Beta hCG levels are used to detect pregnancy and can be measured through a blood test or a urine test. A beta hCG level of less than 5 mIU/mL is considered negative for pregnancy, and anything above 25 mIU/mL is considered positive for pregnancy. An hCG level between 6 and 24 mIU/mL is considered a grey area, and you’ll likely need to be retested to see if your levels rise to confirm a pregnancy. The beta hCG levels will be tested multiple times during the pregnancy to confirm a healthy pregnancy. The expected hCG ranges in pregnant women are based on the length of the pregnancy:
- 3 weeks: 5 - 72 mIU/mL
- 4 weeks: 10 -708 mIU/mL
- 5 weeks: 217 - 8,245 mIU/mL
- 6 weeks: 152 - 32,177 mIU/mL
- 7 weeks: 4,059 - 153,767 mIU/mL
It is important to note that the level of hCG can vary among women, and it is not necessarily the level that matters, but rather the change in the level.
