How long does it take for HCG levels to drop?

isadora · 01-18-2006, 08:29 PM

I had a D&C on December 21st(4 weeks ago today). I should have been around 9 weeks at the time of the D&C and my HCG level was 58,000, although the baby's heartbeat stopped sometime between 6.5wks and 8 weeks. If you had a m/c at 9 weeks or later..how long did it take for your HCG level to return to zero? I tested 2 weeks ago and the test was still positive although it was not an extremely dark line. The test line was about as dark or slightly lighter than the control line. How soon after your D&C or m/c did AF show up? So far I've had no signs of AF yet...of course my cycles have always been very irregular and long.

Tia38 · 01-19-2006, 08:43 PM

Bump.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

I had a natural m/c so I can't comment on D&C. But in general, I've been told regardless of how it was passed (d&c, drugs, natural) that it usually takes 4-6 weeks for AF to return. I've read many stories of it taking much longer. I've also seen some folks get AF but HCG were still positive. And the opposite -- zero (or less than five) HCG but no AF, and needing provera to jump start.

Hopefully your doc is going to do a beta for you at some point? You might feel better seeing numbers to see how they are going. In my case my HCG zeroed out and I'm waiting on AF. If she doesn't come by 6 weeks after the m/c bleeding stopped RE will jump start with provera.

I'm bumping your post hoping someone else with D&C experience will comment.

Good luck,
-Tia

Mustard Seed · 01-19-2006, 10:58 PM

I can't help with the D&C questions either, but I will let you know my experience with hcg levels and my m/c. I found out around 11wks that the baby had stopped developing at 9wks, and I chose to m/c naturally, although it did take a little more than 3 weeks for that to happen. About a week and a half after I found out I would m/c, I asked to get my hcg levels checked. They were around 3,000 at that time. Bleeding from my m/c lasted about a week, and I had a beta half a week after the bleeding stopped. It was then at 8, and the dr was sure it would continue to fall, but (for my peace of mind), I asked to get it checked again the following week. By that point, I was 2 1/2 wks past my m/c. My hcg level that day was 3. I started bcp 2 wks after my m/c, and af came 4 weeks later like I expected. I hope that information is able to help you somehow. I am so very sorry for your loss.

isadora · 01-20-2006, 06:22 AM

Tia and Mustard Seed..thanks for the info! It's very encouraging! I ended up taking a PG test yesterday and after the 3 minutes, it was negative but a faint line appeared sometime after the 3 minutes. Yesterday was 4 weeks since the D&C was performed. The test I took was very sensitive and measures as low as 20, so my level is probably right around 20 if not a little below 20. The test is a lot lighter than my BFP was. Hopefully AF will show up soon! Kind of hoping she will wait until at least next weekend as I am going on vacation this week, but I will be soo happy to see AF when she does arrive.

Mustard Seed · 01-20-2006, 04:09 PM

Glad I could help, hun! Take care of yourself and have a nice vacation!

Tia38 · 01-20-2006, 11:16 PM

You are more than welcome Isadora. Glad to help.

I'm also waiting on AF. I'll take her anytime, especially if I don't need to wait 6 weeks to jump start her! But I know what you mean about wanting to have a nice vacation. :-)

Best of luck,
-Tia

isadora · 01-21-2006, 12:10 AM

Best of luck to both of you!

TTCcheer4xu · 01-25-2006, 02:07 AM

SO sorry about your loss,but i am glad your #'s are probably going down. I just m/c'd on Sat. and went in yesterday to make sure it was a complete m/c because i was scheduled for a d&C today. It was complete and they checked my #'s, this was 2 days after m/c, and my HCG was 542 and i have to go back for another hcg test on monday. I hope it will be at 0 or near by then. I was also told with my last m/c (D&C) and this one(natural m/c) that it would take 4-6 weeks for af and if no af they would prescribe prometrium. I am not looking forward to 4-6 weeks,plus another 2 weeks to jump start everything, but that is what usually happens with me. If i am not on fertility meds for the month my af doesn't come on its own. Gotta love PCOS. It is probably a needed break for my body though. Take care everyone and thanks for all the great info.