "right", you know? I shouldn't even be pregnant, considering I used birth control. I can give an update if you like.

[Anonymous]

I had an early miscarriage in November. I tested positive at 15 DPO, but it was a very, very faint line. The line got a little darker, but never got "dark", so I had bloodwork done which revealed very low HCG counts. Anyway, from the moment I saw the super light positive at 15 DPO I had that feeling that the pregnancy was doomed. I suggest you go back for a repeated hcg. That way if it has doubled you'll be able to relax some, but if it declines you can accept that a miscarriage will happen soon.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me and it turned out to be ectopic. And they never found the "sac" , it was just considered "extra uterine". Anyway , my point is it needs to be handled sooner rather than later. I hope this is not the case for you, but you are in my thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Hope all goes well OP, yes, please give an update.

[Anonymous]

OP here. It's not looking good. I have yet to receive the HCG result, but the sono showed a gestational sac that was extremely small, less than five weeks (that was at 6 1/2 weeks) I am having cramping and had a little bit of blood on Saturday. I think I may be miscarrying.

[Anonymous]

OP I am so sorry to hear about this. I hope you are wrong. You are in my thoughts.