It’s one of the first ways we know for sure we’re pregnant: the hCG hormone. But just what do these three letters stand for, and what’s the significance of them" This primer has all the details about hCG, from what it is, to how often it?s measured, along with everything you need to know about hCG levels that are too low, too high or just right.
What is hCG"
Short for human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG is a hormone produced by the outer layer of an early-pregnancy and pre-embryo structure called the blastocyst. It’s a crucial part of early pregnancy?this outer layer (called the trophoblast) provides the embryo with nutrients and later forms part of the placenta and fetal membranes, says Julia Kfouri, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital and an assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The hCG hormone is usually a sign of pregnancy, but it can also indicate an ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg implants itself somewhere other than the uterus.
How are hCG levels detected in pregnancy"
HCG production starts right after implantation, but the levels are very low at first. They increase rapidly in the first few weeks, and home pregnancy tests can typically detect hCG in urine once it reaches 25 mIU/mL or higher (although some can detect in at lower levels). This is generally around 12 to 14 days after conception or a couple of days before your expected per...