If you know about home pregnancy tests, you are familiar with the hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin . Also known as beta hCG or hCG, this is the hormone released during pregnancy and used by home pregnancy tests to determine if you’re pregnant (a positive pregnancy test result ). HCG levels usually increase in a predictable pattern with some notable changes and innovations as early pregnancy progresses. This article will discuss what slow-rising hCG means and what it means for your pregnancy.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is vital in early pregnancy.
It directly stimulates the corpus luteum to maintain progesterone production,
ensuring the uterine lining stays thick and welcoming for the embryo.
As the placenta matures, it takes over hormone production,
facilitating ongoing fetal growth.

Normal hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy

The pituitary gland naturally produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which occurs in both females and males throughout their lives. However, because hCG production is its primary role in pregnancy, it is usually at its highest during the first weeks ( first trimester ) and rises exponentially. HCG continues to rise in early pregnancy until around 9-12 weeks (the last weeks of the first trimester). Standard levels vary from one woman to another and depend on different factors, including the number of embryos you carry and how your body reacts to the pregnancy. A woman carrying two or more embryos will have a higher hCG level than a woman with one embryo because of the hormone’s role in early pregnancy and foetal development.

hCG: First Four Weeks of Pregnancy

In early pregnancy, hCG levels typically double every 48 to 72 hours. Minor variations are normal
and can result from test timing and natural hormone changes. A slightly slower or faster rise
doesn’t usually indicate a problem; it reflects how each body handles hCG differently. Your
healthcare provider will track these levels to ensure your pregnancy progresses well.

HCG levels vary from one woman to another, but there should be little concern if they are within the normal range and increasing steadily. Even though home pregnancy tests are designed to test or detect hCG presence in the urine, only a blood test can determine the exact levels.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Levels Chart Week by Week

The table below provides the range of normal levels measured in milli-international units of hCG hormone per millilitre of blood (mIU/mL).

Individual hCG Trends and Pregnancy History

A history of pregnancy loss can understandably be concerning, but each pregnancy has its own hormonal pattern. Previous pregnancies with low or slow-rising hCG levels do not necessarily repeat in future pregnancies. Differences in implantation timing, natural hormone fluctuations, and individual health factors affect hCG dynamics. Regular, personalised monitoring by your healthcare provider is crucial for accurately interpreting these changes and providing optimal care. Clinical evidence shows that a single indicator, like the hCG increase rate, should be assessed alongside other diagnostic tests rather than used as a sole predictor of future outcomes.

What Causes Low hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy?

HCG monitoring is essential to determine the status and health of early pregnancy. HCG levels usually fall in a wide range; your doctor will typically check how they change (whether they are rising). They are more concerned about the rate of change than the actual number. Low, slow-rising hCG levels have different meanings and could indicate different possible scenarios. A low beta hCG result could signify that you miscalculated the date of your pregnancy and you’re not far along as you thought. It’s possible to miscalculate your pregnancy date if you’re not tracking your cycles, have irregular periods, or are unsure about the dates. Your doctor should perform further tests to determine the gestational age. Slow-rising hCG levels could also indicate other problems in the pregnancy that may eventually lead to pregnancy loss . If a pregnancy does not progress, the initial hCG levels may appear normal but fail to rise after subsequent tests. If you get this type of result, it could signify that you may have a miscarriage , or one has already occurred without your knowledge. Falling hCG levels are usually a sign of Miscarriage, but in most cases, they will be accompanied by other symptoms such as passing tissue or clots, bleeding, and cramping.

What Does It Mean When Your hCG Levels Are Low?

Apart from Miscarriage , low, slow-rising hCG levels could also signify an ectopic pregnancy or a blighted ovum. Even though they are different conditions, the hCG hormone plays a role because they both involve the development of a fertilised egg. A blighted ovum occurs when an egg that has been fertilised attaches itself to the womb but fails to develop. It occurs early in pregnancy and may go unnoticed by many women. The symptoms occur as normal menstruation; most women think it’s their period. An ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous and life-threatening condition where the fertilised egg, instead of attaching itself to the uterine lining, remains in the fallopian tube and develops. As an ectopic pregnancy develops or progresses, it is accompanied by other physical symptoms such as dizziness, shock, heavy bleeding, or severe abdominal pain that indicate a problem. Low or slow-rising hCG levels can indicate an ectopic pregnancy, but your healthcare provider or doctor must do more than hCG tests alone before diagnosing you. It is crucial to note that low, slow-rising hCG does not necessarily indicate pregnancy problems. A small but significant percentage of pregnancies with low hCG levels go on without complications.

Can You Get Pregnant With Low hCG?

Even when hCG levels are slow or low rising, it’s still possible to have a successful pregnancy. The levels vary from one woman to another and even between pregnancies. So, if you have had a complication previously, human chorionic gonadotropin levels should not be taken as a sign that you will not get pregnant again.

What Can Cause High hCG Levels?

High hCG levels can arise from several factors. Often, a higher reading indicates a multifetal pregnancy, with each embryo increasing the hormone level. It can also result from miscalculating gestational age, making hCG values appear unusually high. Fertility medications that stimulate ovulation may naturally raise hCG levels. In rare cases, very high hCG levels can signal a molar pregnancy, where abnormal tissue replaces a normal embryo. Assessing hCG levels alongside other tests and clinical information is crucial for determining the right course of care.

hCG Production and Its Inherent Regulation

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced through a natural, precise process that starts soon after implantation. Cells in the developing embryo release hCG to signal the corpus luteum, ensuring continued progesterone production essential for maintaining early pregnancy. This hormonal sequence follows a genetically programmed timeline that marks key stages of embryonic development.

hCG production is controlled by the body’s internal biochemical and cellular processes. External interventions—such as dietary changes, supplements, or alternative therapies—cannot reliably or safely increase hCG levels. Attempts to artificially alter hCG production lack scientific support and may disrupt the body’s natural regulation, potentially hiding important clinical information. Preserving this natural process is crucial for accurately monitoring pregnancy health and viability.

It may be tempting to look for ways of increasing your hCG levels, but it cannot be done. It is impossible to increase your levels even if you want to. The changes in your hCG levels are valuable information to determine the health of your pregnancy. Attempting to change those numbers to increase human chorionic gonadotropin levels artificially will only mask the problems instead of indicating them.

Low hCG and Miscarriage

Unfortunately, the most common reason for slow-rising hCG is usually a miscarriage. Your doctor will be more concerned about the viability of your pregnancy if your hCG levels go down and fail to rise. They will likely do a transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests to check for other problems. If your hCG levels decrease from previous measurements or are not close to doubling, it is most likely a sign that the pregnancy is not viable because the embryo is no longer developing. This is because the body stops the production of hCG to support foetal growth after the embryo stops developing, and the tests done by your doctor will reflect that. Low levels of hCG don’t always indicate a miscarriage, and they are also used as a baseline to track the changes throughout the pregnancy. However, it is not a good sign if the levels start dropping. Declining hCG levels after a positive pregnancy result mean a high chance of the pregnancy being non-viable .

Tracking hCG Levels

A blood test is the most accurate way to track and detect slow-rising hCG levels. Home pregnancy tests only detect the hormone, not the amount of hCG in your urine. Even though some pregnancy tests on the market are designed to tell you if your hormone levels have risen over the baseline, they cannot monitor healthy pregnancies.

Educational Resources for Informed Fertility Testing

Home pregnancy tests and ovulation strips provide an initial check of your hormone levels and fertility status. However, these tools offer only a basic view of your reproductive health and should be used alongside comprehensive medical evaluations for accurate insights.

At Fertility2Family, we view early screening as the start of your fertility journey. While home tests can indicate early signs of pregnancy, they guide you to further evaluation by qualified healthcare providers. Detailed blood tests and clinical examinations are essential for accurately interpreting hCG levels and ensuring safe, informed early pregnancy care.

For individuals in Australia and beyond, personalized medical advice is vital. If you have concerns or unclear results, consult a trusted medical professional who can provide guidance based on the latest evidence and clinical best practices.

Evan kurzyp

Evan Kurzyp

Evan is the founder of Fertility2Family and is passionate about fertility education & providing affordable products to help people in their fertility journey. Evan is a qualified Registered Nurse and has expertise in guiding & managing patients through their fertility journeys.