HCG levels in women without pregnancy. The value of the indicator for men

In the human body, the endocrine glands constantly produce many hormones. Each of them has its own special functions. There are also specific hormones that are produced only in certain situations. These include human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is necessary for the normal course of pregnancy. If abnormally high levels of hCG are found in non-pregnant women and men, this indicates a health problem.

Blood test for hCG - what is it?

Human chorionic gonadotropin consists of α and b units, or fractions. The first of them is identical to thyroid-stimulating and luteinizing hormone, and the second is unique to hCG - which is why its detection is of decisive importance in laboratory research.

The β-unit of hCG begins to appear in the plasma within a week after fertilization. Its concentration increases rapidly and reaches a maximum by 7-11 weeks of pregnancy, after which it gradually decreases. 7 days after termination of pregnancy (childbirth, spontaneous miscarriage, induced abortion), the hCG analysis should no longer detect. Also, this hormone should be absent in the urine.

The main functions of human chorionic gonadotropin:

• preserves the corpus luteum and stimulates its production of progesterone;
• prepares the immune system to accept the fetus;
• in male embryos, stimulates Leydig cells responsible for the synthesis of testosterone;
• stimulates the functions of the adrenal glands and gonads in the fetus.

The corpus luteum normally exists for 12-14 days, after which it undergoes reverse development. During pregnancy, it is precisely thanks to the action of human chorionic gonadotropin that it not only does not regress, but, on the contrary, increases in size and synthesizes progesterone in significant quantities. In addition, hCG enhances the synthesis of steroids by the adrenal cortex, causing its moderate physiological hyperplasia in pregnant women.

An increase in the level of human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood of non-pregnant women and men occurs with malignant tumors of the gonads, uterus, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract organs.

The hormone plays a huge role in the formation of the placenta, stimulation of its functions, metabolic processes, and promotes the growth of chorionic villi.

Indications for a blood test for human chorionic gonadotropin are:

• early diagnosis of pregnancy;
• exclusion of fetal development pathologies;
• suspected ectopic pregnancy;
• suspicion of malignant tumors (in women and men).

The action of a pregnancy test strip is based on the determination of hCG in urine, but they show a reliable result only a few days after the delay of the next menstruation. It is not always possible or willing to wait that long. In this case, it is advisable to conduct a pregnancy test (hCG in the blood).

There are two types of laboratory blood tests for human chorionic gonadotropin:

1. Total hCG . Indicates that pregnancy has occurred already 6-8 days after fertilization. Normally, the level of the hormone in the early stages doubles every 48 hours and reaches its maximum by 10-11 weeks of gestation. In the second trimester, pregnant women are sent for prenatal screening, during which an analysis is done for total hCG (triple, quadruple test).
2. Free b-hCG . Indications for its determination are suspicions of testicular (testicular cancer) and trophoblastic (chorionic carcinoma, hydatidiform mole) neoplasms. In addition, the determination of free b-hCG is performed during screening of the first and second trimesters of pregnancy in order to assess the risk of having a child with Edwards or Down syndrome. It should be understood that a positive laboratory test result does not mean the presence of a chromosomal abnormality in the developing fetus, but only puts the woman at risk and serves as the basis for further more in-depth examination.

Detection of a low level of hCG in a pregnant woman is the basis for an urgent referral to a gynecologist.

Reasons for increased hCG in the absence of pregnancy

Elevated hormone levels can occur in women for various reasons. In most cases, this is associated with a normal or pathological pregnancy. Therefore, if the hCG test is positive, an ultrasound of the uterus is first performed to determine the presence of an embryo.

There are other reasons for increased hormone levels besides pregnancy:

• Uterine chorionic carcinoma is the result of malignant transformation of the vaginal epithelium. This process can be caused by abortion, childbirth, or ectopic pregnancy. During the process of degeneration, the trophoblastic formation produces hCG, which will be determined by the test.
• Hydatidiform mole is the result of the metamorphosis of a fertilized egg, the development of which is disrupted by a chromosomal disease. Instead of developing normally, the chorionic cilia grow into bubbles with fluid inside.
• Uterine fibroids are neoplasms located on the inner wall of the uterus. Due to a lack of estrogen, fibroid cells divide chaotically, increasing its size. The neoplasm cannot degenerate into a malignant tumor, but requires surgical intervention as it continues to grow rapidly.
• Corpus luteum cyst of the ovary is a periodically formed gland at the site of the follicle. It produces progesterone and hCG, and with the end of menstruation it disappears or decreases in size. If the cyst does not resolve on its own within 3 menstrual cycles, it is removed surgically.
• Tumor formations in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs or kidneys.

If the hCG level in non-pregnant women is significantly higher, this may be a consequence of recent childbirth or miscarriage. With an early abortion, the concentration should decrease after 4–7 days; if this does not happen, it can be assumed that the procedure was performed poorly and the embryo continues to develop. A slight increase in the hormone in the blood is observed during menopause and the hot flashes that precede it. Taking hormonal drugs to treat infertility also makes the test result positive.

When and how to take it, deadlines

To correctly determine the level of human chorionic gonadotropin, it is necessary to donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach. It is advisable that at least eight, and preferably ten, hours pass after the last meal. The day before donating blood, you should limit physical activity.

If the patient is taking medications containing hCG, the doctor should be warned about this. Any other medications do not affect the test result.

The question often arises about how long a blood test will show pregnancy. As mentioned above, a positive result can be detected as early as a week after conception. But for greater accuracy, the study is best carried out on the 4-5th day of missed menstruation. If the level of hCG in a woman’s blood is in the range of 5–25 mU/l, pregnancy cannot be reliably confirmed or refuted. In this case, it is recommended to take the test again after 48–72 hours.

To determine hCG, blood is taken from a vein

In the second trimester of pregnancy, the level of human chorionic gonadotropin is determined to identify possible abnormalities in fetal development.

After a spontaneous miscarriage or medical abortion, a woman is recommended to donate blood for hCG on 3-4 days. An increased level indicates incomplete removal of the fertilized egg from the uterine cavity.

Determination of the level of human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood is carried out by enzyme immunoassay; blood for testing is taken from a vein. The duration of a classic study varies in different diagnostic centers and averages 1-2 days. In almost every laboratory you can order a rapid test, the results of which will be ready in 1–3 hours.

7 days after termination of pregnancy (childbirth, spontaneous miscarriage, induced abortion), a blood test should no longer detect hCG.

Why is the pregnancy test positive but hCG negative?

It would seem an absurd situation, but this also happens. Human chorionic gonadotropin is excreted in the urine. When an abortion is in progress, or after an abortion, during a frozen pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin stops flowing into the blood, but the kidneys still filter the hormone and it is still present in the urine, so a situation arises when the hCG is negative and the pregnancy test is positive.

The picture may be exactly the opposite, when hCG shows pregnancy, but the test is negative. In this case, the test is of poor quality or the gestational age does not exceed two weeks.

Decoding the analysis results

Decoding a blood test for human chorionic gonadotropin looks quite simple. Normally, in non-pregnant women, the level of this hormone in the blood is 0–5 mU/ml. In men, its level should not exceed 2.5 mU/ml. During a normally developing pregnancy, a woman experiences a very rapid increase in hCG up to 7-11 weeks. This is reflected in the table data.

Hormone levels depending on the stage of pregnancy

Since the normal levels of the hormone in the blood may differ in different diagnostic centers, it is best to contact the specialists of the laboratory where it was carried out for a deciphering of the analysis obtained and carry out repeated studies there.

Causes of abnormalities in non-pregnant women

Various factors influence whether hCG levels deviate more or less from the norm without pregnancy.

If there is no conception, and the concentration of the hormone is increased, it is recommended to take the test again.

If the second time the level does not show the norm, a comprehensive examination of the woman is required to identify the causes.

Important information: What tests do men need to take for hormones to check their hormonal status?

Increased level

The normal level of hCG in the absence of pregnancy should be at zero. If the result shows a hormone value above 0, the reasons may be:

• the presence in the female body of biological substances to which the test does not react correctly;
• development of oncological tumors of the kidneys, liver, mammary glands, colon, stomach;
• production of hCG by the pituitary gland;
• recent abortion;
• hormonal disbalance;
• infectious diseases of the urinary system.

In pregnant women, the body actively produces human chorionic gonadotropin. It is slowly eliminated from the body, its concentration remains at a high level after recent childbirth and miscarriages.

If a woman takes medications from the hormonal group, there is a possibility of a false positive result. Outside of pregnancy, gonadotropin levels may be slightly increased during menopause due to total hormonal changes in the body.

A result from 5 to 25 units is considered a gray zone, which does not confirm pregnancy. In this case, a repeat study is required after 2 days. The most dangerous reason for increased hormone levels in the absence of fertilization of the egg is the development of a tumor that produces gonadotropin.

In most cases, such neoplasms are of malignant origin.

If a non-pregnant woman’s hCG constantly increases, an extensive examination is required to identify the tumor and determine its exact location.

Reduced level

If the hCG level does not exceed 0, this is considered a reduced result. This value indicates the absence of pregnancy. If a reduced concentration of the hormone is observed in pregnant women, this is an alarming sign, which with a high degree of probability indicates that the development of the embryo occurs with abnormalities, and there is a high risk of spontaneous embryo rejection.

Important information: How to check testosterone levels in men at home (normal table)

If hCG, depending on the stage of pregnancy, is lower by 50% or more, there is reason to suspect an ectopic or frozen pregnancy, placental insufficiency, post-term pregnancy, placental abruption, or intrauterine fetal death in the later stages.

What does an increase in hormone levels in the blood mean?

An increase in the level of human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood of non-pregnant women and men occurs with malignant tumors of the gonads, uterus, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract organs.

During pregnancy, increased levels of the hormone are observed in the following cases:

• multiple pregnancy;
• early toxicosis;
• diabetes;
• gestosis;
• fetal chromosomal abnormalities;
• prolonged pregnancy;
• incorrectly determined gestational age;
• hydatidiform mole and relapse of hydatidiform mole.

Detection of low hormone levels in a pregnant woman is grounds for urgent referral to a gynecologist, as this may be a sign of:

• non-developing (frozen) pregnancy;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• placental insufficiency;
• threats of abortion;
• true post-term pregnancy;
• intrauterine fetal death in the II-III trimester of pregnancy.

In many Western European countries and the United States, the over-the-counter sale of dietary and homeopathic remedies that contain human chorionic gonadotropin is prohibited.

HCG is higher than normal

The hormone coefficient may be higher than the reference values ​​for gestational age. An increase in the hormone is caused by various factors. Here are the main causes of elevated human chorionic gonadotropin.

• Mom bears not one, but two or three children.
• The hormone increases when a woman has toxicosis in the first trimester.
• HCG levels above normal are observed with concomitant diabetes mellitus.
• When taking medications (injections after IVF).
• Chromosomal pathology of the fetus.
• The increase may be due to an incorrectly determined gestational age.

If there is no pregnancy, then in women human chorionic gonadotropin may normally slightly increase. This occurs during menopause. The test is also positive for athletes using doping agents.

Can blood test results be wrong?

A blood test for human chorionic gonadotropin is one of the most accurate methods for early diagnosis of pregnancy, its accuracy reaches 98%. However, there are mistakes. False positive results may be due to the following reasons:

• taking medications containing hCG (Choragon, Pregnil);
• hormonal imbalances;
• previously undetected malignant tumors.

False-negative results of a blood test for human chorionic gonadotropin may be a consequence of late ovulation and/or implantation of the fertilized egg, non-developing or ectopic pregnancy.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Deviations from the norm

The analysis indicator itself will not give you much. Especially in the early stages, because all methods for determining ovulation are not very accurate, even by folliculometry, tracking ovulation by ultrasound, it can be determined with an accuracy of only up to a few days. The remaining indicators provide less accuracy. Therefore, when you take hCG, you need to do it dynamically. To accurately determine whether hCG is increased or decreased during pregnancy, it is best to do so within 48 hours, but this interval may not be observed. On the Internet you can find a huge number of calculators for calculations. You enter the results into a special form, and the program calculates the time during which the hubbub level doubles. This time may vary for different stages of pregnancy, but on average it should be about two days.

Low hCG levels

Low hCG levels or slow growth are observed in the following situations:

• ectopic pregnancy – the level rises slowly;
• threatened abortion – grows slowly, does not grow or even decreases;
• frozen pregnancy – does not grow or falls.
• in case of postmaturity in the third trimester, developmental delay or placental insufficiency, it grows slowly.

Of all the above situations, the most dangerous is an ectopic pregnancy. With this pathology, the following occurs:

• The hormone level becomes higher, but does not reach normal levels.
• When conducting a pregnancy test, the second strip has a fainter tint and may be barely noticeable.
• To make an accurate diagnosis, urine and blood tests are performed. The indicators are compared with the norm suitable for the age of the fetus.
• If suspicions of an ectopic pregnancy are confirmed, an ultrasound scan is prescribed.
• A blood test for the hormone is taken not once, but every two days. If there is no pathology, then its level will constantly increase. In the opposite situation, the growth will be insignificant.

The fetus in this condition is not viable. Ultrasound does not detect a fertilized egg more than 2-3 weeks after the delay. The condition is life-threatening for the pregnant woman, because if the tube ruptures, she may experience internal bleeding. An ectopic pregnancy is often accompanied by pain and brown or black discharge.

High hCG levels

An elevated hCG level can occur with:

• gestosis;
• toxicosis;
• hydatidiform mole;
• multiple pregnancy;
• genetic pathologies;
• diabetes in a pregnant woman;
• when taking medications containing hCG.

What is the hCG hormone

Human chorionic gonadotropin, abbreviated hCG, hCG is a placental hormone produced after implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium, 6-8 days after fertilization of the egg. HCG is first secreted by the fertilized egg, and after the formation of the trophoblast (precursor of the placenta), the hormone is produced by its tissues.

This hormone belongs to the glycoprotein group; hCG consists of two complex chains - alpha and beta. The alpha chain is homologous to LH, FSH, TSH, the beta chain is unique because it consists of 237 amino acids in a certain order.

The pregnancy hormone is directly involved in the formation and maintenance of the main function of the placenta - providing the fetus with oxygen. HCG is no less important for the growth of the number of chorionic villi. HCG helps a woman’s body adapt to the half-alien body inside itself and promotes its development. With the help of gonadotropin, physiological immunosuppression is maintained, which prevents embryo rejection.

Indicators at the first screening

Screening is a series of studies that are carried out comprehensively in several stages.
The first screening is carried out at the very beginning of pregnancy, it includes:

• blood tests (general and some specific);
• Ultrasound;
• analysis for hCG and other hormones;
• any other research methods are at the discretion of the doctor.

The task of the first screening is the timely identification of genetic and other irreversible pathologies in the embryo, as well as assessment of the general course of pregnancy. Another main task will be to exclude ectopic pregnancy, frozen pregnancy, etc.

Values ​​for the first screening may be:

1. Understated.
2. Overpriced.
3. Normal.

Let's look at the overestimated values.
First of all, an additional ultrasound is prescribed - this will help to recognize the presence or absence of a hydatidiform mole, as well as to assess the condition of the uterus as a whole. To exclude the possibility of severe gene abnormalities, genetic tests are used. Modern medicine can detect them at an early stage.

For example, hCG increases significantly with the following fetal diseases:

1. Dyne's syndrome.
2. Klinefelter–Turner syndrome.
3. Anomalies in the structure of the neural tube.
4. Patau syndrome, etc.

All of these diseases are incompatible with normal life and usually when they are diagnosed, a decision is made to terminate the pregnancy.

ATTENTION! Before making such an important decision, make sure all the research has been done. After all, abortion has an extremely negative impact on a woman’s future reproductive ability.

Consequences and complications

For a pregnant woman, the consequences may be as follows:

1. Severe pregnancy, constant threat of miscarriage (if we are talking about fetal malformations).
2. The birth of a disabled child.
3. In diabetes mellitus, the third trimester is difficult and diabetic polyneuropathy may progress with severe complications.
4. With diabetes, the consequences will be severe for the child himself - he will receive insufficient nutrition and oxygen.
5. If a hydatidiform mole is diagnosed, then its removal may not be a solution to the problem - tumor cells in some cases spread throughout the body, to any organs.
6. If a medical abortion is necessary, the walls of the uterus may be deeply damaged, which will make it difficult for the fertilized egg to attach to them in the future.

INTERESTING! The female body is designed very wisely. If an embryo has pathologies that are incompatible with normal life, then it signals this in every possible way. For example, in the early stages there is a threat of miscarriage, and if the pregnancy is maintained, the next marker of deviation will be a significant jump in hCG production.

If it is elevated in a non-pregnant woman?

It is always present in a minimal amount in a woman’s body (and in a man too). This is due to the work of the pituitary gland and is not a deviation. It’s another matter if the hormone level is high and there is no pregnancy.

First of all, this will indicate the presence of cancer, but there are other reasons:

1. Recurrence of hydatidiform mole.
2. A recent abortion (the body has not yet adjusted, and hCG production has not decreased to normal levels).
3. Recent miscarriage.
4. Diabetes.

In any case, there is no need to panic. The doctor will prescribe several more diagnostic methods to obtain an accurate result, and then begin treatment, if necessary. Timely detection of a disease is always good. This is a guarantee of successful treatment.