HCG growth by day after implantation: features, norms and recommendations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Women trying to get pregnant know well what human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or hCG) is. This hormone begins to be produced immediately after successful conception. The increase in hCG by day after implantation allows you to track the course of pregnancy.

Chorionic gonadotropin

The hormone is produced by the tissues of embryological structures. Its level becomes noticeable about a week after the fertilization of the egg. It is then that the onset of pregnancy can be established by special pharmacy tests, the principle of which is based on determining the presence of the hCG beta subunit in the urine. However, to confirm the physiological process, you will need a quantitative determination of the hormone in the blood, as this analysis is more accurate.

hCG belongs to a subclass of tropic hormones of the anterior pituitary and placenta, along with similar substances, it regulates the human sex glands. His chemic althe structure is formed by 237 amino acids, which determines its molecular weight of 36.7 kilod altons.

Chorionic gonadotropin is a two-component protein, the peptide part of which is covalently linked to a heterooligosaccharide. The same class includes luteinizing hormone (LH) and follitropin (FSH), but although their alpha subunit is homologous to hCG, the beta subunit contains a different amino acid sequence.

The growth of hCG by day after implantation follows a certain pattern: up to 7-11 weeks of pregnancy, its level increases several thousand times compared to the initial one, and after reaching the maximum, it gradually decreases. However, a drop in concentration or growth retardation that occurs long before 7 weeks is an alarm signal, as it may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Therefore, it is important to know exactly the norms of hCG readings.

Biological properties

hCG binds to gonadotropin receptors and has both luteinizing and follicle-stimulating activity. Moreover, the first type of activity is strongly expressed and surpasses even the luteinizing hormone.

One of the main signs of pregnancy - the cessation of menstruation - is due to the increase in hCG in the days after implantation. Without this hormone, the corpus luteum of the ovary exists only about two weeks after the menstrual cycle, after which it resolves. However, chorionic gonadotropin does not allow him to do this, and the temporary gland continues to be functionally active for 10-12 weeks. Perduring this time, it produces estrogen and progesterone instead of the placenta. Moreover, the last sex hormone is produced in very large quantities, impossible in the absence of pregnancy.

In addition to estrogens and progesterone, the body of a pregnant woman produces weak androgens. They are male sex hormones. By themselves, they cause relaxation of the muscles of the uterus, but too high a concentration of these substances threatens to stop the growth of the size of the uterus. This leads to the fact that the fetus becomes cramped in it, which threatens to miscarry.

Another property of hCG is adrenocorticotropic. This means that the hormone increases steroidogenesis in the adrenal cortex, which contributes to their functional hyperplasia. As a result of increased secretion of glucocorticosteroids by the glands, the body of a pregnant woman adapts to stress, and physiological immunosuppression is provided. The latter is necessary so that the uterus does not reject a half-alien organism.

The way hCG levels change from day to day after implantation also affects the placenta. With normal indicators, it develops correctly and has good functional activity. Her trophism improves, and the number of chorionic villi increases.

Exogenous administration

hCG can enter the body from the outside. In this case, in women in the middle of the cycle, the production of female sex hormones by the ovaries increases, and ovulation is also stimulated. After that, the bursting follicle undergoes luteinization, and the function of the corpus luteum continues to be carried out.

If you exogenously administer hCG to a man, histhe body will stimulate spermatogenesis and the production of sex hormones.

HCG growth chart by day after implantation

Indicators of the level of human chorionic gonadotropin depending on the duration of pregnancy are not strict and may vary. But in general, they should look something like the one indicated in the hCG table by day:

After IVF, the rates vary more widely, and their maximum is higher than with conventional fertilization. This can be seen from the following table:

The specific indicator will depend on the individual condition of the organism, as well as on the equipment of the laboratory in which the analysis was carried out.

Sometimes pregnancy occurs without a detectable increase in hormone levels. This is possible too early and when a fertilized egg is attached outside the uterine cavity.

Features of in vitro fertilization

If for some reason people cannot become parents naturally, fertilization is possible through medical intervention. For this, a complex multi-stage procedure called in vitro fertilization or IVF for short is carried out. It involves the fertilization of the egg in the laboratory and the transfer of the embryo to the uterus. At the same time, when the embryo is implanted after IVF, it may differ slightly from the timing for natural conception.

So, normally, the egg is attached touterine cavity after 7-10 days from the moment of conception. The process takes about 40 hours. Very rarely, but sometimes there are still cases when the implantation is carried out after 6 days, then the implantation is characterized as early. Such a shift in terms is not favorable due to insufficient preparation of the internal mucous membrane of the uterus - the endometrium. The growth rates of hCG after implantation do not change.

After IVF, the process is usually delayed on the contrary. The introduction occurs after 10 days and in itself takes about 72 hours. Due to the late implantation of the embryo during IVF, hCG does not rise immediately. There is no need to worry about this, since it is quite natural for in vitro fertilization.

However, parents-to-be are usually very worried about whether the implantation has passed, and are looking for signs that all is well. Subjectively, the following signs may indicate this:

• scanty beige or pink discharge that appears when the embryonic endometrium rich in blood vessels is damaged;
• painful sensations in the lower abdomen, similar to those that occur when menstruation approaches;
• nausea and metallic taste in the mouth;
• temperature increase to 37.2 degrees;
• weakness or dizziness.

However, these symptoms cannot be taken as confirmation of pregnancy, as they may indicate any other changes in the body. A more reliable sign is an increase in basal temperature, however, the final diagnosis of successful fertilization is carried outaccording to the results of an ultrasound examination carried out on the fifth day after embryo transfer and repeated after another 10 days.

Another reliable criterion is the level of human chorionic gonadotropin. For those who want to know how fast changes occur in the body of a pregnant woman, there is a table of hCG growth rates by day after IVF.

Sometimes a gynecologist operates with such a concept as the day after ovulation, or, for short, DPO. The growth of hCG on the days of DPO is absolutely similar to the above table of norms after IVF.

Deviations from the norm

If the level of the hormone is very different in one direction or another from the indicators given in the hCG table by day during IVF or conventional fertilization, additional examinations are urgently needed. Too low concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin may indicate the following disorders:

• ectopic or non-developing pregnancy;
• delay in the development of the unborn child;
• placental insufficiency;
• prematurity of the fetus.

Of great importance is how much the level of hCG is lowered, and for how long the woman is currently. For example, if it is no more than half of the normal values, a pregnant woman may have a spontaneous abortion. And if the decrease occurred after a period of more than 3 months, fetal death is possible.

Increased human chorionic gonadotropin may also indicate any abnormalities,ex:

• maternal diabetes;
• preeclampsia, that is, a complicated pregnancy, accompanied by edema, increased pressure, loss of protein, convulsions;
• Chromosomal abnormalities of the fetus.

In the latter case, prenatal determination of Down syndrome in the unborn child is necessary. It is diagnosed by a low level of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A.

In addition, hCG may be elevated when the mother takes synthetic progestogens. However, a high level of human chorionic gonadotropin is not always a bad sign. It may also indicate a multiple pregnancy (increases as many times as the fetus develops in the uterus) or an incorrect setting of the term.

HCG Tracking

The increase in hCG by day after implantation is monitored using a blood test. In order for the result to be correct, you need to prepare for the study: do not eat 8 hours before blood sampling, avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, try to avoid stressful situations and overexertion. You need to come for analysis in the morning.

Blood will be drawn from a peripheral vein. Since plasma is needed for the study, the collected material is centrifuged and the blood cells are separated. Direct determination of the level of hCG is carried out using additional reagents.

Recommendations for pregnant women

HCG growth occurs correctly if intrauterine development occurs normally. To do this, the expectant mother needs to follow some simple recommendations. First of all, they concern harmfulhabits.

Smoking is unacceptable, especially in the early stages, and you need to give it up before planning a pregnancy, or at least immediately after it became known. You will have to give up smoking completely, a gradual decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked per day is ineffective and harms the baby.

Even someone else's cigarette smoke can have a negative effect, so smoking areas should be avoided. The same goes for drinking alcohol.

Difficulties can be caused by a ban on a sufficiently large list of drugs. Due to the fact that the body experiences a certain stress during pregnancy, a slight malfunction occurs in the immune system, and a woman can easily get sick. However, many medications are prohibited during pregnancy, especially antibiotics. No funds should be taken without consulting a gynecologist.

During pregnancy, X-rays should not be taken, as its rays destroy the tissues of the fetus and can cause developmental abnormalities in the already born child. You should also refrain from lifting heavy objects. Usually everyone knows this, but many neglect it, and a frivolous attitude to this aspect threatens to increase the tone of the uterus or even placental abruption.

Vapors of household chemicals can negatively affect the fetus, so it is better not to use aggressive substances such as "Shumanita". The same applies to strong-smelling varnishes, paints, adhesives, insecticides.

During pregnancy, animals, including your own pets, can pose a danger. They caninitiate toxoplasmosis, and in order not to get infected, you will have to wash your hands thoroughly after each contact.

The common misconception that expectant mothers need to eat a lot more is fundamentally wrong. You need to reconsider your diet in terms of quality, not quantity. This means replacing unhe althy foods with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and high-protein foods.

Recommendations should be taken seriously in order for the main systems and organs of the baby to be he althy.

What else could hCG indicate?

Sometimes the growth of hCG and implantation are not related. This hormone is determined in the blood of non-pregnant women and even men. Unfortunately, human chorionic gonadotropin is secreted not only by the fetal placenta, but also by some malignant tumors. This process is called ectopic production. In this regard, with an hCG indicator of more than 5 milliunits per ml of blood, the following serious diseases can be diagnosed:

• testicular tumors in men or uterine tumors in non-pregnant women;
• neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs or kidneys;
• the formation of a product of conception without the normal development of the embryo, accompanied by the growth of villi in the form of liquid bubbles;
• chorioncarcioma.

To determine exactly what is happening in the body, you need to conduct additional examinations. The prognosis for elevated hCG is not always alarming, because sometimes it turns out to be an analysis error or is caused by taking any medicationbefore him, primarily hormonal. In women, elevated hCG without pregnancy may be the result of a recent abortion, after which not all hormones have returned to normal. In any case, it is better to repeat the study, for which you may have to go to another clinic.

Conclusion

Of course, it is best when the increase in hCG is caused by positive reasons - a planned pregnancy. A woman's attentive attitude to her well-being and he alth and following all the doctor's recommendations will help to ensure its increase within the norm.

The specialist will tell you how often to donate blood for hormones, and independently decipher the results. Roughly knowing what the growth should be, according to the tables, a woman can be calmer for her baby. However, it must be remembered that many factors affect the result, for example, with late implantation of the embryo, hCG may begin to rise a little later than usual, so do not worry about small deviations if the doctor says everything is in order.