HCG or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a pregnancy hormone. This hormone plays a very important role in pregnancy; hence, it is the presence of HCG that plays a very important role in pregnancy tests.
HCG, the pregnancy hormone:
HCG hormone is produced by the cells on the outer surface of the embryo; the same cells go to form the placenta. HCG hormone is present in the urine from where it can be detected from 7-9 days after the fertilization has taken place. It is the time when the embryo goes on to attach to the walls of the uterus, this process is called implantation.
The presence of HCG in urine determines pregnancy, and it is the base of all the over the counter and hospital pregnancy tests. Pregnancy tests can determine the presence of HCG in blood or urine when sufficient amount of HCG is present, as HCG keeps on circulating the blood and is eliminated in urine also.
Importance of HCG in Pregnancy:
Every month an egg is produced by one of the two ovaries present in the lower abdomen of the female human body. This egg if meets a sperm, fertilization may occur. The process of fertilization usually occurs in the fallopian tube to form a bigger mass of cell called embryo in about 7-9 days.
Guide to HCG level during pregnancy
The levels of HCG keeps on varying after the implantation; the following HCG chart may prove helpful to you:
S.no. Weeks after LMP HCG levels( miu/ml)
1. 3 5-50
2. 4 5-425
3. 5 18 – 7,340
4. 6 1,080 – 56,500
5. 7-8 7, 650 – 229,000
6. 9-12 25,700 – 288,000
7. 13-16 13,300 – 254,000
