What Does a High Raise of HCG Mean?

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By Kendra Dahlstrom
eHow Contributing Writer

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High hCG levels can mean you're pregnant.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, also known as hCG, is a hormone produced by the female body during pregnancy. When a woman takes a pregnancy test at home or a blood test at the doctor's office, they measure the hCG levels. There are several reasons for a high hCG or high rise rate.

Average Rate

During the first 15 weeks of an average pregnancy, hCG levels will double every two or three days, according to AdvancedFertility.com.

Causes

Some women have very high levels or have quickly rising hCG levels, which could be due to multiple embryos or a molar pregnancy.

Miscalculated due date

Another reason for high hCG levels is if the due date is completely wrong. This happens when ovulation occurred at an odd time during the woman's cycle, or if she forgot the date of her last period.

Considerations

Some women receive hCG for fertility treatment. This could cause abnormally high levels when tests are performed less than 14 days after the injection.

Warning

HCG levels should be taken with a grain of salt. Rise rates vary so much; a more accurate way to check for a viable pregnancy is an ultrasound at six weeks.