Low hCG levels in early pregnancy can indicate a problem with the pregnancy, but it is not always a cause for concern. Here are some possible causes of low hCG levels:
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Gestational age miscalculated: When low hCG levels are detected, it may be because the pregnancy is not as far along as initially thought. An ultrasound and further hCG tests can be used to calculate the gestational age correctly.
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Blighted ovum: This happens when the stage of pregnancy and the estimated date of birth are wrong. Calculating these events is based on the dates of a woman’s last menstrual period, so miscalculations can occur if someone experiences irregular periods or is not sure when they had their last period.
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Miscarriage: Low hCG levels might sometimes suggest that the woman has had or will have a miscarriage. If the pregnancy fails to produce a placenta, the levels may initially be normal but fail to increase.
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Other factors: There are many factors that affect hCG levels, and the normal range varies hugely between individual women. For example, low or slow rising hCG levels can mean that the date of pregnancy was miscalculated, or that the woman is not as far along as she thought.
It is important to note that low hCG levels alone are not necessarily a reason to be worried, and many women have gone on to have healthy pregnancies and babies with low hCG levels. However, if there are concerns, a doctor can monitor hCG levels and perform further tests to determine the cause.
